Islam Times - Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, A Manifestation of Imam Khomeini’s Thoughts

Islam Times - Iran is marking the 35th anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini. People from all walks of life have traveled to the capital Tehran, where his mausoleum exits, to renew their allegiance to his ideals and thoughts.

The flag the Iranian nation raised under leadership of Imam Khomeini since the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 that toppled the pro-Western monarchy became a ray of hope to many oppressed nations suffering from the unfair global order and dominated by the Western and Eastern powers. Actually, the Islamic Republic that was borne from divinely and religious thoughts of Imam Khomeini become an origin of many movements and developments with the fresh air and thought that it blew regionally and internationally. Now and after 35 years since the passing of the architect of the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic has grown so strong that it has turned into a determining factor in the complicated world equations.

One of the most brilliant areas of emergence of religious and national self-belief to shatter the historical oppression and injustice against the Muslims, which was in the center of thoughts of Imam Khomeini about the way the Islamic nations needed to confront the imperialism, was the Palestinian cause.

Certainly, this year's anniversary ceremony, after developments triggered by Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Storm and the great victories of the Palestinian nation over the Israeli military, has made a different atmosphere for lovers of the ideals of Imam Khomeini because once again they can witness the realization of the divine promises of the Imam Khomeini regarding the final liberation of Palestine, the collapse of the cancerous Israel, and the definitive victory of truth and light over darkness.

During his struggle against Shah dictatorship and years before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini always spoke about the need for Islamic countries to address the suffering and pain of the Palestinian people and the unity of these nations to destroy the Israeli occupation. During the past 4 decades, from basic weapons and stone Intifada, the Palestinian militant groups have reached the stage of acquiring knowledge of building rockets and advanced military equipment that in addition to tanks and armored vehicles can also target the depth of the cities in the occupied territories. The power of faith and self-belief that Imam Khomeini planted in Iranian youths to rely on themselves to win the 8 years of unequal war with Saddam Hussein and stand tall against the world powers and impress the world with IRGC's anti-Israeli Operation True Promise left the same impact on the Palestinian youths.

The victory of the Islamic Republic in Iran not only injected new blood in veins of historic struggle of the Palestinians against the occupation, but also woke up the Muslims from deep sleep, brought back the Palestinian cause to the center of regional developments, scandalized the Israelis, shattered the Israeli narrative of developments in Palestine globally, and initiated gradual process of demise of Israel. One of the historic measures and possibly the strategic feats of Imam Khomeini in support of the Palestinians cause was naming of the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as Quds Day, which is now a fully recognized event not only in the Muslim and Arab worlds but the whole world.

Even the Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was an inspiration of his thoughts about the need to fight oppression and Imperialism. Actually, this operation and then the eight-month war in Gaza in addition to imposing a defeat on Israel shifted the global political and media atmosphere in favor of Palestinian nation. Now the Israelis have no supporters except for some imperialist and extremely hated Western powers and are in an unprecedented historic isolation. Resolute votes in the International Court of Justice and the United Nations General Assembly all are cast in favor of the Palestinians, signaling a new period in the Palestinian developments. Nobody could think that one day, the streets of Western cities will be flooded by pro-Palestinian protestors that unanimously cry liberation of Palestine and destruction of Israel.

Therefore, given the great achievements of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm made in the way of liberation of Palestine from the Israeli occupation, this operation should be regarded as a turning point in continuation of the Palestinian struggle and policy based on thoughts of Imam Khomeini. Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in April said that " in this great day, we remember Imam Khomeini (pbuh) who made Bayt Al-Muqadas (Al-Aqsa Mosque) the pillar of the Islamic Revolution and resistance, a lofty and fresh aspiration for the proud Muslim ummah. He established the Quds Day."