During this conference that was held in London’s ‘Abrar House’, tens of Muslim and non-Muslim figures and lovers of Imam Khomeini participated.
A number of Christian and Muslim figures by honoring the name and memory of Imam Khomeini, talked about different dimensions of Imam’s personality especially his leadership and the changes he brought to the Iranian society and the impact of his thought in other countries.
Rev. Peter Challen from Britain, author of books and several articles about political and economic reforms, during this conference talked about political economic and Imam’s view towards this issue.
He said: “Iran’s revolution was a unique revolution which succeeded by a religious leadership and it still aspires oppressed people around the world.”
He then referred to some of Imam’s statements and said: “He always emphasized that Islam views the world through love and this is the most important message of all Abrahamic religions.”
Alireza Bahmanpour, an Islamic Union of Students member in London delivered a lecture titled “Imam Khomeini and Leadership in Critical Conditions”, said: “Imam with his pure faith was seeking to serve God and His people and on this path he feared no materialism power, and these specifications differed him from other political leaders.”
Dr. Stephen Robert Sizer another British Reverend was another lecturer at this conference who talked about religion and politics and civilian duties in front of God and the government from the Christian viewpoint.
He said: “In Christian theology the government should be accountable and civil disobedience against dictator regimes is allowed and recommended for reforming issues.”
He added: “Imam Khomeini also believed that there is no conflict between the responsibilities of citizens in front of God and a religious government based on the desires of people.”
Hojtoleslam Sayyid Ali Abbas Radavi, a professor of political history and Islamic science was another lecturer who lectured about religion and politics in Islamic thoughts and talked about the role of religious rules in different levels of society and different religions.
Murtada Pouya a Pakistani intellectual pointed to the impact of Imam’s thoughts in the Islamic world and said: “Today, Imam’s message has reached to Muslim nations and we area viewing rises in different countries to seek justice.”
He added: “One the most important achievements of the Islamic revolution under Imam’s leadership, was the revival of the Palestine issue for the Muslims and we know that after the Islamic revolution the Intifada of the Palestinians started again and made the Zionist regime worrying.”
Shubair Radavi at this conference said: “Imam’s thoughts are still alive and aspiring and this issue makes the imperialism powers to worry.”
Then he recited an English poem about Imam Khomeini.
During this conference a short film about the life of Imam Khomeini was screened which the participants showed interest in.
In occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s heavenly departure several programs are prepared by the Islamic centers in England.
England’s Islamic Center located in London with the cooperation of AhlulBayt Islamic Mission (AIM) on Sunday June 3rd will hold a conference about Imam Khomeini, entitled “Reflections on Leadership”.