Hawzah News Agency- Hojatoleslam Sayyed Safdar Hussain Zaidi, head of the Jamiat Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (PBUH) in India, made the remarks in a message marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
He said February 11 (22 Bahman in the Iranian calendar) is not merely a significant date in Iran’s national history, but a defining moment for oppressed peoples globally and a symbol of Islamic honor, courage, and resistance.
A Day That Reshaped Regional and Global Equations
“History has witnessed many days that fade with time,” Zaidi stated. “But there are certain days that remain alive because of their depth and impact. February 11, 1979, is one such day.”
According to the Indian cleric, the victory of the Islamic Revolution not only ended more than two millennia of monarchical rule in Iran, but also altered the political and intellectual map of West Asia and beyond.
He described the Revolution as an open challenge to colonial powers and their dominance, arguing that it demonstrated how faith, popular unity, and firm resolve can overcome material strength and the backing of major world powers.
Revival of Islamic Identity and Self-Determination
Zaidi said that prior to the Revolution, much of the Muslim world was politically and intellectually overshadowed by Western influence, a situation that fostered passivity and a sense of dependency.
“The message of February 11 was clear,” he said. “Islam is not confined to rituals of worship. It is a comprehensive system of life, offering guidance in political, economic, and social spheres.”
He pointed to the Revolution’s slogan of “Neither East nor West” as a call for Muslims to rediscover their authentic identity and reclaim political independence. The slogan, he noted, signaled a rejection of alignment with Cold War power blocs and emphasized sovereignty rooted in Islamic principles.
A Beacon for Liberation Movements
The Indian scholar emphasized that the Revolution’s success sent a powerful message to liberation movements in Palestine, Lebanon, and impoverished regions of Africa and elsewhere — that determined and united peoples can stand against powerful states.
“For many oppressed communities,” he said, “the Islamic Revolution became a practical model of resistance and self-reliance.”
Even today, Zaidi added, numerous movements view the Iranian experience as proof that entrenched political systems backed by global powers are not invincible.
A Popular Revolution Rooted in Faith
Highlighting the Revolution’s most distinctive feature, Zaidi said it was fundamentally a popular uprising led by Imam Khomeini, who mobilized millions without reliance on foreign support, military might, or vast weaponry.
“He had neither an army nor advanced arsenals,” Zaidi noted. “What he possessed was faith, courage, and unwavering conviction — and he removed fear from the hearts of the people.”
According to the cleric, this faith-driven mobilization transformed Iran into what he described as a dignified and influential nation on the global stage.
Dignity Through Resistance
Zaidi concluded that February 11 embodies a universal lesson: that dignity is achieved not through compromise with injustice, but through steadfastness in defense of truth.
“This day teaches us that courage does not mean the absence of fear,” he said. “It means standing firm for justice despite fear.”
True honor, he added, lies in devotion to God and service to humanity, citing the Quranic verse: “If you support God’s cause, He will support you.”
For the Indian scholar, the enduring significance of February 11 lies in its spiritual dimension — a reminder that faith-based resistance can reshape political realities and restore a sense of purpose and agency to marginalized nations.
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