- News code: 1316222
- Source: en.imam-khomeini.ir
Imam in a historic message released on the occasion of Christmas during his stay in the French city of Neauphle-le-Château voiced divine blessings for Jesus Christ, his holy mother and all of their truthful followers.
Imam warned the Christian leaders to stop their Western leaders by siding the Shah regime. Imam stressed that the Christian people should support the oppressed Iranian nation, which rose up against the Shah Regime and world arrogance.
Imam Khomeini had also recommended his companions to distribute gifts among Christians in Neauphle-le-Château on the eve of Christmas and had treated kindly his Christian neighbors and showed great respect towards them.
Imam Khomeini urged the followers of Jesus and the Christian World to rise up against oppression and called on them to become united under the banner of monotheism in order to confront aggressive policies of colonial and exploiting powers.
After the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979 under Imam’s wise leadership, he stressed that all religious minorities of Iran would be free to perform their religious and social activities, and the Islamic republic views it as its duty to protect their rights and safety; they, like the Muslims of Iran, are Iranians and respectable. (Sahifeh-ye-Imam, Vol.4, page 419)
Imam Khomeini also said that the Islamic government is a democratic government in the true sense of the word, and under which, there are equally complete freedoms for all religious minorities, and everyone will be able to express his or her opinion. ( Sahifeh-ye-Imam, Vol.4, page 390)
Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic once said in a historic message that Christian leaders including the pope and priests should ring the bells of churches in the interest of the oppressed people across the globe.
The message delivered on the first anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, citing verses from the Muslim holy book of Quran and the bible stressed the significance of justice among the divine religions.
Imam Khomeini, after rendering congratulatory message to the world Christians on the Jesus Christ birthday, invited them to defend oppressors and confront aggressors.
Denouncing the aggressive anti-acts by the then US President James Earl Carter Jr (Jimmy Carter), the founder of the Islamic Republic said that it was time for churches and the Christian leaders to stand by the Iranian nation .
It is worthy to mention that the history of ringing church bells dates back to AD 400. Paulinus of Nola was the first man to introduce them to the Christian church, and Pope Sabinianus sanctioned their use in AD 604.
Church bells became much more common in Europe during the Middle Ages, and the Eastern Orthodox Church carried on a long history of using bells during services.
The Russian Orthodox Church also has a long history with bell ringing.
At another occasion, Imam also warned that individual like the then US President Jimmy Carters and western politicians were adopting criminal policies against other nations in the name of Christianity. Imam recommended the Christian leaders and believers not to let them commit crimes in the name of Christianity.
The founder of the Islamic Republic became undertook serious efforts to unite all the oppressed nations and denounced any type of division and strife among them. Pundits believe that Imam Khomeini wanted to unite the followers of all religions under banner of monotheism and was a great supporter of the oppressed nations across the globe.
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Imam congratulated on Christmas while in Neauphle-le-Château
