The Era of Stability and Reconstruction (1988-95)
After the war, the country had a proper opportunity to reconstruct the war-stricken regions, Consequently, Imam appointed a board of specialists to inspect the long-term policies required for the economic reconstruction in the country. Referring to Imams agreement with the peace resolution, the world media analyzed that Imam had withdrawn from his Revolutionary principles amid the country will soon reconcile with the western countries especially the United States.
Despite their analysis, Imams popularity increased. On their demonstration in Azerbaijan, in the former Soviet Union, a large number of people carried Imams photo. The foreign analysts were fully astonished by the event. Imam sent a historical message to Gorbechav warning that communism would soon collapsed because the thought foundation of Marxism had reached a deadlock. Imam invited Gonbechave to try to understand the Islamic values. The message was fraught with self-confidence, therefore it fully influenced the world of Islam. a few years later, a great number of analysts referred to Imams prediction after Soviet Union had collapsed.
Imams verdict about Salman Roshdi, was another impairment event which brought a widespread social, political and cultural reaction both in the international circles and in the world of Islam Taking to the streets a large number of people in England especially in the city of "Bradford" condemned the book written by Salman Roshdi, the English author with Indian Origin, and called for the ban on the publication of the book entitled Satanic Verses.
Having failed to stop the publication of Satanic Verses in courts in England, the Muslims then had demonstrations in Pakistan arid India in which 70 to 80 people lost their lives. Imam issued a Fatwa- after he was informed of the content of the book - in which Salman Roshdi had been called an apostate. As a religious duty it was a must for the Muslims to kill Salman Roshdi for his insulting image of the prophet of Islam. Publishing Satanic Verses, the West or Zionists, in effect, wanted to evaluate how sensitive the Muslims were. The face to face symbolic confrontation engineered by the West and enjoyed an all-out support by the westerns faced the decisive Fatwa of Imam. Imam viewed the move not merely as a book written by the enemies by as the beginning of a new political struggle against the Muslims which threatened the life of Islam and the prestige of the Muslims. The book had also caused the killing of 810 Muslims. Imam thought that the measure had to be killed in the beginning.
The Farwa by Imam, introduced him as an anti-west fundamentalist leader, It brought serious reaction by the European countries. European ambassadors left Iran. The Fatwa; however, won the support of the Muslims of the world. Even the OIC approved that Roshdi was apostate. Once again, because of imams determined position and the stress that he placed upon his Fatwa, the west tasted the bitter failure and the ambassadors returned to Tehran.
Imam could see the symptoms of his illness. He felt the constitution faced some administrative problems. Therefore, he appointed a board of specialists to mandate the constitution and make necessary changes. Since the constitution had been passed in the early months of the post-revolution era, the reforms which were made on it after the experiences gained in a period of ten years, could increase its efficacy. The board lifted the concept of "Manjacyat" which was a prerequisite for the leader of the country. Through a general election, the constitution got acceptance among the people again. Imams death was a sad time for the Iranian people and those in the world of Islam. The people saw oft their leaders body in a unique way, No other funeral in the world for any other leader had been held so gloriously. Peoples honorable mourning on his funeral could make every one sad. The western states and many of the opposition parries believed that the Islamic Republic would collapse and the officials in Iran would try violent methods to gain power after, Imam had passed away.
Quite a few articles amid caricatures published to predict the future Iran. However, just after Imams death, in their 7-hour session the members of the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader. All the political parties, after the Assemblys election, joined Khamenci and expressed that they were ready to continue Imams path. The peaceful atmosphere and stability after Imams death came as a surprise for all the observers. Rafsangani won the presidential election in the following year. Mir Hossein Mousavi who had worked skillfully and efficiently in the 81-year war period handed the government to Rafsaajani. He tried to perform the reconstruction program, the main plans of which had been passed during Imams leadership. Trying to improve the countrys peaceful ties with the Arab world and the western countries, Rafsanjani placed stress on carrying out some important projects as dam-making, developing electricity, oil, and steel industries while enjoying the supportive resources of the world financial systems.
Iran took a loan of 30 billion dollars from the foreign countries. Putting stress on the developments in the domestic products, Rafsnjani could gain a three percent annual growth in the countrys economy. Although he was forced to modify his economic programs, he was pleased that he had succeeded to reshape the structure and the basic principles of the countrys economic system.
The Islamic country owes its success during the period to the wise leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei who himself had been in office for two terms and to the hand work performed by then president Hashemi Rafsanijani.
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