A Crucial Migration Imam Khomeinis Migration to Paris, a Turning Point in Irans History Compiled by Mohammad JavadQorbi In 1978 and

while Islamic movement of Iranian people led by Imam Khomeini had reached its culmination, the Shahs regime, disappointed at compromising with Imam Khomeini, tried some political measures to limit his activities or deport him from Iraq. At a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq in New York, a decision was made to deport Imam Khomeini from Iraq. On 24 September 1978, Iraqi troops laid siege to Imam Khomeinis house in Najaf. The news of the siege angered the Muslims in Iran, Iraq and other countries. In his visit to Imam Khomeini, Iraqi security chief, indicated that if Imam wished to stay in Iraq he must give up his challenge and politics, and the Imam replied that, due to the responsibility he felt for the Muslim ummah, he was not willing to remain quiet nor was he willing to make a compromise. Imam Khomeini, determined to continue the struggle at any cost, decided to leave Iraq for Syria, but due to strained relations between the two countries it was decided that he transits Kuwaiti territories to Syria. While a visa on his arrival to Kuwait had been issued, Kuwaiti officials issued a decree to prevent him from entering the country. Imam stayed the night in Basra and decided to fly to Paris. In a message addressing the Iranian nation, he mentioned the reasons for his flight, Now that Im forced to leave neighborhood of Imam Ali (A.S.) and do not have freedom in Islamic territories to serve you the oppressed nation who are attacked by foreigners and their affiliates, and in a situation that they have stopped me from entering Kuwait while I had a visa, I travel to France. No matter where I am, what is of significance to me is fulfilling my divine duty and high interests of Islam and the Muslims. Now that the Islamic movement has reached a critical stage, you and I are responsible. Islam expects us to do something. Accordingly, Imam and his companions went to Baghdad on October 6, 1978, and the following day he began an epochal flight for the sake of God, in which after a short stay in Paris he resided at Neauphle-le-Chteau village. Officials of the Elysee Palace apprised the Imam of the views of the French President that the Imam must not indulge in politics. The Imams sharp reaction and answer was that such limitation contradicts the Frances claim to democracy, and that he would rather, commute between airports, from one country to another than give up his objective. Quite contrary to the Shahs expectation, Imams stay in Paris accelerated the pace of revolution and many reporters and journalists rushed to Imam visit every day and that small village turned into the focus of world news. After few months the Islamic Revolution achieved its victory.