Quotes concerning Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic revolution
• Michel Foucault (French philosopher and historian of systems of thought) speculated at the time of the Iranian revolution that "Islamic government" could initiate a new "political spirituality" and herald a "transfiguration" of the world, the sort unknown in the West since the rise of modernity.
• "The Islamic Revolution of Iran presented a new example of perfect human beings and society... This is the reason behind the West's enmity towards it. Khomeini gave a new meaning to the lives of the Iranians." - Roger Garaudy, (French intellectual and Holocaust denier )
• "The ideological monopoly of Marxism among Third World liberation movements seems to dissolve. ... The Persian Revolution strikes into the heart of the Western belief in progress. ... In Persia, the people try to elude from a process at whose beginning they stand; in contrast we try the same from the peak of this development. And from this peak of development, something essential in our life comes to the fore: I’m speaking about religion and the Holy. ... Too much is asked where this will lead and what to do, and there I don't know an answer, and don't even want to know one." Joschka Fischer, (German Foreign Minister, before starting his political career in 1979.)
• "Imam Khomeini and the Iranian nation performed a great historical act. In my opinion, as a western and non-Muslim person, I believe, it is a miracle that a divine revolution in today's world takes place in such a manner." Robert Kalson, (Canadian scientist)
• "The Islamic Revolution of Iran is honorable for it is the cry which has its origin in Ayatollah Khomeini's conscience." - William Wersey,( American author and journalist )
• "One should express his viewpoint regarding what he performed in his country and in a vast part of the world with great respect and deep thought." - Pope John Paul II
• "The name of Khomeini will always remain in the new chapter of Iranian history." - Erich Honecker,( East German Communist Leader)
• "Khomeini has offered us the opportunity to regain our frail religion ... faith in the power of words." - Norman Mailer,(American writer and innovator of the nonfictional novel)at a meeting of authors regarding the fatwa, New York City, February 1989
• "The freedom-lovers of the world mourn the sad demise of Imam Khomeini." - Ernesto Cardinal, Nicaraguan combatant scholar
• "I thought using the Ayatollah's money to support the Nicaraguan resistance was a neat idea." - Oliver North (American Vietnam veteran and Cold War insider in the cabinet of Ronald Reagan)
