“The Islamic Republic Day is undoubtedly one the most important and decisive days in the history of Islam as well as Iran. The Islamic Revolution emerged victorious and the US-backed monarchical Pahlavi regime came to its end under the guidelines of Imam Khomeini (RA) and as a result of the Iranian people’s heroic efforts on the 22nd of the month of Bahman [on the Persian calendar] in 1997,” part of the statement read.
It further praised the epic-making and alert presence of the people in the country’s first referendum in 1979, saying, “People voted ‘yes’ to an Islamic republic in the referendum in 1979 and built the country’s legal system based on Islam [and its teachings], which is unique in the world”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is the manifestation of religious democracy in the contemporary era”.
The Constitutional Council, as the guardian of people’s rights and the Constitution, congratulates the Iranian nation on the auspicious occasion and vows to continue safeguarding “Islamism” and “Republicanism” of the Islamic Republic system, it said.
It also stressed the importance of maintaining national unity and convergence and playing an active role in implementing the Islamic Revolution’s high ideals.
The materialization of true democracy and the foundation of a justice-based establishment turned Iran into a powerful country and a prestigious nation in the world, it further said.
Farvardin 12, 1358, according to the Persian calendar, (April 1, 1979) is seen as the most important day to follow the victory of the country’s Islamic Revolution three months earlier, when, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, the nation overthrew the Pahlavi regime.
The historic day fell on Thursday this year.
More than 98 percent of Iranians voted “yes” to an Islamic republic in the referendum in 1979. After the voting results were in, the country broke into a state of jubilation, and late Imam Khomeini (RA), declared the Republic’s inception.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who took on the country’s leadership after Imam Khomeini’s demise in 1989, has famously shed light on the significance of the day in an interview, which has been republished on the occasion of the anniversary.
“Briefly, the Islamic Republic Day is an unparalleled juncture in our country’s history as it ushered in a both popular and divine establishment for the first time since the early days of Islam and since the short interregnum of the early years of Iran’s conquest by Muslims,” the Leader noted. “Essentially, this memory is not comparable with any other in our country’s history. It was complementary to the Revolution.”