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The 43rd Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its Impact
Distinct from any other revolution in contemporary world politics, the Islamic Revolution in 1979 was a major turning point in world history as it introduced into, as well as veered the global geo-political and economic order into a completely unforeseen direction. Iran, a country of 10,000 years’ history had, in the past centuries been reduced to almost a satellite-state for one world power or the other until the success of the People’s Revolution (the Islamic revolution) led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Al Musawi Al Khomeini on the 11th of February 1979. The result of the success of this revolution was that, Iran transformed from a foreign monarchy to an independent republic built upon Islamic tenets.
World and regional powers –the US at its helm- which had lost a milking cow in the form of the now toppled but previously submissive monarchy of Iran, scrambled in oval and rectangular offices to draw up new ways by which to return Iran into being once more a submissive subordinate: The culminations of this was the full scale invasion of Iran by the dictatorship of (and with the financial and logistical support of the US, the Soviets, Europe and other regional powers) by Saddam Hussein in 1980, until 1988. Shortly after which crippling economic sanctions were imposed upon Iranians who were just recovering from the eight-year long war while also fighting domestic and foreign terrorism. The Islamic republic has not only survived these and many other deliberate and calculated impediments, it has strived and continues to do so in spite of 43 years of economic and military pressure, domestic terror and media misrepresentation.
Today, under all of these challenges, the Islamic republic can yet boast of strides never achieved by previously unchallenged governments. To list a few:
- Literacy rate. The literacy rate in 1976 amongst Iranian adults was 36.52% and 48.1per cent in 1977. while by 2016 it had grown to 85.54 per cent and furthered to 96 per cent in 2020.
Literacy rate amongst women was 28per cent in 1977 but had grown to 90 per cent in 2020 as reported by the Financial Tribune on 5th February, 2020, https://financialtribune.com/articles/people/102038/iran-literacy-rate-at-96
- Science and healthcare
Iran is the fastest scientifically developing country in the world, growing at a rate that is eleven times more than the global average (according to Science-Metrix)
The number of scientific articles published in Iran in 1970 were 669. by 2018, it had grown to 55,509. which represents an 8,200 per cent increase in that regard. (web of science)
Iran was ranked 5th in the Middle East in 1996 in the number of citable documents, but in 2017 it was ranked 1st ahead of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel (SCImago, (n.d.). SJR — SCImago Journal & Country Rank [Portal]. Retrieved Date you Retrieve, from http://www.scimagojr.com)
Medicine:In medicine, iran ranked 58th in the world in 1996 in medical research publication, but ranked 16th in 2020.
Life expectancy has risen from 50 years before the revolution to 75 years after the revolution.
Infant mortality of children under 5, has reduced from 185 per 1.000 to 14.9 per 1000 births.
The number of specialist doctors have grown from 5890 specialists before the revolution to 36,000 in 2017.
According to the World Bank, in 2009, Iran ranked 21st in quality and number of hospitals. In 2017, it ranked as the second country in controlling contagious diseases. Iran’s status in sanitation and medical advances has attracted gratitude from UNICEF
In Nanotechnology, Iran ranked 58th out of 66 countries in 1996, in 2020 it ranked 16th out of 121 countries in the world, while ranking first in the Middle East in 2020.
In aerospace, Iran has grown from ranking 45th in 1996 to 11th in the world in 2020 in the field of publishing scientific articles in aerospace research and production while ranking first in the Middle East.
Iran has launched several home grown satellites into space.
Nuclear science and engineering, in 1996, Iran ranked 11th out of eleven countries in the Middle East and 86th out of 86 countries in the world in nuclear science, in 2020 Iran ranked 1st and 11th respectively in the same category. (SCImago, (n.d.). SJR — SCImago Journal & Country Rank [Portal]. Retrieved Date you Retrieve, from http://www.scimagojr.com)
In Agriculture and Biological Science, Iran ranked 76th in 1996 and it ranked 14th in 2020.
In terms of defence the military might of Iran is one of the most autonomous in the world today while before the revolution, Iran barely manufactured any defense systems on its own. The number of home grown defence systems, from drones to missiles and supersonic jets as well as anti-ballistic missile defence systems, naval and air defence systems, cyber defence and counter espionage has also catapulted Iran into a self-reliant and defence capable country not to be bullied into submission.
We could, therefore, say that, the Islamic Revolution is perhaps the most successful and most enduring revolution in recent history. The impact of this revolution can be felt throughout the world, many people across the world who are lovers of self-determination and perseverance in the face of arrogance, bullying and colonialism see in Iran ‘the ideal’ state and the ultimate inspiration to continue on the path of self-Reliance.
Millions of people today, not only identify with the Islamic republic politically and ideologically but also spiritually and morally, since this republic is modeled in the image of the great moral and spiritual aspirations of the noble Prophet of Islam.
The uniqueness of the Islamic republic lies in its appeal to people of all walks of life and of all religions and races through a universal brotherhood in humanity, humility, patience, tolerance, determination, perseverance and self-awareness. But above all, through solidarity with the downtrodden of the downtrodden.
The future of this great revolution lies in its dynamism and adoptability to practical life situations. And its Continuous success lies in its support of the common people and of the peoples support for this path.
From Cultural Consulate of Islamic Republic of Iran in Accra.
By A. S. Saeed
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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