By: Mohsen Pakaein

TEHRAN, Mar. 07 (MNA) – Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, a prominent religious scholar, a great authority of imitation and a policy maker, did not belong to any of the educational intellectual currents of the West.

As the worthy successor of Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Khamenei, with his coherent thinking, exceptional managerial ability, and intellectual insight, has guided the Islamic Revolution—an independent and unprecedented phenomenon in the international system—toward progress and development after the passing of its great founder. Through his ideas and theories in various fields of thought, he had established himself as a distinguished and influential figure.

Perhaps the most prominent dimension of his personality is his strong cultural perspective. In the sphere of governance and political discourse, his emphasis on cultural independence has always been central. In his view, culture is the primary source of national identity and can elevate a nation to become advanced, dignified, capable, scientific, and innovative. Conversely, the weakness and erosion of culture can lead to the decline and collapse of civilizations.

He had often warned that cultural damage is not easily recognized in its early stages, because cultural campaigns usually operate gradually and produce long-term effects. For this reason, he had consistently stressed that true national independence is inseparable from cultural independence. His attention to “cultural invasion”—the attempt by Western countries to impose their cultural values through soft power tools such as media and public diplomacy—has been a defining feature of his thinking.

In his personal life, Imam Khamenei is known as a serious reader. His intellectual interests covered a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, mysticism, poetry, literature, history, social sciences, political thought, and even novels. He was also a poet himself and had a deep interest in literary analysis. In addition, he had shown a strong interest in cinema, often watching films, following the work of actors and artists, and commenting on cinematic works. Overall, he believed that cinema can play an important role in promoting human values.

Ayatollah Khamenei had consistently emphasized the need for cultural resistance among nations in order to preserve indigenous cultures and confront the dominant global cultural system associated with hegemony. In this context, he had particularly stressed the importance of promoting the Persian language as the second language of the Islamic world.

He had also consistently emphasized justice in domestic governance, advocating the elimination of discrimination and marginalization, especially for deprived and disadvantaged segments of society. He had repeatedly called on government officials to sincerely pursue social justice.

In the international arena, he had frequently criticized the systems of domination, particularly the role of the United States, which he considered one of the main obstacles to global justice. He had also maintained strong opposition to the Zionist regime.

Today, more than four decades after the Islamic Revolution, Iran remains a sovereign and influential country in the region. Supporters of the Revolution attribute this endurance and influence to the leadership and guidance of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, and they believe that the Revolution will continue to endure in the years ahead.