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Sheikh Abdullah Makwinja Correspondent

On February 11, Iran marked the day the monarchy was officially toppled 10 days after the triumphant return from exile of the revolution’s leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

This year’s 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution has coincided with the 40th day (arbain) memorial ceremony of a martyrdom of the gallant defender of the revolution Lieutenant General Soleimani in January this year.

The targeted assassination of General Qasem Soleimani by America’s imperial forces, has been another among numerous unsuccessful mechanism to devastate, destroy and impose regime change ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Shah.

Despite the odds stacked against Iran in terms of the American imposed sanctions, it has always emerged victorious, deepening the Islamic Republic’s commitment to its founding principles which can be summarised into three, namely, independence, freedom and Islamic government.

Islamic Iran, on the other hand continues to march with dignity, its head held high and its people truly proud of the achievements even if this comes at enormous cost. Even opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran admit that post-revolution Iran has achieved universal literacy (97 percent); developed the education system on modern lines with emphasis on development of technology. Despite American sanctions since the inception of the Islamic revolution, Iran has focused on encouraging indigenous research; in terms of scientific research and publications, Iran is ranked second after Turkey in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Its worth noting that maintaining gender equality by increasing women’s social participation and preserving the rights of the minorities, were other achievements of the Islamic Revolution. In the health sector, according to the WHO report, Iran tops the list in primary health while it has made tremendous strides in secondary and tertiary health throughout the country.

Infrastructure development in the country is exemplary and can be compared to anywhere in the developed world. Most importantly, hygienic standards in the country are superbly high, which in essence is a pointer to the world class health delivery system in the country.

Scientific growth in Iran has been so high that the country is ranked 13th in the world. The speed of scientific growth has been 11 times more than the average global rate. The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), affiliated to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, announced that the Islamic Republic ranks first in terms of sciences, research and inventions among Islamic nations.

As compared to the rest of the Middle East, Iran has a vibrant political system which can sustain external pressures; socio-economic freedoms continue to evolve to keep pace with the modern trends in politics and economy.

On foreign policy, Iran, positioned itself firmly behind the dispossessed, oppressed and marginalised masses around the world.

Those who recall the handover of Israel’s embassy in Tehran to the PLO will remember the powerful message it sent to the world.

The month of February will lift the Islamic Revolution in Iran into its 41st year.

The past years have not been easy by any means. But freedom and dignity demand a price and it is only those that are willing to pay for it that can rightly claim to be free.