Devil and Saint in One

Devil and Saint in One

Chapter fifteen, Tehran: The Imam Is in the People’s Hands, is about the death of Imam Khomeini and his funeral. This chapter was absolutely shocking because of the completely different views and opinions on Imam Khomeini. In the beginning of the chapter Horwitz interacts with an Iranian businessman on his way back from Germany. This man was clearly not a supporter of Imam, in fact he outright told Horwitz that he hated Imam.
“But I fear for the future. It is like your saying: ‘The devil you know is better than a Satan you have not met.’ ” (pg. 236)
I found this quotation extremely interesting for two reasons. The first is the reference to Imam being the Devil. It made me think what could this man have done to be compared to the Devil? The second reason I found this interesting is because of the idea of the future and what is it going to bring. This man fears the future because he fears the next ruler is going to be worse than Imam was. Both of these ideas are contradictory to the views of what seems to be all the rest of Tehran’s. The funeral of Imam was a mourning session of seas of Iranians. The people chanted, “Allhu Albar!”, “There is no god but God! Mohammed is the Messenger of God!” The people in the crowd are so passionate and devoted to this man it is unbelievable. I honestly cannot imagine being so attached to one person and the fact that these people are sobbing, calling Imam their God, walking ten miles to his burial site, swarming and grabbing at his body is completely shocking. Their view on Imam and the man from the airports view on Imam are completely different. I can’t help but ask myself, why? I am sure that the man in the airport is not the only person who hated Imam, but it is obvious that many people adored and loved him as well. How is it that two groups of people from the same country can feel so completely different towards this one man? What is it about him that makes some people love him and other hate him, and more importantly who is right? I do not think there is a real answer to any of these questions because it all depends on who you are asking.

MLD