an entire people to you, immortal Hero of History, founder of
the world’s oldest empire, great liberator of all time, worthy son
of mankind....Sleep on in peace forever,for we are awake and
we remain to watch over your glorious heritage.”^14
Many Iranians failed to take pride in their country, however.
They were appalled by the Hollywood-style production at
Persepolis. Ayatollah Khomeini by this time was waging a
long-distance war of propaganda against the shah from exile in
Iraq. He lambasted the anniversary event as grotesquely extrav-
agant, in view of the plight of Iran’s poor classes. He and other
critics also observed that the grand celebration at Persepolis was
a secular gala, which proved that the shah was little concerned
about the role of Islam in Iran. “Sovereignty belongs to God
alone,” Khomeini insisted. “Resurgence against the Pahlavi
dynasty is demanded of the people by the sacred laws.”^15 He
further proclaimed, “Anyone who organizes or participates in
these festivals is a traitor to Islam and the Iranian nation.”^16
Sentiment against the shah and against Western influence
in Iran was growing, especially among students, agitated by
Muslim leaders. Gradually, these feelings would spread from
students and intellectuals to the discontented poor and working
classes—even those who were comparatively well to do. It
was no secret that the royal family and the upper class were
acquiring great wealth from their financial interests in industri-
alization, while an estimated 40 percent of Iranians during the
1970s lived in poverty, despite the oil boom. It was no secret that
foreigners brought to Iran to supply much of the skilled labor
force received higher pay than Iranian workers. And it was no
secret that the shah’s support of Israel ran counter to the attitude
of most Islamic nations, and of most Iranians.
Resentment was building across a broad segment of the popu-
lation. In the mosques, the ulema laced sermons with political
criticism and denunciations of the materialism that had become
rampant under the shah’s rule. Their messages appealed especially
to the poor and to political and religious radicals.
Shah Pahlavi did not seem to realize it, but he was losing his32 AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI
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