African Christian leader: Imam Kohmeini (RA) "a universal teacher for mankind"

Source: IRNA, 31-05-2008
Imam Khomeini (RA) was not only a "universal teacher for Muslims but also for mankind," said an African Christian leader Friday at a conference on the late Imam Khomeini's thoughts and philosophy, hosted by the cultural section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Berlin.
"God has sent universal teachers for all religions and Imam Khomeini was one of them," added Pierre Botembe who is a Congolese pastor belonging to the Germany-based African-Ecumenical Church.
He praised the Imam's steadfast commitment "to fight repression and injustice."
Imam Khomeini stressed that no faithful person should be "indifferent to oppression," the religious official said.
Botembe pointed out that the Imam had "enriched mankind culturally and spiritually."
"Imam Khomeini understood the people. In his testament, Imam Khomeini said that the Islamic Revolution was not only for Iran but also for mankind and against poverty and injustice," he added. Botembe said that as a Christian he viewed Imam Khomeini as a guide who "lead him to God."
Meanwhile, the Cultural Attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Homayoun Hemmati addressed also the confab, condoling the 19th anniversary of Imam Khomeini's demise.
Speaking on the scientific and philosophical dimensions of the Imam, Hemmati hailed also his fight against internal repression and foreign colonialism during the era of the murderous Pahlavi regime.
He labeled the founder of the Islamic Republic a "great scholar and mystic" who was striving for freedom and justice.
Hemmati emphasized that today's world is in "urgent need to follow the moral and mystic philosophy of Imam Khomeini."
He lashed out at western attempts for trying to distort the views of the Imam.