Imam Khomeini thought influenced Islamic Awakening: Dr. Kevin Barrett

The internationally reputed scholar says Imam Khomeini raised awareness across the globe, and the dynamic thought of the founder of the Islamic Revolution has had a tremendous influence on the Islamic Awakening.

ID: 36404 | Date: 2014/07/17
**** Dr. Kevin Barrett, a Ph.D. Arabist-Islamologist, is one of America's best-known critics of the War on Terror. Dr. Barrett has appeared many times on Fox, CNN, PBS and other broadcast outlets, and has inspired feature stories and op-eds in the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the Chicago Tribune, and other leading publications. Dr. Barrett has taught at colleges and universities in San Francisco, Paris, and Wisconsin, where he ran for Congress in 2008. He is the co-founder of the Muslim-Christian-Jewish Alliance, and author of the books Truth Jihad: My Epic Struggle Against the 9/11 Big Lie (2007) and Questioning the War on Terror: A Primer for Obama Voters (2009). His website is www.truthjihad.com.


Imam Khomeini website has conducted an interview with the scholar while he was attending the 25th heavely departure anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic.


What follows is a rough transcription of his interview:


Q: Would You Excellency please introduce yourself?


I am Dr. Kevin Barrett, a radio host, scholar, and also write opinion articles for Press TV


Q: How many times you have visited Iran?


Dr. Kevin Barrett: This is my second time in Iran


Q: What are your analysis of Imam Khomeini’s personality and his dynamic thought?


Dr. Kevin Barrett : I have been interested in Imam Khomeini since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Then I was a Youngman and I was paying attention to world events. I was few of some Americans who were supporting the Islamic Revolution. I was an anti-war person, I was against Vietnam War and I was against imperialism. And I thought that the Islamic Revolution was wonderful. I converted to in 1993 and became even more positive about Imam Khomeini.


Q: How do you assess Imam Khomeini influence on the Revolution?


Dr. Kevin Barrett: Imam Khomeini is the father of the Islamic Revolution. He is of great caliber among the world religious and political leader. He has had not only tremendous influence on the Islamic Revolution, but also worldwide Islamic Awakening.


Q:  How do you see the Islamic Revolution different from others?


Dr. Kevin Barrett: Imam Khomeini led Islamic Revolution which has created a viable Islamic state here. No one else from Islamic Awakening has been successfully able to create a political philosophy and let his i country to victory.


Q: How many books you have read from Imam Khomeini’s works?


Dr. Kevin Barrett: I have read a collection from several of his works and books in English language