Khadijeh Saqafi

Khadijeh Saqafi (a. k. a. Ghods Iran Saqafi) (1913 – 21 March 2009) was the wife of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Saqafi was known as the "mother of the Islamic Revolution" within Iran.[1][2]

Early life

Saqafi was the daughter of Hajj Mirza Tehrani originally from Thaqif tribe in Arabia , a respected cleric.[3]

Marriage and later years

Saqafi married Ruhollah Khomeini in 1929.[1] She gave birth to seven children with Khomeini during her life, though only five survived childhood.[4] Her son, Mostafa, died in Iraq in 1977, while a second son, Ahmad, died of cardiac arrest in 1995 at the age of 50.[1]

Saqafi, who largely stayed out of the Iranian public's eye, has been described as a strong supporter of her husband's opposition to the Shah of Iran.[1] Former President of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, referred to Saqafi as the "closest and most patient" supporter for her husband."[1]

Death

Saqafi died on 21 March 2009, in Tehran after a long illness at the age of 96.[1] Thousands of people attended her funeral, including the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[1] Saqafi was buried next to her husband at his Mausoleum in Behesht-e Zahra.[2] She was survived by her three daughters.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Khadijeh Saqafi, Khomeini’s Wife, Is Dead at 93". Associated Press (New York Times). 23 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Iranians mourn Khomeini's widow". BBC News. 22 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  3. ↑ Dabashi, H. (1993). Theology of discont. New York: New York University Press.
  4. ↑ "'Mother of Islamic Revolution' passes away". Press TV. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.