Late Seyed Sadegh Tabatabai , who recently passed away, has been brother in law of late Hajjat al-Islam Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, son of the founder of the Islamic Republic and nephew of Imam Musa Sadr. He has rendered great services and severed on various positions following victory of the Islamic Revolution following victory in 1979.
Tabatabai said in one of his memoirs that great Imam had assigned him to consult with all relevant institutions for preparing grounds of holding referendum. Imam had given these instructions immediately after the revolution emerged victorious.
Tabatabai had asked the great leader that it was too soon because still the governmental institutions were not ready to hold such a massive nationwide referendum.
There was no hurry to hold an immediate vote as millions of people had declared their support for Imam through holding rallies, Tabatabai noted.
He noted that Imam demanded all institution to coordinate in order to go ahead with the process.
Imam is always judged by the history as a leader who really promoted Islamic, human and democratic values.
The great leader noted that we want to establish such an Islamic system which would be fully capable of defending the nation's interest.
The leader of Muslim world also ruled out any possibility of establishing or forming a capitalistic or communist type of government system.
The great Imam went onto say that the progressive Islamic system will guard and watch all social, material and spiritual interests of the Muslim world and oppressed nation.
It is noteworthy that Imam established a comprehensive Islamic-democratic system following the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979. The progressive Islamic government brought prosperity and development for the nation in coming years.
Imam Khomeini the founder of the Islamic Republic frequently said that Islam was fully capable of establishing progressive democratic system.
The great leader of the Islamic Republic encouraged the masses and elites to participate in the historic referendum in order to take destiny and fate in their own hands.
The referendum was considered a first step towards a full-fledge democracy in the country.
Imam used to emphasize that Islam is a civilized and progressive religion.
Imam’s historic message in this regard comes as following:
Message
Date: March 24, 1979 [Farvardin 4, 1358 AHS / Rabi ath-Thani 25, 1399 AH]
Place: Qum
Subject: Active participation in the elections
Occasion: Referendum on Islamic republic
Audience: The Iranian nation
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
To all members of this combatant and brave nation, may the Exalted God
assist them:
At this crucial juncture in time, when the destiny of our beloved country and Islam will be determined, our beloved fellow citizens should participate in the referendum with greater fervor than before. Today, negligence, nonchalance and lethargy to participate in the referendum, which is a life-enhancing affair, means rendering the martyrs’ blood futile and defiling the country and beloved Islam.
My vigilant friends! The day of the referendum is the time to reap the fruit of the efforts you have taken in several years. At this point, I deem it necessary to mention the participation of the brave and combatant women throughout Iran in the referendum. The women who fought and played a crucial role in the victory of the Islamic Revolution alongside the men, and at times even ahead of them, must take note that their active participation will guarantee further victory for the Iranian nation. Participation in this affair is one of the national and Islamic duties of both men and women. All of you are free to vote for anything you want. I myself will vote for Islamic republic and
I want to make a brotherly request of you to assist me in this Islamic affair. It is necessary that the gallant youth thwart the plots and treachery against the casting of votes, and guard ballot boxes as a trust given to them. I implore the Exalted God for the victory of Islam and the preservation of the Islamic
country.
Ruhullah al-Musawi al-Khomeini
(Sahifeh-e-Imam, Vol 6, p 359)