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Cell No. 14

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This autobiography covers the first half of the life of the leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyid Ali Khamenei, from his early childhood all the way to the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought the monarchical regime to an end in Iran. It provides a gripping account of a life full of struggle and fighting for justice and establishing an Islamic order in his country. It is a remarkable saga of a young cleric blessed with an indomitable spirit who fights a dictatorial regime with his sermons and speeches as well as with his organisational abilities. He never loses hope despite being sent to prison and exile, and finally emerged victorious against all odds. This book serves as a source of inspiration to all activists around the globe who are trying to bring about social and political change. This book contains beautiful illustrations depicting different stages in the life of Ayatollah Khamenei.

298 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

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About the author

Ali Khamenei

317 books390 followers
Farsi: سید علی خامنه‌ای

Iranian cleric and politician Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei participated in the Islamic revolution of 1979, opposed western influence, and served as president from 1981 to 1989 and then as head of state.

As Shiite marja, he acted in Mashhad. He joined as a member of parliament for a short period and then for two terms before election as leader. Ruholla Khomeini also chose him as the prayer leader of Tehran on Friday.

He translated some works and authored the most comprehensive Tarh-i kulli-yi andisha-yi Islami dar Qur'an (The General Scheme of the Islamic Thought in Koran). And Solh-i Imam Hasan (a) is his most famous translation. Moreover, people compiled his speeches in a comprehensive work, called Hadith-i wilayat . People also compiled and published several other books about his speeches and wrote messages in different topics.

His most famous and effective fatwa in the world stopped insulting respected personalities of Sunnis. Following his speeches and emphasis, the concepts of "Tahajum-i farhangi" (cultural invasion) and "Bidari-yi Islami" (Islamic awakening) entered social literature.

Knowledgeable in literature, he also composed some poems under "Amin," his pen name. He studies his interest in contemporary history, another field.

Khamenei was never willing to surrender Iran to Trump and Netanyahu. In his last speech, he said that he was not afraid of death and that anyone who followed Imam Hussein would not pledge allegiance to someone like Yazid (the murderer of Imam Hussein, meaning Trump). He was finally martyred bravely in the US-Israeli terrorist attack on Iran on March 27, 2026, along with his daughter and granddaughter.

{http://english.khamenei.ir/news/2130/bio}

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Hussein Shahine.
1 review
December 25, 2023
A beautifully written book about the life of a great man. His self sacrificed have changed the world forever and for the better.
Profile Image for Fady Abdelmeged.
64 reviews
May 2, 2026
Regardless of what anyone thinks or feels about Iran just know the reality of the situation is that the Shah was an authoritarian king who lost his power to the party of the Islamic republic another authoritarian regime…

Perhaps my own personal biases got the best of me because the whole book was about an Imam being attacked bullied and persecuted by his own government and frankly I I was hurt to read that this was the reality for a lot of sheiks and imams of Iran at that time.

Nevertheless, Ali Khamenei was one the most enigmatic and charismatic leaders of the modern world. His story was heartbreaking yet admirable in his steadfastness and regardless of how anyone feels he has achieved the highest rank in martyrdom. The west portrays him as a villain but I personally think he was a leader of a country that is so desperate for its sovereign independence from the West that he was willing to engage in acts that were for a lack of a better word “authoritarianistc” not because he wanted to but because he felt that if he didn’t he would of lost Iran to the west.

In the end he followed the path of Hussain
“Beware that this illegitimate son has made me choose between the two: drawing sword and humiliation, and never to humiliation!”
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews