Iran marks Islamic Revolution victory

Millions of Iranians across the country mark the 33rd anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, holding various cultural and artistic programs.

The ceremonies kicked off all over the country on Wednesday morning at 9:33 a.m. local time (0603 GMT), the time when the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, returned to the Iranian capital, Tehran, on February 1, 1979 after a 14-year exile in Paris.

The day of Imam Khomeini’s return to Iran marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Dawn, which culminates with the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on February 11.

Iranians have arranged different programs to celebrate the event by honoring Imam Khomeini’s historical return and the memory of the revolution martyrs.

Several cultural programs will also be held in some 30,000 mosques including photo exhibitions, film and photo festivals as well as sports competitions.

According to director of Ten Days of Dawn ceremonies Mohammad-Hossein Zare, artists from 100 countries and 200 Muslim scholars have requested to attend the ceremonies.

The Iranian nation toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime 33 years ago, ending the 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.

The Islamic Revolution, under the guidance of the late Imam Khomeini, established a new political system based on Islamic values.