Mohammad Reza Shah was a wealthy ruler who came to power in 1941.
Today, Iran is widely considered a strictly Islamic country, but just fifty years ago women in Western clothing were a common sight on the streets. The year 1979 was a critical moment when the Islamic Revolution transformed Iran and led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
The revolution overthrew Iran’s last monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. The roots of this dramatic change can be traced to a grand celebration hosted by the king, often called the most extravagant party in history. This event endured and contributed significantly to the end of the monarchy in 2000.
Mohammad Reza Shah was a wealthy ruler who came to power in 1941. This stance has drawn strong criticism from religious leaders, with many dissidents facing imprisonment.
In 1971, the king held a grand celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire in Persepolis. The event held in the desert was attended by representatives from 65 countries and cost up to US$100 million, causing dissatisfaction among the Iranian people.
The extravagance of the event stoked public anger against the king and increased support for his critics, especially Ayatollah Khomeini. By 1979, growing tensions forced the Shah to flee, and Khomeini returned to establish the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new government implemented sharia law, including harsh penalties for women who do not wear the hijab, marking a profound cultural shift.
