ABSTRACT

Freedom belongs to the people collectively constituted as a nation and is a part of human nature. Khamenei's theory of independence is in the realm of 'Islamic political freedom', which leads to ultimate divine justice and salvation. Khamenei often conflates social freedom with political freedom. The principles of freedom expressed in Western social philosophy appear in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights document. The freedom Khamenei describes is political and religious freedom: political within the context of freedom from foreign domination and religious in terms of freedom from lust, sin, and desires of the flesh. Khamenei believes that Western freedom is based on the quest for materialistic gain on the part of governments. The Islamic Revolution meant a government that is based on religion. Hence, a government that is based on religion respects the values of justice, independence, freedom, piety, devoutness, brotherhood, cooperation, and morality. Khamenei interpret 'Islamic justice' as protection from foreign colonization, oppression, domination, and ostracization (CODO).