communism and godless capitalism The initial revolution including the shah’s overthrow was led by religious clerics in association with other political messages and mosques as safe havens for political activity Ayatollah Khomeini quickly neutralized his secular his secular allies installing a theocracy under the leadership of Islamist jurists (velayat-e faqeh) and used Islamic themes to define citizenship national service (including martyrdom) and obedience to the state all of which have remained vital for more than thirty years