The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who lived in exile in [[France]], called for riots against the Shah. He promised press freedom and the equality of women after the government would be overthrown. Islamist students in [[Iran]] used violence against the military and Shah's secret police, the SAVAK. Shah [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] escaped on January 16, 1979 and went into exile. Khomeini returned to Iran and employed Mehdi Bazargan as his prime minister. In March 1979 the Iranians voted on a "referendum" for an Islamic republic. The people could only decide between [[monarchy]] and [[Islam]]ic [[republic]]. Khomeini called [[democracy]] "[[western]]" and banned opposition parties. Female [[government]] workers were required wear a hijab.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2012/raymond-ibrahim/parallel-betrayals-iranian-revolution-and-arab-spring/</ref> Some women who were not covered were beaten in the streets. | The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who lived in exile in [[France]], called for riots against the Shah. He promised press freedom and the equality of women after the government would be overthrown. Islamist students in [[Iran]] used violence against the military and Shah's secret police, the SAVAK. Shah [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] escaped on January 16, 1979 and went into exile. Khomeini returned to Iran and employed Mehdi Bazargan as his prime minister. In March 1979 the Iranians voted on a "referendum" for an Islamic republic. The people could only decide between [[monarchy]] and [[Islam]]ic [[republic]]. Khomeini called [[democracy]] "[[western]]" and banned opposition parties. Female [[government]] workers were required wear a hijab.<ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2012/raymond-ibrahim/parallel-betrayals-iranian-revolution-and-arab-spring/</ref> Some women who were not covered were beaten in the streets. |