The ayatollah had made the remarks in a previously held meeting with organizers of a national congress to commemorate Mirza Koochak Khan Jangali.
The congress was inaugurated in Rasht this morning in the presence of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad on the occasion of the 91st anniversary of the death of Mirza Khoochak Khan.
Mirza Kochak Khan Jangali (1880-1921), an early 20th century revolutionary and a national hero in modern Iranian history, had founded a revolutionary movement which was based in the forests of Gilan, known as the Nehzat-e Jangal (Movement of Forest).
His uprising started in 1914 and remained active against domestic and foreign enemies until 1921 when the movement was completely abandoned after the demise of the hero.
“The adventure of Mirza was an exception in that historical juncture for its virtuousness and the massive support it had received from people,” the Supreme Leader said.
The Ayatollah added since Mirza was a cleric his movement had a religious origin and that was why he had pursued a religious manner.
The Leader's comments on Mirza Khoochak Khan was read to the audience of the congress by his representative in Rasht.
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Rasht, Gilan prov, Dec 1, IRNA – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hailed national hero Mirza Koochak Khan Jangali as a revolutionary who established "a small-scaled Islamic system" in this northern provincial capital city in the early years of the 20th century.
