TEHRAN Iranians celebrated the inauguration of the Fajr (Ten-Day Dawn) here yesterday, paying tribute to late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Rouhollah Khomeini.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday morning visited the mausoleum of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, to commemorate the historic arrival of the Imam in the country on this day in 1979.

The Leader also paid tribute to Hojjatoleslam Ahmad Khomeini, the late son of Imam Khomeini.

Likewise, he paid homage to the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and the 1980-1988 Iraqi imposed war, as well as the government officials martyred in the cause of the revolution, including Ayatollah Mohammad Hosseini Beheshti (former chief justice of the Supreme Court), Mohammad-Javad Bahonar (former prime minister) and Mohammad-Ali Rajaei (former president).

The return of Imam Khomeini to the country after 15 years of exile is celebrated as the first day of the annual "Ten-Day Dawn" celebrations marking the triumph of the Islamic Revolution.

Grandson of the late Imam, Hojjatoleslam Hassan Khomeini, Expediency Chief Hojjatoleslam Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and ambassadors from different countries attended the inaugural ceremony of the "Ten-Day Dawn".

Addressing the crowd at the shrine of the late Imam, Rafsanjani said that the Westerners and the United States were involved in Iran's policymaking before the Islamic Revolution, but Iran has become a very independent country now thanks to the revolution.

He said that large scale presence of the people in the scene of the revolution forced the former regime and the U.S. elements to surrender.

"Relying only on the shouts of Allah-o-Akbar (God Is the Greatest), unarmed people overcame a regime which spared no effort to survive. The Iranian people enjoyed no support from the foreign powers but gained victory," he said.

The Islamic Revolution changed the structures and drew up a Constitution and moved in line with the Islamic law, he said.

Rafsanjani called on the people to analyze the developments and exercise vigilance not to be misled by the enemy.

Meanwhile, Iranian trains and ships both within and outside the country sounded their whistles at 09:33 hours sharp, on Wednesday, to mark the glorious return of the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, after his exile from the country.

On this day in 1979 (which then fell on February 1) the Imam arrived at the International Mehrabad Airport in Tehran amidst a warm enthusiastic welcome and later proceeded toward the city's cemetery 'Behesht-e Zahra' where he made a historic speech.

Also at 09:33 on Wednesday morning, schools' bells were rung throughout the country as a token of marking the start of the 'Ten-Day Dawn' ceremonies, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

On this occasion, over 90,000 school students in Boroujerd, Lorestan Province in west of Iran, performed different programs they were preparing since a month ago, including flying kites.

Earlier Wednesday morning, hundreds of Basij (volunteer) forces performed their 33km grand parade from Mehrabad Airport toward the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini.

In a special ceremony which was held at the airport, the Basijis once again renewed allegiance with the ideals of Imam Khomeini under the leadership of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

People who were lined up along the route from the airport to the mausoleum greeted the Basijis by offering them flowers.