Rajai’s political activism did not go unnoticed by the Shah’s regime. He was arrested multiple times by SAVAK, the Shah’s secret police, for his involvement in opposition activities. His longest period of imprisonment lasted from May 1974 until late 1978. During this time, Rajai endured harsh treatment and torture, which he later recounted in a 1980 speech to the United Nations Security Council, where he displayed his tortured foot as evidence of the brutality he faced under the Shah’s rule.
Rise to Power After the Iranian Revolution
The 1979 Iranian Revolution marked a turning point in Rajai’s political career. The overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic provided Rajai with new opportunities to contribute to the nation’s future. After the revolution, Rajai left the Freedom Movement of Iran and was appointed as the Minister of Education in the Interim Government led by Mehdi Bazargan.
As Minister of Education, Rajai implemented significant changes aimed at the rapid Islamization of the Iranian education system. He banned the teaching of English, removed courses deemed “non-Islamic,” closed universities to prevent potential student dissent, and dismissed teachers who did not align with his vision for an Islamic education system. These measures were part of a broader effort to align Iran’s educational institutions with the ideological goals of the Islamic Republic.