After the White Revolution reforms of the Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, which were opposed by the Iranian clergy and others, Ruhollah Khomeini labelled the Shah as the Yazid of his time.[145][146] Condemning the Iranian monarchy, Khomeini wrote: "The struggle of al-Husayn at Karbalâ is interpreted in the same way as a struggle against the non-Islamic principle of monarchy."[147] Opposition to the Shah was thus compared with the opposition of Husayn to Yazid,[148] and Muharram ritual gatherings became increasingly political in nature.[149] According to Aghaie, the Shah's hostility towards various Muharram rituals, which he considered to be uncivilized, contributed to his fall.[150] The Islamic republic that was established after the revolution has since promoted Muharram rituals.