From 1971 to 1975, Khomeini demonstrated vehement opposition to the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire, and the changing of the Iranian calendar from Hijri to Imperial (Shahanshahi).[1] During this era, the Shah considered exiling Khomeini, now known as the “Imam”, to India, because he believed doing so would make communication between the Imam and his followers in Iran impossible,[31] but for an unrevealed reason this plan was never executed. Khomeini was also faced with hostility from the Ba'ath regime, which began so hostile to his brand of Islam as the Shah.[37]