Hussein-Ali Montazeri
Tehran Province | |
---|---|
Majority | 1,672,980 (66.24%) |
Personal details | |
Born | Sublime State of Persia | 24 September 1922
Died | 19 December 2009 Qom, Iran | (aged 87)
Resting place | Fatima Masumeh Shrine |
Nationality | Iranian |
Political party | Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom |
Spouse |
Mah-Sultan Rabbani
(m. 1942–2009) |
Children | 7, including Seyyed Hossein Borujerdi Ruhollah Khomeini |
Students
| |
Post | Qom Seminary Feyziyeh Seminary |
For more than two decades, Hussein-Ali Montazeri was one of the main critics of the Islamic Republic's domestic and foreign policy. He had also been an active advocate of
Early life and public career
Born in 1922, Montazeri was from a peasant family in
His early theological education was in Isfahan. After Khomeini was forced into exile by the Shah, Montazeri "sat at the center of the clerical network" which Khomeini had established to oppose Pahlavi rule. He became a teacher at the Faiziyeh Theological School. While there he answered Khomeini's call to protest the White Revolution of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in June 1963 and was active in anti-Shah clerical circles.[10] He was sent to prison in 1974 and released in 1978 in time to be active during the revolution.[11] Montazeri then went to Qom where he studied theology.[12]
Iranian Revolution
Montazeri was known as an Islamic jurist who was made to pay for his liberal-leaning beliefs. He supported a democratic republic as the best form of government; however in his ideal model for government, an Islamic jurist acts as a supervisor and advisor, what he, along with Ayatollah Khomeini, termed as
In 1979, following the overthrow of the Shah, he played a pivotal role in instituting Iran's new constitution. He was one of the leaders of the movement to replace the democratic and secular draft constitution proposed for the Islamic Republic with one where the supervision of Islamic jurists was recognized. He distributed "a detailed commentary and alternate draft" for Iran's new constitution. It included proposals to specify that
During this time, Montazeri also served as Friday prayer leader of Qom, as a member of the Revolutionary Council and as deputy to Supreme Leader Khomeini. Khomeini began "to transfer some of his power" to Montazeri, in 1980. By 1983 "all government offices hung a small picture" of Montazeri next to that of Khomeini. In 1984, Montazeri became a grand ayatollah.[17]
Montazeri initially rejected Khomeini's proposal to make him his successor, insisting that the choice of successor be left to the democratically elected Assembly of Experts.[18] Later, Montazeri relented, and following a session of the Assembly of Experts in November 1985, he was officially appointed Khomeini's successor as Supreme Leader.[7][19][20]
Some observers believe Khomeini chose him for this role solely because of his support for Khomeini's principle of theocratic rule by Islamic jurists. Khomeini's proposed form of administration called for the most learned, or one of the most learned, Islamic jurists to "rule", and of all those who might be considered a leading Islamic jurist, only Montazeri supported theocracy. In Montazeri's opinion, however the jurist would not act as an absolute ruler, instead, he would act as an advisor and consultant.[21]
Montazeri fell short of the theological requirements of the supreme Faqih. He could not claim descent from the Prophet nor did he possess all the credentials of a revered scholar of Islamic law. His religious followers were few. And he lacked the all-important charisma. His selection had happened for one reason—he was the only one among the candidates for Faqih who totally endorsed Khomeini's vision of Islamic government.[11]
In addition, traditionalists did not approve Montazeri's designation as successor due to several reasons, including his problematic persona in Shiite seminaries during the reign of the Shah and his support for
Dispute with Khomeini and demotion
Montazeri was one of
In November 1987, Montazeri created more controversy when he called for the legalization of political parties, though under strict regulation.
Things came to a head following the mass execution of political prisoners in late summer and early autumn 1988, when Montazeri gave a series of lectures in which he indicated support for a "far more open" policy.[28] In an interview published in Keyhan in early 1989, he criticized Khomeini in language that is said to have sealed "his political fate":
The denial of people's rights, injustice and disregard for the revolution's true values have delivered the most severe blows against the revolution. Before any reconstruction [takes place], there must first be a political and ideological reconstruction... This is something that the people expect of a leader.[28]
Still worse for him were the publication abroad and broadcast on the BBC of his letters condemning the post-war wave of executions in March 1989.[29] Montazeri also criticized Khomeini's fatwa ordering the assassination of author Salman Rushdie saying: "People in the world are getting the idea that our business in Iran is just murdering people."[30]
On 26 March 1989, Khomeini strongly denounced Montazeri's actions, and two days later announced that Montazeri had resigned his post.[31] Montazeri did not protest, issuing a message concluding, "I ask all brothers and sisters not to utter a word in my support."[32]
In addition to losing his position as designated heir, Montazeri's title of Grand Ayatollah was withdrawn, publication of his lectures in the
According to numerous sources, the amendment to Iran's constitution removing the requirement that the
Later dissent and house arrest
Khomeini died in June 1989 and another cleric,
In December 1989, Montazeri's supporters in Qom distributed "night letters" questioning Khamenei's qualifications to be a Marja e Taqlid ("Source of Emulation"), or in other words, an Ayatollah. In retaliation Revolutionary Guards "detained and humiliated" Montazeri, "forcing him to wear his nightcap rather than his white turban."[18]
In October 1997, after openly criticizing the authority of Khamenei, Montazeri was placed under house arrest under the pretext of protecting him from hardliners. He was freed from house arrest in 2003[40][41] after more than 100 Iranian legislators called on President Khatami to free him. Some thought that the government lifted the house arrest to avoid the possibility of a popular backlash if the ailing Montazeri died while in custody.[42]
Criticism of the government
During the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners, Montazeri wrote to Khomeini saying "at least order to spare women who have children ... the execution of several thousand prisoners in a few days will not reflect positively and will not be mistake-free ... A large number of prisoners have been killed under torture by interrogators ... in some prisons of the Islamic Republic young girls are being raped ... As a result of unruly torture, many prisoners have become deaf or paralysed or afflicted with chronic disease."[43]
On 22 January 2007, Montazeri criticized former
While agreeing Iran had the right to develop nuclear energy, he called Ahmadinejad's approach to the issue aggressive, saying, "One has to deal with the enemy with wisdom, not provoke it, ... his (provocation) only creates problems for the country"[45] and asked, "Don't we have other rights too?", referring to individual and human rights.[44] Montazeri also criticized the economic performance of Ahmadinejad's administration's, noting the rate of inflation—including a 50% increase in housing costs[44]—arguing that a country cannot be run on "slogans".[46]
Montazeri, in a 2008 interview with
"they are the citizens of this country, they have the right of citizenship and to live in this country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities."[48]
Montazeri again spoke out against Ahmadinejad on 16 June 2009 during the
Human rights and gender
While Ayatollah Montazeri has been celebrated as a champion of the rights of political prisoners, and human rights associated with the public sphere, in an interview
In response to Golbarg Bashi, Ayatollah Montazeri said:
Women are humans too... When we say humans, it includes both men and women... you see, if people around the world want to say certain things about women for example being equal to men in matters of inheritance or legal testimony, because these issues pertain to the very letter of the Qur'an, we cannot accept them... Now, consider that God Almighty has made it incumbent upon men to cover the expenses of women... in Iran we cannot accept those laws that are against our religion... on certain occasions that these laws contradict the very clear text of the Qur'an, we cannot cooperate... Men in general (no'-e mard ha), all things considered, are productively more active—both intellectual activities and practical activities... All things considered, the intellectual and practical activities of men are more than women.
When Bashi informed him that currently (2003) in Iranian universities, "some 60% of students are women" and asked him "so in future generations, when the number of professors, physicians, high-ranking experts, etc, will be mostly women, will Islam be able to have an ijtihad and modify these unjust laws because they no longer correspond with reality?"
Ayatollah Montazeri responded: "Those aspects of the Islamic law that are based on the very letter of the Qur'an, the answer is no. But certain other things yes, you can, and they can be subject to changing times. But those that are from the very letter of the Qur'an, no they cannot, and those have certain wisdom and subtleties in them."[53]
Reputation
According to journalist
Public image
In late 1960s, Montazeri gained influence and popularity in
In 1980s, Montazeri was known by the pejorative nickname Gorbeh Nareh (Persian: گربهنره, the masculine cat) after the Cat, a character in the Pinocchio animated series. According to Elaine Sciolino, this was due to his "poor public speaking skills, squeaky voice, round face and grizzled beard".[55]
Personal life
On 4 September 1942, he married Mah-Sultan Rabbani (1926 – 26 March 2010) and had seven children, four daughters and three sons.
He was described by Ayatollah Mohammad Guilani as "meticulous about, if not obsessed by, cleanliness."[23]
Death
On 19 December 2009, Montazeri died in his sleep of heart failure at his home in Qom, at the age of 87.[58] The Islamic Republic News Agency, the official news agency of Iran, did not use the Ayatollah title in its initial reports of his death and referred to him as the "clerical figure of rioters".[59] The state television and radio broadcasters were similar, showing the tension between the government and its opponents.[60]
Funeral and protests
This section may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. (July 2017) |
Montazeri's funeral was said to have marked "a new phase" in
21 December
On 21 December, hundreds of thousands of mourners and the Green Movement supporters from across Iran turned out in Montazeri's funeral and turned the funeral to a massive protest against the Iranian government. The funeral service for him began at his house and funeral prayers were held at the Grand Mosque in Qom.[62] After the special prayers by Ayatollah Mousa Shabiri Zanjani,[63] his body was laid to rest in the Fatima Masumeh Shrine.[64] He was buried alongside his son, Mohammad Montazeri.[65][66]
The protesters chanted opposition slogans, including "Our shame, our shame, our idiot leader", and “Dictator, this is your last message: the people of Iran are rising!”
Although the police mostly stayed clear of the funeral, there were some skirmishes between protesters and the Basij militia. Also on 21 December, inside the Qom shrine where Montazeri’s body was laid to rest, opposition activists gathered and chanted “Death to the dictator.” When one group of pro-government basiji militiamen came toward them, chanting “Death to the hypocrites,” the crowd changed to an anti-basiji slogan. Then they took out money, offering it to the basiji, and chanted that they were acting as paid mercenaries of the government: “Where is the oil money? Spent on the Basiji,” and “Basij’s great pride, rape in prison.”
As the funeral procession ended, security forces poured into the city, blocking roads to the Ayatollah's house and tearing down posters of the Ayatollah. Mourners were reported to have thrown stones at police who tried to stop them chanting pro-Montazeri slogans. Mourners responded defiantly when ordered by loudspeaker not to chant, breaking into shouts of "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi. When a crowd of pro-government supporters chanted back: "I will give my life for the supreme leader," they were booed by mourners, a witness said.[50] The security forces prevented the Ayatollah's family from holding a planned memorial ceremony in the grand mosque of Qom following the funeral.[68]
According to the reformist website Kalameh, men on motorbikes, believed to be Ahmadinejad supporters, attacked the car carrying Mir Hossein Mousavi back from Qom to Tehran. They insulted Mousavi, smashed the back window and injured one of his aides.[65][69]
There were also protests in Najafabad, birthplace of Ayatollah Montazeri. Internet videos showed protesters waving green banners and chanting, “Dictator, dictator, Montazeri is alive!” and “Oh Montazeri, your path will be followed even if the dictator shoots us all!”[68]
22 and 23 December
On 22 December, Ahmadinejad continued his quest to strip his opponents of their last vestiges of political power. He interrupted a visit to Shiraz to return to Tehran and remove Mir Hossein Mousavi, the main opposition leader he defeated in the presidential election, as head of the state Academy of Arts and Culture- a post he had held for ten years.[70] Hardliners also wanted Mousavi arrested for his role in inciting unrest since the disputed June election.[71]
On 23 December, Iranian security forces clashed with tens of thousands of opposition supporters in the city of
Meanwhile, footage sent to the BBC from Najafabad showed crowds chanting "Criminals, rapists, death to the leadership" and "We're not afraid, we're not afraid" as security men watched from rooftops.[73]
Police severely attacked mourners and protesters in several cities, with many wounded and arrested. The government also announced that banknotes with anti-government annotation, which recently spread across the country, will be forbidden starting from 8 January.[76]
24 December
On 24 December, opposition web sites reported that police in Tehran and the northwestern city of
Meanwhile, the police in Zanjan, a city of mostly Turkish speakers, tried to prevent a mourning ceremony for Montazeri by locking the mosque where the ceremony was to be held and attacking mourners who chanted outside it. It was mentioned that: “The police beat people with such violence that many suffered from broken legs, arms and noses.” There were also many arrests.[77]
26 December
Witnesses and opposition websites reported the following incidents:
- There were protests in several areas of the capital, including the poorer areas of south Tehran, and government forces were using tear gas to try to disperse demonstrators.[78]
- Clashes were reported in northern Tehran near day of Ashura. However, security officials cancelled the Ashura speech to be given by Khatami and also surrounded the mosque. A reformist website reported about 50 plainclothes forces breaking into Jamaran mosque and attacking people. Riot police also fired tear gas during the incident. Protesters shouted, "death to this dictatorship" and "if Khomeini was alive, he would sure be with us," according to witnesses. A witness also said, "Police told them they have five minutes to leave and, when they were still shouting slogans and persisted, policemen on motorbikes drove through the crowds and fired teargas." Riot police and members of the Basij also chased demonstrators into the nearby bustling Niavaran street and fired paintballs at them. The security forces also arrested several protesters. Clashes were also reported between police and protesters near another north Tehran mosque, Dar al-Zahra, which is known to host reformist clerics.[78][79][80]
- Opposition supporters had gathered in groups along a stretch of a main Tehran city centre route several kilometres long, but police were out in force and were not letting them join each other. Earlier, there were clashes at several points along Enghelab Street, a main thoroughfare where months earlier hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters had staged protest marches after Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election. Police also stopped and arrested the passengers of a bus near Enghelab Square because they were chanting pro-opposition slogans. Some protesters were reported to have chanted: "The dictator must know that he will soon be overthrown."[78][79][81][82]
- Tension was running high at rallies in which protesters were chanting anti-government slogans in three areas of central Tehran. Government forces, including soldiers of the elite Revolutionary Guard and the paramilitary Basiji, are said to have reacted aggressively—beating protesters with batons, firing warning shots into the air to disperse demonstrators, using teargas and pepper spray and smashing the windscreens of cars that were hooting in protest, as well as making numerous arrests.[78][81][82]
- Security forces chased protesters into a building housing the offices of the ISNA news agency, where some demonstrators had sought shelter during the clashes, ISNA said, adding one of its reporters had been injured when security forces had attacked the building. An eyewitness said at least two people were injured when police chased after protesters into the building. “They fractured the skull of one ISNA person and badly beat up another employee,” the witness said. ISNA's news service appeared to be working normally and it later issued a report on the incident, saying one of its reporters had been injured without specifying who was to blame.[79][81]
- An elderly woman travelling on a city bus in the area was heard urging passengers to chant slogans such as "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" in support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, a witness said. The witness said passengers on the packed bus also chanted "Our Neda is not dead, it is the government which is dead," referring to protester Neda Agha Soltan, who bled to death during a 20 June protest in shocking scenes caught on video and viewed by millions around the world.[79]
- Witnesses said riot police fired warning shots in several areas of Tehran to deter demonstrators, many of whom chanted slogans increasingly against the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's most powerful figure, rather than President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[82]
- Clashes were reported in cities including Isfahan, Kermanshah and Shiraz, as opposition supporters used the Tasua and Ashura ceremonies to take to the streets.[82]
Later events
In 2010, the office of Montazeri that had been run by his son Ahmad was closed on the orders of Ali Khamenei.[62]
See also
References
- ^ "Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri: 1922-2009". FRONTLINE - Tehran Bureau. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Moin, Baqer (20 December 2009). "Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri". the Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "khatami.76 - Instagram Tagged In - Deskgram". Archived from the original on 3 February 2018.
- ^ "یادی از نودمین سالروز تولد آیت الله العظمی منتظری + گاه شمار زندگی ایشان « سایت خبری تحلیلی کلمه". www.kaleme.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Hossein Ali Montazeri". Britanica.
- ^ "Profile: Iran's dissident Ayatollah". BBC News. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- ^ a b c d Slackman, Michael (21 November 2009). "Cleric Wields Religion to Challenge Iran's Theocracy". New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ a b Christopher de Bellaigue (27 June 2002). "Who Rules Iran?". The New York Review of Books.
- ^ "Lebanese paper on Hashemi" (PDF). Al Shira. 3 November 1986. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Hiro, Dikip, The Longest War: The Iran-Iraq Military Conflict, Routledge Chapman and Hall, 1991, p. 151.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-452-27563-8.
- S2CID 143684557. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4128-0516-2.
- ^ "Interview With Grand Ayatollah Montazeri". MEMRI. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ^ "Iran's dissident Ayatollah". BBC News. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-465-06888-3.
- ^ Moin, Baqer (20 December 2009). "Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-226-07757-4.
- ISBN 978-0-312-26490-1.
- ISBN 978-92-9198-198-4. Archived from the original(Chaillot Papers) on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Interview With Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri". Iran Press. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
- ^ a b Khalaji, Mehdi (February 2012). "Supreme Succession. Who Will Lead Post-Khamenei Iran?" (PDF). The Washington Institute. Washington DC. Archived from the original (Policy Focus (No. 117)) on 16 April 2014.
- ^ a b Profile - Montazeri: Architect and critic of modern Iran Reuters, 21 December 2009
- ISBN 978-0-300-09856-3.
- S2CID 143617528.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-300-09856-3.
- ^ Moin, p. 277.
- ^ a b Moin, p. 279.
- ^ Moin, p. 287.
- ISBN 978-0-375-40639-3.
- ^ "Translation of Ayatollah Khomeini's Letter Dismissing Montazeri". printed in Abrar. Iran Virtual Library. Archived from the original on 13 March 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- ^ Moin, 289.
- ^ Behnegarsoft.com. "الف - بخشنامه موسوي درباره عكس منتظري/تصویر". alef.ir. Archived from the original on 26 December 2009.
- ^ Moin, 290–1.
- ^ Moin, 293.
- ISBN 978-0-674-29140-9.
- ^ آیت الله خامنه ای با ولایت فرد مخالف بود. Radio Farda (in Persian). 8 December 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
- ^ توضیحات هاشمی درباره شورای رهبری. Aftab News (in Persian). 7 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
- ^ Keddie, 262.
- ^ "Iran releases dissident cleric". BBC News. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Dissident Ayatollah Demands Iran's Rulers Be Elected". FOX News. Associated Press. 17 September 2003. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ Keddie, 283.
- ISBN 978-0863565823.
- ^ a b c "Iranian cleric attacks president". BBC News. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ a b "Top dissident cleric slams Ahmadinejad". USA Today. Associated Press. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Iranian Dissident Cleric Criticized Ahmadinejad". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Associated Press. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2007.
- ^ "Persian TV weekly highlights". Voice of America. 19 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ Ayatollah Montazeri proclaims bahais citizens of iran Archived 4 September 2012 at archive.today Middle East Youth, 22 May 2008
- ^ Strobel, Warren P.; Landay, Jonathan S. (16 June 2009). "Iran's Senior Ayatollah Slams Election". McClatchy Newspapers. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Funeral of Iranian cleric Montazeri turns into political protest". The Guardian. 21 December 2009.
- ^ Theodoulou, Michael (21 September 2009). "The Grand Ayatollah unleashes his wrath". The National. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ Protests in Iran: Green November The Economist
- ^ a b Interview with Ayatollah Montazeri by Golbarg Bashi Archived 27 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Payvand
- ^ Muhammad Sahimi (21 December 2009). "Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri: 1922-2009". Tehran Bureau. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ISBN 978-0743217798.
- ^ "Montazeri, Hossein Ali (1922–)". Biographical Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-571-23741-8p.177
- ^ "Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri". The Telegraph. London. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "Crowds gather to mourn reformist Iran cleric Montazeri". BBC News. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Iranian dissident cleric Montazeri dies". Associated Press. 20 December 2009.
- ^ Iran's Regime and Opposition Brace for the Next Round, Time, Robin Wright, Time, 4 January 2010
- ^ a b Sartowicz, Urs (21 December 2012). "The Search for Montazeri's Heirs". Qantara. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Million-Man Show of Force". Rooz. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ Spencer, Richard (21 December 2009). "Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's funeral sees hundreds of thousands challenge the Iranian regime". The Telegraph. London.
- ^ a b Ayatollah's death stirs Iranian opposition to bitter protests Times
- ^ "Funeral of A Revered Ayatollah, Hossein Ali Montazeri". Payvand. 21 December 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ a b Iran opposition energized by Montazeri funeral in Qom, say eyewitnesses The CS Monitor, 21 December 2009
- ^ a b Worth, Robert F.; Fathi, Nazila (22 December 2009). "Cleric's Funeral Becomes Protest of Iran Leaders". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ Iran's Ayatollah Montazeri buried in Qom amid protests Archived 6 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Hindustan Times
- ^ a b Clashes at Montazeri ceremony, Iran opposition says BBC
- ^ a b Women, children beaten at memorial service ABC, 24 December 2009
- ^ Iran government supporters stage demo BBC
- ^ a b "Iran protests show defiance". 23 December 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2020 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Fresh protests, clashes reported in Iran CNN, 23 December 2009
- ^ Iranian security forces suppress new wave of opposition protests in Isfahan Times
- ^ "Iran security clashes with cleric mourners". Reuters. 24 December 2009.
- ^ a b Police Try to Quell Protesters Who Mourn Iranian Cleric The New York Times, 25 December 2009
- ^ a b c d Renewed clashes reported in Iran BBC
- ^ a b c d "Iran anti-government clashes erupt on Shiite holy day". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Iran police clash with protesters in north Tehran: Report India Times
- ^ a b c "The Times & The Sunday Times". www.thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Iran hit by new clashes as crowds protest during religious ceremonies The Guardian, 27 December 2009
Further reading
- Dorri Najaf Abadi, Ghorban-Ali (2005). "8". In Nazari, Heydar (ed.). Khaterat e Hojat-ol-eslam val-moslemin Dorri Najaf Abadi (1st ed.). Tehran: IDRC (Iran Revolution Document Center). pp. 232–233. Archived from the original on 25 March 2007.
- Keddie, Nikki (2003). Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution. Yale University Press.
- Mackey, Sandra (1996). The Iranians: Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation. Dutton.
- Moin, Baqer (2000). Khomeini: Life of the Ayatollah. Thomas Dunne Books.
- Montazeri, Hossein-Ali (2000). "8". Khaterat. pp. 471–480. Archived from the original on 7 February 2006.
External links
- Office of Ayatollah Montazeri, Qom
- "Leadership & legitimacy: The controversy among the clergy over who should lead the Islamic state"—The Iranian
- "Iran's fatwa for freedom"—Washington Times
- Grand Ayatollah Montazeri: "The System Has No Religious Merit"
- "The Good Ayatollah" by Prof. Abbas Milani, Foreign Policy
Assembly seats | ||
---|---|---|
New office | Chairman of Assembly of Experts for Constitution 1979 |
Office abolished |
Political offices | ||
New office | Deputy Supreme Leader of Iran 1985–1989 |
Office abolished |
Religious titles | ||
Preceded by | Friday prayers Imam of Tehran 1979–1980 |
Succeeded by |