Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri

Infobox_Person
name = Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri
other_names = حسین علی منتظری


image_size = 210px
caption =
birth_date = 1922( 86 years)
birth_place =
religion = Twelver Shi'a Islam
website = [http://www.amontazeri.com www.amontazeri.com]

Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri ( _fa. حسین علی منتظری), styled His Honourable Eminence, (born in 1922), was one of the leaders of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. He is best known as the one-time designated successor to the revolution's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini who fell out with Khomeini in 1989 over government policies that Montazeri claimed infringed on freedom and denied people's rights. He currently lives in the holy city of Qom, and remains politically influential in Iran, especially upon reformist politics.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2699541.stm|title=Profile: Iran's dissident ayatollah|accessdate=2007-06-07|publisher=BBC News|year=2003-01-30] Montazeri is a senior Islamic scholar and a "grand marja" (religious authority) of Islam.

Early Life and public career

Born in 1922, Montazeri is from a peasant family in Najafabadcite journal | author=Christopher de Bellaigui| title=Who Rules Iran?| journal=The New York Review of Books| year=2002-06-27] a city in Isfahan Province, 250 miles south of Tehran. His early theological edication was in Isfahan. He then went to Qom where he studied under Khomeini and went on to become a teacher at Faiziyeh Theological School there. 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. [Hiro, Dikip, "The Longest War : The Iran-Iraq Military Conflict", Routledge Chapman and Hall, 1991, p.151] After Khomeini was forced into exile by the Shah, Montazeri "sat at the center of the clerical network" Khomeini established to fight Pahlavi rule. He was sent to prison in 1974 and released in 1978 in time to be active during the revolution.cite book | title=The Iranians: Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation| last=Mackey| first=Sandra| authorlink=Sandra Mackey| year=1998| pages=353| publisher=Plume Book| location=New York| id= ISBN 0452275636]

Islamic revolution

Although Montazeri is now famous as an Islamic jurist who was made to pay for his liberal-leaning beliefs, during the revolution he was a strong supporter of Khomeini's idea of theocracy by velayat-e faqih. He is the author of "Dirasat fi Vilayah al-Faqih", a scholarly book advocating rule by Islamic jurists under the principle velayat-e faqih.cite book | title=Theology of Discontent: The Ideological Foundation of the Islamic Revolution in Iran| last=Dabashi| first=Hamid| authorlink=Hamid Dabashi| year=2006| pages=424-5| publisher=Transaction Publishers| location=New Brunswick, NJ| id=ISBN 1412805163] In 1979, following the overthrow of the Shah, he played a pivotal role in instituting Iran's theocracy. He was one of the leaders of the movement to replace the relatively democratic and secular draft constitution proposed for the Islamic Republic with one where Islamic jurists were dominant. He distributed "a detailed commentary and alternate draft" for Iran's new constitution. It included proposals to specify that Twelver Shi'ism -- and not Islam in general -- was the official religion of the state; for Islamic jurists to appoint judges, have the right of veto over all laws passed by parliament and all candidates for president; and to forbid women to serve as judges or governors and forbid gender equality in general.cite book | title=The Reign of the Ayatollahs| last=Bakhash| first=Shaul| authorlink=Shaul Bakhash| year=1984| pages=79| publisher=Basic Books| location=New York| id=ISBN 046506888X] Later he served on the Assembly of Experts ("Majles-e-Khobregan") that wrote the constitution and implemented many of his proposals. 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.

After Khomeini indicated he wished Montazeri to be his successor Montazeri initially rejected this idea insisting that the choice of successor be left to the Assembly of Expertscite book | title=Kayhan, quoted in Reinventing Khomeini : the struggle for reform in Iran| last=Brumberg| first=Daniel| year=2001| pages=172| publisher=University of Chicago Press| location=Chicago| id=ISBN 0226077578] Montazeri relented though and following a session of the Assembly of Experts that November,cite book | title=Khomeini: Life of the Ayatollah| last=Moin| first=Baqer| year=2000| pages=262| publisher=Thomas Dunne Books| location=New York| id=ISBN 0312264909] he was designated Khomeini's successor as Supreme Leader. Some observers believe Khomeini chose him for this role solely because of his support for Khomeini's principle of theocratic rule by Islamic jurists. Theocracy by velayat-e faqih 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. :... Montazeri fell short of the theological requirements of the Faqih. He could not claim descent from the Prophet nor did he possess 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.

Dispute with Khomeini and demotion

As designated heir to Khomeini, Montazeri's troubles began with his association with Mehdi Hashemi who ran an organization out of Montazeri's office to export the Islamic revolution. Mehdi Hashemi is thought to have embarrassed Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani by leaking information of his connection with the Iran Contra affair. Subsequently Mehdi Hashemi was arrested, convicted and executed in 1987 on charges of counterrevolutionary activities.cite book | title=Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution| last=Keddie| first=Nikki R.| authorlink=Nikki Keddie| coauthors=Yann Richard| year=2003| pages=260| publisher=Yale University Press| location=New Haven, Connecticut| id=ISBN 0300098561]

In November 1987 Montazeri created more controversy when he called for the legalization of political parties, though under strict regulation.Moin, "op. cit.", 277.] He followed this by calling for "an open assessment of failures" of the Revolution and an end to export of revolution, claiming Iran should inspire by example not train and arm allied groups. Khomeini responded the next February by criticizing Montazeri and a month later called for a meeting of the Assembly of Experts to "discuss him."

Things came to a head following the mass execution of thousands of Mojahedin and other political prisoners in late summer and early autumn 1988. Montazeri gave a series of lectures in which he indicated support for a "far more open" policy Moin, "op. cit", 279.] and in an interview published in "Keyhan" in early 1989, 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.

Still worse was the publication abroad and broadcast on BBC of his letters condemning post-war wave of executions in March.Moin, "op. cit.", 287.] Montazeri also criticized Khomeini's fatwa ordering the killing of author Salman Rushdie saying: "People in the world are getting the idea that our business in Iran is just murdering people."cite book | title=The last great revolution : turmoil and transformation in Iran| last=Wright| first=Robin B.| year=2000| pages=20| publisher=A. A. Knopf| location=New York| id=ISBN 0375406395] On March 26 1989 a furious Khomeini strongly denounced Montazeri's actions, and two days later announced that Montazeri had resigned his post.Cite web|url=http://www.irvl.net/Translation%20of%20Ayatollah%20Khomeini's%20Letter%20Dismissing%20Montazeri.htm|title=Translation of Ayatollah Khomeini's Letter Dismissing Montazeri|accessdate=2007-06-07|publisher=Iran Virtual Library|work=printed in Abrar] Montazeri did not protest his loss, issuing a message concluding, "I ask all brothers and sister not to utter a word in my support."Moin, "op. cit.", 289.] In addition to losing his position as designated heir, Montazeri's title of Grand Ayatollah was withdrawn, publication of his lecture in the "Keyhan" newspaper and reference to him on the state radio stopped, his portraits were collected from offices and mosques, and his security guards were withdrawn. "Articles and editorials appear in various newspapers aimed at dismantling" Montazeri's "impeccable" revolutionary credentials."Moin, "op. cit.", 290-1.] Some have claimed that the amendment made to Iran's constitution removing the requirement that the Supreme Leader to be a Marja, was to deal with the problem of a lack of any remaining Grand Ayatollahs willing to accept "illimitable velayat-e faqih"Moin, "op. cit.", 293.] cite book | title=The Failure of Political Islam| last=Roy| first=Olivier| authorlink=Olivier Roy| year=1994| pages=173-4| publisher=Harvard University Press| location=Cambridge, Massachusetts| id=ISBN 0674291409] . However, others say the reason marjas were not elected was because of their lack of votes in the Assembly of Experts, for example Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Golpaygani had the backing of only 13 members of the assembly. Furthermore, there were other marjas present who accepted "illimitable velayat-e faqih"Cite web|url=http://www.radiofarda.com/Article/2006/12/08/f2_rafsanjani.html|title=«آیت الله خامنه ای با ولایت فرد مخالف بود»|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 17|publisher=Radio Farda|language=Persian] Cite web|url=http://aftabnews.ir/vdchmzn23-nkm.html|title=توضیحات هاشمی درباره شورای رهبری|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 17|publisher=Aftab News|year=7 Dec 2006|language=Persian]

Later dissent and house arrest

Khomeini died that June and another cleric, Seyed Ali Khamene'i, was selected by the Assembly of Experts to be the new Supreme Leader. Khamene'i had been only a mid-ranking Hojatoleslam before Montazeri's removal. His promotion was sometimes silently and sometimes openly rejected by many Shi'a,Keddie, "op. cit.", 262.] including Montazeri. In December 1989 Montazeri's supporters in Qom distributed "night letters" questioning Khamene'i'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." In October 1997, Ayatollah Montazeri was placed under house arrest, started with the excuse of protecting him from hardliners, after openly criticizing the authority of the Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. This condition ended in 2003Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2707513.stm|title=Iran releases dissident cleric|accessdate=2007-06-08|publisher=BBC News|year=2003-01-30] <Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,97567,00.html|title=Dissident Ayatollah Demands Iran's Rulers Be Elected|accessdate=2007-06-08|publisher=FOX News|year=2003-09-17|author=The Associated Press] after "more than 100 Iranian legislators" called on President Khatami to free Montazeri. Some thought that the government lifted the house arrest to avoid the possibility of a popular backlash from the ailing Montazeri dying while in custody.Keddie, "op. cit.", 283.]

Criticism of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

On January 22, 2007, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his nuclear and economic policiesCite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6286771.stm|title=Iranian cleric attacks president|accessdate=2007-06-08|publisher=BBC News|year=2007-01-22] Cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-01-22-iran_x.htm|title=Top dissident cleric slams Ahmadinejad|accessdate=2007-06-08|publisher=USA TODAY|year=2007-01-22|author=The Associated Press] . While agreeing that nuclear energy is Iran's right, he criticized Ahmadinejad's aggressive approach to the issue, saying, "One has to deal with the enemy with wisdom, not provoke it, ... his (provocation) only creates problems for the country." Montazeri also asked, "Don't we have other rights too? [referring to other rights in particular freedom-related ones] "Montazeri also criticized Ahmadinejad's administration for economic problems, such as a 50% increase in housing costs, and for rising inflation, arguing that a country cannot be run on "slogans".Cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/01/e984327d-c92b-4a08-b9cc-c4c903d8f5ae.html|title=Iranian Dissident Cleric Criticized Ahmadinejad|accessdate=2007-06-08|publisher=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty|year=2007-01-22|author=RFE/RL, with material from The Associated Press]

Also (http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/05/22/ayatollah-montazeri-proclaims-bahais-citizens-of-iran/) he wrote the following in support of the Baha'is of Iran:In the Name of the Most HighWith greetings,The congregation of Baha’ism not having the heavenly book like those of Jews, Christians, and Zoaretrians in the constitution [of Islamic republic of Iran] , are not considered one of the religious minorities. However, since 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.God-willing you will be successful,(Wal Salam–u Alaykum Warahmatullah) [Peace and Mercy of God be upon you] 25 Urdibehesht 1387 [14 May 2008] Signature: Montazeri [Seal]

Reputation

Montazeri has been described by his allies as "brilliant," down-to-earth, unpretentious, plain spoken, and as one who "lives plainly, and equates Islam with social justice" and stays above political infighting. His detractors have portrayed him as stubborn and naive in his insistence that the Islamic republic find reconciliation with the "Hypocrites and Liberals" who are its "internal enemies."

References

Further reading

*cite book |author= Dorri Najaf Abadi, Ghorban-Ali | year =2005 | title ="Khaterat e Hojat-ol-eslam val-moslemin Dorri Najaf Abadi" | chapter =8 | editor =Nazari, Heydar | edition =1st | pages =232-233 | publisher =IDRC (Iran Revolution Document Center) | location =Tehran | =ISBN 964-419-058-0| url =http://irdc.ir/book.asp?id=345
*cite book |author=Keddie, Nikki |title=Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution |publisher=Yale University Press|year=2003
*cite book |author=Mackey, Sandra |title=The Iranians: Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation |publisher=Dutton |year=1996
*cite book |author=Moin, Baqer |title=Khomeini: Life of the Ayatollah |publisher=Thomas Dunne Books |year=2000
*cite book |author= Montazeri,Hossein-Ali| year =2000 | title ="Khaterat" | chapter =8 | pages =471-480 | url =http://www.amontazeri.com/Farsi/Khaterat/web/index.htm

ee also

*Mahmoud Taleghani
*1988 massacre of Iranian prisoners

External links

* [http://www.amontazeri.com/ Office of Ayatollah Montazeri, Qom]
* [http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/Jan98/Behrooz/index.html Leadership & legitimacy: "The controversy among the clergy over who should lead the Islamic state"]
* [http://www.payvand.com/news/06/mar/1067.html Interview with Ayatollah Montazeri by Golbarg Bashi]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2699541.stm BBC Profile.]