ij-maE Ami-O0w-macp ul i I I - tum clan II h r 1 r - emote-nouns - - - - - omnity in Iran originated in an Islamic schism 3 2 men Ali was murdered his chief opponent was chosen Roots of Religions ngo sition In Iran 7 - - of ailment unrest in pan has highlighted ea ff ditional opposition by religious leaders to the gov - ermnt - This opposition manifested by the religious - that occurred shortly after the Prophet Muhammad died in 632 AD The Proghet'eson inulaw Ali and Huawiya a descendant- of previons- rulers of the Islamic com - 3 nunity became embroiled in a struggle of succession as leader by the majority of Muslims Those who favored Ali became his followers and were known as the Shiat-al-Ali The line ot'sueoession for the Shiite is from Hohamsd through Ali and his descend- eats to_the last of 12 mama-the spiritual and tem- - pore leaders of Shiite Islam The last Imam disap-i - peered-in the 10th Century and will return some day fan s to redeem menu The declaration ct Shiite Islam es - - Sunnite Islamic comenity 19 by the 01m religious leaders of the Shiite the state religion by the satavid Dynasty in the 16th century further divided Iran from the rest of the The interpretation of we Lig'ious law in Iran 3 5 amenity even though the individual follower of Is- lam theoretically does not need an intermediary he- tween himself and God The Mnjtahid provides 2911 2 1 - gious leadership to the people and makes judgments on religious conduct figure 1 Since interpretation of the law involves all facets of life - including social economic and political matters - the reli gious leader inevitably comes into opposition to the 29 Mar 78 on Page 2 e 9 ct n I'hw1- 1 3 Mn'nilonrrous I 3 4 hummus - Univaraally reoc presently -- High status'in next to the abo1 - Literally the MBJTAHID - -- Rust have oompl o ivo authorizai - have recognition community - HULLA - worka at the con religious preoe schooled nigh-J 5 p yP out - mom u 3 hum - 0oil- - -- - '5 I - a 9 D-- - - - - - -q gnu-3 wwmIn an QHIITE IRAN 1 - - o - universally recognized by Shiite oommityn ea religious presently unoccupied -- High statue'in the Shiite community and the highest honor next to the above that a Shiite lender can attain Literelly the Sign oi God - 1 - Rust have completed a course of religious studies end ceive authorization from e qualified _Mudtehid Meet also my -heve recognition from laymen and scholars in the religioue - comunity - works at the comunity level as a leader knowledgeable in religious precepts individual ie not no egteneively _ _ sohooled ae the above 17'aior 03'- a guiding- 5 and #3191133 - I a - -- - '3 or its agents - whe Ulama consider the Shah a - under Islamic law and answerable to those - int-rout it Be is seen as a temporal ruler 1 1 of _ the Iranians until the last of the Imam returns to provide salvation-tor a11 - - - - - 7 U gougioua leaders have in-modern tiues 1 - - playeda premium role in andgoveroment activi- - - ties During the latter half of the' 19th century Z -- 1 they were instrumental in thwarting efforts by - gv aaer-i-Din shah to grant concessions to garage- 13 - 1 who wold have 'Westernized'_ Iran i heir ac-g Opposition to the British tobacco concession - - 1 in 1893 led to a cancellation of foreign monopolies - 1n 13th mix 1900 religious leaders were 1 on the issue of constitutional reform but the ma-y - jority eventually supported the political dissideete forced the Shah into signing the constitution - su'rhe 01am appeared to support the constitution as a - - - step toward modernization but they were actually favor or the document because it could he used - - 1 to math Shah's power- Although their current '2 1- den-ad for-a return to constitutional ruledefiance to the shali the leaders have not - '1 1 3 3 111 - acted boldly as to prompt a direct and harsh re- - - action by the Monarch who would probably not like - if beam as opposing 'conatitutional rule per se f Rea shah who founded the present - dynasty Miami-d the division between the religious amenity and the goverauent when he eabarked on a '1 - 1 number of reforms and randomization efforts Since g'jr - the in uenceend powerso the 1 1eadere gradually erodedIntelligence Arpraisal I-This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu