Ayatollah Ali Sistani: New Opportunities of the Old School of the Shiite Religious Mentoring
Abstract
The article analyses characteristics of the religious and political views of marja taqlid Ali Sistani, and socio-political context of his activities. Sistani has developed the political position of «non-participation» and Shiite ideas of democratic governance. And in accordance with this tradition the main holy book of Islam is the only source for the creation of laws, and the role of the clergy should be in the spiritual leadership of the Muslim community in order to ensure fairness and social contract. Sistani, thus, has played the great role for the spiritual control of the officially elected power in order to protect the interests of voters and prevent despotism. Sistani’s views play a significant positive role in the Middle East, and its subsequent distribution will definitely help to solve the actual enormous problems.
Keywords:
Iran, Iraq, theocracy, religion, religious mentoring, Shiism
References
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Nakash Y. 2006. The Shi’a in the Modern Arab World: Reaching for Power. Princeton, NJ:Princeton University Press. 226 p.
Nasr V. 2008. The Shi a Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future. –Iran & the Caucasus. Vol. 12. No 2.
Rahimi B. 2012. Democratic Authority, Public Islam, and Shi’i Jurisprudence in Iran and Iraq: Hussain Ali Montazeri and Ali Sistani. – International Political Science Review. № 33(193).
Rizvi S. 2010. Political Mobilization and the Shi‘i Religious Establishment (Marja‘Iyya).– International Affairs. № 86(6).
Walbridge L.S. 2001. The Most Learned of the Shi’a: The Institution of the Marja’ Taqlid. N.Y.: Oxford University Press. 288 p.
Issue
Section
RELIGION, SOCIETY, STATE
Following the submission of the manuscript to the Publisher, the author binds oneself not to publish it somewhere else without permission of the Publisher.
