Grand Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri

From a Western perspective Iran since the Revolution may seem united in it’s stand
against Human Rights, but there have been a few dissenting voices amongst the crowd. Grand
Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri was one of those voices as he was known through his life as an
active advocate of Baha'i rights, civil rights and women's rights in Iran.

Born in Najafabad, Isfahan in late September 1922 (07 Mehr 1301 Shamsi) he received
his theological education in Esfahan, then went to receive an education from Ayatollah
Khomeini, who would refer to him as the “fruit of his life” later. Prior to the 1950s in Iran the
most prolific cleric was Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Hassan Tabatabaei Boroujerdi. His belief that
the spriritual leaders of the country did not have a place in politics was widespread and
accepted. After Ayatollah Tabatabaei passed away in 1961 there were four major contenders
vying to be his replacement. Seyyed Mohammad Reza Golpayegani, Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh
Rouhani, Shahabeddin Marashi Najafi, Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari, and Seyyed Ruhollah
Mūsavi Khomeini, who’s name you may have heard.
During this time Ayatollah became politically active by joining with his former teacher’s
consortium of anti-Shah clerics throughout the country by protesting the so called White
Revolution for land reform. After Khomeini was exiled to first Turkey, then Iraq, his followers
including Ayatollah Montazeri were instrumental in keeping in contact with him so that they
could spread his message throughout Iran. He spent time in prison between 1974 and 1978,
and was released in time to take part in the Islamic Revolution. Ayatollah Montazeri supported
and assisted Ayatollah Khomeini during this time, and between the two they were able to come
up with a system of Government that was both a Democratic Republic, and an Islamic
Government. In the eyes of Ayatollah Montazeri (and from the false propaganda that Khomeini
touted during the first years of the Islamic Republic) the Valieat e Faghi needed to be there to
guide the country, but should have no more influence than as an advisory role. This unknown
division between the two would develop into a chasm later. After the Revolution, Ayatollah
Montazeri was chairman of the Assembly of Experts of the Constitution. In 1985, the Assembly
of Experts -- a constitutional body that appoints the Supreme Leader and, in theory, monitors
his performance -- appointed Grand Ayatollah Montazeri as deputy and successor to Ayatollah
Khomeini.
By the time that he was appointed as the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini it had
become obvious that he had vastly differing views about the new system of Government. He
opposed to show trials, and torture, much like the ones that he received from SAVAK under the
Shah. In addition, he was vocal about his opposition to the thousands of executions that were
occurring. In 1988 he was removed from his position, and was placed under observation and
house arrest. He stayed a vocal political personality, and in 1997 issued a challenge to Ayatollah
Khamenai stating that he should be the Supreme Leader instead because of Khamenai’s lack of
qualification, and Ayatollah Montazeri had the popular vote to support him. He took another
stand after the rigged 2009 election, again calling for Khamenai to step down due to his
illegitimacy, and issuing a fatwa that the Islamic Republic’s Government was against the
principles of Islam. He released fatwas stating that apostacy was not a sin, and that the Bahai’i
should be given full rights as Iranian citizens.
Even after his death in 2009 the government is afraid of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. He
stands as a symbol of reform, tolerance, and as a reminder to not tolerate a dictatorship. IRNA
has been ordered to not address him as an Ayatollah, and his scholarly works are the only
things allowed to be taught. From a Western perspective it is interesting to think what would
have happened if he had become the Supreme Leader upon Khomeini’s death.

Bibliography
Kalame.com. (1391). ‫ گاه شمار زندگی ایشان‬+ ‫یادی از نودمین سالروز تولد آیت هللا العظمی منتظری‬. Retrieved from
Kalame: https://www.kaleme.com/1391/07/01/klm-113268/

Sahimi, M. (2009, December). Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri: 1922-2009 (obit). Retrieved from
PBS.org: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/12/grand-ayatollah-
hossein-ali-montazeri-1922-2009.html