Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani
Grand Ayatollah Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani (Persian: اسدالله بیات زنجانی) is an Iranian theologian, Islamic philosopher, writer and Grand marja of Islam. He published his objection to the velayat-e faqih (religious system in Iran) and claims this regime has nothing to do with Islam.[1]
Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani | |
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Member of the Parliament | |
In office 28 May 1984 – 28 May 1992 | |
Constituency | Zanjan and Tarom |
In office 28 May 1980 – 28 May 1984 | |
Constituency | Mahneshan and Ijrud |
Personal details | |
Born | Zanjan, Iran | 23 December 1941
Political party | Association of Combatant Clerics |
Alma mater | Qom Hawza |
Biography
Grand Ayatollah Zanjani studied religion in Zanjan and Qom and was promoted to degree of Ijtihad. Among his teachers were Allameh Tabatabaei, Morteza Motahhari, Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Araki and Golpaygani.[2]
He is author of more than 10 books and is currently teaching Philosophy and religion in Qom Seminary.
Political career
Before the 1979 Iranian revolution, Zanjani was a pro-democracy activist. In 1972 he was arrested and spent a year in prison. After the revolution, he was involved in the launching of the Islamic Republican Party. Zanjani was also a member of the committee to reassess the Iranian constitution. He was elected three times to Iranian parliament where he represented the city of Zanjan.
Grand Ayatollah Zanjani was among the influential clerics who supported ex-prime minister Mousavi and questioned the legitimacy of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency.[3]
References
- Ayatollah Bayat Zanjani on Wilayat e Faqih
- "His biography". Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- Clerics May Be Key to Outcome of Unrest nytimes.com
External links
- Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani's official website (in Persian)
Assembly seats | ||
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Preceded by Hossein Hashemian |
2nd Vice Speaker of Parliament of Iran 1990–1992 |
Succeeded by Ali Akbar Parvaresh |