Saturday
Mar202010
Iran Analysis: Ahmadinejad Fails in Qom? (Verde)
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 6:35 
Mr Verde evaluates President Ahmadinejad's visit to the senior clerics of Qom on Thursday:If the aim of the trip was to gain respectability and acceptability from the clergy in Qom, it looks like it failed.
None of the big-name and independent Grand Ayatollahs were mentioned as having met with Ahmadinejad individually. He saw three that are known to be close to the establishment (for example, Ayatollah Nouri-Hamedani was the only Grand Ayatollah who has congratulated Ahmadinejad’s “election” victory ,and he usually repeat the establishment's words). Many of Ayatollah Mesbah-Yazdi’s students are staunch supporters of Ahmadinejad, and it is reported that the President is a follower of Mesbah (there were rumours that Mesbah has issued a fatwa OKing the election fraud in June 2009).
So no surprises and insignificance there. Instead the story seems to be that all the other Grand Ayatollahs, and also importantly, the representative in Iran of Grand Ayatollah Sistani, the spiritual leader in Najaf in Iraq, have given Ahmadinejad the cold shoulder.
Recently Ahmadinejad has proposed funds for Qom seminary in the budget --- traditionally Shia clerics have relied on private non-state financial support. It seems that money has not helped his cause, however. Indeed, throwing money at Qom may be seen as an insult by the clergy.
As for the "most senior authorities" reported to have persuaded the senior clerics to accept a meeting, I would look all the way to the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei backed Ahmadinejad to the point that he has staked his reputation on him, and the situation isn't exactly as promising as he was hoping in June.
If it was Khamenei who tried to persuade the Grand Ayatollahs to back the President, the outcome is bad news for him.
Reader Comments (8)
"If it was Khamenei who tried to persuade the Grand Ayatollahs to back the President, the outcome is bad news for him."
It probably seemed like a good thing to do at the time - but now!!!! :)
Barry
Indeed, throwing money at Qom may be seen as an insult by the clergy.
Why do you think this? Are you familiar with Iranians? I'm not some disillusional akhoond hater, but trust me on this. Akhoonds will never be insulted by such action.
Dear Armin,
I beg to differ, baradar. The striking of the clergy is not corrupt and only interested in money. I won't deny, however, that there are some who indeed only have the desire of a fat wallet.
But I think it is accurate to assume that financial support by the state is regarded an insult by the elite of Qom's clergy.
Ey-e shoma mobarak, dadash.
Ramin
Mr Verde,
Thank you as always for analysing and putting the news into context.
AN's actual situation may be even worse, since Hossein Marashi, a close ally to Raffers, who was arrested on Thursday, apparently will be released soon.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5374138,00.html
Deutsche Welle has a detailed report on the circumstances, quoting also IRNA, which speaks of "hidden hands" behind this release, as cited by Khabar Online: http://www.khabaronline.ir/news-50341.aspx
Continuing with the question "A new failure for the government?", DW enumerates several instances, such as the passage of the bill to change election laws in the Expediency Council, as well as the fact that Raffers apparently managed to gain the Combattant Clergy's support, led by Mahdavi Kani. Another sign for Raffers' growing influence is the lifted ban on Shargh newspaper, meant to restart publication in two weeks.
In this respect Marashi's arrest is deemed as an essay of government supporters to give themselves airs in this aggravating situation for AN and his abominated SL. Altogether good news on the eve of Nowruz...
Eyde shoma mobarak!
Arshama
I agree asdollah. The Grand Ayatollah are not your local mullah to be bought with some money...Note: I'm not a muslim and am not trying to defend their ideology.
Except for the ones who have been elevated to that position by the regime, they are the creme of the crop of all seminary students and have dedicated their lives to learning and teaching Islam and spirituality.
The ones that I know of live in houses made of mud & straw built many decades ago with little of modern day conveniences (think of a modest budhist monk).
So yes, they will see attempts at buying off their support as offensive...another brilliant move by AN.
I agree with Armin, there is no Grand Ayatollah ! where are they when iranians are killed tortured and raped in country ?! they have forgotten the meaning of " Grand " ! The marja is Ayatollah Sistani and he's in Irak, unfortunately for us; "Grand" was Montazeri, he's dead ! and Boroujerdi is in jail !! We are so lucky !! it 's left only the" Akhounds" in Ghom and they will be very happy with AN's money ! when he's in cul de sac he spends money .
A bit more on the subject of AN's visit:
http://www.insideiran.org/media-analysis/ahmadinejad-visits-qom-to-try-to-repair-relations-with-clerics/
R u guys not making a meal out of a morsel. There is no story here. The maraje have always been divided between those who believe in an activist Islam & those who have a more quietist approach. But as a class they have deep disdain & suspicion of political authority of any kind and they fear the change in political tides that can happen with swings of public opinion. They are not atypical of any other religious class in other faiths wanting to concentrate on preservation of faith and its transmission from generation to generation. At times of uncertainty people usually want to cling more firmly to tradition & as religion is often tied to that this is more likely to happen. However what is noteworthy is that there is not a leading Grand Ayatullah, including Seestani, who does not tacitly accept Velayat e Faqih & the importance of obeying such a person's authority once popularly confirmed. The question here as in other societies is how much & what kind of religion( or strand of) that people want their lives to be governed by. This is still an open chapter and the various players are attempting to write their own script but only the people can ultimately decide. Iranians are sophisticated people and will be able to work out the right balance but for those who think they are ready to abandon Islam should read their history. Their contribution to Islamic civilisation and learning has been far too significant for any new generation to abandon their historical role.