On the Death of Iranian Ayatollah Husayn Ali Montazeri

The Center for Islamic Pluralism notes the passing on December 19, 2009, of Ayatollah Husayn Ali Montazeri, rahmetli, at the age of 87.

Ayatollah Montazeri was known throughout the Islamic ummah for his support for the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, and his intimate relationship with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Ayatollah Montazeri was expected to succeed Khomeini. But with the instalment of the clerical dictatorship in Iran, Ayatollah Montazeri began a long career as the chief dissident voice in the country.

Most recently, Ayatollah Montazeri forthrightly denounced the usurping and provocative regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its criminal course in corrupting the recent election and torturing and killing opponents.

A final judgement of the effect of velayat-e-faqih or clerical government on the Islamic ummah has yet to the delivered, and is long overdue. One cannot predict the ultimate opinion of wise and religiously-educated people on the record of Ayatollah Montazeri.

Nevertheless, we request that believers recite appropriate memorials for Ayatollah Montazeri and offer prayers in his memory at the coming occasion of Ashura. Muminin should also contribute publically to the success of a cause on which members of Ahl-e-Beyt (Shias) have been shamefully silent, i.e. the Islamofascist atrocities in Iran.

Center for Islamic Pluralism
Washington, DC

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