MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: A POLITICAL CONSPIRACIST?

 

 

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Mashed-é Jameh or Friday Mosque in Iran

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ayatollah Khamenei speaking at a lecture

ISLAM IN IRAN

Islam is the national religion of Iran. The meaning of Islam translates as the surrender of one’s will for the sake of God (Allah). The central message of Islam can be stated through Islam’s First Doctrine of Faith, the Shadahah. This doctrine states: “There is no God but Allah and that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His Messenger and Servant. Islam is more than just a religion to its followers, but it is more of a culture that covers religious aspects and it is a model for a way of life. All those who follow the religion of Islam are called Muslims.

Within the umbrella of Islam, there are many different sects, all of which recognize this doctrine. In Iran, there are many sects as well, the most predominant being the Shia Muslims which account for 89% of the population. The Sunni Muslims account for 9% of all Iranians while all other faiths account for 2% of the population.

The initial division between the Sunni and Shia Muslims resulted over a political conflict regarding the succession of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Essentially the Muslims that became regarded as Sunnis felt that the appointed successor ought to be the winner of an election whereas Shia Muslims claim the rightful successor ought to have been Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, Ali ibn Talib (pbuh). From this dispute, many other schools of thought have stemmed from both the Sunni and Shia group; however, the majority of Iran follows the “Twelver” branch of faith under the Shia school of thought.

The term “Twelver” refers to the twelve imams or religious leaders that Shia Muslims regard as communicators with God and the mankind. Twelver Shias specifically believe that eleven other men have and will take leadership positions after the passing of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). All Imam’s are regarded with great prestige and respect, especially the very last religious leader, Imam Mahdi. The Twelfth Imam is deemed to be a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Born in the Islamic year of 225, Imam Mahdi is claimed to be alive and well, but his whereabouts are unknown to mankind. He is believed to come back to Earth to restore peace and harmony. His coming is also regarded as a momentous apocalyptic sign.


*It is an Islamic custom to bless Prophet Muhammad by following his name with the phrase “peace and blessings upon him”. In Islam, this phrases, as well as variations of this phrase are used to respect other religious figures as well. For the sake of brevity, the acronym (pbuh) will be used in place of the phrase “peace and blessings be upon him”.

 
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE ~ WORLD POLITICS 116 ~ FALL 2005

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