Clergy

Definition

Clergy refers to the body of individuals who are ordained for religious duties, particularly within specific faiths such as Islam or Christianity. In the context of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the clergy played a crucial role as both spiritual leaders and political activists, influencing the direction of the revolution and shaping post-revolutionary Iran's governance structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The clergy were pivotal in rallying public support against the Shah's regime, leveraging their influence over large segments of the population.
2. Prominent clerics like Ayatollah Khomeini became symbols of resistance and led calls for an Islamic state, challenging secular ideologies.
3. The 1979 revolution saw the clergy transition from a traditionally apolitical role to a significant power player in Iran's political landscape.
4. Following the revolution, the clergy established a new governance framework that merged religious authority with state power, creating a unique political structure.
5. The clergy's involvement in politics set a precedent for future governance in Iran, intertwining religious doctrine with national law and policy.

Review Questions

• How did the clergy influence public opinion during the lead-up to the 1979 Iranian Revolution?
  • The clergy significantly influenced public opinion by leveraging their religious authority to mobilize support against the Shah's regime. They utilized mosques as venues for organizing protests and disseminating revolutionary ideas, portraying themselves as defenders of Islamic values. By aligning their religious narratives with popular discontent over economic issues and government repression, they were able to galvanize a broad coalition of different social classes to join the revolutionary movement.
• Discuss the role of Ayatollah Khomeini and how he represented the interests of the clergy during the revolution.
  • Ayatollah Khomeini emerged as a leading figure representing the clergy during the revolution, articulating a vision for an Islamic Republic that resonated with many Iranians. He effectively communicated his ideas through speeches and writings, positioning himself as a spiritual leader opposed to Western influence and secularism. Khomeini's return from exile marked a turning point in the revolution, as he unified various factions under the banner of clerical leadership, ultimately leading to his establishment as Iran's Supreme Leader after the fall of the Shah.
• Evaluate how the integration of clergy into governance after the revolution shaped modern Iranian politics and society.
  • The integration of clergy into governance after the 1979 revolution fundamentally reshaped Iranian politics and society by establishing a system where religious authority directly influences state policies. The principle of Velayat-e Faqih solidified this relationship, allowing clerics to wield significant political power alongside their spiritual roles. This blending of church and state has had lasting effects on Iranian society, leading to a legal framework based on Islamic law that impacts everyday life for citizens. It also set a precedent for clerics to intervene in various aspects of governance, reinforcing their authority while generating ongoing tensions between reformist movements seeking greater secularization and traditionalist elements within the ruling class.

Related terms

Ayatollah: A high-ranking title given to Shia Islamic scholars who are recognized for their expertise in Islamic law and theology, often serving as religious leaders in Iran.

Islamic Republic: The political system established in Iran after the 1979 revolution, where the state is governed by Islamic law and led by religious leaders, primarily the clergy.

Velayat-e Faqih: A political theory in Shia Islam advocating that a senior Islamic jurist (faqih) should hold political authority and govern society, which became a foundational principle of the Iranian government after the revolution.