Dr. Moatasem Sediq Abdullah
A researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah)
Dr. Mohammed Alsayed Alsayyad
A researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah)
Introduction
Friday prayer leaders hold a prominent position and enjoy social privileges among Iranian Shiites, given the fact that the Friday prayer sermon has become a significant ritual for the ruling elite since the 1979 revolution after it had been considerably marginalized during the Pahlavi dynasty.
After they took power following the 1979 revolution, the religious elite has been using the Friday sermon to transmit the supreme leader’s messages to the people and officials at home and abroad.
While studying Friday sermons, there are several issues that need to be addressed related to their philosophical developments, particularly their purpose, topic, content and administrational development including the relationship between Friday prayer leaders and politics. A question arises here: What is the relationship between Friday prayer leaders and political power? Do they represent the Hawza and its teachings or the ruling elite and its perspectives?
The significance of this study stems from addressing the above-mentioned issues —through which we aim to highlight the role of the supreme leader in the Friday sermon and the appointment and dismissal of Friday prayer leaders. Also, we will identify the significance of Friday sermons to the ruling elite and their political role.
