[Iran Press TV Latest] A top clerical body in the holy city of Qom declares that Grand Ayatollah Yousuf Sanei no longer qualifies to be a marja al-taqlid, or a source of emulation -- the highest clerical rank in Shia Islam.
The Qom Theological Lecturers Association, Jame-e-Modarressin said on Saturday that it had launched a yearlong investigation into the qualifications of Grand Ayatollah Sanei in response to repetitive inquiries on the issue, Fars news agency reported. In a statement bearing the signature of Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, the former head of Iran's judiciary, the body announced that the result of the investigation indicate that Grand Ayatollah Sanei is not eligible to be a marja.
Grand Ayatollah Sanei, 72, has come under fire for his anti-government stance. He has also been criticized by millions of Iranians who took part in the demonstration on Wednesday. |