Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz - Society of Militant Clergy

An influential Iranian clerical movement that played a key role in opposing the Shah and foreign influence, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz

Definition

Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz (Society of Militant Clergy) is an influential Iranian clerical movement that sought to maintain the momentum of the 1963 uprising led by Ayatollah Khomeini.

Etymology

  • Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz (فارسی: جامعه‌ روحانیت مبارز)
    • Jamiah (جامعه) - Society
    • Ruhaniyat (روحانیت) - Clergy
    • Mubariz (مبارز) - Militant or Fighting

Turkish: Mücadele Eden Din Adamları Topluluğu

Historical Background

The movement was significant particularly in the context of the Iranian Islamic revolution where it vociferously opposed the Shah, Israel, and the United States, which were often seen as supporting the Shah’s regime. Ayatollah Khomeini’s leadership played a crucial role in mobilizing this movement, and its activities continued with enhanced fervor especially following his exile.

Key Figures

  • Ayatollah Khomeini: The pivotal leader of the 1963 uprising and beyond.
  • Murtaza Mutahhari (d. 1979): An important member involved in the organization’s activities and protests.

Impacts and Contributions

The Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz was remarkably instrumental in orchestrating anti-regime protests and instilled a sense of religious duty among its followers to confront oppressive forces. They were not only vocal in opposing the Shah but also in criticizing international powers they believed to be interfering in Iran’s sovereignty.

Involvement in 1963 Uprising

The group’s formation was motivated by the desire to keep the revolutionary momentum active, stemming from the 1963 protests that followed the arrest of Khomeini among other clerics dissenting against the Shah’s modernization policies, which included land reform and women’s suffrage.

Further Reading

  • “Islamic Government” (Hokumat-e Islami) by Ayatollah Khomeini
  • “Islamic Utopian: A Political Biography of Ali Shari’ati” by Ali Rahnema
  • “Iran: A Modern History” by Abbas Amanat

Conclusion

The Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz continues to be a relevant topic for study in understanding the dynamics of Islamic revolution in Iran and the powerful role of religious leadership in socio-political movements. Its significance remains in how it laid the groundwork for the eventual 1979 Iranian Revolution by espousing a blend of religious ideology and militancy against perceived injustice and external influences.

Takeaways

  • The Jamiah-yi Ruhaniyat-i Mubariz was vital in advancing the causes initiated by the 1963 uprising.
  • It was a significant organization against Shah’s regime and external influences likened to imperialist domination.
  • The group’s ideologies were greatly shaped and promulgated by Ayatollah Khomeini and fellow clerics like Murtaza Mutahhari. ları
Thursday, August 1, 2024

Dictionary of Islam

IslamReference.com is your go-to source for understanding Islam, its history, theology, culture, and much more. Our goal is to provide reliable and scholarly resources to students, researchers, educators, and anyone with an interest in Islamic studies.