Was Ayatollah Khomeini married?
Khadijeh SaqafiRuhollah Khomeini / Spouse (m. 1929–1989)
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Khadijeh Saqafi (Persian: خدیجه ثقفی; 1913 – 21 March 2009) was an Iranian revolutionary and the wife of Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran and figurehead of the Iranian Revolution. Within Iran, she was known as “the mother of the Islamic revolution”.

Why is Ali Khamenei important?
Ali Khamenei, (born July 15, 1939?, Mashhad, Iran), Iranian cleric and politician who served as president of Iran (1981–89) and as that country’s rahbar, or leader, from 1989. A religious figure of some significance, Khamenei was generally addressed with the honorific ayatollah.
How old is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
83 years (April 19, 1939)Ayatollah Ali Khamenei / Age
Is Khamenei a marja?

Ayatollah Khamenei, despite serious doubts about his educational level, is officially considered a marja. Marja is the highest title in Shiite seminaries, referring to a qualified jurist with the authority to issue a formal ruling on religious matters.
What is an ayatollah in Islam?
Definition of ayatollah
: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims —used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imam.
Was Ayatollah Khomeini Shia?
Born around the turn of the century, Ruhollah Khomeini was the son of an Islamic religious scholar and in his youth memorized the Qur’an. He was a Shiite—the branch of Islam practiced by a majority of Iranians—and soon devoted himself to the formal study of Shia Islam in the city of Qom.
Is Iran safe?
Iran – Level 4: Do Not Travel. Last Update: Reissued with updates to wrongful detention information. Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.
What happened to Khamenei right hand?
An assassination attempt on Ali Khamenei occurred on 27 June 1981. When he gave the speech for prayers at the Abuzar Mosque, a bomb in the tape recorder placed in front of him exploded and his arm, vocal cords and lungs were seriously injured.
Who has the most power in Iran?
Supreme Leader
- The Supreme Leader of Iran is the head of state and highest ranking political and religious authority (above the President).
- The Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts.
- The Guardian Council is an appointed and constitutionally mandated 12-member council with considerable power.
What are US relations with Iran today?
The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had no formal diplomatic relationship since that date. Switzerland is the U.S. protecting power and provides limited consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran. Iran has no embassy in Washington, D.C.
What is Shia Marja?
Marji’ (Arabic: مرجع, transliteration: marjiʿ; plural: marājiʿ, short for Marjaʿ al-taqlid), literally meaning “source to follow” or “religious reference”, is a title given to the highest level of Twelver Shia authority, a Grand Ayatollah with the authority given by a hawzah to make legal decisions within the confines …
Who is the most powerful man in Islam?
Current top ten
Rank | Change | Name |
---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani |
2 | King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud | |
3 | Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | |
4 | 3 | Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
What Mullah mean?
Definition of mullah
: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post.
Is Saddam Hussein Shia or Sunni?
In the 1980s, not only was President Saddam Hussein a Sunni, but he was the vice chairman of the ruling Baath Party (Arab Socialist Resurrection). One of the two deputy prime ministers and the defense minister were also Sunnis.
When did Iran become Shia?
First, a brief history lesson: How did Iran become Shia? Until the 16th century, Persia was mostly Sunni. At the turn of that century, the Safavid dynasty conquered much of what is now Iran and made Shiism the official religion.
Can you drink alcohol in Iran?
Alcohol has been illegal for Muslim Iranian citizens since the establishment of Islamic Republic government in 1979.
What’s Iran famous for?
Iran has one of the oldest, richest and most influential art heritages in the world which encompasses many disciplines including literature, music, dance, architecture, painting, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, metalworking and stonemasonry.
How do I become ayatollah?
There is no ceremony in which the office is formally bestowed, nor any specific requirements a candidate must fulfill. Rather, clerics who prove their wisdom over years of studying, teaching, writing, and preaching slowly gather the respect of both Shiite elders and everyday practitioners.
Is there freedom of speech in Iran?
The Iranian Constitution states very general rules concerning freedom of expression. Article 24 states: “Publications and the press have freedom of expression except when it is detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam or the rights of the public.
Is Iran a developed country?
According to the International Monetary Fund, Iran is a “transition economy”, i.e., changing from a planned to a market economy. The United Nations classifies Iran’s economy as semi-developed.
Why is Iran important to the world?
Iran’s economy is characterized by its hydrocarbon, agricultural, and service sectors, as well as a noticeable state presence in the manufacturing and financial services. Iran ranks second in the world for natural gas reserves and fourth for proven crude oil reserves.
Why is there no U.S. Embassy in Iran?
As a result of the Iranian takeover of the American Embassy on November 4, 1979, the United States and Iran severed diplomatic relations in April 1980. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had no formal diplomatic relationship since that date.
Why did Sunni and Shia split?
The divide originated with a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Islamic faith he introduced. Today, about 85 percent of the approximately 1.6 billion Muslims around the world are Sunni, while 15 percent are Shia, according to an estimate by the Council on Foreign Relations.
What do Shia Muslims believe?
Shias believe that God always provides a guide, first in the direct descendants of Ali, known as Imams, and then ayatollahs, or experienced Shia scholars who are sought as a source of emulation. The sect splintered due to differences over the proper line of succession among Ali’s descendants.