Sistani Breaks His Silence

Grand Ayatollah Sistani is generally thought to be rather apolitical and also actually lives in Iraq. Yet he is the highest religious authority in Shii Islam and has many followers in Iran.

He has broken his silence on the recent unrest and answered some questions posed to him by one of his followers:

1) What is your eminence’s opinion about [Iran's] religious supreme leadership (velayat-e-faqih)?

“Leadership in what Islamic jurists call “everyday affairs” exists for any qualified expert in Islamic jurisprudence. However [leadership] in public affairs that play a crucial role in the order of the Islamic society, depends both upon personal qualifications of the expert and also upon other issues including the fact that the expert must be acceptable for the public.”

2) If a pronouncement of another Marjaa [senior clerical leader] opposes that of a Supreme Leader what must be done?

“In general the pronouncement of a person that has religious supreme leadership in public and society affairs etc. supersedes all (including other Marjaa) unless the pronouncements are proven to be wrong or the pronouncements are proven to be against what is in the Koran or in Religious Tradition.”

In other words, Sistani is being Sistani and trying to be as apolitical as possible. He is basically saying that he supports the overall system in Iran, but also says that there are ways in which the system can be illegitimate. Perhaps most important he implies that Khamenei is not infallible and there are instances in which his rule can be questioned.

He also argues that the Supreme Leader needs high personal qualifications and public support. Arguments can be made that Khamenei lacks both the necessary religious credentials and large support among the people. Thus reformists might see this as a back handed swipe at Khamenei.

In reality, Sistani is being vague on purpose and does not seem to want to come down in support of one side or the other. That is generally what can be expected of Sistani and that is probably what he will continue to do.