Seyyed Jalaleddin Taheri Esfahani (Persian: سید جلال‌الدین طاهری اصفهانی, sometimes spelled Jalaluddin Taheri or Jalaleddin Taheri, 1 January 1926 – 2 June 2013) was an Iranian scholar, theologian and Islamic philosopher. He was a critic of Islamic extremism and was the representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran.

Jalal Al-Din Taheri
Born
Jalal Al-Din Taheri Hossein Abadi

(1926-01-01)January 1, 1926
DiedJune 2, 2013(2013-06-02) (aged 87)
Isfahan, Iran
Known forFriday prayers Imam of Isfahan
Member of Assembly of Experts
ChildrenAbdul Hossein
Malek
Azam
Mohammad Hossein
Mahdi
Ali
RelativesAbdul Khalegh Taheri (Father)
WebsiteOfficial website

Career edit

Taheri was a member of Assembly of Experts and representative of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Isfahan province. In 2002, Taheri resigned after 30 years as prayer leader in Isfahan.[1] Taheri's resignation letter complained of "generalized corruption of religious power in Iran."[2] On 30 June 2009, Taheri wrote an open letter in which he called Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency illegitimate.[3]

Death edit

Taheri died on 2 June 2013 at near 5 A.M after 35 days of hospitalization due to Respiratory arrest in one of the Isfahan's hospital. He suffered respiratory disease for a long time.[4] "Tens of thousands" attended his funeral in what was reportedly "Iran's biggest anti-government protest for years". Mourners chanted anti-government slogans such as “the political prisoners must freed,” and, “Mousavi and Karroubi must be freed,” calling Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a dictator.[5][6] He was buried in his hometown in Golestan Shohadah cemetery beside his son.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Prisoners' families meet with religious leader". Iran Daily Brief. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  2. ^ Slavin, Barbara (2007). Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the U.S. and the Twisted Path to Confrontation. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 150.
  3. ^ "آیت الله طاهری: تصدی مجدد رئیس دولت نامشروع و غاصبانه است". BBC. 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  4. ^ "حضرت آیت الله طاهری به ملکوت اعلی پیوست". 2 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Video: Iran funeral for dissident Ayatollah Jalaluddin Taheri turns into anti-government protest - only 10 days ahead of Iran's presidential elections". The Independent (London). 5 June 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  6. ^ "Iran dissident's funeral turns into anti-government protest". 4 June 2013. BBC News.