In recent days, videos from the session electing Ayatollah Khamenei as the second leader of the Islamic Republic on June 4, 1989, have been published online. In these videos, both Ali Khamenei and other members of the Assembly of Experts emphasized that he is not a source of emulation, and even the current leader of the Islamic Republic stated in a speech during this session that he is not the guardian jurist and that one should weep for a society where his leadership is considered. In contrast, some members of the Assembly of Experts, including Ayatollah Amiri and Ahmad Jannati, called for a council of jurists and the Expediency Discernment Council to provide Khamenei with jurisprudential and theoretical advice. There was a strong emphasis on keeping this election secret, and Khamenei's temporary leadership was not publicly announced until a referendum on the Islamic Republic was held. In this week's program, we raised the question of what the release of these videos nearly thirty years later means and whether Khamenei's leadership is legal and legitimate. Alongside two experts: Mohsen Kadivar, an Islamic scholar and professor of religious studies at Duke University in the USA, and Hassan Shariatmadari, a political activist and analyst in Germany.
Is Ali Khamenei's Leadership Legal?
Recent videos have surfaced showing the election of Ali Khamenei as the leader of Iran, where he and others stated he was not a source of emulation. This raises questions about the legitimacy of his leadership nearly thirty years later, with experts discussing its implications.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Recent videos surfaced showing the election of Ali Khamenei as Iran's leader in 1989, where he and others acknowledged his lack of emulation status. This has sparked discussions about the legitimacy of his leadership nearly thirty years later.
- Khamenei was elected as the Supreme Leader in a secretive process.
- Members of the Assembly of Experts expressed concerns about Khamenei's status as a source of emulation.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Supreme Leader of Iran holds significant power, and questions about their legitimacy can lead to political unrest. Khamenei's leadership has been a point of contention since its inception.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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