Motahari: The Volume of Mourning Ceremonies in Iran is Excessive

The Deputy Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly states that the volume of mourning ceremonies in Iran is "more than necessary," and the "incomplete" information of some mourners can turn them into "tools for individuals and political groups." He warns that their involvement in political issues, which have a "direct link to gaining power," may reduce their influence. On Tuesday, October 20, the official news agency of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, House of the Nation, reported that Ali Motahari has repeatedly stated that mourners cannot be prohibited from engaging in political matters nor can their "influence" in certain segments of society be curtailed. According to him, they can even present a separate list in elections, "however, their entry into political matters directly related to gaining power may diminish their effectiveness." Mr. Motahari emphasized the need to "maintain the independence" of mourners and avoid turning them into "tools for" political groups, adding that "naturally, using the event of Karbala to achieve individual and group political and social goals contradicts the intentions of the religious authorities." The Deputy Speaker added: "The intellectual and social growth of their audience should be such that they can discern when mourning has become a tool for a political group and not be misled." Ali Motahari brought this up in response to a question about the increasing influence of mourners in recent years and their success in shaping gatherings against individuals, thoughts, or institutions. He described most mourners as individuals who "work out of conviction, but sometimes their information is incomplete, and they can also become tools for individuals and political groups." This parliament member criticized the "excessive" volume of mourning programs in Iran, stating that these programs have largely replaced speeches, event analyses, and the expression of Islamic teachings. According to Motahari, this focus on the "shell and appearance" rather than the "core and content of Islam" has led to a "reduction in the impact" of many religious gatherings in the Islamic Republic. In response to a question about the "quality" of mourning work in Iran, he stated that these individuals should obtain work permits from official sources, namely those related to the clergy, and must undergo training courses and have licenses for their work. He also criticized the fact that "in every mosque and gathering, anyone who wishes can take the microphone and start reciting elegies, sometimes with trivial tunes suitable for entertainment gatherings." In another part of his remarks, Ali Motahari identified the weaker connection of the reformist movement in Iran with the "devout and mosque-going masses" as a "flaw" and called for its rectification if they gain "ground." He stated that the reason for this is the lesser involvement of reformist forces in "Friday prayer leadership and congregational leadership" positions. In recent years, especially during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, mourners close to the hardline conservatives in Iran, who provided part of the votes for the ninth and tenth administrations, explicitly defended this faction and made clear statements against reformists and some well-known figures of this movement in their speeches. However, after the public revelation of the disagreement between Ali Khamenei and Ahmadinejad and the 11-day house arrest of the president, they launched severe verbal attacks against him and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei. These individuals also openly intervened in politics during Mohammad Khatami's eight-year term, addressing Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with the harshest words. In 2009, mourners repeatedly called for the trial and execution of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi in their speeches. Mansour Arzi, one of the most famous hardline mourners in Iran, previously responded to criticisms regarding mourners' involvement in politics by stating, "Our politics is identical to our mourning."