Qom Seminary Professor: Mourning Ceremonies Have Exited the Control of Clergy

A professor from the Qom seminary states that mourning ceremonies during the months of Muharram and Safar have "exited the control of the clergy," claiming that those who have drawn mourners into the realm of politics have committed the greatest "crime" against religion. In some mourning ceremonies, individuals do not know whether to "dance or beat their chests." Bahram Delir, a teacher of advanced philosophy and mysticism at the Qom seminary, announced this on Thursday, October 6, in an interview with ISNA news agency. He attributed the "damaging" of mourning groups during Muharram and Safar to "higher forces," adding without naming specific organizations or individuals that "many of the damages in the mourning groups and during Muharram and Safar flow from higher forces to the lower ones." This seminary professor stated, "Those who have dragged mourners into the realm of politics and party politics have committed the greatest crime against religion and mourners," adding that "a mourner should not enter the political domain, which is not part of their expertise. As a citizen, they have the right to express opinions, but when they have the podium, they should not insult real and legal personalities in society." This cleric called for mourners to exit the realm of "journalistic politics, everyday life, and speaking in favor of parties" and added that mourners should understand the differences between newspapers like Kayhan, Javan, and Shargh. Bahram Delir also attributed many of the "societal damages" to "illiterate and uneducated speakers" and called for serious oversight from scientific organizations and institutions over speakers and mourners. He criticized the fact that individuals invited to important and scientific centers often lack scientific and seminary qualifications, stating plainly, "It may be bitter to say this, but the mourning ceremonies of Muharram and Safar have exited the control of the clergy and seminaries." According to this cleric, a collection of "superstitions and incorrect statements" has replaced religious propositions in mourning gatherings, and today religious groups have become "mourner-centered." Bahram Delir stated that "the clergy should be the organizers of the gathering, not the mourners," adding, "Let’s set aside formalities. Some of our speakers do not deserve to go up on the pulpit, and sometimes some mourners who only have a voice but lack the knowledge of reading the Maktal and reciting the elegies have taken control of the gatherings." He stated that many of today’s speakers have been made famous by the "black box" (Iran’s state radio and television) without having the "merit," saying that "individuals do not know whether to dance or beat their chests in a mourning gathering." Previously, Masih Mohajeri, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Jomhouri Islami, criticized the "superficiality" of mourning practices, stating that "the new generation of mourners, while entering the realm of preaching and oration, are unaware of the content of religion and are trying to replace the preachers and orators." According to Mohajeri, these mourners have also added interference in politics and determining duties for the system’s officials and the government to their responsibilities, thus bringing the theory of the republic of mourners, which was previously a hypothesis, closer to realization. Additionally, Ali Motahari, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, stated on October 20 that the volume of mourning programs in Iran is "excessive," and the "incomplete" information of some mourners could turn them into "tools for individuals and political groups," and their engagement in political issues that "directly relate to gaining power" may reduce their effectiveness. According to the House of Representatives news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Motahari repeatedly stated that mourners cannot be prohibited from entering political issues and prevented from using their "influence" in certain segments of society. Previously, several clerics have criticized what they called "innovation" in religious gatherings, stating that the use of music and singing in mourning ceremonies could lead these gatherings to "deviation." Nevertheless, gatherings of mourners who, according to reports, recite elegies in a pop music style are becoming more crowded each year than traditional clerical gatherings. Moreover, multiple reports indicate that mourners and elegy reciters receive very high sums during the mourning ceremonies of Muharram and Safar. In this context, Nasser Mousavi Largani, a member of parliament, criticized this situation, stating that "the mourning sessions for Imam Hussein should not be viewed materially and that determining prices for reciting elegies in these sessions from the beginning is a mistake." Mousavi Largani criticized the large sums received by some mourners, adding that "these behaviors in spiritual gatherings are corrupting." He also called for holding mourning ceremonies for Muharram and Safar in a "traditional" manner. In this context, the spokesperson for the judiciary confirmed reports regarding the arrest of two mourners, while the cultural deputy of the judiciary stated that Mansour Arzi should compensate for his remarks about Imam Hussein. "An extremist mourner was arrested in Zahedan, and one person was expelled from the province." An intense criticism was directed at Arzi for his comments about "insulting Imam Hussein." Motahari reiterated that the volume of mourning programs in Iran is excessive.