Today is the holy day of Ashura in Islam.  It commemorates the martyrdom of Mohammed’s grandson Hussein and is particularly important to Shia muslims.  This year it also coincides with the seventh day of mourning for Ayatollah Montazeri.  Montazeri was scheduled to succed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeni until he harshly criticized the regime for executing political prisoners in 1986.  Among other things Montazeri has done is to apologize to the U.S. for taking over the embassy in 1979 and issue several fatwahs against violence and suicide bombings.  From everything I’ve read about the man I think I would have liked to meet him.

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Tags: #iranelection, andrew sullivan, iran, iranian revolution, montazeri, mousavi