Ahmad Jannati

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Ahmad Jannati

2nd Chairman of the Guardian Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1988
Deputy Abbasali Kadkhodai
Preceded by Yousef Sanei

Born 1926
Esfahān
Political party None
Spouse Married
Residence Tehran, Iran
Profession Politician, Islamic cleric
Religion Shia Islam

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati Massah (Persian: احمد جنتی, born 1926 in Esfahan) is an Iranian ayatollah and political figure. He is the chairman of the Guardian Council, the body in charge of checking legislation approved by Majlis with the Constitution and sharia, and approving the candidates in various elections. He is also a temporary Friday prayer imam of Tehran.

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[edit] Views

Jannati is considered close to the Iranian Islamic conservatives, and is heavily criticized by the reformists for his active role in not approving reformist candidates to run in various elections and blocking their legislation.

During a Friday Prayer on 4 August 2006 Ayatollah Jannati asserted, "[S]upport for Hizbollah [is] a duty."[1]

On Iraq he has said: “Fortunately, after years of effort and expectations in Iraq, an Islamic state has come to power and the constitution has been established on the basis of Islamic precepts”.[2]

[edit] Views on the United States

In a speech aired on Iranian TV Channel 1 on June 1, 2007 (as translated by MEMRI), Jannati stated:

People are increasingly inclined towards the Koran, towards Islam, towards the Islamic Revolution and the Imam [Khomeini]. Just like this movement destroyed the monarchical regime here, it will definitely destroy the arrogant rule of hegemony of America, Israel, and their allies... At the end of the day, we are an anti-American regime. America is our enemy, and we are the enemies of America. The hostility between us is not a personal matter. It is a matter of principle. We are in disagreement over the very principles that underlie our revolution and our Islam.[3]

In April 2008, he pontificated, "You cried: "Death to the Shah," and indeed, he died. You cried: "Death to Israel," and it is now on its deathbed. You cry: "Death to America," and before long, Allah willing, the prayer for the dead will be recited over it."[4]

[edit] Influence

He has been a member of the Guardian Council since 1980 and has been its chair since 1988.[5] Ahmad Jannati wields considerable influence because he simultaneously holds seats in the Guardian Council, Expediency Discernment Council, and Assembly of Experts.

Ayatollah Jannati was one of the founders of Haghani School, one of the most influential religious school in Iran, and has had an influence on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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[edit] Video clips

Preceded by
Yousef Sanei
Chair of Guardian Council
1988-present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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