Early Sunday December 20, 2009, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri died in his sleep of heart failure at the age of 87. His credentials as a Revolutionary were implacable: he spent four years in the Shah's prisons, and upon emerging joined Khomeini in establishing the Islamic Republic in the tumultuous years of 1979-1980.
In a twist of irony, symbolism or foreboding, Montazeri's passing coincides with Ashura. This term corresponds to a day in the lunar calendar in the month of Muharram. The 10th of Muharram (Ashura) commemorates the Battle of Karbala (AD 680) and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet. This event forms perhaps the most significant symbol of Shi'a Islam and struggles against tyranny--which Shi'a believe Imam Hussein's struggle against the accepted successors to the Prophet embodied. In Shi'a countries there are massive parades where people mourn Imam Hussein and perform acts of self-flagellation. Ashura will occur next week December 28th.
Thousands of mourners arrived in Qom for Montazeri's funeral yesterday, and there were some clashes with government authorities, but they were limited. In addition, coverage of the somber event was also limited out of respect. See LATimes here: Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim, December 21, 2009.
BBC Photo
The BBC has also posted a set of images you can see here: News In Pictures. Many of these pictures are quite moving, and the respect of the deeply religious followers for this man is readily apparent.
In the coming weeks and months the ramifications of Montazeri's death will ripple through Iranian society. What will be the results? Will the entrenched powers of the Khamenei/Ahmadinejad Revolutionary Guard coalition be glad to be rid of one of their most tireless critics? Or will the Reform movement continue to spread? Often, when such a symbolic leader passes, a new generation picks up his mantle with new determination. Montazeri had been a relentless critic of the abuses of the Islamic Republic for the last 20 years. Now that he is gone, no one may take his place, but in his absence hundreds or maybe thousands of people--clerics, political leaders, students will find their own voice more powerfully than before. We might likely see something develop with observances of Ashura next week.
The key thing for the Reform Movement is for it to grow, and to remain peaceful. The elements of force (The Revolutionary Guard) would likely win any direct confrontation or squash any rebellion. However, a broadening of the Reform Movement, and the emergence of many more Mullahs and Ayatollahs among its' public ranks would carry many more of the people with it. Perhaps, in death, the writing, speeches and teaching of Montazeri will become more widely dispersed than ever. Time will tell.
In case you missed it in a previous diary, here is an excellent YouTube video about Grand Ayatollah Montazeri:
This last image is a common depiction of Ashura that one would see in many Shi'a homes. The women are mourning the riderless horse of Imam Hussein.
Ashura Image