Ahmad Jannati

Infobox Politician (general)
name = Ahmad Jannati


order = 2nd Chairman of the Guardian Council
term_start =1988
term_end =
deputy = Abbasali Kadkhodai
predecessor =Yousef Sanei
successor =
birth_date = 1926
birth_place = Esfahān
residence = Tehran, Iran
death_date =
death_place =
party = None
religion = Shia Islam
spouse = Married
profession = Politician, Islamic cleric

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati Massah (PerB|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.

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." [ [http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0608044727124145.htmhttp://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0608044727124145.htm "Islamic Republic News Agency"] ]

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”. [ [http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3494 Senior Iran cleric hails “Islamic state of Iraq”] 26 Aug 2005]

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. [ [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1484.htm Secretary of the Iranian Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati: Just Like We Destroyed the Regime of the Shah, We Will Destroy America and Israel] , MEMRI - Clip No. 1484, June 1, 2007.]

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." [ [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1753.htm Clip Transcript ] ]

Influence

He has been a member of the Guardian Council since 1980 and has been its chair since 1988. [ [http://www.iricrimes.org/wanted.asp IRI Crimes ] ] 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.

ee also

*Expediency Council
*History of principle-ism in Iran

References

External links

*fa icon [http://portal.irisn.com/aza/index.htm Membership history]
*fa icon [http://www.ilna.ir/shownews.asp?code=330765&code1=1 There is no hope for a free election]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/story/2006/07/060724_janatikaroubi.shtml Jannati and Karroubi debate on the policy for the evaluation of candidates] (BBC Persian)
* [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1223.htm The Gates of the U.N. and the Security Council Should Be Closed]
* [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/530.htm The English Are the Father of the Great Satan] Excerpts from a Friday sermon at Tehran University, Feb. 2005
* [http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1384.htm To the U.S: Invade Iran, If You Dare] Feb. 2007 transcript

Video clips

* [http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=384wmv&ak=null Video clip: We Are Determined to Obtain Nuclear Technology] 26 November 2004
* [http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=530wmv&ak=null The English Are the Father of the Great Satan] Feb. 2005
* [http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1384wmv&ak=null To the U.S: Invade Iran, If You Dare] Feb. 2007