There has ben an assassination attempt upon one of Khomeini’s rivals for supremacy amongst the Muslim faithful of Iran,Shariatmadari. His guard was killed in the attempt at Madari’s house in Qom. Meanwhile in Tehran Khomeini’s supporters are arming themselves.
Iranian religious leader Shariat-Madari speaking in Persian at his home in the religious city of Qom, Iran. He says that the recent demonstrations in the country expressed the true wishes of the nation.
Supporters of Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari, the moderate Grand Ayatollah whose more tolerant views are abjured by Ayatollah Khomeini, clash with supporters of Khomeini. Gunfire on the streets and a vehicle set alight.
Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari (also spelled Shariat Madari) (1905 in Tabriz, 3 April 1986 in Tehran) was a Grand Ayatollah, and a leading Shiite cleric in Iran and Iraq.
Shariatmadari was born into a family of Azerbaijan in Tabriz. After the death of Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi in 1962 he became the minister a considerable increase in followers. This led to his leading role in the Shiite area. Known for his liberal views and positions, he led after the Iranian revolution in 1979 to a political movement against Khomeini and founded the Republican party of the Muslims. He also headed the center for Islamic studies and publications, and was the director of the Fatima Madrasa in Qom.
In April 1982, Shariatmadari was implicated by Sadegh Ghotbzadeh in a political process. Ghotbzadeh was because of the allegations with senior military officers and ministers in a coup against Khomeini and planning a bomb attack against his residence, was arrested and claimed that Grand Ayatollah Shariatmadari was unaware of the plans and promised him financial support and blessing.
The Iranian government launched a campaign pointed out to discredit Grand Ayatollah Shariatmadari. Although he was due to his position as Mudjtahid not executed, but his party was banned and the Centre for Islamic Studies and publications were closed.
Shariatmadari was until his death in 1986 under house arrest.
