Theocratic Principles
Culture and Lifestyle
Islamic Leaders
Major Events
Governing Bodies
100
A political system that derives its legitimacy from Religious texts.
What is a Theocracy?
100
A society with a repressive regime but thriving civil society.
What is dual society?
100
Current Supreme Leader of Iran.
Who is Ayatollah Khameini?
100
A war fought between the newly formed Islamic Republic of Iran and a neighboring country over factional issues (Sunni vs. Shi'i Islam).
What is the Iran-Iraq War?
100
Must be a cleric elected by an assembly of clerics and has the authority to "guide" and "supervise" the state as well as make major appointments, especially to the Guardian council. He is the vital link between the three branches of government and is commander in chief.
What is the Supreme Leader?
200
Islamic law derived mostly from the Qur'an and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad.
What is Sharia?
200
Persian word for the Persian language.
What is Farsi?
200
Current president of Iran who, despite conservative views, clashes with the Supreme Leader
Who is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?
200
Event that ended with the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.
What is the 1979 Revolution?
200
Allegedly independent institution that administers justice based on Sharia law. Members are appointed by the Supreme Leader.
What is the judiciary?
300
Literally "followers of tradition." A member of the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad. By far the majority, but not in Iran.
What is Sunni?
300
Merchants and workers of the traditional market places of Iran.
What are bazzaris?
300
The charismatic first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Who is Ayatollah Khomeini?
300
A series of reforms by Shah Mohammad Pahlavi to legitimize Pahlavi dynasty.
What is the White Revolution?
300
A committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the Majles. Determines whether or not candidates are eligible to run based on Islamic practice.
What is the Guardian Council?
400
Khomeini's concept that the Iranian clergy should rule on the grounds that they are divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people.
What is jurist's guardianship?
400
Group of individuals with few rights because of standards imposed by Iran's religious society. Education and employment opportunities are scant and literacy rates are low among this group.
What are women?
400
The fifth president of Iran (1997-2005), former Minister of Culture, leader of Iranian Green Movement, and critic of President Ahmadinejad.
Who is Mohammad Khatami?
400
The 120 thousand guards established during the revolution of 1979 which was an addition to Iran’s armed forces.
What are revolutionary guards?
400
Arabic term for "assembly"; used to describe Iran's parliament.
What is the Majles?
500
The rhetoric of clarified Islam.
What is charisma?
500
Literally "partisans of Ali." A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs. Less than 10% of Muslims worldwide, but the vast majority in Iran.
What is Shi'ite?
500
Fourth president of Iran. Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran. He is conservative and supports free market.
Who is Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani?
500
A political movement by a group of 18 Iranian political parties (including the famous Islamic Iran Participation Front, Association of Combatant Clerics, and Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization) who supported President Mohammad Khatami's plans for changes in the Iranian system in order to include democracy and more freedoms.
What is the Second of Khordad Movement?
500
Assembly elected by the general electorate (though most of it's members are clerics) charged with nominating and, if need be, replacing the Supreme Leader.
What is the Assembly of Religious Experts?
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