The Shirazi sect is a Shia version of ISIS.
According to Iran Gate’s observations, the Shirazi sect’s intervention has resulted in some strong reactions from religious radicals. These reactions have been provoked by the fundamentalist Shia movements in response to certain social developments, which have also caused anger within the community.
In the first part of this dossier, Iran Gate examined and analyzed the Shirazi sect. This report, which is the second and final part of the dossier, focuses on the ideologies and leaders of this sect. It also investigates the reasons behind the strong opposition of the Islamic Republic’s government to those affiliated with the Shirazi sect.
Our religion is our politics.
Contrary to popular belief, the Shirazi sect does not believe in separating religion from politics. Some mistakenly consider the Shirazis as one of the traditionalist movements of the seminary. However, this backward position of the Shirazi sect indicates a deep rift between Sayyid Sadegh Shirazi and the traditionalists and supporters of the late Ayatollah Boroujerdi and Ayatollah Sistani.
It should be noted that the traditional spectrum not only believes in the separation of religion from politics, but also condemns the presence of clergy in the political arena. This is despite the fact that after the 1979 revolution, we witnessed the establishment of a religious government for the first time in the history of Iran. However, contrary to the beliefs of the Shirazi faction, they are not only not opposed to the theory of Guardianship of the Jurist, but also raise severe criticisms against the conciliatory performance of the Islamic Republic. This is why many members of this faction believe that the Islamic Republic has shown leniency in the implementation of Islamic laws and should strongly support resistance against the society.
Guardianship of the Jurist or the Council of Experts
This faction has never been directly involved in serious conflicts or disputes with the Islamic Republic system, but at various times we have witnessed serious criticisms from this faction and media tribunes based in London affiliated with Ayatollah Sadeq Shirazi. However, there is no serious disagreement between this faction and the system regarding the concept of Guardianship of the Jurist.
However, the issue here is that Sadeq Shirazi and his followers advocate for the leadership of the Council of Jurists instead of the Supreme Leader in the concept of non-infallible Guardianship during the occultation period, but so far they have not raised any specific objections or criticisms against the principle of absolute Guardianship of the Jurist.
Interfaith Dialogue
As mentioned in the first part of this file, the younger brother of Sayyid Sadegh Shirazi, who resides in London, manages the religious media of this sect. These media outlets are mainly engaged in promoting the religious rituals of Shia Muslims and bear a strong resemblance to the religious programs on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s radio and television. However, there is a significant difference between the two. The Shirazi sect takes a strong and explicit stance against other sects, especially Sunnis, positions that have been denounced by opposing religious authorities as instances of religious intolerance.
Multiple statements have been published by Sayyid Mojtaba Shirazi, the younger brother of Sadegh Shirazi, cursing and condemning prominent figures of the Sunni community who are revered by Muslims. Interestingly, supporters of the Islamic Republic system also share these curses and condemnations. However, so far, no official and public positions of support for such statements have been taken by the authorities of the Islamic Republic or by the religious authorities who support the government.
This sect is essentially referred to as the faction that emerged during the Islamic Republic and after the 1979 revolution, with the aim of Islamic unity and the creation of a unified Islamic nation. Many analysts also believe that there is evidence of this group’s support for extremist Shia factions in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, which have mostly been in opposition to Sunnis.
However, in the early years after the 1979 revolution, Seyyed Sadegh Shirazi emphasized the importance of preserving and strengthening Islamic unity. He strongly condemned any action that would create division between Shia and Sunni. However, for years, he has not published any explicit and clear position on this matter, and the only criterion for judgment by observers is the content produced by radio and television networks affiliated with this sect. These networks mainly focus on highlighting sectarian and factional differences and always emphasize the necessity of cursing and condemning prominent historical figures of Sunnis.
ISIS in Shia attire
Numerous polls have been published from the speeches of Seyyed Sadegh Shirazi, indicating the extremist approach of this sect in dealing with religious issues, as well as the daily lives of citizens. As mentioned in the previous section, the positions of this sect are so extreme and radical that some refer to it as the Shia ISIS.
For example, in response to a question about whether it would be better for Shiites to donate blood instead of flagellating themselves during Ashura and Tasua, Seyyed Sadegh Shirazi’s office says that blood donation is highly desirable, but nothing can replace flagellation on the day of Ashura. Therefore, the lovers of the Ahlul Bayt should strive to both flagellate on Ashura and donate their blood on the day of the birth of Imam Hussein.
There are numerous fundamentalist polls available, including discussions on topics such as the hijab, enjoining good and forbidding evil, mourning during the martyrdom days of Shia Imams, and Seyyed Sadegh Shirazi. It is for this reason that it is said that the extremism in this sect has reached such a level that if the Islamic Republic provides the space for the implementation of the agendas of the leaders of this sect, we will witness the birth of a new ISIS.
The ISIS, which has now emerged from within the Shiite religion and the heart of the Qom seminary, can potentially create the grounds for widespread bloodshed in the Middle East. It is clear that such an approach not only threatens the lives and property of Iranian citizens, but also violates Iran’s national interests and even poses serious risks to the existence of the country called Iran.
Everything about the Shirazi sect – Part One
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