Araz News: the current Islamic regime of Iran was established as an outcome of 1979 Islamıc Revolution. But the consolidation process of the regime was so bloody. New leader of country Ayatollah Khomeini and the ruling Islamic Republic Party crashed down on all dissidents including ideological, political and minority opposition groups.

One of the major challenges of regime at the beginning was religious leader of country’s ethnic Turks, Ayatollah Seyed Kazem Shariatmadari.

Ayatollah Shariatmadari was one of three senior religious leaders of Shiite Muslims before 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. He was known by his moderate viewpoints. He was an ethnic Turk and was born in Tabriz, South Azerbaijan. Before the 79 revolution he rescued young cleric Khomeini from execution and helped him to obtain Ayatollah degree.

During the revolution Ayatollah Shariatmadari and the younger Ayatollah Khomeini were the two leading figures. Because of Ayatollah Shariatmadari Turkic origin he was mainly supported by Shiite Azerbaijani Turks while the more extremist Persian-origin Ayatollah Khomeini was being supported mainly by Shiite Persians.

Ayatollah Khomeini founded and leaded the Islamic Republic Party. But Ayatollah Shariatmadari who was against clergymen direct involvement in the politics was only the spiritual leader of his supporters’ Muslim People Party.

After the revolution Ayatollah Shariatmadari opposed Ayatollah Khomeini’s constitution proposal’s 110^thitem, the item of “Velayat-e Faqih”. He thought the item was against people’s authority. Ayatollah Shariatmadari also demanded the Regional and Local Councils Law to be enforced.

Upon the escalating of contradiction Muslim People Party took control of Azerbaijan. Tehran-based Ayatollah Khomeini threaded of land and air assault on Azerbaijan. Ayatollah Shariatmadari demanded the Muslim People Party to put the arms away to prevent the civil war. Ayatollah Khomeini’s armed forces entered Azerbaijan and massacred hundreds of local people and party members. Ayatollah Shariatmadari was under house arrest until his death. He was deprived of medical care despite his cancer disease. He was insulted openly before and after death.

The case of Ayatollah Shariatmadari and Muslim People Party remains as an unsolved problem and disappointment between Azerbaijan and Tehran.

During the uprising in in South Azerbaijan American media covered the events.

Below are some newspaper parts which convey the news;

VOA Azerbaijani