Araz News: A book about “Ayatullah Shariatmadari” has been published in Turkey. The book is written by Babak Shahed, head of research committee of Azerbaijan National Resistance Organization and editor in chief of Araz News website, and published by Gece Kitabligi publishing house.

The book is a work on Milliyet and Aksam newspapers’ archives of 1980’s which covers the events of Ayatullah Shariatmadari and Muslim People Party.

The book can be bought from internet bookshops of Turkey.

Ayatullah 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 Ayatullah degree.

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

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

After the revolution Ayatullah Shariatmadari opposed Ayatullah Khomeini’s constitution proposal’s 110^th item, the item of “Velayat-e Faqih”. He thought the item was against people’s authority. Ayatullah 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 Ayatullah Khomeini threaded of land and air assault on Azerbaijan. Ayatullah Shariatmadari demanded the Muslim People Party to put the arms away to prevent the civil war. Ayatullah Khomeini’s armed forces entered Azerbaijan and massacred hundreds of local people and party members. Ayatullah 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 Ayatullah Shariatmadari and Muslim People Party remains as an unsolved problem and disappointment between Azerbaijan and Tehran.