Ali al-Sistani

Ali al-Sistani, born on August fourth, nineteen thirty, in Mashhad, Iran, is a prominent Islamic scholar and the dean of the Hawza in Najaf, Iraq. As a Grand Ayatollah, he stands as one of the foremost religious leaders among Twelver Shia Muslims, guiding millions with his profound knowledge and spiritual authority.

His educational journey began in Qom, where he studied under the esteemed Hossein Borujerdi, and later continued in Najaf under the tutelage of Abu al-Qasim al-Khu'i. By nineteen sixty, Sistani had achieved the rank of mujtahid and subsequently succeeded Abd al-A'la al-Sabziwari as Grand Ayatollah, solidifying his status in the Islamic community.

Following the invasion of Iraq and the fall of the Baathist regime, Sistani emerged as a pivotal figure advocating for democratization, emphasizing the importance of rule of law, Iraqi nationalism, and non-sectarianism. He has consistently voiced his opposition to foreign interference in Iraqi affairs, urging external actors to respect the sovereignty of the Iraqi people.

Recognized for his influence, Sistani has been featured in The Muslim 500: The World's Most Influential Muslims from two thousand four to two thousand twenty-four and was named one of the one hundred most influential people in the world by Time magazine in both two thousand four and two thousand five.