Grand Ayatollah Hakim's passing affects Iraqi Shiite politics
Following the death of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s most senior and influential Muslim Shiite clerics, the family lost one of its sources of religious, social and political power.
The death of Shiite religious authority Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim on Sept. 3, one of the Iraqi Shiite community's most respected leaders, highlighted the relationships and rivalries of Iraq's clerical leadership.
The late grand ayatollah was one of the four main authorities along with grand ayatollahs Ali al-Sistani, Bashir al-Najafi and Muhammad Ishaq al-Fayyad.
His grandfather was also a religious authority, and the family has maintained political prominence in the country over the past century.
The passing of the ayatollah also highlights the rivalry between the influential Hakim and Sadr clerical families in Najaf.
