Najaf seminary prepares for post-Sistani Iraq
The opening of Sheikh Baqir al-Irawani’s office in Najaf indicates that he may be preparing to be one of the successors to 92-year-old Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, head of the Shiite religious authority.
It appears that the sudden death of Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, who was the most likely candidate to succeed Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani as the highest Shiite reference, prompted scholars at the hawza (seminary) in the city of Najaf to think seriously about a “post-Sistani” phase.
This also prompted 72-year-old Sheikh Mohammed Baqir al-Irawani to open an official office in Najaf, as he seems to be preparing himself to be ones of the religious references for Shiites after Sistani, who is 92 years old, dies.
Opening an office to receive scholars in Najaf is a significant step in declaring the religious authority position. Irawani teaches one of the largest classes at the Najaf hawza, with about 600 scholars studying at the highest level of religious studies (Kharij).
The pertinent question, however, is what does the timing of the opening of this office mean, especially since it comes two months after Hakim’s death?
