Looking at the geography of the whole world, there are two largest religious centers of Shia Muslims – Iraq and Iran.. In these two countries, two major religious centers of Shias, Qum of Iran and Najaf of Iraq.
Religious gurus also have their domination over religious centers. Iran’s head is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while Iraq’s Najaf is headed by Muqtada al-Sadr. The Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf is the holiest site especially for Shia Muslims. It houses the tomb of Hazrat Ali.
Who is Muktada al-Sadr?
Muktada al-Sadr is called Marza. Marja means the Mujtahid-e-Azam (the greatest scholar to show new paths) whom all other scholars accept and follow as a great scholar.
Muktada al-Sadr wants to become Iraq’s Ayatollah Khomeini?
In 2014, Iran sent Soleimani and military advisers to Iraq to help in the fight against Islamic State, and Soleimani played a key role in Iraq as a powerbroker.
Who is Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini?
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini is a very big name politically and religiously in Shia-majority Iran. He is known for establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran. His real name is Ruholla Khomeini. He was born in Kohmen, Central Iran. He made Iran the world’s first Islamic republic in 1979. After this, Shia Muslims started seeing him as a leader.