Mohammad Yazdi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi
Yazdi in 2019
Chairman of the Assembly of Experts
In office 10 March 2015 – 23 May 2016
Preceded by	Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani
Succeeded by	Ahmad Jannati
Chief Justice of Iran
In office 15 August 1989 – 14 August 1999
Appointed by	Ali Khamenei
Preceded by	Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardebili
Succeeded by	Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Member of the Assembly of Experts
In office 21 February 1991 – 23 May 2016
Constituency	Tehran Province
Majority	970,192 (4th assembly)
Member of the Parliament of Iran
In office 28 May 1984 – 27 May 1988
Constituency	Tehran, Rey and Shemiranat
Majority	156,049 (93.1%)
In office 28 May 1980 – 27 May 1984
Constituency	Qom
Majority	129,678 (83.1%)
Member of Assembly of Experts for the Constitution
In office 19 August 1979 – 15 November 1979
Constituency	Bakhtaran Province
Majority	101,735 (46%)
Personal details
Born	(1931-07-02)2 July 1931 Isfahan, Imperial State of Persia
Died	9 December 2020(2020-12-09) (aged 89) Qom, Iran
Resting place	Fatima Masumeh Shrine
Nationality	Iranian
Political party	Combatant Clergy Association Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom
Other political affiliations	Islamic Republican Party (1979–1987)
Spouse	Batoul Azari ​ (her death 2020)​
Children	4

Mohammad Yazdi (Persian: محمد یزدی, 2 July 1931 – 9 December 2020) was an Iranian cleric. He was known for his conservative views. From 1989 to 1999, he was the head of Iran's court system, called the Judiciary System. In 2015, he was chosen to lead the Assembly of Experts, an important group in Iran. He won against Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who used to be president.

Early Life and Education

Mohammad Yazdi was born in 1931 in Isfahan, a city in Iran. His family was very religious. His father, Sheikh Ali Yazdi, was a religious scholar who helped people with their problems at a mosque in Isfahan.

Learning and Studying

Mohammad Yazdi first learned the Persian language from his father. Then, he went to a traditional school called a Maktab. He also attended a newer school to continue his studies. When he moved to Qom, a city known for religious learning, he lived at the Feyziyeh School. There, he studied religious courses with many important teachers. These teachers included Mohammad Ali Araki, Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Amoli, Ayatollah Shahroudi, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Borujerdi, and Ruhollah Khomeini.

Political Career and Roles

Mohammad Yazdi was involved in politics both before and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Before the Revolution

Before the revolution, Ayatollah Yazdi often gave talks in mosques and at scholars' homes. He also taught classes at the Feyziyeh School where he discussed political topics. Because of his political activities, he was sent away from his home many times by SAVAK, which was Iran's intelligence service at the time. He was exiled to places like Bandar Lengeh, Bushehr, and Rudbar.

After the Revolution

After the Islamic Revolution, Mohammad Yazdi held many important positions. When Ayatollah Khamenei became the leader of Iran, Ayatollah Yazdi became the president of the Supreme Court. He held this job for ten years.

He was also a member of the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council. These are two very important groups in Iran's government. He also served as a temporary leader for Friday prayers in Tehran.

Here are some of the key roles Ayatollah Yazdi had after the Islamic Revolution:

• He managed the office of Imam Khomeini in Qom.
• He was part of a group that helped solve disagreements between political leaders.
• He was a member of the Assembly of Experts that wrote the constitution in 1979.
• He was a temporary Friday Prayer Imam in Tehran from 1982 to the late 1990s.
• He served as the Chief Justice of Iran from 1989 to 1999.
• He was a member of the Assembly of Experts from 1991 to 2016.
• He was a member of the Iranian Parliament from 1980 to 1988.
• He was the Vice Chairman of the Iranian Parliament for two terms.
• He was a member of the Guardian Council for several terms.
• He was one of the people who started and was the secretary of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom.

Views on International Relations

Ayatollah Yazdi had strong views on Iran's relations with other countries.

Relations with the United States

Before the elections in February 2016, Yazdi spoke against having direct talks with the United States. In the 2016 elections for the Assembly of Experts, he did not get enough votes to represent Tehran.

Some news outlets in Western countries saw this as a sign that reformist politicians were gaining power in Iran. After the election, Yazdi congratulated those who were elected. He said that Iran should have peaceful relations with other countries but warned about dealing with enemies. He described America as "The Great Satan". A few days later, Fars News Agency reported that Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, was sad that Yazdi was no longer Chairman of the Assembly. He warned that Western countries might try to influence Iran.

As of May 2016, Yazdi was still a member of the Guardian Council. This council checks and approves people who want to run for elections.

Sanctions

In February 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions on Yazdi. They stated this was for "preventing free and fair elections in Iran."

Published Works

Ayatollah Yazdi wrote several books in both English and Persian. Some of his books include Your missing, Answers of Mardooq's accusations, and Imamah in Shia Islam.

Death

Mohammad Yazdi passed away on 9 December 2020. He was buried in Qom later that same day.

See also

In Spanish: Mohammad Yazdi para niños

• List of Ayatollahs
• Council for Spreading Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Thoughts
• Haghani Circle
• History of principle-ism in Iran
• Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom