Ali Shariati

Ali Shariati Mazinani (23 November 1933 – 18 June 1977) was an Iranian revolutionary and sociologist specializing in the sociology of religion. Widely regarded as one of the most influential Iranian intellectuals of the 20th century, he is sometimes referred to as the "ideologue of the Islamic Revolution." His work and ideas are known as Shariatism. Born in Mazinan, a suburb of Sabzevar, his father was an Islamic scholar. Shariati's education exposed him to both traditional Islamic principles and Western philosophical and political thought. He attempted to reconcile these through a lens of modern sociology and philosophy, addressing the challenges faced by Muslim societies. His political activism began early, leading to arrests and membership in the National Front. After studying in Paris, where he engaged with figures like Frantz Fanon and Jean-Paul Sartre, he returned to Iran. His lectures at the Hosseiniye Ershad Institute gained immense popularity, leading to further government scrutiny and imprisonment. Shariati advocated for a revolutionary interpretation of Shi'ism, contrasting "red Shiism" with "black Shiism." He believed in a utopian, classless society based on Islamic values, though he differed from Ayatollah Khomeini on the role of the clergy in governance. His thought was influenced by Third Worldism and decolonization ideas, merging them with Shi'a symbolism. He was a critical voice on issues like women's rights, arguing for liberation within an Islamic framework, and also engaged with socialist ideas, seeing Islam as a revolutionary ideology capable of addressing modern problems. His writings and lectures profoundly impacted Iranian society and the lead-up to the 1979 revolution. Shariati died in Southampton, England, under circumstances believed by some to be related to SAVAK, the Shah's security service, though officially attributed to a heart attack. He is buried in Damascus, Syria.