Clerical Greed and Corruption in Iran

Scenes and reports of protesting students in Iran have gripped the imagination of many in the West - but it is important to note that they are not simply protesting the control that religious leaders have in their nation. They are, in addition, upset over the extensive corruption of clerical leaders. Evidently, the extensive power that the clerics have has also resulted in extensive corruption.

The Seattle Times explains:

Among the main bastions of clerical control are the bonyad, immense foundations built up after 1979 from wealth confiscated from Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Iran's last shah. Ostensibly "charitable" organizations, they frequently use their wealth - up to 35 percent of the economy, according to analysts - for questionable purposes. ... With Iran's chronic unemployment - officially 12.5 percent but probably closer to 20 percent - exacerbated by the arrival on the job market of 1980s baby boomers, analysts insist only a radical reworking of Iran's crony capitalism can stave off a crisis.

Economic prospects in Iran are very poor - and people recognize that their religious leaders are largely to blame for this. Drastic democratic reforms certainly wouldn't change anything quickly, but combined with drastic economic reforms Iran does have a chance at developing a very strong economy and society during the coming decades. First, though, they have to toss out the bums that have been ruining everything for them.

Read More:

• Recent Books on Islam
• Islam
• Religion in Iran