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AP Comparative Iran Terms Flashcards

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7317540672Assembly of Religious Experts86 man assembly of clerics elected directly by the people; broad constitutional interpretation responsibility; selects the Supreme Leader; has the right to dismiss Supreme Leader; must have a seminary degree0
7317540673AyatollahSupreme leader of Iran; following the revolution, Khomeini became the country's Supreme Leader, a position created in the constitution as the highest ranking political and religious authority of the nation.1
7317540674Dual societya society and economy that are sharply divided into a traditional, usually poorer, and a modern, usually richer, sector2
7317540675Faqihan expert in Islamic Law; leading Islamic jurist to interpret the meaning of religious documents and sharia; another form of jurist's guardianship3
7317540676Farsithe language and people group of Iran, also often called Persian4
7317540677FundamentalismReligious beliefs of a literal nature that often lead to right-wing political views.5
7317540678Guardian CouncilThis is the most powerful theological body in Iran. It consists of 12 members 6 clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and 6 judges appointed by the Majils. The importance of them is they have to approve all candidates and all legislation.6
7317540679HezbollahA radical Shiʿite Muslim organization in Lebanon engaged in guerrilla warfare against Israel; have strong ties to Iran7
7317540680Hojjat al-Islamliterally "the proof of Islam." In Iran, it means a medium-ranking cleric.8
7317540681ImamPrayer leaders in mosques9
7317540682JihadLiterally "struggle"; although often used to mean armed struggle against unbelievers, most commonly means spiritual struggle for self-improvement.10
7317540683Jurist's guardianshipDeveloped by Ayatollah Khomeini, supports the notion that senior clerics have the best capacity to rule in a Muslim society; Iranian clergy should rule on the grounds that they are the divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people11
7317540684MajlesArabic term for "assembly"; used in Iran to describe the parliament.12
7317540685MosqueMuslim place of worship, equivalent to a church, temple, or synagogue.13
7317540686OPECOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; Founded in 1960 by Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia, it now includes most oil-exporting states with the notable exceptions of Mexico and former members of the Soviet Union. It tries to regulate prices by regulating production.14
7317540687PahlavisLeaders of the dynasty of the shahs, favored westernization15
7317540688PasdaranPersian term for guards, used to refer to the army of Revolutionary Guards formed during Iran's Islamic Revolution.16
7317540689People of the BookThe Muslim term for recognized religious minorities, such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.17
7317540690QanunRegular laws passed by the government. Are second to Shariah law18
7317540691Qur'anMuslim holy book, believed to be the word of God, given to prophet Muhammad19
7317540692Rentier stateA country that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources.20
7317540693Shari'aIslamic law derived mostly from the Qur'an and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad.21
7317540694Shi'ism (or Shiite)Dominant branch of Islam in Iran, believe that the head of Islam should be a descendant of prophet Muhammad22
7317540695Supreme LeaderTitle given to the ayatollah who sits atop all Iranian political institutions.23
7317540696TheocracyA government ruled by religion; religious leaders are the head of the nation-state; rule on the grounds that they are the only interpreters of God's will and law.24
7317540697Tudah Partyan Iranian communist party. Formed in 1941, with Soleiman Mohsen Eskandari as its head, it had considerable influence in its early years and played an important role duringMohammad Mosaddeq's campaign to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and his term as prime minister. Its influence waned in the crackdown that followed the 1953 coup against Mosaddeq. The party still exists, but is much weaker as a result of the banning of the party and mass arrests by the Islamic Republic in 1982 and the executions of political prisoners in 1988.25
7317540698White RevolutionThe term used by the shah to describe reforms in Iran between the end of World War II and the downfall of his regime in 197926
7317540699ZoroastrianismPersian religion founded by Zoroaster; taught that humans had the freedom to choose between right and wrong, and that goodness would triumph in the end27
7317540700Iran28
7317540701Iraq29
7317540702Turkey30
7317540703Israel31
7317540704Palestine32
7317540705Egypt33
7317540706Syria34
7317540707Afghanistan35
7317540708United Arab Emirates (UAE)36
7317540709Saudi Arabia37

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