Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, had been a close adviser and confidant of Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Revolution.
Born in Iran’s southeastern city of Rafsanjan, Kerman Province, on August 25, 1934
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the influential Iranian politician and writer, was the head of the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2011. The influential cleric was elected chairman of the Iranian parliament in 1980 and served until 1989.
He played an influential role both during anti-Shah struggles before the victory of the Islamic Revolution and afterwards through various stages of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Rafsanjani was also a key figure during the eight years of Iraq’s imposed war on Iran (1980-88), serving as substitute to commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Rafsanjani was as a true follower of late Imam Khomeini, who spared nothing on the path of the Islamic Revolution and was among confidantes of Imam Khomeini who shouldered heavy responsibilities following the Islamic Revolution.
Ayatollah Rasfanjani played an influential role both during the anti-Shah struggles before the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and afterwards through various stages of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani became Iran’s first Speaker of Parliament after the Revolution, serving until 1989.Then Rafsanjani was elected president, in which position he functioned until 1997.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani also left several theological and scholarly works in various fields including the Quranic interpretation
Ayatollah Rafsanjani was from adolescence to death had declared a constant support for Imam's ideals and had association and attachment to Imam Khomeini. Some Memoirs indicate that even when the son of Imam, Hajj Ahmad Agha, could not discuss with Imam in detail about an issue; Ayatollah Rafsanjani would be able to express his views with Imam.
Rafsanjani helped establish the Combatant Clergy Association in 1977, which proved fatefully instrumental in the victory of the Islamic Revolution two years later.
In the same year, he was elected president, in which position he functioned until 1997.
He was also the chairman of the Expediency Council, a position he kept until his departure.
Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was among the main aides to late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, has passed away at the age of 82 due to heart condition.