"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٢‎٣] (٥٦٦/٥٠)

RELIGION
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made use of anti-foreign propaganda to lessen the antagonism
to it. Pending the reappearance of the Twelfth Imam, his
authority is vested in mujtahids, of whom the leading ones
reside in Najaf, Karbala and Samarra in Mesopotamia. There
are, however, many minor mujtahids residing in Persia whose
influence generally suffers by association with the Government,
more especially as since the extinction of the Safawi dynasty
no Shah has been admitted to have any claim to religious
control. Owing to this the mujtahids have attained consider
able independent power and jurisdiction, which had in fact
been one of the few checks on the autocratic rule of the Shahs.
Anti-foreign motives impelled them to support the Con
stitutional movement, but their reactionary and religious
impulses have been a hindrance to their profitable participation
in the administration.
Other Mahomedan sects in the country are the Bahais
(formerly Babis), the Ismailis (the “Assassins” of the Middle
Ages), the Sufis (or mystics), and the Ali Elahis (dissenters).
The first named and most important was founded by a
pretended Mahdi, known as the Bdb f the revolt of whose
followers gave considerable trouble in the reign of Nasir-ud-Din.
Since those days the movement has grown considerably, not
only in Persia but in Europe, and especially in the United
States of America. Though the sect is now immune in Persia
from Government persecution, the hostility between its followers
and the Shiah priesthood has continued to be a frequent
source of disorder.
Historical.
Few nations can lay claim to as long and as stormy a history
as Persia or have in the past contributed as much to the
spiritual, intellectual and artistic wealth of the human race.
Frequently overrun by invading armies and held in long-
enduring subjection, Persia as frequently recovered, regained
lost territory and maintained her independence; though,
when external aggression ceased, she generally fell a prey to
internal warfare. It is all the more noteworthy that in the
arts of peace her influence was so considerable. Christianity,
Judaism and Islam are all indebted to a greater or less extent
to Zoroaster and other Persian spiritual leaders and thinkers ;
her art and poetry are world-renowned ; mediaeval Europe
and Asia owed to her nearly all that was known of philosophy
and medicine ; and even to-day the language, thought and
culture of the Eastern Mahomedan are redolent of Persia.