Naser Makarem Shirazi

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi is one of the most prominent Shia scholars and marjas (sources of emulation) in Iran. He was elected to the Assembly of Experts for the Constitution in 1979, representing Fars Province with over 84% of the vote. Based in Qom, he is the author of the influential Tafsir Nemooneh (Exemplary Commentary), a multi-volume Quranic exegesis. He has served as a member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom and is known for issuing fatwas on social and economic matters. While broadly supportive of the Islamic Republic's system, he has occasionally criticized economic policies and corruption.