Summary Box: Path to ayatollah
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BECOMING AN AYATOLLAH: Eight years of classes in religious studies, followed by research that can take a minimum of four years or far longer. The candidate also must be supported by Islamic seminarians and laymen.
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The Guardian's religious affairs correspondent travels to Mecca to offer a unique insight into the rituals and mood at the world's largest pilgrimage
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SPEAKER: IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD   [*]   AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful, oh, God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness.  ...
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NAJAF, Iraq, August 28 (IslamOnline.net &amp; News Agencies) - Iraq&#39;s top Shiite authority reaffirmed Saturday, August 28, its opposition to armed resistance against the US-led forces in Iraq after a meeting at the house of spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah
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Chicago Tribune - Software salesman Shadab Aziz of Houston was preparing recently to catch the first flight on his long journey to Saudi Arabia for the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca expected at least once in a lifetime of all able Muslims. But his mind was partly on what could happen when he returned to the United States.
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Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani plans to lead a march to the shrine in Najaf that has been commandeered by fighters loyal to Moktada al-Sadr.
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Supporters of the anti-American cleric say reports of his flight to Iran are false. But clerics in Najaf tell TIME there are signs he has left the city
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Description: Iraq&#39;s top Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, is reportedly successful in reaching a peace to end three weeks of violence between allied US and Iraqi government troops and militiamen loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
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All sides can claim partial victory in the Najaf crisis' resolution. Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has proven his power by securing a peace deal, and renegade Muqtada al-Sadr has escaped with his militia movement intact.
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Grandi ayatollah, Islam sia fonte Costituzione
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Tycho: And so, our own pilgrimage comes to a close.  Thank you!  I think we all had fun.  I should stress that "we" refers to your cruel hosts, Gabriel and myself, who over the last eight years have tormented you thus with such dedication and enthusiasm.
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Analysis: Benedict's words and gestures in Turkey, including a visit to a mosque, reveal a man who is finding his footing but still has a long way to go
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NAJAF, Iraq, August 25.âThe Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has called on Iraqis to go to the sacred city of Najaf to expel the US troops and save it from attacks by the occupying forces, stated Hamad Al-Jaffaf, head of his cabinet, on Al Arabiya television
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Tracing the elusive footsteps of the Taliban's Supreme Leaderâand bracing for what may be their bloodiest drive yet
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NAJAF: Rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr and his Mehdi Army were preparing to hand over the keys to the Imam Ali shrine on Friday after Sadr agreed a peace initiative by Iraqâs top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, to end fierce fighting in the
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NAJAF, Iraq : The heart of Najaf was engulfed in fierce fighting as delegates from Iraq&#39;s national conference arrived on a mission to coax Shiite militia leader Moqtada Sadr into abandoning his stronghold in the holy city.
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Â· Archbishops to draw up historic covenantÂ· Conservatives see chance to crack down on dissent