Students at Qom seminary are leaving for Najaf
Due to political intervention and lack of freedom in the religious seminary, hundreds of Shiite clerics are migrating from Qom seminary to Najaf seminary for its traditional activities.
![Shi'ite Muslims pray at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf Shi'ite Muslims pray at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq April 3, 2018. Picture taken April 3, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani - RC12CE0E18E0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2018/10/RTX5VBQS.jpg/RTX5VBQS.jpg?h=0d27ee61&itok=tleqjwmn)
In surprising news, the local Iranian press reported Sept. 25 that Ali Khomeini, a grandson of revolutionary leader and Islamic Republic of Iran founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had transferred from Qom seminary in Iran to the Najaf seminary in Iraq.
The news had ripple effects in both Qom and Najaf seminaries. Questions were raised about the reasons for the transfer — especially by the grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, who was a prominent lecturer at Qom.