From Khomeini to Khamenei to Khamenei: The Impact of the Rahbar on the Shi‘a Community in Malaysia

Mohd Faizal Musa, author

Date of publication: 2026

Publisher: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

Number of pages: 32

Code: TRS18/26

Soft Cover

ISBN: 9789815361728

The doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih, while not universally accepted within Twelver Shiʿism, has played a pivotal role in shaping both religious authority and political leadership, culminating in the institutionalization of the rahbar as Supreme Leader.
Among Shiʿa communities in Malaysia, the rahbar is widely recognized as the principal marjaʿ, resulting in a close interconnection between religious allegiance and the political identity of Iran.
The ideological legacy of Ruhollah Khomeini, particularly his anti-Western stance and position on Palestine, significantly influenced Shiʿa orientations in the region, while the succession from Ali Khamenei to Mojtaba Khamenei introduces considerable uncertainty because of limited knowledge of the latter’s ideological profile.
Preliminary findings indicate no immediate or substantial reactions among Malaysian Shiʿa to the killing of Ali Khamenei or to the leadership transition, suggesting a measured and restrained communal response.
Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, Malaysian Shiʿa communities remain cautious, law-abiding and largely detached from direct involvement; these patterns should however be regarded as provisional and subject to change over time.

This book is on the press and will be available for purchase from 2 June 2026.

From Khomeini to Khamenei to Khamenei: The Impact of the Rahbar on the Shi’a Community in Malaysia
[Whole Publication, ISBN: 9789815361735], by Mohd Faizal Musa, author