Answer to Question 1
The Safavid Empire is particularly important for two reasons: first, it consolidated Persian identity, as distinct from Arab identity. With the onset of a new religious authority, through invasion, the Persians were unique in readapting the Islam of the Arabs to their own existing cultural practices. Under the Safavids, Persian arts and culture flourished, including poetry, literature, architecture, and art. Second, the Safavids shaped and centralized Shi'i Islam as a state religion. The Safavid rulers imposed Shi'i Islam, centralized control over religious worship, and gave Shi'i religious authorities a role in governing their empire. The statesponsored and centralized Islam of the Safavids was a precursor to later debates about the state and governance, including the role of the ulama. The inclusion of the ulama in governance, moreover, set the stage for the later alliance between religious groups and the bazaari, merchant classes.
Answer to Question 2
Iran's highest political and religious authority is known as the supreme leader. The supreme leader judges whether the operations of government are in accordance with Islamic law, and has the final word in all foreign and domestic policy, particularly in terms of whether government policies conform to Islamic principles. According to Iran's 1979 constitution, the supreme leader is commander in chief of the armed forces, appoints all senior military and police commanders, and has the power to declare war and peace. He also selects the highestranking members of Iran's judiciary, the head of the national radio and television networks, the leaders of Iran's major religious organizations, and the members of Iran's National Security Council. In addition, the supreme leader appoints six of the 12 members of the Council of Guardian and the constitution empowers the supreme leader to create advisory bodies.
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