Seyedali Bozorgvari
Seyeda Ali Mohammad Bozorgvari: A Cleric, Veteran, and Voice for the People
Born in 1957 in the village of Tembi, located in the Charam District of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Seyedali Bozorgvari is a Shia cleric known for his political conservatism, military service, and deep-rooted social involvement.
Religious Education and Background
Coming from a devout family with lineage tracing back to the Sayyids of Imamzadeh Ali, Bozorgvari began his education in local rural schools before advancing his religious studies in several seminaries across cities like Behbahan, Khorramshahr, Shiraz, and eventually Qom. He studied Islamic jurisprudence and theology under prominent scholars such as Ayatollah Seyed Karamatollah Malek-Hosseini and Seyed Ali Asghar Hosseini.
Military Experience
Bozorgvari spent over two years on the frontlines during the Iran-Iraq War, participating in 17 significant military operations. Later in life, after serving in Parliament, he joined the ranks of the “Defenders of the Shrine” in Syria, contributing to efforts aimed at protecting Shia religious sites during the fight against ISIS.
Political Life
He represented the regions of Kohgiluyeh, Bahmaei, Charam, and Lendeh in Iran's 8th and 9th parliamentary terms. As First Secretary of the Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Commission, he played a key role in legislative matters related to rural development. His passionate speeches, particularly during the 2013 cabinet confirmation sessions for President Rouhani, earned him national media attention.
Public Perception and Social Initiatives
Highly regarded in his home province, Bozorgvari is recognized for maintaining a humble lifestyle and staying closely connected to the everyday concerns of his constituents. He has been actively involved in projects aimed at improving infrastructure and addressing poverty in some of the most underprivileged areas of southwestern Iran.
