Appointment Decree for the Head and Members of the Central Council of Friday Prayer Leaders

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Considering the conclusion of the term of the Central Council of Friday Prayer Leaders and acknowledging the valuable experiences of the gentlemen in conducting this great divine duty, I appoint the esteemed Hujjat al-Islams, Mr. Haj Seyyed Abbas Khatam, Mr. Haj Seyyed Hashem Rasouli, Mr. Haj Sheikh Hassan Sanei, Mr. Haj Sheikh Esmail Ferdowsi Pour, Mr. Haj Seyyed Reza Taghavi, Mr. Haj Seyyed Ali Ghazi Askar, Mr. Haj Sheikh Abdolhossein Moazi, and Mr. Haj Seyyed Mohammad Madani as the Policy Council for the Affairs of Friday Prayer Leaders across the country. I appoint Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mr. Rasouli Mahallati as the head of the aforementioned council and the director of executive affairs related to Friday Prayer Leaders across the country for a period of three years. It is necessary for the appointee to designate an individual as his deputy in all the aforementioned executive affairs with the necessary authority for one year, who will participate as the ninth member in the Policy Council.

The aforementioned council will also be the authority for approving the appointment and dismissal of Friday Prayer Leaders and adjudicating complaints. I beseech Almighty God for His success and acceptance in this great service that the gentlemen have undertaken without any expectation or demand, and I hope that with effort and innovation, they will advance it better than before, providing satisfaction to His Holiness Baqiyatullah (may our souls be sacrificed for him). It is necessary to express my sincere gratitude to the previous executive board, especially Hujjat al-Islams Mr. Kashmiri and Mr. Hojjatizadeh, and insist on the presence of the gentlemen in the new organization.

Seyyed Ali Khamenei

22/12/71