MUI Offers Congratulations on the Election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has expressed appreciation for the elevation of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 56-year-old man has succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed following an attack by the Israeli-American allied military in late February.
According to MUI Vice-Chairman Buya Anwar Abbas, the Islamic world should offer congratulations to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and the Iranian people in general. Initially, many observers had anticipated that the succession process would be difficult for the Assembly of Experts (Majles-e Khobregan), which is tasked with selecting and appointing the Supreme Leader, given that Iran is engaged in war against Israel and the United States.
“However, fortunately the succession issue proceeded smoothly and successfully, resulting in the election of Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, as the Supreme Leader of Iran,” said Buya Anwar Abbas to Republika on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Mojtaba has become renowned not only as the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is also known to maintain close relations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and wields considerable influence among Iran’s religious scholars.
“Indeed, from a hereditary perspective, this succession carries somewhat of a dynastic character, as Mojtaba is the son of Ali Khamenei. However, it is believed this occurred not because they (the Assembly) wished to establish a dynasty, but rather given the magnitude of the problems Iran currently faces through its war against Israel and the United States,” explained Buya Anwar.
The MUI hopes that the election of the son of a martyr will help maintain the spirit of struggle of the Iranian people in their war against the Israeli-American military alliance. According to Buya Anwar, the regimes of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have demonstrated arrogance that undermines human values and international law.
“Ayatollah Mojtaba is expected to continue to kindle the flame of resistance of the Iranian people against Israel and the United States, so that it is hoped Iran will be able to destroy the arrogance and defeat these two nations known as destroyers of peace,” concluded the head of Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership.