Morteza Motahhari

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Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari (مرتضی مطهری; February 3, 1920 – May 1, 1979) was an Iranian scholar, cleric, University lecturer, and politician.

Motahhari is considered among the important influences on the ideologies of the Islamic Republic, and was a co-founder of Hosseiniye Ershad and the Combatant Clergy Association (Jāme'e-ye Rowhāniyat-e Mobārez). Motahhari also was the person who formed the Council of Revolution of Iran, according to an order from Ayatollah Khomeini, who was his teacher during the Shah's reign.

Motahhari also wrote several books on Islam, Iran, and historical topics. He taught philosophy at Tehran University.

"Teachers Day" in Iran is celebrated on Ordibehesht 12 (2 May), the Persian date on which Motahhari was assassinated after leaving a late meeting at the house of Yadollah Sahabi. He was assassinated by gunshot, from a member of the Furqan Militia Group[1].

Motahhari is the father in law of Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani. It was by Motahhari's advice that Larijani switched from Computer Science to western philosophy for graduate school.

In honor of Motahhari, a major street in Tehran was named after him shortly after the Iranian revolution in 1979. Takhte Tavoos Street was renamed Motahhari Street in honor of Mottahari. Mottahari Street connects Sohrevardi Street and Vali Asr Street, two major streets in Tehran.