Khomeini was a marja or marja al-taqlid ("source of emulation", also known as a Grand Ayatollah) in Twelver Shi'a Islam, but is most famous for his political role. In his writings and preachings ...

Only the second Supreme Leader since the Islamic revolution of 1979, Khamenei was a close ally of Khomeini ... newspaper he had a stable of 100 horses, several palaces, collected antique walking ...