The Shiites believed the Shah was ?
To answer your question, let's first understand the context. The Shah refers to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was the Shah (ruler) of Iran from 1941 to 1979. During his reign, there were different attitudes and beliefs among the Shiite population towards the Shah.
1. Some Shiites supported the Shah: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi made efforts to modernize Iran and introduced economic and social reforms. Some Shiites believed that the Shah's modernization policies would help improve the country and bring prosperity. They appreciated his secularization efforts and his alignment with the West.
2. Some Shiites opposed the Shah: Another faction of Shiites, particularly those who held traditional and conservative values, believed that the Shah's reforms undermined their religious and cultural identity. They objected to the Westernization of Iran and viewed the Shah as an agent of foreign influence. These Shiite groups often called for a return to Islamic values and government.
It is important to note that the beliefs and attitudes of Shiites towards the Shah were diverse and varied within the Shiite community. So, it is not accurate to generalize and attribute a single belief to all Shiites. It is essential to consider the historical and sociopolitical context of Iran during that period to fully understand the complexities of Shiite beliefs towards the Shah.