The ulema prove to be a highly…
April 1891 CE
For centuries the ulema have played a paramount role in Iranian society—they run religious schools, maintain the charity of endowments, act as arbiters and judges, and are seen as the intermediaries between God and Shia Muslims in the country.
Hence if such exorbitant concessions are given to non-Muslim foreigners, the ulema believe that the national-religious community under their supervision will be severely threatened.
Furthermore, the ulema have ties with various merchant families and guilds while holding an economic interest in tobacco that is grown on waqf land.
Finally, as the clergy points out, the concession directly contradicts Islamic law because individuals are not allowed to purchase or sell tobacco under their own free will and are unable to go elsewhere for business.
Later during the tobacco harvest season of 1891, tobacco cultivator Mahmud Zaim of the Kashan region will coordinate with Iran's two other major tobacco cultivators a burning of their entire stock.
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