Mullah

Definitions

1. An honorific title for a scholar of theology and sharia law.
2. An honorific title for a mosque leader.
3. A scholar and teacher of theology and sharia law, and an issuer of fatwas.
4. A conservative Muslim leader or cleric, especially one who is hostile against other religions.
   India, slang, slur
5. A Muslim.
   India, broadly, slang, slur
6. A low-level cleric who specializes in telling stories of Ashura, rather than teaching or issuing fatwas.
   Iran, dated
7. A low-level cleric who specializes in telling stories of Ashura, rather than teaching or issuing fatwas. See also: ruhani
   Iran, dated
8. See also: ruhani
   Iran, dated

Equivalents

Examples

“Leading Republicans do not sympathize with the mullahs, do not repeat⟳ their talking points, and do not seek⟳ to appease them when they make⟳ outrageous claims about other countries.”

“In the first week of March⟳ 2018, the Shia mullah issues a fatwa prohibiting vengeance killing and requiring reconciliation.”

CEFR level