Senior Shiite cleric Ayatollah Shabiri Zanjani dies in Qom

The office of Ayatollah Shabiri Zanjani said he died last night after spending two days in hospital in the city of Qom.

In a statement, his office said the funeral and burial arrangements would be announced later. No further details were given in the published statement about the cause of death.

Ayatollah Shabiri Zanjani was considered one of the best-known figures in Shiite religious authority. The statement issued by his office referred to his scholarly and religious activities in seminaries and his standing among Shiite followers.

Qom is one of the most important religious centres for Shiite Muslims in Iran, and a number of religious authorities reside there. The title of marja taqlid, or source of emulation, in Shiite jurisprudence refers to senior religious scholars whom followers consult on religious matters.