Certain Authorities of Religious Minorities in Iran’s Act and the Effects of Their Decisions

Certain Authorities of Religious Minorities in Iran’s Act and theEffects of Their DecisionsOne the innovations in the new act of family support is observed in article 4 for the authorities of religiousminorities. Concerning the competence of these authorities and their relationships with the judicial courts,legislators deny the competence of the general courts in hearing the minority affairs based on their religiouscommonalities and certain rules and habits. Moreover, given that these authorities are competent to hear thepersonal status and non-litigious affairs of the religious minorities and are legally recognized to do so, they canbe, to some extent, considered as an exceptional part of the judicial judgment institution. As a result, theirdecisions are valid in the courts and are ratified and enforced if they are compatible with the public order andmorality.Keywords: religious minorities, certain authorities, common and certain rules and habits, judicial system,judicial authority