undertaken to petition the saints to grant special favors or to help one through a period of troubles. The constant movement of pilgrims from all over Iran has helped bind together a linguistically heterogeneous population. Pilgrims serve as major sources of information about conditions in different parts of the country and thus help to mitigate the parochialism of the regions. The vaqf is a traditional source of financial support for all religious institutions. It is a religious endowment by which land and other income-producing property is given in perpetuity for the maintenance of a shrine, mosque, madrassa, or charitable institution such as a hospital, library, or orphanage. A mutavalli administers a vaqf in accordance with the stipulations in the donor's bequest. In many vaqfs, the position of mutavalli is hereditary. Under the Pahlavis, the government attempted to exercise control over administration of the vaqfs, especially those of the larger shrines. This practice caused conflict with the clergy, who perceived the government's efforts as inimical to their influence and authority in traditional religious matters. The government's interference with the administration of vaqfs during the Pahlavi era led to a sharp decline in the number of vaqf bequests. Instead, wealthy and pious Shias chose to give financial contributions directly to the leading ayatollahs in the form of zakat, or obligatory alms. The clergy, in turn, used the funds to administer their madrassas and to institute various educational and charitable programs, which indirectly provided them with more influence in society. The access of the clergy to a steady and independent source of funding was an important factor in their ability to resist state controls, and ultimately helped them direct the opposition to the shah. Statistics of religious buildings according to (Statistics of Religious Places) which has been gathered in 2003. See also International Rankings of Iran in Religion Islam by country History of Iran Islamicization in post-conquest Iran History of political Islam in Iran Religious minorities in Iran Christians in Iran Judaism in Iran Institute for Interreligious Dialogue Status of religious freedom in Iran Religion of Iranian-Americans Turko-Persian tradition Clericalism in Iran Fatima Masumeh Shrine Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom History of Iran after Islam Notes and references Bibliography Petrushevsky, I. P.,(1985) Islam in Iran, State University of New York Press, External links , Encyclopædia Iranica (a series of 18 articles on this subject) Iranian culture Shia Islam in Asia Clericalism in