Career
He was a critic of Islamic extremism and was the representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran. In 2002, Taheri resigned after 30 years as prayer leader in Isfahan. Taheri's resignation letter complained of "generalized corruption of religious power in Iran." On 30 June 2009, Taheri wrote an open letter in which he called Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency illegitimate.
Taheri died on 2 June 2013 at near 5 A.M after 35 days of hospitalization due to Respiratory arrest in one of the Isfahan's hospital. He suffered respiratory disease for a long time. "Tens of thousands" attended his funeral in what was reportedly "Iran's biggest anti-government protest for years".
Mourners chanted anti-government slogans such as “the political prisoners must freed,” and, “Mousavi and Karroubi must be freed,” calling Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a dictator.
