Grand Ayatollah Shirazi is a leading theologian teaching at the Qom Seminary, one of the two most important centres of learning for Twelver Shia. He is most influential for his Tafsir Al-Amthal, which is a very popular, simplified commentary of the Qur’an. He has also spearheaded the creation of schools and magazines devoted to young people. He has been outspoken in his support for Palestinians and for Iran to respond to any aggression against it.