Countries have had a religious leader

[tali1]

Apart from Iran and The Vatican how many countries have had a religious leader as head of state- (Ethiopia - Halie Sellaise?)

[JockSporran]

If Tibet gets independence, then presumably the Dalai Lama would be head of state.

[JockSporran]

In the UK, the Queen is officially head of the Church.

[123everton]

Tibet was theocracy for a short while (1914-1950), Sudan also 1885-1899.

[VHG]

>In the UK, the Queen is officially head of the Church.

While true, I guess he is looking for people who were religious leaders FIRST, THEN became head of state.

[tali1]

I would not include the Queen as Head of state. as she does not run the country -whereas in other examples they did.
Nevertheless it seems very rare indeed

[dundurn]

The concept of country (as opposed to people) is a relatively recent one - and in most countires, therefore, postdates a separation between the administrations of religion and state. How about Japan, however, where for many people the Emperor was considered a god? In Ancient Egypt the Pharaoh was considered divine at least after his death, as were several of the early Caesars. I seem to remember that the Shah of Persia, the Aga Khan and the Kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan all have or had religious aspects to their rules.
The idea of kingship in early Celtic/ British society was closely bound to concepts of divinity so that an old or infirm king might be killed and replaced with a younger one.

[tiggerblue10]

Archbishop Makarios - President of the Greek Republic of Northern Cyprus.

[Famous5]

First President of Zimbabwe was the Rev Canaan Bananas, who was a Methodist minister