He was in favor of the traditional Shiite view of keeping clerics away from governmental positions and a vehement critic of Khomeini. He headed the Center for Islamic Study and Publications and was the administrator of the Dar al-Tabligh and the Fatima Madrasa in Qom. Following the demonstrations by religious dissidents in Qom in January 1978, the Shah’s security forces opened fire, and six people were killed. Shariatmadari condemned the killings and called for the return of Ayatollah Khomeini. He congratulated Khomeini’s return, sending him a letter on February 4, 1979.