In a world where there had been a strict religious hierarchy, this was the ultimate overturning of convention.

But the downfall of a former staunch junta ally signalled a further shake-up in the country's turbulent religious hierarchy.

They may be considered agnostic and do not believe in specific religious hierarchy.

If however a secular ruler controls the religious hierarchy, he can use it to legitimate his own authority.

They challenged the status quo by subverting the religious hierarchy, and were perhaps even more subversive than they realized.