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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Iranian theocrats say freedom causes terrorism |
| 2004-06-10 |
| Recently, several high-ranking Iranian leaders, among them Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Muhammad Khatami, expressed views on the achievements of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and the legacy of Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, and on the relationship between Islam and Western culture and values. Both men attacked the U.S. for its handling of affairs in Iraq. Along with stressing the need to instill Ayatollah Khomeini’s legacy among the younger Iranians who never knew him, Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei stated that not only is Khomeini’s political thought appropriate for all of humanity’s needs, but that the source of human suffering is "liberal democracy." Khamenei attacked the U.S. and stated that the reason for the "disgrace" (that is, the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghureib prison) was that "liberal democracy is devoid of morality." In contrast, Iranian President Muhammad Khatami expressed his support for borrowing from Western values and blending them into Islamic culture. At the same time, however, Khatami stated that the root of all terrorism is superpower violence. The following are statements by these high-ranking Iranian leaders, as well as by Iranian Culture and Guidance Minister Ahmad Masjid-Jama’i: In an address to the organizers of the annual ceremony commemorating the 1989 death of Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that "[Ayatollah Khomeini’s] thought corresponded to the Islamic political thought, which he defined as the pure Islam of the Prophet Muhammad." Khamenei stressed the need for instilling Khomeini’s doctrine in the coming generations, and said, "Loving the Imam Khomeini without understanding his political thought is inconceivable
Despite the propaganda [against Khomeini’s thought by his opponents], his political thought is appropriate to humanity’s primary needs, because the source of all human torment and suffering is the ’liberal democracy’ promoted by the West as ’progressive political thought.’ "The torment of the Iraqis, of the Palestinians, and even of the Americans are the direct outcome of liberal Western democracy, and this must serve as an important lesson to the rest of the world, [which must] open its eyes and understand that those who call themselves advocates of human rights and democracy are in fact the main supporters of crimes against humanity
The reason for [this] disgrace [i.e. Abu Ghureib] is [the fact that] liberal democracy is devoid of morality, while the political thought of Imam Khomeini respected morality in addition to democracy, and at the same time pinned its hopes on God." At the International Conference on the Islamic Republic and Future Outlook, held in Tehran, Iranian President Muhammad Khatami said, "Islam encourages people to emulate others without losing their Islamic identity. Thus, we can make use of the achievements of the West, and overcome our shortcomings in various areas
" He added, "We must defend the principle of democracy, which is one of the goals of the Islamic Revolution. This is because defending Islam does not mean rejecting democracy and freedom." Unlike Khatami, who spoke in favor or borrowing Western values and integrating them into Islamic culture, Iranian Culture and Guidance Minister Ahmad Masjid-Jama’i said, also at the conference, that "the Islamic Republic regime is a great political phenomenon of the contemporary world, and a living example of the defeat of Western methods and ideas." Masjid-Jama’i added, "The [Islamic] Revolution took place at a time when it was thought that all the countries in the region were going through a similar phase and in line with the historic changes in the Western world. Based on such a vision, it was speculated that acceptance of modern Western values and abandonment of traditional beliefs would ultimately pave the ground for injecting modern Western methods into the East
"Many researchers are of the opinion that Islamism is the core of the Iranian revolution, and not just a slogan, because it has a profound influence on the overall framework of the revolution
The Islamic Revolution is a front-runner for many other social and political movements in the world, an international current that aims to safeguard and preserve national identity and tradition based on culture. That is why today Islam is needed, because it is a well-built pillar that strongly safeguards and preserves the national identity and nobility." Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei said that the U.S. is contemptuous of Islam and the sensitivities of the Muslims "because the Americans are convinced that they will easily win the war in Iraq. But they will not see that day. As the Imam [Khomeini] said, ’One day the U.S. too will be history.’ In light of what happened in Iraq, we can see now that he is right, because such events move the U.S. down the slope, and they will taste the bitterness of sure defeat." Khamenei condemned the "desecration being carried out by the Americans in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq," and said, "the Muslims will not continue to remain silent in the face of such aggression." Iranian President Muhammad Khatamisaid, "We condemn all forms of violence, but we must understand that the roots of all terrorist activity lie in the violence of the superpowers
It is regrettable that they accuse the [Islamic] religion, civilization, and culture of violence and narrow-mindedness. Nevertheless, I do not deny that there are radicals among the Muslims, or other people in other societies, who act only by violent means. But it must be understood that the spirit of Islam does not preach violence." |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #14 Very important article. Yet the other forums have ignored this. They are sleeping. |
| Posted by: Dog Bites Trolls 2004-06-10 10:17:16 PM |
| #13 Ah yes! Rantburg. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-06-10 7:54:32 PM |
| #12 Hummm... it would rather be "Que voulez-vous? nous sommes nuls àchier depuis que Napoléon a été exilé àElbe." |
| Posted by: Anonymous5089 2004-06-10 4:22:31 PM |
| #11 ... because the source of all human torment and suffering is the ’liberal democracy’ promoted by the West as ’progressive political thought.’ "Liberal democracy" has resulted in the "torment" of elected representation, free market economics, civil rights, freedom of religion and numerous other concepts all of which to the mullahs are as alien as neurosurgery. Our "progressive political thought" has permitted such things as coed colleges, a free press and many other freedoms that would make the mullahs froth in their sleep, let alone their waking state. And, finally, as to this little gem: ’One day the U.S. too will be history.’ "At what point shall we expect the danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic giant, to step across the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth ... could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track in the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years ... If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. Abraham Lincoln January 27, 1838 |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-06-10 4:18:55 PM |
| #10 Annie M - Yeah, and dead rotting mullahs brings more freedom and liberty. Well Said, but the French have never been the same since Napoleon decimated a whole generation fighting the English and Russians at the start of the 19th centuury. "Le Terrorisme" they brought on themselves. Que prévoyez-vous? Nous n'avons pas valu le fumier puisque Napoleon a été exilé àElba. (Form "Jacques Chirac") commenting on "The French Do it Again" Roughly : What do you want? We haven't been worth s*** since Napoleon was exiled to Elba. (check freetranslation.com - see if I am close) |
| Posted by: BigEd 2004-06-10 3:22:22 PM |
| #9 But it must be understood that the spirit of Islam does not preach violence. That's true. Its spirit teaches submission and delivering yourself into slavery. It's the words of Islam that call for violence. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-06-10 2:07:39 PM |
| #8 Iranian theocrats say freedom causes terrorism Not to mention that the unemployment rate for high roller "holy men" will skyrocket, which is probably their priority. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-06-10 11:43:18 AM |
| #7 These guys are challenging the Norks for the throne, they put up a strong effort here... gotta give credit where credit is due ;) |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2004-06-10 11:38:14 AM |
| #6 Yeah, and dead rotting mullahs brings more freedom and liberty I've got two words for you theocrats in Aran, y'ever heard of the french revolution? Thats the really ugly form of eliminating the hierarchy. The whole thing really gets out of hand; caused by a little thing called, officially, Le Terrorisme |
| Posted by: Annie Moose 2004-06-10 11:37:14 AM |
| #5 "Iranian theocrats say freedom causes terrorism" This is what I was talking about yesterday in regards to the "creative" use of the word "terrorism". Their grasp of the meaning of words is surely astounding! Pure Il-Litrasi. |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-06-10 10:53:53 AM |
| #4 now this is really funny - i have to agree freedom causes terrorism...when freedom threatens asshats they resort to terrorism...what a bunch of idiots.. |
| Posted by: Dan 2004-06-10 10:46:26 AM |
| #3 "violence of the superpowers" Of course muslims killing muslims in Iraq under Saddam, and in Sudan (how many deaths now?) don't count. "One day the U.S. too will be history." True, but I don't think the mullahs or their ilk will be around to see it. |
| Posted by: virginian 2004-06-10 10:46:10 AM |
| #2 Allan is an ass. |
| Posted by: Infidel Bob 2004-06-10 10:44:57 AM |
| #1 "Iranian theocrats say freedom causes terrorism" LOL! And I've just been listening to the BBC trying to explain how choice makes people unhappy. Viva Propaganda! It never dies... |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-06-10 10:31:02 AM |