Islamic diversity
Just a reminder of the diversity within the Muslim world. Sometimes we need reminders like this so we can avoid simplifications and stereotypes.Cleric Wields Religion to Challenge Iran’s Theocracy
For years, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri criticized Iran’s supreme leader and argued that the country was not the Islamic democracy it claimed to be, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears...
Ayatollah Montazeri has emerged as the spiritual leader of the opposition, an adversary the state has been unable to silence or jail because of his religious credentials and seminal role in the founding of the republic...
“A political system based on force, oppression, changing people’s votes, killing, closure, arresting and using Stalinist and medieval torture, creating repression, censorship of newspapers, interruption of the means of mass communications, jailing the enlightened and the elite of society for false reasons, and forcing them to make false confessions in jail, is condemned and illegitimate,” he said...
Ayatollah Montazeri has argued for years, that even in a religious state legitimacy comes from the people. “The government will not achieve legitimacy without the support of the people, and as the necessary and obligatory condition for the legitimacy of the ruler is his popularity and the people’s satisfaction with him...”
“Independence,” he said in a recent speech on ethics, “is being free of foreign intervention, and freedom is giving people the freedom to express their opinions. Not being put in prison for every protest one utters.”
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Labels: Iran, leadership, legitimacy
posted by Ken Wedding @ 11:11 AM
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Cleric Denounces Iranian Militia Force Over Crackdown
"Iran’s most senior cleric denounced the role of the volunteer militia force known as the Basij in the crackdown against protesters, saying the force’s actions were against religion and 'in the path of Satan.'
"The cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, condemned the force in a statement posted on an opposition Web site...
"'Why do you beat people?' Ayatollah Montazeri asked in the statement. 'Because they do not accept what you say? Basij was founded to act within the path of God, not Satan. Isn’t it unfortunate to go to hell for the benefits of others?'
"Analysts said Ayatollah Montazeri’s statement was probably aimed at more religious members of the force..."
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