IRNA - Former president and Head of Baran (Rain) Foundation Mohammad Khatami said on Tuesday that the so-called advocates of democracy who claim to strive to restore and export democracy and those who seek to impose democracy in the region are now distorting the realities and telling lies.
According to the Public Relations of Baran Foundation, Khatami underlined, "You are witnessing that the purported advocates of democracy are now interacting with despotic governments and sowing seeds of plots against those who wish to experience democracy.
Country's authority depends on success in the field of science and technology which requires collective cooperation of all strata to bring political and economic development, he said.
Iran, before and after Islam, was the cradle of civilization and the role of the country's intellectuals in human civilization is unprecedented and the whole world owe them very much, he said.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Khatami: The government should be just and unbiased and should not impose its will on people!
(MNA) – It is a duty of every Iranian to participate in elections and to strengthen the “Islamic Republic” system, former president Mohammad Khatami told a gathering in Yazd, central Iran, on Wednesday evening.
Iranian authorities should provide grounds for a wide-spread participation of people with different mindsets in the elections, he said.
Khatami dismissed as an affront to the Iranian people and government the claim that Imam Khomeini used the term “republic” just because it would seem appealing to the international community.
“Some people have recently questioned Imam’s ideas and say that Imam did not believe in republic,” Khatami explained.
“The Islamic republic means to trust people’s vote which is an important and fundamental issue,” he said.
All dimensions of republicanism are clear, he noted, adding, the constitution of the Islamic Republic has recognized freedom and it should be respected.
The Islamic Republic of Iran belongs to all Iranians with different dispositions, he stated.
The government should be a just and unbiased body and should not impose its will on people, he observed.
He emphasized the need to turn slogans into reality and to bring people closer to Islam, adding that citizens of the Islamic society should be provided with security and respect.
Iranian authorities should provide grounds for a wide-spread participation of people with different mindsets in the elections, he said.
Khatami dismissed as an affront to the Iranian people and government the claim that Imam Khomeini used the term “republic” just because it would seem appealing to the international community.
“Some people have recently questioned Imam’s ideas and say that Imam did not believe in republic,” Khatami explained.
“The Islamic republic means to trust people’s vote which is an important and fundamental issue,” he said.
All dimensions of republicanism are clear, he noted, adding, the constitution of the Islamic Republic has recognized freedom and it should be respected.
The Islamic Republic of Iran belongs to all Iranians with different dispositions, he stated.
The government should be a just and unbiased body and should not impose its will on people, he observed.
He emphasized the need to turn slogans into reality and to bring people closer to Islam, adding that citizens of the Islamic society should be provided with security and respect.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Mohammad Khatami: Entire affairs of nation must be run based on people's will
IRNA - Yazd City - Former IRI President, Mohammad Khatami said here in his hometown Wednesday entire affairs of this nation must be run based on this nation's will.
Speaking on blessed birth anniversary of the 9th Infallible Shi'a Imam Javad (PBUH), Khatami said, "Proper informing of people is among the most important teachings of Islam."
He added, "The entire people should be provided the chance to express themselves, and to have direct influence on country's affairs."
Emphasizing that the ground needs to be paved for participation of the people at all fields, Khatami reiterated, "Taking advantage of collective wisdom in various political, economic and cultural affairs equal to remaining close to the conduct of the Infallible Household of the Prophet (PBUT)."
He also considered legitimate freedom and security as two rights of the people, arguing, "Every single individual must feel secure in this country, unless he, or she disturbs the security of the others." Elsewhere in his address, Khatami stressed, "The freedom we talk about is based on Islamic ethics, and while observing entire positive values, not the hedonistic type."
He meanwhile said, "Those people who argue today in the absence of the late Imam Khomeini that he chose the republic type of government for this country due to an expediency are in fact insulting the leadership of this system, and they should know that the roots for Islamic Republic were depicted from the life styles of Infallible Imams (PBUT) by the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Speaking on blessed birth anniversary of the 9th Infallible Shi'a Imam Javad (PBUH), Khatami said, "Proper informing of people is among the most important teachings of Islam."
He added, "The entire people should be provided the chance to express themselves, and to have direct influence on country's affairs."
Emphasizing that the ground needs to be paved for participation of the people at all fields, Khatami reiterated, "Taking advantage of collective wisdom in various political, economic and cultural affairs equal to remaining close to the conduct of the Infallible Household of the Prophet (PBUT)."
He also considered legitimate freedom and security as two rights of the people, arguing, "Every single individual must feel secure in this country, unless he, or she disturbs the security of the others." Elsewhere in his address, Khatami stressed, "The freedom we talk about is based on Islamic ethics, and while observing entire positive values, not the hedonistic type."
He meanwhile said, "Those people who argue today in the absence of the late Imam Khomeini that he chose the republic type of government for this country due to an expediency are in fact insulting the leadership of this system, and they should know that the roots for Islamic Republic were depicted from the life styles of Infallible Imams (PBUT) by the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Civil Society is necessary for the Islamic Republic System
Baztab Reports: Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami in a recent speech strongly defended Islamic democracy and reiterated that the late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, was the greatest reformist.
Addressing several members of the Islamic Association of Tehran University, Khatami said: “I have mentioned repeatedly that our identity stems from the Islamic Revolution and that the Islamic Republic forms its framework.”
Khatami said: “We are Muslims and believers and consider that it is to the expedient of the Iranian nation to move in this path.”
The former president recalled: “I have brought to light the subject of civil society and strongly believe it.” He stressed that it would not be possible to accept the republic system while disregarding the civil society. “Civil society is indispensable for the Islamic Republic,” he said adding: “The issue of civil society has been brought up in the new thinking, because it is an essential fact in the cotemporary era that is recognized by mankind.”
He noted: “Iran has chosen the republic system, accepted the separation of the powers and endorsed the need for fundamental freedoms, factors that are inevitable in a civil society.” However, he continued, “we have reached to such a point as early as the advent of Islam.”
Khatami termed as “disaster” the fact that democracy in civil societies is placed against Islam. “Democracy is as varied as cultures, traditions and thoughts, while liberal democracy is merely an experience of, and not the same as, democracy,” he pointed out.
The former president considered: “Abiding by democracy is different from ceding to liberalism of the kind that is experienced by the West. We favor a democracy that is compatible with Islam, as well as our revolution and culture and safeguards our country.” He further added: “Of course, in a democratic society that is compatible with Islam, the rights of every citizen from every religion and trend are respected.”
He noted that the late Imam Khomeini called for establishment of the Islamic Republic from an Islamic position and continued: “Prior to the culmination of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini’s thoughts were relatively unexposed to the public but that they were brought to light and become established with the help of faithful students and intellectual clergies.
“Imam Khomeini’s attitude encouraged the public mass, elites, clergymen as well as university students and professors to stand next to each other, a development that led to the emergence and subsequently victory of the Islamic Revolution.
“Reformism has a longstanding history and calls for changes. There were some individuals, during and after Imam Khomeini’s life, who had erroneous concepts that would possibly threaten the basis of the Islamic Revolution and system in the long-run.”
Khatami who is now director of Baran Cultural Foundation, added: “Imam Khomeini was the greatest reformist who was able to produce the constitution and Islamic Republic out of the revolution. Freedom, security and territorial integrity have equal footing in our constitution, and one may consider security and territorial integrity as the boundaries of freedom. However, there is a thinking that considers the fundamental reforms and any kind of desire for change as subversive act and every intention toward reforms as heresy. In fact, we like very much to stand against subversive acts and heresy, the requirement for which would be expansion of essential freedoms.”
He regretted that some individuals misinterpret the notion of freedom and consider it as carelessness. “But we favor the impressive article in the constitution that considers human beings as the ones who control their social destiny, the requirement for which is freedom of expression and thought. Under such circumstances, Khatami believed, not only the society would change for better but also the emergence of dictatorship would be prevented.
Addressing several members of the Islamic Association of Tehran University, Khatami said: “I have mentioned repeatedly that our identity stems from the Islamic Revolution and that the Islamic Republic forms its framework.”
Khatami said: “We are Muslims and believers and consider that it is to the expedient of the Iranian nation to move in this path.”
The former president recalled: “I have brought to light the subject of civil society and strongly believe it.” He stressed that it would not be possible to accept the republic system while disregarding the civil society. “Civil society is indispensable for the Islamic Republic,” he said adding: “The issue of civil society has been brought up in the new thinking, because it is an essential fact in the cotemporary era that is recognized by mankind.”
He noted: “Iran has chosen the republic system, accepted the separation of the powers and endorsed the need for fundamental freedoms, factors that are inevitable in a civil society.” However, he continued, “we have reached to such a point as early as the advent of Islam.”
Khatami termed as “disaster” the fact that democracy in civil societies is placed against Islam. “Democracy is as varied as cultures, traditions and thoughts, while liberal democracy is merely an experience of, and not the same as, democracy,” he pointed out.
The former president considered: “Abiding by democracy is different from ceding to liberalism of the kind that is experienced by the West. We favor a democracy that is compatible with Islam, as well as our revolution and culture and safeguards our country.” He further added: “Of course, in a democratic society that is compatible with Islam, the rights of every citizen from every religion and trend are respected.”
He noted that the late Imam Khomeini called for establishment of the Islamic Republic from an Islamic position and continued: “Prior to the culmination of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini’s thoughts were relatively unexposed to the public but that they were brought to light and become established with the help of faithful students and intellectual clergies.
“Imam Khomeini’s attitude encouraged the public mass, elites, clergymen as well as university students and professors to stand next to each other, a development that led to the emergence and subsequently victory of the Islamic Revolution.
“Reformism has a longstanding history and calls for changes. There were some individuals, during and after Imam Khomeini’s life, who had erroneous concepts that would possibly threaten the basis of the Islamic Revolution and system in the long-run.”
Khatami who is now director of Baran Cultural Foundation, added: “Imam Khomeini was the greatest reformist who was able to produce the constitution and Islamic Republic out of the revolution. Freedom, security and territorial integrity have equal footing in our constitution, and one may consider security and territorial integrity as the boundaries of freedom. However, there is a thinking that considers the fundamental reforms and any kind of desire for change as subversive act and every intention toward reforms as heresy. In fact, we like very much to stand against subversive acts and heresy, the requirement for which would be expansion of essential freedoms.”
He regretted that some individuals misinterpret the notion of freedom and consider it as carelessness. “But we favor the impressive article in the constitution that considers human beings as the ones who control their social destiny, the requirement for which is freedom of expression and thought. Under such circumstances, Khatami believed, not only the society would change for better but also the emergence of dictatorship would be prevented.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
BBC: Farewell to a changed, subtle Iran
With the benefit of hindsight, many look back on the reformist period as a sort of golden age, where a smiling well-dressed President Mohammad Khatami spoke honeyed words about democracy, even if he did not deliver on many of his promises.BBC - Frances Harrison is moving on after three years as the BBC correspondent in Tehran. It has been a period of change, she writes, but generally not for the better, particularly for women.
Frances Harrison: When I first came to Iran the reformists were still in power, not the ultra-conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But to me as a newcomer, the government then did not seem particularly liberal.
The reformists were not quite what they had been cracked up to be in the West.
Reform, I soon found out, was not a euphemism for regime change - it just meant more respect for the rule of law and human rights, in order to preserve the Islamic system of government, not overthrow it.
With the benefit of hindsight, many look back on the reformist period as a sort of golden age, where a smiling well-dressed President Mohammad Khatami spoke honeyed words about democracy, even if he did not deliver on many of his promises.
The contrast between then and now is huge.
Media crackdown
When my predecessor left, he threw a lunch party for officials. They were friendly and urbane and unfazed by the fact that I was a woman bureau chief which is still a novelty in Iran.
Now things are so bad that officials from the ministry of Islamic guidance who are helpful on a personal level did not come to my farewell lunch hosted by the BBC.
I did not take it personally. The atmosphere is now one where Iranians are afraid to mix with foreigners for fear of being accused of spying.
If they do talk to foreigners they certainly do not want to do it in front of each other.
One Iranian journalist working for a foreign news agency even asked if we had foreign diplomats coming to a farewell party in our house because, she said, if there were it would not be safe for her to attend.
During the two years of President Ahmadinejad's government, I have watched friends have their press cards taken away by the government.
It is not that this did not happen before but now there is a sense of a widespread crackdown on the media.
I have struggled with my conscience interviewing people lest I put them at risk.
At one house, the mother-in-law of a student activist accosted me in a most un-Iranian way, saying: "Why are you here? He has children and he's just been released from jail." It is un-Iranian because of the innate sense of hospitality here.
People have come to my office with information and I have found myself warning them to be careful about coming again.
It gets to a point where you find yourself questioning the motives of anyone brave enough to speak out.
Either it is a trap or perhaps they are really naive - in which case why are we interviewing them?
Subtle opposition
But let me tell you about the subtle ways in which Iranians articulate their opposition.
This is not a culture where anyone says anything directly - and it can sometimes be infuriating for a foreigner.
But it has nuance, subtlety and a playfulness that is lost in the one-dimensional views you see in news reports.
The other night I was at a private party and two young Iranian women performed a song about a bird. It was indescribably sad and beautiful and had many of the women in the audience in tears.
Women are not allowed to sing in public in Iran - it is considered un-Islamic for men to hear them.
These women - who in today's Iran can only perform in houses of friends - sang about a bird, a crane, whose wings had been clipped and whose mouth had been covered.
It was a poetic symbol of censorship and the restrictions imposed on women. It moved the audience far more than any feminist speech or political agitation because it drew on their tradition and the Iranian love of poetry.
Persian culture survives
On the surface, Tehran is a place where you see women swathed in black and there are ugly grimy modern buildings housing rude officials.
The Islamic system of government has deliberately erased much of what was Persian culture and it is only by looking hard that you can catch glimpses of the past.
Yes, some of the women may be covered from top-to-toe in black, but do not think that every woman who is covered up like that is submissive and docile - they wield huge power behind the scenes, often controlling the family finances.
Some officials may be staggeringly rude but at home Iranians are so courteous that it overwhelms foreigners until they get used to the ritual exchange of politesse that is rather beautiful to observe in action when done by a true professional.
The younger generation may eat pizzas and burgers and listen to rap music, but they still have a deep respect for Persian food, music, poetry and the language itself.
Of course, three years in Iran has brainwashed me.
I do believe that Iranians cook rice better than anyone else in the world, that Iranian women are the most beautiful in the world, and that the roses smell sweeter.
For all the ugliness of much of the politics here, there are still vestiges of a past beauty.
And as I leave, that is the Iran I want to treasure even though it is slowly fading.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday 7 July, 2007 at 1130 BST on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.
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