Grand Ayatollah Declares 3 Days of National Mourning
21 Jun 2009 19:2831 Comments
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Declares Three Days of National Mourning
By MUHAMMAD SAHIMI in Los Angeles | 21 June 2009
Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, the most important living cleric in Iran, and one of the most outspoken foes of the conservatives and hard-liners, has issued a statement about the attacks of the security forces on the demonstrators and the resulting casualties.
In the name of God
We all come from Him and will go back to Him
The great and dignified Iranian nation:
With much sorrow I was informed that, during peaceful rallies to defend their lawful rights, the great Iranian people have been attacked [by the security forces], beaten, and bloodied, and killed. While expressing my condolences for this painful event and the losses, and feeling the pain of the nation, I declare Wednesday [June 24], Thursday and Friday days of national mourning. I express my strongest support for the Muslim nation [of Iran] in their defense of their rights in the framework of the Constitution that recognizes republicanism [direct and free elections, and respect for the votes] as one of the pillars of the [political] establishment, and declare that any action that would harm the republicanism of the system is not permitted [is against religion]. Every one of our religious brothers and sisters must help the nation in defending its lawful rights. Based on this principle, any resistance in this direction [against people who are defending their right], particularly use of violence, beating, and killing of [the people of] the nation is acting against the Islamic principle that the nation must decide its own fate and path and, therefore, I declare it to be religiously haraam [the worst sin].
Hossein Ali Montazeri
Given the immense respect that Ayatollah Montazeri enjoys in Iran for speaking against the hard-liners and even standing up to Ayatollah Khomeini when thousands of political prisoners were executed in the summer of 1988, this declaration is bound to have a great effect, and should provide the impetus for continuing peaceful protests against the rigged presidential election.
Copyright (c) 2009 Tehran Bureau
Ayatollah Motazeri pictured with Ayatollah Khomeini (on bed).
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31 Comments
Finally some common sense out of this mess!
Matthew / June 21, 2009 3:53 PMOnly the separation of church and state opens the door to true political freedom and democracy.
Zedacht / June 21, 2009 4:02 PMGood for him! The people of Iran have the right to be heard.
Heidi / June 21, 2009 4:10 PMZedacht I'm pretty sure you don't know much about "true political freedom and democracy." No offense.
That Dog From TV / June 21, 2009 4:14 PMif only the grand ayatollah is the supreme leader today, then sense will prevail. i guess idealists don't become politicians. u need to be blood-thirsty and scheming to win. hope some miracle will save iran and make khamenei and ahmadi will finally wake up to the fact they are in power for the people, by the people and their hands are now soaked in iranian blood.
hanzi88 / June 21, 2009 4:43 PMI wish he had spoken a little sooner , like last week, but better late then never.
lea / June 21, 2009 5:18 PMTranslation: http://translate.google.com/translate_t#
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Amir / June 21, 2009 5:43 PM?? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? liners ??????? ? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????? (??) ?????? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ??????? 1988 ????? ???? ? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ? ? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ?????? ????.
FUCK ALL THE AYOTOLLAH MEANWHILE ALL THE BASIJ IS ARRESTING AND BEATING THE CRAP AS WE SPEAK. GO TO HELL ALL OF YOU .
AN IRANIAN / June 21, 2009 5:47 PMZedacht says:
June 21, 2009 at 16:02Only the separation of church and state opens the door to true political freedom and democracy.
That is exactly what wise Montazeri always demanded of the regime and why he was under arrest for a long time!
source: (sorry, I found it only in german)
Humphrey van Weyden / June 21, 2009 6:28 PMhttp://de.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-468/_nr-272/i.html)
USA and UK is standing behind the demonstrations. Long Live the Iranian Islamic (and Arabic) Nation!!!
MarockanArab / June 21, 2009 6:38 PMMourning the dead is not going to bring them back ..
No matter how holy you my be , the killings are still taken place.
These martyrs Died for freedom .. Like lions ...
not in vane ..Get out ...you new , you are part of the killing...
claudio Irani / June 21, 2009 6:45 PMWise and strong words. Let it be known that we of the world are watching what is happening in Iran. We are saying our prayers in support of the brave souls standing for their rights. What started as a respectful request for an open and public recount has led the government to violence and a show of disrespect for the great country of Iran and it's people. Thank God for the words of a wise man. The only way this can be resolved is through the strength and bravery of the people of Iran. God bless you all.
Pam / June 21, 2009 6:48 PMChurch and state together is a difficult tightrope to walk. If Iranians want this, then so be it, but there should be a way to elect out of office the religious representitives, and this is difficult due to the way religion functions. Currently, the religious organization is at the top of power and the leader cannot be voted out of office. This is not a theocracy. It is a dictatership under the guise of a theocracy. Maybe the solution is to have a commitee that can vote on issues that is one third religious and 2 thirds secular. The religous part remains governed by the religious organization and they decide who gets put into their seats in the committee at the start of any voting period. The people vote for the remaining 2 thirds. This forms the government. Then a secular president is voted to lead (not rule) this committee and this person is what we normally understand as a president. He has the right to veto any decision made by the committee (just like in the US and other countries). Something like that might work.
The current system obviously doesn't work. I see so many cases where justice does not prevail, where women are accused of adultry when they are raped and then are executed (I've heard of several such cases) and other forms of human rights abuses. Iran sounds almost medieval in it's culture to the outside world because of these cases.
All my prayers go to the Iranian people (I'm a Christian by the way). Our Allah is the same as yours.
Donald / June 21, 2009 6:58 PMTo all those basiji and so called 'pasdaran' who pretend that they are among the protestors, and tapping the blogs, and falsifying notes in facebok and twitter - How could you look into your children's eyes knowing what you are doing and supporting the so called leader you backing up. Is the life time financial security you are receiving from the dictator worth it? You cannot stop the voice of people for freedom and remember that absolute power collapses - and justice will catch up with you...no matter how many you arrest, beat up, or kill. You will not succeed.
padma / June 21, 2009 7:01 PMThere is time to change your ways and support the protestors who want a free and just future not only for their children but yours too. Why can't you see that?
MarockanArab what's up with you dude? i ain't wanting your land or anything? shit man you ain't got nothin i want. except peace for the good iranian people. Now go lay an egg or something.
HoosierDONK / June 21, 2009 7:14 PMWe can only have free Iran, if there is separation of church and state.
I agree with AN IRANIAN. I think these Mollahs are evil. what where they waiting for to issue such an statement, where they waiting for these people to get beaten and killed to show some kind of remorse. And, what about all those political prisoners that have been, tortured killed and or, still staying in the prison, have the mollahs forgot about them. They issue three days of mourning for the people that were killed recently, are they doing this because the word has got out. If it wasn't for our courageous people that got the word out to show what monsters are we dealing with, would they ever do anything, would they ever issue any kind of mourning day. And, what about the others, the prisoners who have been killed in the past or still being held for their beliefs. Who would ever know about them, who would ever,cry or morn them.
nazyk / June 21, 2009 8:05 PMTo the Basiji:
Look into your heart as you punish someone. As you arrest them, as you beat them, as you kill them.
You know that the people are right. The protestors do not deserve to be punished in this way. Ask yourself, would God do what you are doing?
You know you are doing this to help a few rusty old clerics cling onto power. Any illusion that they are meant to rule by divine providence has been lost through your use of violence. Don't do this just because you were ordered. There is nothing that is great enough to kill for. This is something that is worth dying for though. You are making a new generation of Martyrs. Don't you want to be part of this. You can be a positive force in history. If you are torn between both sides, then just go home. Call in sick. You do not have to do this.
By the way, Khamenei is not a real Ayatollah. He was just a lowly cleric. He is not qualified to rule. His position should be one of leadership, not rule. He does not lead. He is wrong, and through his actions, he defies Allah, and he is about to fall. Those who stand by him will fall with him.
Peace be unto you.
Donald / June 21, 2009 8:17 PMAhmad-din-a-fraud and Khameinei
Are two old donkeys that seek to deceive
doctorklutus / June 21, 2009 9:44 PMTwo old obsolete donkeys that nobody will believe...
What is a national day of mourning anyway? An unofficial day of nationwide strikes?
Jay / June 21, 2009 9:52 PMMuhammad Sahimi! Are you from USC??? If that's the case, I used to be one of your students! God bless you!
Fr. Dennis Kriz, OSM
PhD Chemical Engineering USC 1992
denniskriz@yahoo.com
Fr. Dennis Kriz, OSM / June 21, 2009 11:13 PM3 days of Mourning. Good idea. Everyone should spend the days praying and fasting. Of course no work can be done. 3 days of prayer and fasting.
Ghandi tried that, and it was very effective. If the country works, then there is enough support to back the government and it's all over. However, if the country stops, then the government knows that ALL the people want change.
Donald / June 21, 2009 11:38 PMThere may be very few tweets though as the internet may go down in Iran.
I'm glad to hear that the Grand Ayatollah made this statement and that he made it makes sense to me. Shiite Islam has more than a hundred million _sincere_ followers and its leaders come from those followers. In every deeply rooted tradition there will be extremes and sometimes, for various historical reasons, one or another extreme group may hold temporarily disproportionate power. But _generally_ longstanding religious traditions _tend toward moderation_.
The Grand Ayatollah thus is doing the rest of the Iran's leadership a great favor. He's giving them a chance to step back and reflect.
The days of unbridled Islamic extremism may be over but a more moderate Islam will certainly continue if only because people will always need to feel God's presence in the more difficult times in their lives.
Dennis Kriz / June 22, 2009 12:38 AMIndeed, the demonstrators themselves are calling "Allah Ahbar" and certainly most of them doing so with sincerity. Afterall, the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. or Poland's Solidarity Movement in the 1980s would not have succeeded if the people marching and facing the police dogs and water cannon did not believe that God was present with them.
not bad, but if the grand ayatollah wants to be really supportive he should declare a jihad (religious struggle) against the government, he should call all his followers to go on the streets
alis_cuchak / June 22, 2009 3:50 AMThis is really great. Thanks for sharing.
Farzad from Baltimore / June 22, 2009 7:24 AMThis is important. The brave young women and men of Iran who put thier lives on the line for democracy, justice and honesty need the open support of all sections of society, and most of all of the senior clerics.
scheherezad / June 22, 2009 5:10 PMThe basij, pasdaran, gendarmes and all the stick wielding, razor-slashing, gun toting men should stop and think and listen and change otherwise they will be haunted by their own actions and there will be no forgiveness for them.
Dennis:
Muhammad Sahimi / June 22, 2009 10:54 PMYes, I am your old professor at USC. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, as well as caring about my native land. You were a very good student, and a wonderful kind young man 20 years ago, just as you are a caring Father now. Pray for us all, please, and keep in touch
The problem arises when the spirit of a religion is replaced by mere ideology. It happens slowly over time but it always happens - especially when the religion becomes associated with state power. The Papacy became a power broker among kings and rulers in a predominantly Christian Europe 1000 years ago. Although Islam has nothing like a Pope, neither did Chrisitanity until some Bishop in Rome decided to create the Papacy, the clergy in every predominantly Islamic nation still have power to influence many people and institutions. A fear of change is usually at the heart of ideological religion. The spirit of religion is always free to adapt to the circumstances; i.e., true Muslims and true Christians respond to the spirit of the Creator in their lives and families. Political institutions are by their very nature based on political ideologies. While true religion will never put the value of human life below a mere idea, sadly that is what ideologues do all the time. More people in the 20th Century have been killed by their own governments than in all the terrible wars this Century has produced. Although that seems hard to believe, consider what slaughters were carried out by communist and fascist ideologues.
John Rager / June 23, 2009 6:47 PMTo all you brave Iranians fighting for your civil rights and freedoms, I have a question... What is it that you want, if anything, from western nations to help you advance your cause? All of us, even Obama, are 100% behind you, yet there is much debate here in the USA about the proper level of support that should be shown. Some of us want to unabashedly declare our support for you, while others worry that showing too much support might undermine your cause. My initial reaction was that the USA should be more out front in offering support to your cause, but upon reflection I am beginning to think that Obama has it right and we might end up undermining you if we come out too strongly in your support. So, please, tell us what we can do that would be most beneficial to you.
Pierre Chang / June 23, 2009 8:34 PMGreetings from Botswana. The statement released by Ayatollah Motazeri brought tears of joy and hope for the fair minded people of Iran to my eyes. I pray that Iran will soon attain the glorious station destined for it. I was a Catholic and then through the teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah I came to love, from the depth of my heart, His Holiness Prophet Muhammad and Islam. It is certain that God loves justice. I pray also that Ayatollah Motazeri's gaze will come to rest on my fellow Bahai's who have been held in Evin prison since last May and that he will spread the mantle of his sense of justice to cover them and all others who have been unjustly persecuted and imprisoned in Iran.
Philip Huebsch / June 24, 2009 5:50 PMGod Bless Ayatollah Motazeri, an example of a true Muslim to the world! Even in the non-Muslim West we can see the difference between those who truly believe and sacrfice and those who abuse their own God-given faith for their own self-seeking power. We are offering prayers for this great man.
S. / June 25, 2009 8:16 AMSomeday, I hope all will recognize the steadfast courage, purity and compassion of the Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. He speaks to the truth that the greatest power is in the example of one's own life; the influence of Islam is better served by Montazeri's dignified example than by Khamene'i's dismissive threats or Ahmadinejad's condescending bellicosity. I pray Montazeri's gentle and true voice will be heard at home and around the world.
Claudia Nolan / June 26, 2009 5:38 PM