December 19, 2009

Source:

In a meeting with the faculty members of universities in Hamadan, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran, emphasised that because of the wrong methods used to respond to people’s protests, now dissatisfaction has extended to all layers of society. He warned that making criticism and protests costly for people is a platform for a long-term insecurity in society, and therefore weakens the system.

Khatami by pointing out the beginning of the month of Moharram, (in which Imam Hossein, Shias’ third Imam, was martyred) said: “Despite all the problems that especially our people and many other people of the Islamic world faced throughout the history because of the tyrant and oppressive rulers, Moharram has kept the spirit of hope alive in the hearts of people and nations and especially our nation.” He added: “One of the reasons of our success during the holy defence era (8-year Iran-Iraq war) and all the sacrifices by people was their affection for Ashura (the day that Imam Hossein, Shias’ third Imam, was martyred in an unjust battled with the tyrant ruler of the time) because learning from Imam Hossein’s teachings [at the time of war] was very tangible for our nation.”

Khatami in another part of his remarks said: “Imam Khomeini was not joking when he said that the scale is people’s vote! What does it mean? When some individuals come forward and say that at least, the scale should be people’s vote and this is the path of Imam Khomeini; this should be honoured not that by all the false accusations, pressure and intimidations they be separated from the system…The meaning of these actions is that the Islamic system does not respect people’s vote, those who behave like this should not claim to be on the path of Imam Khomeini and the revolution.”

He emphasised: “Ethics is one of the values of the religion. The policy that is accepted in Islam is a moral policy. If we commit the worst actions under the name of religion we cannot claim that we are in favour of religion.”

Khatami by pointing to the events after election said: “Many bitter events happened that I am only going to mention one of them. Saying that what had happened (results of the election) is accepted by the majority of the people is just ignoring the problem.”

He emphasised: “If we take poll we see that the majority of people are not satisfied with the way the society is being governed and this dissatisfaction has deepened in the layers of the society.” He added: “If for the sake of the security we hide this fact, it is like the time when we have a headache and by taking painkillers just temporary make the pain go away but in fact don’t look for the actual cause of the pain.”

Khatami asked: “When there is a real issue in the society it won’t go away by ignoring and propaganda. Isn’t it a problem that the majority of our intellectuals are dissatisfied and they should be listened to? We care about the system when we mention these issues.”

He added: “No problem will be solved by insulting and falsely accusing those who are loved by the important layers of the society, because the continuation of these methods will be the cause for this dissatisfaction being aimed at the foundation of the system and government.”

Khatami reiterated the principles of the constitution regarding people’s rights and added: “The very same constitution mentions that people should speak their demands. Falsely accusing anyone who has an objection and putting him/her under pressure, or putting the prominent figures under pressure and sentencing them unfairly are not going to solve any problem.”

Khatami continued: “It is obvious that there are dissatisfaction and problem in the society and it is not possible to ignore them, especially the dissatisfaction of the intellectuals is very dangerous; intellectuals act as a reference in the society, they are not the majority but they are those who basically run the country. Intellectuals are influential in the society.”

Khatami emphasised: “The elections should be held in a way that there would be no dispute over it. Reform does not ask for anything more than free elections and obeying the constitution.”

He added: “After all, the substational part of the society have objection to the election and they should be listened to. They should be convinced that the election was truly healthy. But this convincing will not be achieved by imprisonment, repression and restrictions; rather the protests of the people and intellectuals should be acknowledged and then we can solve the problems with each other’s help.”

Khatami by emphasising that “Our revolution was going to make Iran a role model in all aspects” said: “Today we should evaluate and see whether we are really moving toward becoming a role model? Are our justice and economy getting improved? Are we getting higher respects in the international community?Are Lies, false accusations and unethical behaviours getting more or less? Is Oppression getting more or less?”

Khatami emphasised: “One of the most important lessons that Imam Hossein thought us is that we should not give in to injustice, this injustice is appalling by anyone and one should warn and advise [against it].”