Jannti says Iran not to normalize relations with US
IRNA
Tehran, Jan 2, IRNA -- Substitute Leader of the Tehran Friday Prayers Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati blasted the US administration bellicose policies over the past year but wished that the advent of the new Christian year would herald peace and stability to the world. Speaking to worshipers at Tehran University Campus, he advised the Christians around the world to follow the instructions and directives given by Jesus Christ and to try to contribute the peace and calm in the world despite the fact the Bush administration has sparked the tension worldwide over the past year. He commented on the criminal policies persuaded by the United States both in Palestine and Iraq and said though the Iraqi ex-tyrant Saddam Hussein was removed from power but it has been replaced by another one (an allusion to US overseer Paul Bremer). As a result of his (Bremer) policies, the Muslim people of Iraq are facing increasing insecurity and their basic needs are not met either. Jannati who is also the secretary of the Guardian Council further turned to the French President Jacques Chirac`s support for a ban on the hijab (Islamic dress code) for women in the state schools and said the ban has added to the difficulties of Muslims in France. He said the ban on the Islamic dress code was in contrast with the democratic principles to which France claim to stand committed. He called on the Islamic countries to put pressure on France to abolish the ban on hijab through threatening to cancel their bilateral agreements with this European state. French Education Minister Luc Ferry said a bill banning "conspicuous" insignia from the classroom -- including the Islamic headscarf and large Christian crosses -- will be put before the National Assembly in February and should come into effect by September. Chirac`s previous remarks on the controversial issue of Islamic headscarves drew a mixed reaction in France, some applauding the reassertion of France`s secular state principles, while others called proposed legislation counter-productive and discriminatory. Many Muslims said the legislation unfairly targeted their community. Jannati elsewhere touched on the devastating earthquake that claimed lives of several thousands in southeast Iran and said the tragic disaster has saddened the hearts of all Iranians and many people around the world. He praised the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Seyed Mohammad Khatami, the head of the Expediency Council Rafsanjani as well as other top brass officials to visit quake-hit Bam since the aftermath of the disaster. He said the US assistance for the affected people of Bam could not bring about the normalization of relations between Tehran and Washington. A major quake with a magnitude of 6.3 on the open-ended Richter scale rocked the southeastern city of Bam in Kerman province in the early hours of last Friday. According to a official statistics, the quake has killed more than 30,000 people and destroyed the historic quarter of the city of Bam. The international community mobilized a major relief operation to help the survivors of the deadly tremor. Ayatollah Jannati further touched on the forthcoming parliamentary elections and stressed that the hopefuls should be quite qualified to run for the race and enter the parliament. He said the active participation of people in the upcoming general elections will lead to formation of a model parliament and a free and fair society. The elections will be held with lively participation of people on February 20 in line with respective regulations, he anticipated. He said that the enemies are used to launching propaganda campaign to spoil the atmosphere on the eve of the elections adding that the enemies will not overshadow the upcoming elections. Belief in and commitment to Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran, allegiance to the Constitution and Velayat-e Faqih (Islamic jurisprudence), having good physical health, holding at least an Associate of Arts/Science degree or its equivalent, lack of criminal records and being between ages of 30 and 75 are among pre-requisites for the nominees. HB/214 End
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