Iran: Editorial argues society is in “dire need” for “calm”, “moderation”

Iran: Editorial argues society is in “dire need” for “calm”, “moderation”

Text of unattributed front-page editorial entitled “Balance, today’s urgent need” published by Iranian newspaper Jomhuri-ye Eslami website on 5 September

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. The auspicious anniversary of birth of His Holiness Imam Hasan Mojtaba [the second Shi'i Imam] – peace be upon him – is a good opportunity to once again remind the country’s officials and managers, as well as the people of pen and expression of thoughts and ideas, to make use of this spiritual opportunity, which is presented to them alongside the holy month of Ramadan, in order to avoid any move which may bring about tension, and, instead, direct the political atmosphere of the country towards fraternity, calm and peace.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that we are now halfway through the month of Ramadan, there is no sign that such a well-meaning admonition has been heeded, even though it has been expressed and emphasized time and again by many caring individuals, in the form of both written and spoken words. What is even more regrettable is that the barrage of undeserved criticisms and the spread of rumours and allegations by the extremists in both of the main political currents have gained greater intensity and momentum, and these days, things have gone so far that if the wishes and intentions of these extremists were to be fulfilled, there would be no option but to eliminate one side completely. This is a dangerous mode of thought for the management of the country’s affairs, in view of the fact that it is not consistent with any criterion and standard, and as such, there is no doubt that both sides must review their approaches, and by bringing about balance and moderation in them, they should choose the correct path.

We would like to make use of the auspicious birth anniversary of His Holiness Imam Hasan Mojtaba, whose patience and virtuous ethics must serve as a blueprint for all the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt [the household of Prophet Muhammad] – peace be upon them – in order to, once again, emphasize the well-intended admonition to the two sides of the current affair that our society today needs calm, and everyone should endeavour to strengthen the society in all its key aspects and dimensions in order to be able to confront the enemies’ plots, and there should be no doubt that all energies and resources should be used to that end. If Imam Mojtaba – peace be upon him – was the symbol of lenience and clemency, this was of a revolutionary and heroic nature, and was in line with the interests of the Islamic community at the time. Our Islamic society too needs that kind of lenience and clemency today. We recall that during his meeting with the university students on the fifth day of the current Ramadan, the Eminent Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “I do not accuse the pioneers and leaders of the recent events of being elements installed by the foreign powers, including America and Britain. This is because this has not been proven to me. However, whether the leaders and pioneers of the events knew this or not, there is no doubt that the whole affair was carefully planned [by foreign powers].” In view of these remarks, it is clearly unacceptable for some people, who are among the officials in charge of the country’s highly important and sensitive affairs, should be adopting a position which is on the exact opposite side of the clear posture conveyed by the Eminent Leader’s statement, and should continue to insist that these individuals were the hirelings of foreign powers.

The quoted statement by the Eminent Leader contained two very important points. The first one is that the initiators of the events after the election were not people who were acting on the basis of assignments given to them by foreign powers, while the second point emphasized that the events were part of a grand plan. If all the people who are intent on writing or speaking about the recent events move within the framework that the Eminent Leader has set forth, there is no doubt that no problems will emerge, and gradually, all the existing problems and tensions too will disappear. An essential prerequisite for speaking and writing about the post-election events is for everyone to leave aside the allegations of affiliation with foreigners and stop accusing other people of being the hirelings and agents of foreign powers. At the same time, everyone must also pay attention to the fact that the foreign powers themselves are trying to suggest that this or that person is linked with them, in their efforts to fan the flames of tensions. Therefore, everyone must be particularly vigilant and careful in the face of such attempts. In addition, it is also essential that the Judiciary Power should endeavour to investigate and tackle all the allegations within the framework of the law, and with the utmost care and attention, and should punish the offenders precisely as the laws have stipulated.

The offenders, for their part, are two groups. One group is made up of those responsible for the post-election disturbances, and the other comprises the individuals who have acted against the laws and have embarked on arresting innocent people, or subjecting the arrested people to physical assault and injury, or other behaviours and conducts which clearly contradict the appropriate laws. Everyone will support legal action against these individuals, and it will be unacceptable if anyone asks for exceptional treatment in that connection. In the same way, it is not acceptable if the Judiciary fails to fulfil these grave duties and obligations properly, or if it treats some individuals differently. Acting outside this framework, no matter by whom and in what shape and form, will be tantamount to aggravating the existing tensions and preventing the establishment of calm and tranquillity in the country, and as such, it will be contradictory to the interests of the country. The fact that some people are trying to portray the critics and opponents of their own ideas as the opponents of the Imam [Khomeyni], the Islamic Revolution and even Islam, or attach the label of foreign-affiliation to them, is something which does not serve the interests of the society and the political system in any way. Anyone has the right to criticize these ideas and schools of thought, but attaching the label of counter-revolutionary, subversive, and puppet and agent of foreigners to the people who espouse these ideas is not acceptable according to any criteria and standard. It is indeed this tendency towards extremism which has always damaged Islam in the past centuries, and the Islamic Revolution in the last 30 years. The stance and posture of Imam Khomeyni – may he be admitted to God’s Paradise – towards the extremist tendencies within both of the main political currents of the country was always negative and highly cautionary. The Imam used the concept of “go-betweens” to warn the leaders of both factions, and all the people and officials of the country about the dangers of the extremists. Today too, our society is facing the same kind of threat and danger. By heeding the guidelines of Imam Khomeyni in that connection, and utilizing the blessings of the sacred presence of His Holiness Hasan Mojtaba – peace be upon him – who was the symbol and manifestation of balance and moderation, the country’s officials and political activists can guide the society towards moderation, which is something that the country is in dire need of these days.