Raye Man Icojast? Where Is My Vote?: Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Statement On Page 1 of 5 SEARCH BLOG FLAG BLOG Next Btog Create BLog I Sign In Raye Man Kolast? Where Is My Vote? Aftermath of Iran Elections Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Share Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Statement On Protests A2ainst Poll Result In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful The noble and oppressed Iranian nation, Greetings and salutation. In the recent days, I witnessed the exuberant and devoted endeavour and presence of you dear and honorable brothers and sisters -old and young, men and women - from all strata of society, on the scene of the 10th presidential campaign. During this period, the youth came on the scene, full of hope and in pursuit of their rights, and counted the days to the Due Day. That was a perfect and suitable opportunity for the officials of the system to take the best advantage of to establish the best religious, affectionate, and national bond with the massive stratum of youth and all the other strata of society. Unfortunately, however, the worst use was made of this best opportunity. Following the announcement of [ election] results, which cannot be accepted by anyone of sound mind - and, based on reliable evidence, substantial alterations have been made in the votes of the people - and subsequent protests by some parts of society against such a conduct, and before the eyes of these very people - who have endured the heavy load of the victory of the Revolution and eight years of an imposed war [ 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war], and resisted the bullets of the Shah's regime and the enemy's tanks and artillery, without bearing arms - and the world, and in the presence of the cameras of the domestic and foreign media, they encountered the children of these people, the defenceless men and women and the dear students, with full force, suppressing, arresting and injuring them. And now they have started to settle political scores with activists, intellectuals and progressives, and are detaining and arresting many More Jc gLiA j L ,SJL& g 4 S A kA 1 y Jj.usiLM Dk jjà L LaAU y iA SSti Jy bjj4.a Subscribe To DPosts D ComrxBnts Do you think that elections are stolen? o Yes ONo o Not Sure Vote Show results Votes so far: 1185 Days left to vote: 11 3 3 4 * Download from 4shared 1_ ) I ) 39S>.... 39.Q >j j.UI 9 S ç5¼. .Q ) 4flhJ)J ç5 /9) . . LS ' 1 Lscu j 3• Blog Archive V 2009(949) August (95) Ju1y(2 s) http ://raymankoj ast.blogspot. com/2009/06/grand-ayatollah-montazeri-issues.html 8/19/2009
Raye Man Icojast? Where Is My Vote?: Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Statement On Page 2 of 5 individuals, some of whom were among the high-ranking officials of the system of the Islamic Republic, without any reasons. Now, owing to my religious and national duty, and based on the verse in the Holy Koran, “Advice is of benefit to the believers,” I would like to give the following pieces of advice: 1. The distinction of a powerful government - Islamic or non- Islamic - is its ability to heed both similar and opposing views and, with religious compassion, which is a prerequisite of government, allow all the strata of society, whatever their political beliefs, to participate in the running of the country, instead of totally alienating them and constantly increasing their [ the dissidents] number. Since this government is known as a religious government, I fear that the conduct and actions of the officials may ultimately harm the religion and undermine the people's beliefs. 2. The current situation and the issues that have occurred since the recent elections have made many people astonished and cynical. Based on religious and ethical teachings, the rulers and relevant officials are expected to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the government and its officials in such an important matter - which entails the rights of the people in general and to which the principle of assumption of innocence cannot be applied - through reliable and impartial means that are acceptable to both sides. In such circumstances, one expects the government to provide a rational and satisfactory response, and to eliminate people's doubts, cynicisms and suspicions through correct means. Otherwise, it will merely increase the people's cynicism toward the government, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the system and its elected representative, and undermine its credibility. I have emphasized so many times that the votes of the nation are sacred, and a government that is based on appropriating the votes has no religious or political legitimacy whatsoever. 3. I urge all the people, in particular the youth, to pursue the realization of their rights with patience and grace, to maintain V June(579) Jun30 (20) Jun 29(21) Jun 28 ( 18) Jun27(6) Jun 26(27) Jun 25(26) P' Jun 24(32) Jun23 (21) Jun 22(22) Jun2 1(28) Jun20 ( 4 j Jun19 (23) Jun i8 (4 9) Jun 17(46) V Jun 16(52) Mahmoud in Yekaterinburg taking couple of days off... Embracing The Police by Demostrators University of Isfahan People Gathered in Front of IRIB ‘ The Iranians Watch Us Closely' -- Keller of NY Ti... Today's Protest In Front of Iranian State TV TEHRAN, Iran ( At) — Thousands of protesters have r... June 16, 200Q BandarAbbas Protesters being arrested in Bandar Abbas j S j. 4 i j Sa : j i 4 C S A i L J qJ.uJJ.a .AlS U js 4fiSa 4J S4 Student Dies After Police Shooting in Isfahan's St... Protesters in Shiraz burn Ahmadenejad's photo Le Canada demande la levee des restrictions impose... EU deplores deaths of seven http ://raymankoj ast.blogspot. com/2009/06/grand-ayatollah-montazeri-issues.html 8/19/2009
Raye Man Icojast? Where Is My Vote?: Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Statement On .,. Page 3 of 5 calm and security in the country by virtue of sagacity and intelligence, and to refrain from aggression or any action that may harm their image and legitimate demand, and which would give an excuse to those of unfit character, who infiltrate the crowds, to create turmoil and disorder, and set people's homes and belongings on fire, in a bid to generate an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. So, it is essential that, while remaining on the scene, they [ the people] exercise total wisdom to allow the candidates whose rights have been violated to pursue their actions through legal means. 4. I advise all the officials, as well as the military and security forces, to uphold their religion and not sell their souls; they must understand that the term “officials are excused [ because they are only doing their duty]” would not be accepted by the Almighty God on the Day of Judgement. They must regard the protesting youth as their own children, and refrain from violent and cruel actions. They must learn from the mistakes of the predecessors and understand that, eventually, those who oppress the people will receive their just comeuppance. In this day and age, one cannot hide the truth from the people through censorship, closures and restrictions of communication means. In conclusion, I beseech the Almighty God to grant success to all those who serve Islam and the Muslims, and honor and glory to the dear Iranian nation. May God's blessings be upon you all. Hoseyn Ali Montazeri 26 Khordad 1388 [ 16 June 2009]. Posted by Sara at 12:10 PM 0 COMMENTS: POST A COMMENT protesters in Iran Iranian state media are saying that when people sh... Our Votes Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Issues Statement On Prot... BBC Persian TV satellite frequencies: La violence et les morts “inacceptables”, selon Ro... mousavi latest twitter Basiji forces shoot directly into the crowd Kalemeh Sabz Iranian Protester Reports ( English Subtitles) Saanei's Reply to Mousavi AS4 A C n La fraude est “proportionnelle *1 la violence de la... Shiraz Street Protests A Street Scene After a Visit from Ahmadinejad's Th... Amirkabir University declares a university-wide st... 4S & jai Interview mit Mehran Karami Mahmoud's Russian Holiday Leading Iranian Reformist Arrested, His Office Say... Mohsen Makhmalbafs Interview on Netherlands TV 5tC bj4j Ma4.a t1.M 4$ k jia- Aftermath of yesterday's shooting in Azadi square Restrictions on the Foreign Media Continue Cyberwar guide for Iran elections By the People who Brought http ://raymankoj ast.blogspot. com/2009/06/grand-ayatollah-montazeri-issues.html 8/19/2009