Iran: Rafsanjani Warns IAEA Against 'Mistake,' Says Cartoons Part of 'Overall Plan'

Friday sermons by Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, chairman of the Expediency Council, at Tehran University's prayer venue -- live

Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Radio 1

Friday, February 3, 2006

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. (Passage omitted: first sermon on martyrdom of Shiite third Imam Husayn; beginning of second sermon on anniversary of the Islamic revolution, historical events leading to 1979 revolution and toppling of Shah's regime)

Our achievements through the difficult circumstances have enraged our enemies' jealousy, grudge and resentment. And once again, they are constantly hatching plots against us. One example is the nuclear issue. Truly, there could not be a more gross cruelty, because we are not seeking anything but our legal and internationally recognized right. We wish to benefit from nuclear knowledge in order to improve our life in the fields of agriculture, medicine, science and industries - the same as others. And we want to use it to generate energy (electricity).

In Iran we possess uranium mines as well as the industry to process uranium and the manpower to utilize it. Moreover, we need its by-products, energy in particular. And we are standing on our own feet. And we have made progress despite the sanctions all the time. You know that they (developed countries) did not give us these things. Well, you see that they are raising hue and cry against us. Since yesterday, all eyes have been concentrated on the issue of Iran and the (IAEA) board of governors, where a number of people have gathered. And it is not clear what decision they are going to take.

If they were to endorse the Europeans' proposal and open the way for taking our case to the UN Security Council even as a report, frankly they will be making a big mistake. This is because under the existing circumstances, we are not menacing anyone and we are not troubling anybody. We have acquired some knowledge and we intend to utilize it to improve our life and that of others. No matter where progress in knowledge is achieved, it will benefit mankind. However, should they treat us in this manner, then the problems will take another shape.

Since there are only a few hours left before they vote, we truly expect... (sentence unfinished). Our representatives are doing their utmost, giving advice and offering explanations - all aimed at dissuading them from making this decision. And I, as someone who understands history, this nation, the region and the current circumstances advise them not to make this mistake.

I say, you don't need to resort to this measure. If you are truly sincere and are concerned that Iranians might acquire nuclear weapons then there are better ways to make sure that this will not happen. There are better ways available to you to make certain. We have been very cooperative - more than we had to. I still think that there are rational individuals who can see a better future. They can avoid adding a black page to the book of history. This is shameful. Five superpowers with the right of veto can influence any decision in the Security Council. These are powerful countries. They cannot expect people to trust international institutions, if they were to demonstrate such unfairness and act with such historical injustice.

People might end up doing what they need under pressure and out of necessity. But without trust, the chain of international security will break. We sincerely advise them to refrain from committing such historical injustice. They should know that if they do commit such an act, they will not benefit from it. The result might be contrary to their expectations. They might not achieve their objective. God will not abandon this nation which has been struggling and offering martyrs for 50 years. (Crowd chanting God is great)

Thank you. God save you good people.

Another issue that has gained importance in recent days concerns the offensive portrayal of the Islamic prophet. This is just another move in line with their overall plan. It was an offensive act committed by a number of newspapers. I believe these actions stem from anger and hatred toward Muslims. They think they are taking revenge against us. They don't understand that they are severing their own veins by their action. About 1.5 billion or even as many as 1.6 billion Muslims are in the world. This action has angered 1.5 billion Muslims. There aren't any Muslims who would not get angry when their prophet has been insulted. This was a stupid act, especially in view of the fact that it was committed in the name of freedom.

Well, if you wish to exploit freedom of speech to this extent to insult the most sacred person (Prophet) of a quarter of the world population in this manner, in return you provide fundamental justification for every individual among us (Muslims) to enter the arena against you all over the world in this way. And the Muslims' pressure against you can become much worse, if you were to resist.

You must remember what happened in Iran (in 1978). At the time, a newspaper published an article which offended the late Imam (Khomeyni). It started protest movements in Iran which led to the collapse of the Shah's regime. The protesting people did not go back to their homes until that tyrannical regime and the offender were punished.

The Muslims are more committed to their beliefs than you imagine. But I think it was a deliberate strategy that (backfired when) they repeated their past blunder. If you remember, and historians do remember, in the distant past Western historians and publicists used to accuse Islam of being a religion of the sword. At the time, freedom of speech had become popular. And they exploited it to utter the worst accusations against Muslims and Islam, by saying Islam was the religion of the sword. That is, they alleged that Islam had spread throughout the world by the force of sword.

The same doctrine is offered in a different manner today, because the sword is no longer a weapon of the day. Today, the issue of terrorism is important to them (to Westerners). And in a cowardly manner, they publish a cartoon of the Prophet to insinuate such matters. What else do they wish to communicate when they depict the Prophet's turban as a bomb? They only intend to insinuate that we (Muslims) are either supporters of terrorism or ruthless.

We, as preachers and writers, shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility here and that is, to better inform the world of Islam's and the Koran's humanitarian and compassionate aspects. They (Westerners) are currently depicting the Muslims as terrorists and intolerant. By doing so, they intend to justify the decisions that they are going to take against us (at the emergency meeting of the IAEA board of governors) today. These events are a prelude to a series of sinister decisions. (Passage omitted, referring to 600 Koranic verses that mention the word compassion).

Despite the many Koranic verses on the importance of compassion and care, the unfair Western media try to distort the compassionate Islam as a ruthless religion. Truly, this is the worst and the ugliest distortion of history. In effect, they intend to misrepresent history. But Muslims will not be deceived by such deeds.

They committed this crime, and the people themselves responded first. The protests started in Denmark and Norway before being picked up by other nations. Governments became involved many days after people expressed their protest. People defend their religious beliefs and values. They will stand against such misrepresentations. We hope this incident will be a lesson for them. Our people, in all the Friday prayers, have declared their participation. They are going to hold demonstrations. No-one told them to demonstrate. It is their own decision to take the initiative. Thousands of students are using their holiday to participate in the Friday prayers only to tell the world that even our young people are not prepared to tolerate such acts of mischief in the name of freedom. To put it in a nutshell: Following the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic world has now found its ideas. Whether you get angry against Iran or not, whether you cooperate with Iran or not, the Islamic world is not going to return from the path it has chosen. You have to accept that a quarter of the world population, in some 57 or 58 independent countries throughout the world, has the right to have an effective part in global affairs, God willing. (chants of approval, final recitations omitted)

(Description of Source: Tehran Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Radio 1 in Persian -- state-run radio)