Comments on: The Latest from Iran (13 July): Challenge Renewed

By: Facebook Review: July 16: “Open your eyes, Sohrab! Your mother is devastated by your picture.” - Vote for Iran

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:09:48 +0000

[...] its summary of events in Iran, Enduring America has reported that Keyhan editors have been called to court to answer to charges of disseminating [...]

By: Mani

Mani — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:11:09 +0000

Chris,

I agree that there must be a precise definition of a Fatwa. It seems however that these answers of Ayatollah Montazeri amount to a Fatwa, because Hojjatoleslam Kadivar refers to these answers as Fatwas. Check the site:

http://www.kadivar.com/Index.asp?DocId=2329&AC=1&AF=1&ASB=1&AGM=1&AL=1&DT=dtv

Considering that Kadivar is an highly educated cleric I would find it highly unlikely that he would make in error of such theological magnitude!

By: Jashar

Jashar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:42:58 +0000

Keyhan summoned to court?!?!?! NOW THAT IS STRANGE NEWS!!!
Scott, what do you think is going on here?

By: ChrisE

ChrisE — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:40:24 +0000

Re: Montezari

Apparently, contrary to what has been reported in the news, Montazeri’s recent statements did not amount to a fatwa. They are the more measured “Theological answers to questions raised by Hojjatolelam Mohsen Kadivar”

By: Mazdak

Mazdak — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:25:59 +0000

I think the error has been found, compliments of Mr. Daragahi. The earlier version of the Mousavi facebook had a graphic saying Mousavi and Khatami are participating. By the time everything was reported here, the Mousavi Facebook site had removed the graphic and posted the statement that I translated above.
Sorry if I sounded surly,
Mazdak

By: Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:12:21 +0000

Mazdak,

Thank you for finding the Davoudi reference. And thank you for the correction on the LA Times story — like Daragahi, I also incorrectly said at first that Mousavi and Khatami were confirmed as attending.

By: Mazdak

Mazdak — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:41:58 +0000

Sorry for sounding a bit surly. I liked Borzou’s article. But his article also proclaims that Mousavi’s facebook states that Mousavi, Karroubi and Khatami are participating in Rafsanjani’s Friday prayers speech. This is incorrect , the correct translation of the facebook statment is “until now there is no confirmation whether Mousavi, Karroubi and Khatami are participating in the prayers”.

By: Mazdak

Mazdak — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:10:49 +0000

Well friends the Davoudi story is on the Tehran times website!

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=198674

By: Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:49:44 +0000

Edward,

I’ve just found the story on Al Arabiya website. I don’t see an Iranian source for the report.

By: Edward Yeranian

Edward Yeranian — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:21:07 +0000

There is a story, this morning, that Iranian VP Parviz Dawoudi warned European nations that Iran “would destabilize them” if they continued to “destabilize Iran.”
I can’t remember if I heard it on Arabiya TV or Iran’s Al Alam TV, since I had
both stations on at the same time (apologies).
Any idea which Iranian news agency reported this, and if there is
any sound to it?
Thanks,
Edward Yeranian/Voice of America

By: Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:54:18 +0000

Mani,

Thanks for this excellent reminder regarding Montazeri. For me, it’s a fascinating (and key) question regarding the Islamic Republic: in the interplay of religion and politics, which wil be more important? Does Montazeri’s religious status triumph? Or will the regime/Government be able to use politics to limit his influence?

By: Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:52:34 +0000

Mani,

For me, the Strauss is entirely appropriate (even though, as a “redneck” from the Southern US, my musical tastes aren’t that developed). It’s the beauty, and sometimes the humour, that keeps me going.