Iran: The Complete Translation of the Supreme Leader's Friday Prayer Address

Iran: Josh Shahryar’s Snap Analysis of the Supreme Leader’s Speech
The Latest from Iran (11 September): Prayers and Politics
Iran: Questions on Prayer Day


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Many, many thanks to Josh Shahryar, who live-translated the Supreme Leader's speech and has provided this edited version to Enduring America:


[08:09:20] (Khamenei is here, people are chanting loudly)
[08:09:28] ("Khamenei is Leader" people chanting.)
[08:09:32] (Khamenei is thanking people.)
[08:09:38] May God bless you,
[08:09:52] In the Name of God,
[08:10:17] (Says prayers in Arabic)
[08:10:28] (People join in chorus)
[08:10:45] (Khamenei prays more)
[08:11:11] Brothers and sisters who are praying here, I remind you, this is the month for taqwa (Godfearing-ness)

[08:11:26] and today, the 21st of Ramadan, is the day a man like Amirul Momineen Hazrat Ali died.
[08:11:57] Let's make taqwa the goal of our life for our afterlife.
[08:12:01] In the first part of the sermon, we'll talk about Amirul Momineen as
it is his day. Last night was Friday so this year has similarities with the 21st of Ramadan of the year in which humanity lost [Imam] Ali.
[08:12:50] His body, his voice, his breath, his eyes, went from today's world.
[08:12:55] But, one could keep Ali with one self, and keep him in front of one self and
one's actions. Only if we could follow his path and his character and treat him as our a role model. I will recount a part of his life and his short, but glorious government.
[08:14:15] I will be discussing his political life.
[08:14:35] We must keep in mind that his political actions are not different from the other parts of his life. His politics is in sync with his character and his religious life.
[08:15:13] Politics, if founded in religion and virtue, then for the people who are subjected to it, is a way to heaven.
[08:15:36] However, politics, seperated from religion and morality, becomes a means for
acquiring power at any cost and for acquiring wealth, and putting one's own goal in life ahead of everything else.
[08:16:09] It becomes a plague both for the politician and for the people in whose live it affects.
[08:16:50] The government which went through three wars is a government that Ali in Nahjul Balaghe (a book of Ali's sayings) describes in abhorrent terms.
[08:17:39] He says about this government, "The moisture that comes out of the nose of a sheep has no importance," and then compares it to this government.
[Note: During Ali's brief four year reign, three wars were fought between Muslim factions --- two directly against Ali by other factions]
[08:17:53] In part of his sayings about why he accepted the government, he says: "I saw people asking me to come forward and accept it sa they saw in it their victory, thus, I accepted."
[08:18:59] He explains again, "God has asked the knowledgable not to tolerate people's suffering." Thus, Ali was forced to comply; otherwise, this government doesn't really have anything for Ali.
[08:19:27] One of the distinguishing parts of his government was that his government stayed far from deception.
[08:19:50] He says, "If the fear of God had not held my hands, I was better at deceit than all of the Arabs."
[08:20:17] He said about Mawiye (His arch-enemy and eventual successor)- who was good at deceit, "He is not smarter than I."
[08:20:22] But what should Ali do?
[08:20:31] He has fear of God, that's why he couldn't be deceitful.
[08:20:40] When there is no fear of God, then one can do anything.
[08:20:43] One can lie to people, slander..., break promises and could find love for the enemies of the righteous path
[08:21:16] Ali says, "I selected politics with fear of God, and took it upon me with fear of God."
[08:21:28] That's why his character and his actions do not show any signs of deception in them.
[08:21:32] They are pure and clean of such things.
[08:21:47] One thing about politics that people did in the early days of Islam, and now some people do the same in our country today, is that They speak of separating religion and politics. If separated from religion, government will be separated from morality.
[08:22:25] In secular governments, morality has been destroyed.
[08:22:26] There are exceptions, but when religion is seperated from politics, then politics is degraded. Ali's political actions are not seperated from religion.
[08:23:17] His political actions were such that he even tried to befriend his enemies.
[08:23:38] The reason why he went through three wars was that he had exhausted all channels of making amends with his enemies.
[08:24:10] In the early days of his government, some came to him and kept telling him to treat some people harshly and deal with them firmly. Ali said that this is just one view. "But there are people who support you and there are people who oppose you," [they said], "And still there are people who have idea different then you and your opposers."
[08:24:39] Then wait, he said, until the victim's right can be taken from the violator gently, we should return the victim's rights with as much softness as we can.
[08:25:51] The last resort would be to take a more direct action.
[08:26:05] In the war of Saffin,
[08:26:13] Some people came and kept asking why Ali wouldn't attack,
[08:27:05] Ali said, "I am not after war. I am here for guidance. If I could delay fighting for even a day, it might help some people to come and follow the right path. When we are sure that no one will come, then we'll draw our swords and fight."
[08:27:15] About the Battle of Jamal,
[08:28:18] Ali said, "They have stood up because they wanted to show their anger as to why Ali had been given this government. But when I see that their actions are going to create a rift between Muslims and pit brothers against brothers, then I'll enter and find a cure to this menace. Until then I'll wait and try to guide them."
[08:28:42] A distinguishing part of his character was that he tried to debate with his enemies.
[08:28:50] In the letters he sent to Mawiye, who was Ali's enemy, while Mawiye would send letters to humiliating Ali, Ali would send letters and told him with love that he was wrong.
[08:29:33] Talhe and Zubair came and pledged allegiance to Ali.
[08:29:42] But then went to Mecca saying they were going to perform Hajj. Ali said he knew they weren't going to Hajj, but had another purpose. (The two later joined Aisha in a short battle in which both were killed)
[08:29:56] What they did there is clear.
[08:30:02] But Ali deals with them gently, he tries to guide them,
[08:30:11] But when kindness does not work, then Ali acts directly.
[08:30:26] For example, against the Khawarij, he said, "I tore their eyes out."
[08:30:37] And no one could do it like Ali.
[08:30:55] One part of his politics was that, in order to be victorious, he wouldn't lie or be cruel. During his government, some came to him and said, "There are these influential people in the government that need to support you. Give them money from the people's treasury and get their support."
[08:31:37] Ali said, "You want me to get victory through cruelty to the public? It is impossible for me."
[08:32:01] How could Ali find friends using un-Islamic ways?
[08:32:22] Another of distinguishing aspect of his character was that he asked people not to act fake towards him and not praise him excessively.
[08:32:45] During one of his sermons, a man stood up and started praising him excessively.
[08:33:18] After his words were finished, Ali turned to him, and as much as he had spoken during the sermon to that point, he spoke to that man and advised him not speak to Ali in that manner.
[08:33:30] He said, "Don't talk to me like you talk to kings. Do not praise me excessively."
[08:34:01] He wouldn't get happy of such praise,
[08:34:12] A praise that was worthy of cruel rulers, but not of Ali.
[08:34:21] That was one of his distinguishing marks.
[08:34:37] Another one was his dealings with people.
[08:34:42] He wouldn't treat everyone the same.
[08:35:00] The main examples are how he dealt with the Khawarij (a faction of Muslims that broke away from the main body of Islam and decided to neither support Mawiye nor Ali in their quest for attaining the leadership of Muslims) and with Mawaiye.
[08:35:27] When Mawiye came to him with Korans on top of spears, Ali said, "This is deceit!", but tried to debate with him.
[08:35:41] When the Khawarij came to him, he confronted them.
[08:36:42] However, he said, "Do not fight the Khawarij after me. He who wants to find the truth --- but cannot find it because he makes mistakes --- is not equal to those who who try to find the opposite path to truth and find it."
[08:36:56] His political actions and his religious life are totally compatible.
[08:37:07] Today is the day of his mourning.
[08:37:16] I should say some things about the suffering he [Ali] endured before his death.
(Transmission was broken for a few seconds)
[08:37:34] On the 19th of Ramadan he was struck and injured, and between that and the 21st [Ali died two days after being struck with a sword by a a member of Khawarij named Abdurrahman ibn Muljim on his way to the mosque to lead prayers], some things happened that are lessons [to us].
[08:38:10] First was when this enemy of God struck Ali, he didn't cry out or show signs of pain and only uttered prayers to Allah.
[08:38:27] "I swear to God that I found salvation," he said.
[08:38:42] Blood was gushing out of Ali's head and Imam Hasan was looking at his father's face.
[08:38:50] Imam Hasan started crying,
[08:39:00] A drop of tear fell on Ali's face.
[08:39:35] He said, "My Hasan, you cry; don't. Today I am in the company that loves me. The prophet is here. Fatimah (Ali's wife) is here."
[08:39:42] Then they picked him up,
[08:39:47] and he prayed [inside the mosque] while sitting.
[08:39:59] He kept praying even as he was injured and swayed from side to side from the effects of the injury.
[08:40:03] He was picked and taken to his house later.
[08:40:29] The people of Kufa heard the news of his death and everyone came out of their houses as when the prophet had died.
[08:41:10] Hossein had cried so much that his eyelids were hurt.
[08:41:20] Ali asked Hossein not to cry as well.
[08:41:31] Ali asked people to take him inside his house and take him and put him on his prayer mat.
[08:41:42] Ali's daughters came and started crying beside him.
[08:41:48] (Many in the prayer hall start crying...)
[08:42:01] Ali told Imam Hasan not to cry, then he told Imam Hossein not to cry.
[08:42:18] But he couldn't stop himself after watching his daughters cry and started crying himself.
[08:42:30] (Khamenei stops speaking and starts sobbing; people in the hall start crying loudly.)
[08:42:57] Ya Ali, if you couldn't see Zainab (his daughter) cry on that day, how could you have stopped yourself if you'd seen her cry on Ashura?
(On Ashura, decades later, Imam Hossein, his friends and family members were slaughtered in the desert at Karbala by Mawiye's son's armies.)
[08:43:34] He was visited by a scholar while he lay dying. The scholar says, one of Ali's daughters was crying which got me crying. Then everyone sitting outside started crying.
[08:43:57] Ali said, "If you could see what I'm seeing now, then you wouldn't cry either."
[08:44:03] We asked him what he was seeing and he said, "I see the God's angels, I
see prophets, and I see Mohammad. Mohammed tells me to come sooner."
[08:44:44] The scholar says he left the house a while later and as he came out, he heard people inside the house crying so he knew that Ali had died.
[08:44:53] (Khamenei prays in Arabic and sends Praise to Ali)
[08:45:05] (Khamenei Prays for the People)
[08:46:01] Oh God, give people unity,
[08:46:09] Oh God, cut the hands that create rift among people.
[08:46:15] (Khamenei prays more)
[08:46:31] (Recites from the Koran)
[08:46:39] (Everyone goes silent for a while)
[08:47:04] (Khamenei Starts Again)
[08:47:05] In the Name of God,
[08:47:23] (Khamenei prays some more)
[08:47:44] (Still Praying)
[08:48:36] I ask all you brothers and sisters to fear god inn all our actions.
[08:48:45] In the second part of my sermon,
[08:48:58] First, it is imperative that we remember Ayatollah Taleghani and also Ayatollah Madani as today has a connection with them, and these two men, their lives, are
part of the history of our country.
[08:49:53] Their memories will remain in our minds and our history.
[08:50:00] One thing I'll say in today's sermon and the people who I'm going to say this
to are politicians and officials of the government or those who were part of the government.
[08:50:51] Let's use Ramadan for explaining realities, and preach guidance to listeners and especially to the youth as this will be beneficial.
[08:51:19] The people that we will be speaking to are part of the system; individuals who are inside the system and hopefully, they will be remain in the system.
[08:51:49] This is not just a slogan - this inside the system and outside the system thing.
[08:52:09] One thing is that from the beginning of the revolution to this day, there have been differences that have emerged.
[08:52:31] Some of these differences and rifts have proven costly, but some of them have been solved by the wisdom and vigilance of the people and has not cost the government much.
[08:52:54] These differences of ideas and rifts are not all the same.
[08:53:04] Some of these differences were a result of differences in beliefs,
[08:53:18] But some of them are differences that have been created as result of some people's personal gains.
[08:53:31] Some of them are just differences of how things should be implemented.
[08:53:36] So these differences are all not the same.
[08:53:43] From the beginning of the revolution, as we were all together with each other, differences emerged.
[08:54:10] Imam Khomeini did not deal with all these the same way, same as Ali.
[08:54:24] Imam KHomeini first tried to guide them. There were different people in the government back then.
[08:54:42] There were people from the old beaureucracy, there were people who had just joined the government and then there were those who were using terror and protests to achieve their objectives.
[08:54:59] He dealt with them all differently.
[08:55:07] Some of these people were at top levels of government...
(Transmission was interrupted)
[08:55:19] He even dealt with a president.
[08:55:22] (transmission cut)
[08:55:26] (Restored)
[08:55:31] These differences were emerged. Some of them resulted in debates, but some became conflicts.
[08:56:20] To those who were enemies of the religion, Imam Khomeini said that he would come to them personally.
[08:56:34] But when came the time that some wanted to force wrong ideas upon the system, Imam Khomeini hit back firmly.
[08:57:08] Now those who are after personal gains, try to make it look as if they're seeking something else.
[08:57:25] But that's when they become enemies of the system.
[08:57:42] If someone has a different idea but does not try to attack the system, the system is fine with them.
[08:57:59] Political ideologies that are different; we're fine with them, as long as they don't try to force it upon the system.
[08:58:05] It's not about having different ideas, but about attacking the Islamic system.
[08:58:18] This what the system will fight against.
[08:58:36] If there are differences over how to implement the system's policies, then that's fine.
[08:58:52] The system should have people who could point out the weaknesses in the system. Criticism makes people work harder, but all this must be inside the framework of the system.
[08:59:16] This difference in impelementation is not dangerous.
[08:59:33] However, the foundations of the system are the constitution, Imam Khomeini's way and the Koran.
[09:00:19] Having differences in how to implement, are not a big problem.
[09:00:35] However when some come up with entirely different foundations to rest the system upon, which is dangerous.
[09:00:44] So long as they work inside the framework of the system as we said, so long as peopel don't resort to violence, don't lie or create tension, the system will not attack.
[09:01:11] The system will tolerate them if they have a different opinion.
[09:01:40] However, if some people comes with new pillars for the system and create insecurity for people, then the system needs to deal with them harshly.
[09:01:53] (People chant loudly)
[09:02:15] we say people should have the right to be defended if they have been slandered or humiliated, then the system also has the right to defend itself.
[09:02:33] Some say since the system is political, it should not defend itself.
[09:02:37] This is not right.
[09:02:42] Nowhere in the world is this so.
[09:02:59] In any part of the world, even in countries where they say they are politically advanced and ahead in democratic values, people do not disagree with the system's foundations.
[09:03:10] They have checks and balances, like our own Guardian Council.
[09:03:30] They don't tolerate someone who comes
and fight against the system.
[09:03:38] The system doesn't sit back and tolerate such people.
[09:03:50] In European countries, they don't tolerate this and fight back against such people.
[09:03:55] Thus, the answer to any attacks on the system is going to be harsh.
[09:04:38] But having a different opinion - when it doesn't come with slander and lies -, will be tolerated by the system.
[09:04:42] Another point, a point government officials, influentials and politicians should be aware of, is to stay on the right path and not diverge. The Koran speaks of this issue in different parts of this holy book: "The result of some actions take us to where one says that verses of the Koran are lies."
[09:06:16] In another part, "They broke their promise with God, and disunity was sown among them."
[09:07:10] "Some people who cannot stand against the enemy and fall, it is because they have sinned in the past."
[09:07:18] Sins corrupt us. It takes time. It doesn't happen all at once. One cannot sleep one night a Muslim and wake up an infidel. No, It happens gradually. The cure to this is fear of God. We must be cautious, we must watch out for each other. Wives must watch out for husbands and husbands should watch out for their wives. Friends should watch out for each other. People should send letters to officials [in the government]. They should guide them so that officials don't make mistakes as this is dangerous for the system.
[09:09:00] We must ask Allah for guidance. Another point is that as with people, corruption might find its way into a system as well - even an Islamic system. The same infliction might afflict an Islamic system. Just as in people, a system that might look Islamic, but its actions are unIslamic.
[09:10:11] Like I told students last year, a system could progress or regress. Progress would make society get closer to the ideals of justice and religion and religious virtue, progress industrially... and in terms of education and progress in terms of freedom. It would make society stand more firmly against enemeis. These are signs of positive progress. These would build the life and the afterlife of the citizens of a society.
[09:12:09] But there is regress as well. Regress towards injustice, towards economic insufficiency, towards the use of freedom in a corrupt manner... and for sinful acts. Instead of standing against unjust powers of the world, showing weakness, backing down from this and smiling at these powers.
[09:13:33] Backing down from one's rights both nuclear and non-nuclear. This is regress. The system shouldn't make the society regress. It should make it progress.
[09:13:55] This is a danger to the Islamic system. The people need to be vigilant. The Islamic system is an Islamic system when it follows the same policies that were being followed in the lifetime of Imam Khomeini. I tell you that in my past 30 years of life, so long as we have followed the path of Imam Khomeini, we have been victorious.
[09:15:21] But every time we have stopped following that path, we have weakened, have backed down and have even had economic losses. Some think that one should drop one's weapons against the powerful enemy. Some people wanted to do this during the elections.
[09:16:08] They wanted to take the people's support from the Islamic regime. But the clear sign of [people's] support for the Islamic regime was the 40 million votes... Then the foreign media kept saying that the regime had lost the people's support, but people coming in such number to polls - a turnout of 85% -, this trust of the people in the regime itt shows them clearly where people stand. The people trust the regime and the regime trusts the people.
[09:17:25] You will see that in the next election in 2 or 3 years. The same people - even though enemies from outside and those inside who don't know and are oblivious will try to dissuade them - will have another strong showing in those elections as well.
[09:17:59] (people chant)
[09:18:04] The point is: we all must be cautious. The Islamic system is proud because it wants to follow the Koran. Let's not have it become secular, not with a secular inside and a Koranic outside. An inside that is in love for western ideals and outside covered with the Koran. The Islamic System must be true to its name. It should get closer to the Islam daily. This is what solves problems. This is what gives the society pride and power. This is what will make the number of the Islamic system's supporters swell abroad.
[09:19:55] Some people see all the enemies and fear is instilled in them. All the governments in the world have enemies and they have friends. This has been the same throughout history. Everyone has some friends and some enemies. The prophet's government and Ali's government had both friends friends and enemies.
[The Paltalk channel broadcasting this through a radio had sound difficulties in this part so the translation is not verbatim in some parts.]
[09:20:45] The Islamic system is also the same. It has some friends and some enemies. But important is to see who the enemy is and who the friends are. If the government is such that all those governments that are cruel and unjust and Zionist are enemies of it, then this is something to be proud of.
[09:22:09] Then there are friends of this government which are Islamic countries, African countries, Asian countries, Muslims in Europe and others. Some years ago, the Iranian soccer team, was playing in a game [This is clearly the US vs Iran soccer game during the 1998 World Cup which Iran won.] Some people in Northern Africa in a cafe were cheering for Iran when Iran struck a goal. They were asked why they were cheering since they had no stake in the game. They said, "Iran's victory is our victory - even in football."
[09:23:04] During these unrests and violence after the elections, people in Islamic countries have been ask their friends in Iran about what has been happening and showing concern. But people here would say, "The Islamic system is far more powerful to be damaged by this."
[09:23:45] Yes, there are enemies like America, Britain - which has a 200 year history of animosity against Iran - and zionists. Let these enemies be enemies. But if the government friends with America, the UK and zionists, then that is shameful. To have as enemies the Islamic countries, that is shameful.
[09:24:56] (no transmission)
[09:25:09] We shouldn't give up. We shouldn't accept defeat against such countries, we should be cautious.
[09:25:21] Dear youngsters: this is your country. It will be in your hands tomorrow. A powerful system - powerful in all aspects - should make you proud. It should be your duty and it is your duty to protect it this an Islamic system in reality, an Islamic system that Imam Khomeini gave our country as a gift.
[09:27:05] Remember, in the past ten years, they tried to change the policies of Imam Khomeini. They said that the policies of the revolution were old. But they will never become old. They are always attractive to the people.
[09:28:05] (people chant)
[09:28:25] Next week, on Friday is Quds Day. This is one of the most distinguished marks of Imam KHomeini on this country. With this day, we have been able to keep Palestine's cause alive in the world. A lot of countries in the world tried to force this cause into oblivion. But the Islamic regime did not.
[09:30:00] Now the powerful nation [USA] and zionists are concerned that the Islamic regime will not give up. And they keep attempting to attempt to stop this. We will celebrate Quds Day and we will hold gatherings and rallies. In other countries also many Muslims follow the Iranian people in this.
[09:30:42] Quds Day is for the Palestinians. It is a show of unity of Iranians. Be cautious, so that no one could use this day to create differences and rifts between us. They couldn't break our unity before and they cannot now.
[09:31:56] (People Chant)
[09:32:02] (Khamenei rather quickly concludes his speech and ends his sermon with a short prayer)

The Latest from Iran (8 September): Picking A Fight?

NEW Iran Urgent Analysis: Is This the Defining Showdown?
Iran: Ahmadinejad Chooses Confrontation Over Compromise and Governing
UPDATED Iran: Mousavi HQ Raided by Security Forces
Iran: Green Wave Resurgent?
The Latest from Iran (7 September): Countdown to 18 September Begins

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2020 GMT: One to Watch. The last posting on the Etemade Melli (Saham News) website, a full report on Mehdi Karroubi's Eftar dinner party for the employees of the Etemade Melli newspaper), went up at 1:10 p.m. Tehran time (0840 GMT).

2015 GMT: In the midst of developments, this from Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani's address to members of a reformist faction earlier today (1510 GMT): "Power is not the foundation of legitimacy; rather legitimacy is the foundation of power. Some think that by playing with words they can change this."

1945 GMT: I don't think we realised this morning, when we chose the title for the updates, how appropriate the question would be.

Cross-posted from our emergency analysis, "Is This A Defining Showdown?": "Just after 1800 GMT, Mir Hossein Mousavi's chief advisor, Alireza Beheshti, was arrested. (We held off posting until this was confirmed in a reliable source.) The only step up from this action is the arrest of leaders such as Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi."

So far no Western media outlet, to our knowledge, has picked up on the story.

1855 GMT: "New" v. Mainstream Media.

Report of raid on Mehdi Karroubi's office on Enduring America: 1340 GMT.

Emergency analysis of raid on Karroubi office on Enduring America: 1415 GMT.

1st report of raid on CNN's website: 1743 GMT.

1845 GMT: Press TV's website has acknowledged the raid on Karroubi's office with an account lifted word-for-word from the report in Parleman News (see 1340 GMT).

1710 GMT: A Revolutionary Guard official has said that the recent comments of IRGC Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari, claiming that former President Khatami and other reformists seek to "unseat" the regime, are "backed by evidence" given to Iran's judiciary which the IRGC is willing to publish.

1700 GMT: Radio Farda reports that Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli has expressed his intention to carry on the work of the Committee for the Tracking of Prisoners, whose offices were raided yesterday.

1555 GMT: The family of the late Ayatollah Taleghani, whose memorial ceremony was blocked by the Government for the first time since his death in 1979, have announced an alternative site for the gathering.

1510 GMT: Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani, speaking to reformists, has claimed that the headquarters of the Supreme Leader no longer have any shame before God or people.

1420 GMT: We have posted an emergency analysis, "Is This the Defining Showdown?"

1350 GMT: Reuters has an English-language summary of the raid on the Karroubi offices.

1340 GMT: URGENT Mehdi Karroubi's office has been raided by security forces on the orders of Tehran's chief prosecutor. CDs, documents, videos, and computers have been seized.

The editor-in-chief of Etemade Melli website, Mohammad Davari, has been arrested. Karroubi aide Morteza Alviri was arrested at his home. An Etemade Melli party spokesman said Karroubi had been escorted out of his office by the security forces.

1335 GMT: A source on the National Security Council has told Norooz that President Ahmadinejad ordered yesterday's raid on the offices of the Committee for the Tracking of Prisoners.

1320 GMT: Mehdi Karroubi (pictured) has issued another statement via an interview in Saham News. Following up his weekend comments on the investigation of detainee abuse, he said false accusations, such as the report of an arrest warrant for his son over a financial dispute, are threats to silence him.

Karroubi emphasised that he will not give up defending people’s rights, urging people to join him in the Qods Day demonstration on 18 September.

1235 GMT: Make That a Triple Signal. Farhad Tajari, a member of the Parliamentary committee investigating detentinons, has said, "Members of this committee had some criticisms over the conduct of trials of detainees accused of being linked to the recent unrest. One of the points we stressed during the meeting was to immediately release those detainees who did not have big roles in the unrest."

1205 GMT: A Double Signal? Press TV is featuring two articles on post-election conflict. Neither of the developments are new, so it's their timing of their re-appearance that raises eyebrows.

This morning, Press TV reported, from State television, "Iranian authorities say they have launched an investigation into public complaints regarding the post-election unrest, with a focus on charges of prisoner abuse. The Supreme National Security Council has formed a committee to look into the cases of those who sustained losses of any kind after the June 12 presidential elections."

Since a Parliamentary committee was set up weeks ago to consider the allegations, this is far from an unprecedented development. However, the move from the legislature to the Executive, with the NSC's involvement, is at least a symbolic step up. Add to that the specific focus of Press TV's article, which is line with the Supreme Leader's public statements, "The officials are investigating the charges of mistreatment made by a number of detainees who were held at the Kahrizak detention center." (Pay attention also to the highlighting of the death of Mohsen Ruholamini, which prompted so much conservative and principlist fury with the Government.)

Two hours later, Press TV posted the statement of the Governor-General of Tehran Province, Morteza Tamaddon, from Fars News: "A panel has been formed in Iran's Supreme National Security Council which is closely looking into events that unfolded in a Tehran University dormitory….The investigation will be seriously conducted to reach a final result."

Previously, Tamaddon has been notable for tough talk against protestors. This statement brings him in line with the position taken by Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani within two weeks of the 12 June election.

So are we seeing, 72 hours before the Supreme Leader's Friday Prayers address, a convergence around specific investigations? This would give at least a token acknowledgement of claims brought by the opposition, while at the same time emphasizing the need for "unity" and "observance of the law". It would bring together Ayatollah Khamenei, the Larijanis (Ali and head of judiciary Sadegh), key figures in Parliament and senior clerics, and maybe Hashemi Rafsanjani?

And, if this is the case, has President Ahmadinejad been told?

1105 GMT: Stopping the Gatherings. The Government has withheld permission for the memorial ceremony for the late Ayatollah Taleghani, a key figure in the Revolution who died in 1979. According to Taleghani's daughter, this is the first time in 30 years that a permit has been denied.

The obvious explanation is that the regime, which has cancelled other Ramadan ceremonies including those at Ayatollah Khomeini's shrine, is fearful of any occasion where people can gather and express opposition.

1005 GMT: President Ahmadinejad has withdrawn his "replacement" nominations of Fatemeh Aliya as Minister of Education and Ali Zabihi as Minister of Energy. The original nominees were rejected last Thursday.

0950 GMT: It Just Got Interesting. Fars News reports that the Supreme Leader will lead this Friday's prayers in Tehran.

No further details but look for Ayatollah Khamenei to try and pre-empt the Green movement's plans for Qods Days demonstrations the following Friday, possibly in combination with prayers led by Hashemi Rafsanjani. The Supreme Leader will do that by calling for "unity" and, while acknowledging that the Government needs to serve the people, upholding the system.

Two questions: 1) if this is indeed Khamenei's speech, are he and Rafsanjani finding common ground?; 2) will the Supreme Leader cross the line and issue threats against opposition leaders?.

If the answer to 1) is Yes, then we may be seeing an alignment trying to resolve the crisis. If the answer to 2), then the conflict continues.

Meanwhile, the head of Iran's police, Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam, has warned against demonstrations "politicising" Qods Day. (Big thanks to reader Ali for pointing us to both these stories.)

0915 GMT: Larijani's Manoeuvre. Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani has positioned himself behind yesterday's call by the Supreme Leader for the Government to heed "benevolent criticism": ''In uncertain situations we should take advantage of Supreme Leader's advice and thoughts''. What may be more interesting is the possibility that he is converging with Hashemi Rafsanjani's call for unity, ''All governments and societies have differences in ideology, strategy and tactics. Prejudgment is a trap for pluralism which should be avoided in current situation."

And, if I read this right, Larijani is calling for the opposition to back down from its challenge to the legitimacy of the Government over detentions and trials: "If we want to solve differences we should all follow the Law even if it may have defects."

0840 GMT: Josh Shahryar's "Green Brief" roundup of Monday's developments is now posted.

0715 GMT: The Detentions Issue. One of the important political dances right now is that between the three-member judiciary panel and Mehdi Karroubi, as he sets out the claims of detainee abuse. We didn't give this justice on Saturday, so are picking up now. Karroubi said:
"I offered [the panel] three documents at [Friday's] meeting. The first was a video statement by the individual who has gone missing because of threats issued by the representative of Judge Saeed Mortazavi. My second document was about the [sexual] assault of a woman. The third was a document about one man who was subjected to various calamities after his arrest and I offered a CD and the medical examiner’s report on him as well. In that session I also offered two verbal reports as well."

One of the [verbal] reports was about Taraneh Mousavi….I told them her family [is so scared] after the incident that they refuse to even let the girl who was with their daughter on that day [when she was taken] into their home anymore… [I told them] that you, as the officials of this country, must visit the family yourselves and find out the truth of matter….Go to Karaj city’s Imam Khomeini Hospital and seek the doctor’s opinion about the injuries on this girl’s body.

The case of Mousavi, raped and killed in detention, has raced around the Internet, with rumours as to who might have been responsible and why the incident has been covered up.

On a wider front, however, this is a political showdown. Karroubi had agreed with the panel not to reveal any details of discussions, but one of the members, Deputy Judiciary Head Ebrahim Raeesi, told the press that Karroubi had not presented any evidence for his accusations. It was then that the reformist cleric broke his silence.

We await the next developments.

0650 GMT: We've spent this morning on a special analysis of President Ahmadinejad's latest political strategy, which seems to consist of shoving around his opponents as "dust" and "contaminants", and the tension that it might have caused within the regime.

That tough approach is evident in two other developing stories. We've got new information and analysis on last night's raid on the offices of the Committee for the Tracking of Prisoners, run by Mir Hossein Mousavi's staff. And today the Government is pushing ahead with its public display of strength against the opposition, putting three prominent reformist detainees --- Saeed Hajjarian, Mohammad Atrianfar, and Saeed Shariati --- on television for a "roundtable" confessing the errors of their political activity. The showpiece is part of the campaign to control discussion and activity at Iranian institutions, as the trio discuss the "promotion of pathology at the University of Western humanities, and the social and political consequences that come from following elites and political activists and Western ideas".

The Latest from Iran (6 September): The Reformists Speak

Iran Analysis: How Important is the Mousavi Statement?
Text: Mousavi Statement to “Green Path of Hope” (5 September)
Middle East/Iran Inside Line: Israel Presses Ahead with Settlements, Tehran Draws Line on Nuke Talks
The Latest from Iran (5 September): A Quiet Phase

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2000 GMT: Psychological Warfare. Unsurprisingly, the Fars News story that Mehdi Karroubi's son Ali is the subject of an arrest warrant, due to a financial dispute with the mobile phone company Irancell, appears to be a bit of fiction to shake up the reformist movement.

The specific claim is that Ali Karroubi is connected with Persian Telecom, which failed to carry out advertising obligations for Irancell. However, Irancell has told Saham News, connected with Karroubi party's Etemade Melli:

Mr. Ali Karroubi does not hold any shares in Persian Telecom....The two companies have a business association in the form of purchasing Irancell products and selling them and therefore no advertisement is done on behalf of Irancell by Persian Telecom. (Translation from Tehran Bureau)

1925 GMT: The Reformist Fightback. A series of reformist members of Parliament and clerics have been striking back at the comments of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps commander, General Ali Mohammad Jafari (see 1730 GMT), all day. The latest is Hojatoleslam Alikhani, a cleric and MP, who has emphasised that the military should not enter political issues.

1920 GMT: The Battle for the Universities (Cont.). Iranian newspapers and the Islamic Republic News Agency report, “The Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies [has been] tasked by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council to revise the human sciences curriculum."

The head of the Institute declared, “In our country a large part of the syllabus… is not in line with our Iranian-Islamic culture. This calls for a revision." The syllabus will be revised
“based on the supreme leader’s recommendations.” (Agence France Press has an English summary.)

1730 GMT: Pursuing the Revolutionary Guard. Following up our last update yesterday, The Assembly of Combatant Clerics had responded to the claims of Revolutionary Guard Commander General Mohammad Ali Jafari, alleging that former President Khatami and other prominent reformists have tried to "unseat" the Supreme Leader and Government, by filing a formal complaint against Jafari and Keyhan newspaper for publishing lies and insulting several members of the Assembly.

1725 GMT: Responding to claims by Deputy Head of Judiciary, Ebrahim Raeesi, that he had not presented any evidence of detainee abuse in his meeting with the three-member panel investigating the claims, Mehdi Karroubi has described three documents that he presented.

1715 GMT: Hey, Look Over There! According to Press TV, the Supreme Leader gave visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez a quick international lesson on Sunday: "The US had far greater failures in the Islamic Republic of Iran than in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Palestine. A power has been formed in this region which was once regarded by the US as its courtyard."

Surprisingly, the article offered no reference by Ayatollah Khamenei made to Iran's internal situation.

1440 GMT: Regime Goes After Karroubi. Fars News reports that an arrest warrant has been issued for Mehdi Karroubi's son, Ali. The cause of the action is a financial dispute involving one of Iran's largest mobile phone companies, Irancell, for whom Karroubi's company was supposed to sell phone cards. The amount involved is almost $2.5 million.

Nice touch, by the way, for Fars to use this as the illustration for the story:


1305 GMT: Josh Shahryar's "Green Brief" summarising the events of Saturday is now out.

1255 GMT: As the regime pushes its campaign for a "proper" academic sector (see 0740 GMT), former President Khatami held his own discussion with the Islamic Association of University Teachers. He pointedly challenged both the Supreme Leader's call on academics to be the commanders in a war against "Western" soft power and last Friday's prayer address in Tehran for a "non-Western" approach to humanities. Khatami expressed his opposition to those who in the name of fighting western liberalism, were forcing people to follow their path by employing fascism and totalitarianism ideologie and warned the authorities to start rebuilding public trust before all the opportunities are wasted."

1015 GMT: Business as Usual. Deputy head of judiciary Ebrahim Raeesi, who seems to be the regime's "hold-the-line" guy on detentions and prosecutions, declared Saturday that the replacement of Saeed Mortazavi as Tehran prosecutor by Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi will make no difference to the current approach: “The trials will continue and we will do our best so that the rule of law is upheld and justice prevails."

1010 GMT: Methinks He Doth Protest Too Much. Presidential spokesman Aliakbar Javenfekr is a bit upset at the claim, highlighted by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Reza Bohanar (see Friday's updates), that up to six of the Ministerial nominees only got approval after the Supreme Leader's intervention of a letter to Parliament: "This was not an order at all but a consultative and friendly view which compelled the lawmakers to work more tolerantly with the government." Bahonar was "insulting the lawmakers who through their independent, conscious, and intelligent vote helped establish a powerful, efficient government".

0850 GMT: The three-member judiciary panel investigating allegations of detainee abuse has said that Mehdi Karroubi has formally submitted the names of four detainees who will appear before the panel if invited.

0810 GMT: We've split off our opening update on the reformist fightback as a separate entry, "How Important is the Mousavi Statement?"

0800 GMT: No, No, It Ain't So. The head of Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, is insisting that the claims of 72 deaths in post-election violence are "questionable, given the fact that no detail on the identity of the victims has been present".

We linked Friday to the Farsi-language site Norooz, which has collected the names and descriptions of the dead, but we're hoping to help Mr Boroujerdi later today with an English translation of the list.

0740 GMT: In recent days, we've been updating on the regime's statements linking academia and the "proper" post-election path in Iran, including the Supreme Leader's address to heads of universities and research centres as "commanders" of the fight against foreign "soft power" and the statement in last Friday's prayers in Tehran warning against "Western-style" instruction in humanities.

Today The New York Times has an excellent article by Robert Worth today, "Iran’s Universities Punish Students Who Disputed Vote". Drawing from Iranian website, it not only notes the arrests and summoning for questioning of politically active students but also writes that "a presidential panel has begun an investigation of the humanities curriculums at universities".

The lengthiest passage, however, summarises the academic and political fight around Islamic Azad University:

Significantly, several clerics and high-ranking officials have taken aim at Islamic Azad University, which is based in Tehran and has branches around the country. The university is largely run by the family of former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a powerful moderate and leading opponent of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

“This university must once again be purified,” Ayatollah Muhammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, the president’s spiritual adviser, said during a meeting with new cabinet members, the Rouydad Web site reported. “This purification must occur at the management level and other levels. You see just how many who do not believe in religion, Islam and God have attended and graduated from this university.”

Another cleric, Muhammad-Reza Babai, called for the new minister of higher education to review Azad’s management charter, during a Friday Prayer sermon in the central city of Kerman. The new minister, Kamran Daneshjoo, has also accused Azad of failing to meet standards.

Text: Mousavi Statement to "Green Path of Hope" (5 September)

The Latest from Iran (6 September): The Reformists Speak
The Latest from Iran (5 September): A Quiet Phase

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Our deep gratitude to a fellow blogger who worked diligently to provide this:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The honorable, free-spirited and vigilant people of Iran,

Nearly three months ago, when you participated in the tenth presidential election, you went to the polls with the belief that your votes would be protected against the power-hungry goals of a minority group. You had been promised this with the constant reassurance of officials and the hard work of civil institutions. But the systematic violations, fraud and the bitter events that ensued, created a great disappointment out of what should have been a triumph for our nation. With the mismanagement of the responsible officials, with the wave of propaganda propelled by state owned media, and with the attacks carried out by official and unofficial security forces on peaceful demonstrations, a problem that could have been resolved in a fair and impartial process, created ever greater fissures, uncertainty and deep, broad social divisions. The direct result of these events is nothing but a widening rift between the people and the ruling establishment.

A great number of social, political and cultural activists, the grand ayatollahs [marja] and the vigilant members of the [Qom] seminary reacted against the fabricated stories created by state media and also asked that such matters be investigated: the show trials which lack the least bit of religious or legal legitimacy, the long list of the victims, the inhumane treatment of the prisoners and the illegal detention centers. Anyone concerned for the Islamic Republic, the result of our people’s century-long struggle, and the manifestation of their efforts to achieve freedom, independence, justice and progress in the shadow of piety, is now worried.

What makes our efforts to find a solution out of this current quandary all the more necessary is the need to provide our territorial integrity, to guard our country against the voracious greed of foreign adversaries, and the need to defend the essence of the Islamic Republic. [We must commit to this] despite being fully aware that in the midst of our own state and quasi-state forces, there are individuals who know that the only way they can remain in power is by creating crises and catastrophes and keeping away from any attempt to solve the problems and quandaries in society – problems that they themselves have created. These individuals are still trying to hide and cover current crises with larger crises, and to take the level of their unwise actions to dangerous heights. To a point where after creating such levels of complexity in the affairs of the country, and without paying heed to the consequence of their actions, they are murmuring dangerous words and excuses, among them the murmurs about the great purge on free-spirited and devoted academicians.

Thus, it has become a crucial necessity to take a social approach (instead of only a political approach) to solving the current conflict. And this requires us to utilize the social capacities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A different approach such as this one is a belief in the plurality and diversity of beliefs existent in the great, ancient and pious family which is Iran. This is the path of the divine prophets and their predecessors, and is reminiscent of divine tradition and [in such a tradition] guidance only means showing the path and the responsibility of those who claim to be religious is to create an atmosphere appropriate for growth and blossoming of humanity towards higher aims and progress. History has shown that whenever governments have aimed to abolish or dim the plurality and diversity that exists in society, they’ve had no choice but to resort to tyranny – tyranny which exists in all guises, but in essence is the same everywhere. Such solutions do not result in a homogeneous society, but rather only create hypocrisy and dichotomy in the lives of people. To carry on such acts forever is both impossible and inappropriate, according to the teachings of the Koran.

After the events which occurred in our country in such a short time, who can deny that the condition which exists in our society today is the result of the hegemony of such wrong mentality in the macro decision making process in our country? Actualizing such a public conscience is a great achievement, and sometimes centuries in the lives of civilizations and nations must pass before they achieve it, and pay a great price to do so. However, our people were able to achieve this great deed in little time, and with [relatively] little price. Our people have now realized, with every inch of their being, that the only way for the peaceful coexistence of tastes and attitudes, social layers, tribes, religions and beliefs that live in this great land, is to acknowledge this vast diversity in lifestyles and to gather around an ancient identity which links all of us. Although those who have weak or backward interpretations of religion do not understand that this statement does not mean that Islam is not the righteous religion, or the last religion or one that paves the way to the right path, rather it means:

“لا اکراه فی الدین قد تبین الرشد من الغی”

(Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error [Holy Koran])

We are stepping on path to enlightenment that has already rejuvenated the elderly and matured the youth. I ask for God’s help for myself and for you in our struggle and I hope that with the cooperation and companionship of all the sympathizers of the establishment and the revolution the goals of the nation will be fulfilled on every stage of this struggle.

That is why despite the regretful, bitter developments of recent days, people now have valuable, timeless convictions which are leagues more important that the election of one person. And this is what drives them to participate in the events of the aftermath of the election, and warms them to paying the ultimate price that they have paid.

In the months that ensued, great forces in our nation were set free, forces which have to be utilized to the best of our ability for the long-term prosperity of this nation. Our people know what they want. They were a witness to the portrait of their glorious will in the mirror which was recent events. They know they have the capital and ability to realize their wants and in this path, they have the encouragement and help of a mass of elites and capable individuals. Thus, we all now ask one another: what should be done? This question does not come out of helplessness and ignorance, but rather, what should be done with this great capital, with this renewed hope, and with these available resources?

Truly, what should be done? In answering this question, the first step is to know what we want so that this desire portrays the best and most of what we can want. If we err in finding an answer to this question, we have lost a great deal of this capital that has been obtained. There should be a great level of care taken in answering this question. The great force that our country has been able to gather has the ability to take the country to higher spiritual and material levels on one hand, or to plunge it deeply into a long, anarchistic decline. The results of our efforts greatly depend on our correct choice in this stage.

Contrary to what the state propaganda machines project, we are the ones that desire the return of trust and calm to society and we are the ones who abstain from any violent or extreme acts. We have very clear and reasonable demands. We want to preserve the Islamic Republic, we want to reinforce our national unity, and want to revive the ethical identity of the ruling system. A restoration of public trust is not possible without the acceptance of the right of the people to govern themselves, without obtaining their final approval of their ruling system, and without transparency in the affairs of the state. In the green movement that we have begun, we have no unusual or abrupt demands. What we want is to demand the lost rights of our nation.

Demand what rights? Firstly, the rights that the constitution has considered for the people, and our request for the full and complete execution of these rights. Indeed! There have been solutions proposed in the constitution to manage certain affairs which may one day not be the answer to the needs of the country and of the world. But the path to reforming [such quandaries] has been predicted in this same constitution. In our national covenant, the legitimacy of all the pillars of the ruling system is based on the trust and vote of the people. To a point where if you look closely, even a supervisory body like the Guardian Council is not far from the auspices of the people. Yes! In the constitution, the Guardian Council has been burdened with heavy responsibilities, such as overseeing the elections – [the Guardian Council is composed of] fallible humans who might fall into the trap of sin and wrongdoing and might be tempted by power. But in this same constitution, it clearly says that people are free to hold peaceful gatherings. If only this principle from our national covenant is enacted, be certain that no one in the ruling establishment will have the opportunity to misuse their power.

Our constitution is ripe with capacities that have not been met. Our officials sometimes act as if they are free to use the extra capacities of the constitution [to their advantage]. No! It will never be so. They are responsible for realizing these capacities, all of these capacities. The constitution is a monolithic whole, and they cannot stress or exaggerate those parts which are in line with the interests of certain people or of a certain group and to ignore or to only partly carry out those parts which stress the rights of the people. After thirty years, there are still parts to this national covenant [the constitution] that provoke the anger of officials as if the person speaking of them has spoken out against the Islamic Republic itself. Providing political and social rights, eliminating discrimination, legal immunity and equality before the law, the inseparability of the freedom, independence and the territorial integrity of the country from one another, the immunity of dignity, the life and property of people, the illegality of inquisition, the freedom of the press, the illegality of inspecting letters and wiretapping and spying on individuals, the freedom of political parties and people, the freedom to hold peaceful gatherings, concentration of government revenues in the treasury [as opposed to having them in various governmental and non-governmental treasuries], a [clear] definition for political crime and the presence of a jury in court, the freedom of expression and the right to be heard on state radio and television and the neutrality of this enterprise, …each of these has a specific article dedicated to it in our constitution. Principles which are easily and blatantly trampled and are carried out in ways which go directly against the spirit of this national covenant. This is carried on to a point where personal preference and tastes prevent the enactment of a simple article, like the right to teach local and native languages.

The same selective approach has been taken with the visions of the Islamic revolution. We want the restoration of those forgotten objectives and this great movement began in the hopes of their realization. There were mottos used during the revolution that using now makes some people [those who are against the green movement] unhappy as if they were slogans used by anti-revolutionaries. One of such slogans is freedom; freedom of opinion, freedom of expression, freedom after expression, freedom to elect and to be elected, freedom with all its beautiful meanings that our people had in mind as one of their most important objectives, which made them call their victory after the revolution spring of freedom. This freedom has meant political freedom and the right to criticize the rulers with no fear.

More oppressed than the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic or the constitution is Islam itself – the religion of which much is spoken, but little is carried out. In most cases they screen religion, they forget whatever is not in their benefit, and they call their own [personal] tastes and expediency, Islamic Text. They go as far that lying becomes an inseparable attribute of State Media and the ugliest immoralities (torturing and killing prisoners and other shameful acts which the pen hesitates to write) are considered signs of commitment to the Prophet’s [Muhammad] religion. [The prophet] who was elected to enhance moral virtues.

If there is only one mission for a religious government, it is to prepare a background to allow people to live with faith. So why is it that our society grows more distant from faith day by day? This distance is not inherited from the revolution. There were many people who fasted for the first time in the hot summer of 1358 [1979] and they enjoyed this experience. That was what we inherited from the revolution. What we inherited from the revolution was the spirituality that we experienced during the holly war [with Iraq]. From the revolution we inherited great souls and the exceptional virtue. Our revolution showed that it is capable of providing the necessities that our society longed for. Let’s for once compare what we inherited from our Imam [Khomeyni] with what we have now in Iran: an ostentatious society where fundamentalism reigns; a society affected by fraud and deceit.

Taking a selective approach toward religion and aligning to our own tastes and profits, associating it with fundamentalism and superstition, substituting money and violence in place of wisdom and genuine advice, and bringing the clerics, this thousand year old tradition, under the government’s wing is not going to have any other result [than what has already happened]. When our imam [Khomeyni] was talking about the pure mohammadian Islam and putting it against the archaic Islam and American Islam, he was speaking of what is going on now. This backward interpretation might be named “Islam”, but is far from the real Islam. We want a return to the pure mohammadian Islam, this long, forgotten religion. And god has promised that he’s going to guide us to this celestial gift: “and those who make effort for us, we certainly will show them the way”.

Haven’t you seen that he [god] kept his promise in these past few months? Our lord didn’t ruin our faith and he is not going to do that, because he unlike those who make false claims is sympathetic and kind. “And god doesn’t ruin your faith. Of course god is sympathetic and kind toward people”2.

Our people have tasted bitterness due to the events that ensued [after the election], but who can underestimate what we have gained despite this bitterness? We feel the greatness of what we have achieved in this short period of time under our skin, in our flesh. What have we done to gain those achievements? The truth is that besides having faith in god’s word, we have not acted in accordance with much progress. Look at what has happened in recent days, each event has opened the ways of god to us, one after another. Look closely! If they close those paths too, the lord is not unable to open new ones in front of those who work towards his aims. Goals which are secure, smooth, aims which will, no doubt, directly carry us to our destination. “Why shouldn’t we trust god now that he has shown us our ways?” 3 With access to such paths, we have no need to disobey the law, to regret non-violence, to resort to destruction, or to enter any dead-ends.

And let’s look at the other side, at those who are opposed to the people [and see] how they are going astray. They throw the children of the revolution in prison to satisfy their illusions. What do they expect to achieve from this? They arrest the victim of a terrorist act and let the attacker go to enjoy his life. Did they expect to gain anything but to lose face? They left their wisdom in dead-end road as they were going downhill, and let those extremists take the reign, extremists who attack innocent students in the dorms in the middle of the night, extremists whose common vocabulary is only profanity.

Those followers of the path of god saw their hopes in god’s promises fulfilled. Have not those who went astray from the path too [referring to the recent hardliner currents] got what they were supposed to get? [We] Witness today the reservations [of those who have purposely kept quite] and the flatteries. [We] Smell the stench of greed, of avarice and of voracity of mouths of fawners. [We] Hear today how they [referring to the hardliners] are benefiting from a spokesman who abuses the holy medium of the Friday Prayer to encourage violence and takes pride in extraction of forced confessions. [We] Feel their fear, fear of loneliness, fear of the future, fear of their destinies, a fear that they hide by inducing fear in others.

The devoted People of Iran! There is an oath on the shoulders of descendants of the Islamic Revolution that they must not stop at anything to return the Islamic Revolution to its early fundamentals. This is an oath to your friends and companions [in the establishment] that in their struggle against liars and cheaters, they must not betray the trust of the social forces created recently. At the same time, we all have the duty to maintain our courage and not be afraid to rebuke if we view an action in the betterment of our country. According to these vows, I, Mir Hossein Mousavi, would not suggest anything but the continuation of the same green path that you have followed in recent months: The Green Path of Hope. You started this path before the election, and with your determined will you are still walking on it. A path that you keep maintaining with your prayers, with your voice [‘Voice’ is translated from ‘Neda’ which is also the name of one of the symbolic martyrs in recent events] with your God is Great cries, with your rallies, big or small, with your questions, endeavors, discussions, decentralized self-developing organizations.

We used the word ‘Path’ to allude to our movement so that we would not count our achievements in the way as an end. This would allow us to always look far for a greater perfection. In addition, in this path, we look for ways that the divine guidance would bring along to us. We think, and we seek solutions, but we also believe that practically the only ways that work out is the way that he [the divine] reveals to us.

On the path that God has revealed to us we have used the ‘Green’ symbol so that this may be a flag that shows our devotion to an Islam that had the kin of the prophet as its first educators – the same people who are also the kin of rationalism, kin of love and kin of enlightenment.

We chose "Hope" as our asset so that we can allude to our Iranian identity. This is the same Hope that has moved this nation through the most challenging corners of history, it is the same hope that that has ensured the survival of this land during its darkest hours; [The same hope that is now] the Green Path of Hope.

A while ago, when we started using this name to declare the features of your movement, some perceived it as a new party or committee. However, this path has nothing in common with, and it’s not an alternative to the official political organizations and does not deny our needs to such organizations. Instead, it is a broad social movement to repair and create some of the most fundamental political foundations that will influence all affairs of the country and provide the essential needs of various committees and parties for proper and fruitful activism. Certainly our society requires ethical and powerful parties to realize a stable political environment; and indeed, if a time comes when the contexts of an effective and beneficial political activism is realized then maybe I and some of your colleagues too may engage our efforts in the frameworks of a more orthodox organization. The "Green Path of Hope" however is not such an organization. Political Activism means that a group of like-minded people come together in a hierarchical organization. Furthermore, in a party the greatest emphasis is on compatibility of thoughts and coherency of opinions in the majority. Meanwhile, our path as a way that is supposed to lead to a renewal and strengthening of our national identity lays the emphasis on unity over minimal common interests; [Our organization is] a message-oriented one that is a collection of all the large and small civil organizations that have chosen a common goal on their path forward.

To continue and strengthen the current movement of the people, the actions we take appear like a dress that we as a tailor are sewing on its shoulders. The most elegant dresses would suit the movement only if it is cut in light of reality. The reality of the situation in our country has drastically changed from what it was before. Today, what plays the strongest role in our society is a strong and self-evolving social network that has stretched among a large group of people who are objecting to the violation of their rights. In our future decisions and solutions we must pay attention to this network’s unique features. As a response to questions like what do we do, what I suggest is the consolidation and enforcement of this social network.

The several-decade-long history of Iran that we have witnessed up close reveals to us that the collective movement of people has only become conclusive during the peak of the life, vivacity and fruitfulness of these cores [the social network.] When we talk about an active and alert society, and when we talk about a society that can effectively, willfully and creatively react to incidents and remove the possibilities of authoritarianism and irresponsibility in the constructs of power to act against its will [the society’s will], we are talking about a society that is composed of such a powerful network.

The responsibility we all have on our shoulders today, the responsibility which all groups, large and small groups, and even parties and political committees must carry is that we all must act as distinct cores to such a network.

Among the strengths of this network is the natural shape of its constituents. These units are composed of small but plural [diverse] groups of like-minded persons that know each other and trust each other because of their previous friendships, family or work relationship. It is impossible to disband these units because that would mean dissolving society. These entities have always existed but that is not sufficient to form an effective social network. Yet the first step in my proposed solution is that we Iranians, anywhere in the word we may be, should strengthen these social cores. We should build our homes facing each other. As the Koran says we should turn our homes into Qiblas [the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays], in other words we should put our emphasis on these social cores that are foundational units of our society. We should become aware of their importance and more than ever turn our attention to them such that their concealed power is revealed to us. Turn your homes into Qiblas. If we used to meet one every two months, now we should gather twice a week. This is the real power of our social network.

Gather to do what? This is usually the first question we ask each other in this situation. We usually believe that what is important in these gatherings is the activities in which we engage. This is not a correct way to see it, but it is natural [to see it that way]. For this reason [the way people perceive it], these social cores are not productive if they are not turned into centers for effective action, like the fruits of a tree which are left to rot. Therefore they [these gatherings] should be subjects of religious, social, political, scientific, cultural, artistic, athletic, charitable and other civil activities, such that in the long run, and after the passing of these waves of emotion and chaos, they continue their history-making role as we would expect.

Family gatherings, neighbors, friends, Koran reading sessions, religious groups, cultural and literary centers, associations, parties, factions, unions, groups that attend athletic or artistic events, classmates, alumni groups, colleagues that have formed friendships, etc. Each of us is a member of a few of these societies that form a context for dialogue and communication between our social cores. The recent experiences have shown that the small media created out of these relationships can act more quickly and effectively than any other mass media only if the capacities of this network are realized through an agreement on a great vision.

We will succeed in forming effective relationships only if we voice a common ideal. [This common ideal can be] a profound and accurate slogan that is capable of catering to our needs. An important part of the capabilities that have been built into our social networks is because we have found this common ideal and vision. A golden balance is the important requirement of this ideal and vision. Such that adding to [this vision] might mean that some will not want or will not be able to join [this movement] and reducing from it will mean that certain layers [of society] will not be able to find their hopes within it. This is our biggest [social] capital and we should carefully attempt to protect and purify it.

The support of the majority would have been sufficient if we had merely participated in an election. But in an enormous social movement the majority achieves victory when it reaches consensus. And it will enjoy an unopposed legitimacy when it shows attention to the concerns and the rights of those people who might think differently from it now or in the future.

We cannot expect a society, where a considerable number of people are struggling with their basic needs to widely participate in the political process. Of course this relationship is two-sided. A society deprived of fundamental freedoms and knowledge is incapable of providing a living standard that [its constituents] deserve. And at times of legendary [oil] income [the government] not only advancing the agenda of a charity economy, but also, does not achieve anything more than conceding the market and the national economy to foreigners. It is our belief that freedom is sustainable only when it comes with equality. Equally important to restrictions for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly is the widespread existence of poverty, corruption and discrimination that darkens the prospects of reaching an ideal society based on the constitution. [This is] particularly [true] since the policies of recent years do not entail a clear remedy for this situation. The fundamental damage to the national production has made continuity of profitable economic activity only a wishful desire, and securing an appropriate occupation is the desperate concern of young population and their families.

The path of God is diverse. To oppose tyranny and dictatorship and to achieve a progressive Iran, we should not be confined to one [path] or only accompany our like-minded companions. We need a discipline in our relationships such that the abduction of our companions and the destruction of units of this social network by forces of tyranny and injustice do not damage its livelihood and dynamics. Hence, we can remain capable of distinguishing our future goals based on the collective wisdom at each stage, and march towards these goals in great leaps.

If a political faction whose delusion of power is founded on opposing the [will of] the public and their just rights has a desire to solve this crisis, the least they can do at this stage to achieve this [desire] is as follows:

We are stepping on path to enlightenment that has already rejuvenated the elderly and matured the youth. I ask for God’s help for myself and for you in our struggle and I hope that with the cooperation and companionship of all the sympathizers of the establishment and the revolution the goals of the nation will be fulfilled on every stage of this struggle.

1. Form a truth finding commission and arbitration that is acceptable to all stakeholders in the tenth presidential election and investigate the crimes and fraud that were carried out and punish all wrongdoers.
2. A revision of the election laws such that conditions are formed for fair and just elections which people can trust.
3. Identify and punish the parties involved in the atrocities that occurred in the aftermath of the election against the people in all police, military and media institutions.
4. Attend to those who have suffered in the aftermath of the election, and the families of the victims. The release of all political activists and people who were arrested over the election, and put an end to their trial, redeem their dignity and put an end to the threats and harassments that they are still subject to, [harassments like] coercing them into giving up their rights and take back their complaints.
5. Enforce article 168 of the constitution to define political crime, and try the political crimes in the presence of a jury.
6. Guarantee the freedom of press, changing the biased behavior of National TV, removing restrictions imposed on political parties and groups, allowing different perspectives to be presented in the media, especially national TV. Reforming the national TV constitution such that it can be held accountable for its illegal actions.
7. Put the created capacities to action in light of a reading from the 44th article of the constitution to create private television and radio.
8. Guarantee the fundamental rights of people, the freedom to assembly and rallies by enforcing the 27th article of the constitution.
9. Legislate a ban on the interference of military officials in political affairs and prevent intervention of military forces in economic activities.

We are stepping on path to enlightenment that has already rejuvenated the elderly and matured the youth. I ask for God’s help for myself and for you in our struggle and I hope that with the cooperation and companionship of all the sympathizers of the establishment and the revolution the goals of the nation will be fulfilled on every stage of this struggle.

The Latest from Iran (4 September): A Friday Pause?

NEW Neda Update: The Appeal for Her Detained Fiance, Caspian Makan
NEW Iran: Satire Becomes “News” – Ahmadinejad’s Ayatollah and Prisoner Rape
Latest Iran Video: The Ruholamini Memorial (3 September)
The Latest from Iran (3 September): Ahmadinejad Gets His Cabinet

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2015 GMT: Being a Detainee is Jolly Nice. Fars News has run an "interview" with Saeed Hajjarian in which the reformist politician expresses “his satisfaction about his condition in prison.” Hajjarian denies “being hospitalized, being subjected to harsh forms of torture or given mind-altering drugs.”

Hajjarian's daughter Zeinab offers a different picture, writing Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili, that her mother is under severe pressure from Government interrogators and that her father has told the authorities, “I have followed your dictates and announced that my situation in prison is satisfactory. Why don’t you leave my family alone?”

1405 GMT: There Goes My Visiting Professor Post at Tehran University. At Friday prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani has declared that the study of the humanities is very important but the subjects should be not be taught in "the Western style".

Reuters' take on the address is that Kashani tried to turn attention away from Iran's legitimacy crisis towards its influence overseas: "It is now the time to export the revolution...it is not the time to treat each other like this. Such remarks cause damage to the Islamic society and prevent the export of the revolution."

1355 GMT: Making Supreme Lemonade out of Cabinet Lemons. Full credit to Press TV and Fars News for their conversion of potential criticism of yesterday's vote of confidence into high praise for the Supreme Leader.

Here was their challenge. The Vice Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, has revealed that up to 9 of the 21 Ministers nominated by President Ahmadinejad were not winning over the Parliament, "If we had not received the Leader's recommendations, eight or nine ministers would have failed to win the vote of confidence. It would not have been a good start for the government."

Hmm....that's not high praise for Ahmadinejad's people, and it seems to indicate the Supreme Leader interfered in a Parliamentary process. But wait. Press TV sticks that admission in the 7th paragraph, far below the "right" interpretation:

Iran's vice speaker, Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, has hailed the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for providing Parliament with "friendly" guidance on clearing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nominees for his cabinet.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei "recommended that the government should start working at the earliest and with fullest capacity at the time when the country is faced with domestic and international crises and issues," Fars News Agency quoted Bahonar as saying on Thursday.

Well played, sir. Very well played.

1335 GMT: A full list of the 72 people whose deaths have been confirmed in post-election violence has now been posted on the Internet.

1325 GMT: After a quiet morning, some items of interest are emerging. Khabar carries an interview with a Revolutionary Guard member describing the capture of leading reformists such as Saeed Hajjarian and the methods used to make them "confess".

1040 GMT: The Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini has announced the cancellation of all forthcoming events during Ramadan. Former President Khatami was due to speak at the shrine next week, with Green movement activists discussing a rally in support.

1035 GMT: Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has claimed that the Supreme Leader's intervention was necessary for the approval of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and five other ministers (oil, industry, trade, cooperatives, and transport).

1030 GMT: We've just posted a warning about running too quickly with "news" on Iran, documenting how a satirical piece on Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi authorising rape of prisoners turned into "reality".

0930 GMT: Still very quiet on news front, so we'll happily note that Josh Shahryar's excellent dissection of the "pro-Ahmadinejad" argument on the Iranian election --- which we posted on Tuesday --- has now made it to The Huffington Post.

0730 GMT: With news slowing after yesterday's events in Parliament, we've taken the time to write an extended analysis of the current and future political and economic situation, "Has Ahmadinejad Won?" Thanks to all our readers, whose comments yesterday were invaluable.

Away from Parliament, the "40th day" memorial ceremony for Mohsen Ruholamini (pictured), who died in detention in Evin Prison, took place yesterday at Vali-e Asr Mosque in Tehran. Since Ruholamini's father, Abdolhossein Ruholamini, is a prominent "conservative" political activist and advisor to Presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei, the authorities posed no obstacle, as they have been with other memorials for slain protestors. We've posted the video in a separate entry.