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Iran Celebrates Revolution Anniversary Amid Controversies
CAIRO, Feb 10 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - During Iran's celebration of the 22nd anniversary of 1979 Islamic revolution on Saturday, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami strongly defended the idea of democracy, confirming that popular rule was compliant with religion.
Khatami, addressing tens of thousands of Iranians who crowded inside Tehran's Azadi place celebrating the revolution that brought the Ayatollah al-Khomeini to power, warning against the danger of a split between "the principles of religion and those of independence and freedom."
"Religion and freedom should not oppose each other. Freedom should not be held back in the name of religion, or religion in the name of freedom. If not, there will be deceptions," he said.
Khatami vowed Iran would introduce to the world a model of religious democracy where the people are the true rulers.
On Friday, about 3,000 anti-government Iranians demonstrated in a north Tehran park, chanting "We Are Against the Islamic Regime,"
The official news agency IRNA said Saturday that no one was injured and that 50 people were arrested.
Ignoring Friday's protest, Khatami applauded the Islamic republic for frankness, saying: "Criticism was a crime in the past, but now to criticize those in power is a value."
Moreover, Khatami praised the country's constitution, which after the "oppression" of the Shah "brought us freedom."
"In the social life" of Iran, "nothing and no one is more important than the constitution," he said.
Khatami, a popular reformist elected by a group of reformists in 1997, has not yet announced whether he would run for a second term in elections on June 8th.
Marking the 22nd anniversary of the Islamic revolution, Khatami described it as "the great event in our history."
"One must trust the people. That's the sole condition for this revolution's longevity," Khatami said.
Khatami accused his hardline rivals of damaging Iran's image and curbing Iran's bid for of freedom and democracy.
"Rigid-mindedness is a main threat to the revolution and the Islamic republic," he told a the crowd who was chanting "Long live the Islamic revolution!", "Down with the United States!" and "Down with Israel!"
"Those who claim a monopoly on Islam and the revolution, those with narrow and dark views, are setting themselves against the people," the president said.
Khatami accused his hardline opponents of putting religion against freedom and ignoring the rights of people.
"They seek to suppress views that are not in agreement with their own narrow and dark views.
"Let us have faith in our people and acknowledge their central role in running their political affairs. Let us pave the way for them to express their views in a free and safe atmosphere," he said.
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