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In tonight’s program we will look at the comments of Abdulkarim Soroush, one of the main figures behind the “Cultural Revolution” in Iran after the rise of the Islamic republic regime.
An “Islamic philosopher and thinker” who had studied chemistry in a Western university has come up with some description of the ayatollah Khomeini and his place in Iran’s history, which has caused a barrage of response and his condemnation by those who love Iran, and its history.
Soroush has described ayatollah Khomeini as the “most educated Iranian leader since the time of the Persian Empire 3000 years ago”, while the ayatollah did not even know the Arabic language after having lived in Iraq for nearly two decades.
We ask our guests Mohammad Nourizad and Hassan Etemadi what lies behind Soroush’s sudden and controversial comments.
Mohammad Nourizad:
If you also listen to recent speech of the film director Kiomars Pourahmad and compare it with Soroush’s comments you will find out which one of them is telling the truth about our Iran of today.
At the funeral of TV producer Khashayar Alvand, Kiomars Pourahmad has directlycriticized the atmosphere of fear, terror, despair and sadness over Iran’s cultural and social life since the establishment of the Islamic republic regime.
Our artists and culture makers are the best people to explain what the Islamic republic regime that was created by ayatollah Khomeini has done to our history, culture, economy, and social life.
I cannot believe for a moment that a man who calls himself a philosopher and new Islamic thinker can say such rubbish things about Iran’s history and so openly tries to disrespect Iran’s historic figures and national heroes.
Hassan Etemadi:
As a secular political activist opposing the Iranian regime I have always respected those religious thinkers and activists who struggle for human rights and democracy.
I believe Soroush’s offensive comments about Iran’s history and culture is a serious blow to the credibility of these religious intellectuals who have long respected him for his rational thinking and support for democratic values.
Soroush’s controversial condemnation of Iran’s rulers throughout our long history and his comment that ayatollah Khomeini has been the most educated Iranian leader and all before him were corrupt and illiterate is just sheer nonsense.
