Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday referred to mosque as the house of the nation which should avoid party orientations.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the international conference on World Mosque Day, President Rouhani described mosques as places to discuss major social, political issues, regional and international developments, problems of the Islamic world and the risks the arrogance imposes on the Muslim world not a place for political parties.[1]
August 21 marks the anniversary of the 1969 al-Aqsa Mosque fire, the origins of which are still being disputed [2] over 40 years after the incident occurred. The day is titled World Mosque Day in remembrance of the event.
Commemorating the occasion, President Rouhani asserted that the bitter memory of the 1969 al-Aqsa Mosque fire would not be forgotten.
Rouhani underlined that al-Aqsa Mosque fire demonstrates the true nature of usurper Zionist regime and calls for awareness and consciousness of Muslims to preserve the Muslim identity.[3]
“The incident indicates that the Zionist regime not only continues to murder and rape innocent women and children, but it also has no respect for a mosque [4], the first Qibla of Muslims and a land that is completely respected by other religions as well,” President Rouhani said.
[1] Does this mean that Iran is against raising the Hamas flag at Al Aqsa Mosque?
[2] There is no dispute that the attack was done by a deranged Christian from Australia, but if Rouhani admits that then there isn't much reason left for World Mosque Day.
[3] Isn't it interesting that Iran is worried about a billion Muslims losing their identity. Something is behind this, and it is worth researching.
[4] The construct of "not only X, but Y" means that according to Rouhani, Jews walking around the Temple Mount is a worse crime than raping babies.
What does this say about Rouhani's morality?
Remember - he is a "moderate."