CIP on Ahmadinejad, November 8, 2005

Center for Islamic Pluralism

Washington, DC, USA

www.islamicpluralism.org 

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim! 

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s statement calling for the state of Israel to be wiped off the earth is an enormous step backward for the people of Iran and for the world community of Shia Muslims.  It is unacceptable and does harm to all Muslims, to all Iranians and Iraqis, and to world peace.     

No power has the right to demand the destruction of a country that has existed for more than half a century.  It is time to grant Israelis the right to live in peace and dignity. 

The Iranians call for peace continually, but their president uses an extremist vocabulary that is savage and irresponsible.   Moderate Iranian clerics, intellectuals, and officials should take immediate action to repair the damage done by President Ahmadinejad, by initiating a sincere, effective, and ongoing global dialogue on these and other issues.  The first responsibility for resolving this crisis, which is devastating for Shia Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere, belongs with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

Nawab Agha, Shia Affairs, CIP