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[30 Oct 2013] Police arrest senior Brotherhood Figure Essam al-Arian - English
In Egypt, police fire tear gas on a student rally in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at Cairo\'s al-Azhar University.
The Egyptian interior ministry says eleven al-Azhar students and...
In Egypt, police fire tear gas on a student rally in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at Cairo\'s al-Azhar University.
The Egyptian interior ministry says eleven al-Azhar students and 14 others from other universities have been arrested. For several weeks now, the students have been demonstrating at the country\'s top institution for Islamic teachings against the army\'s ouster of the first democratically-elected president in early July. This, after the head of al-Azhar University had called on the police to enter campus grounds. Earlier, security forces arrested Essam al-Arian, a senior Muslim Brotherhood figure, after storming his house. Arian was the most senior Brotherhood figure on the run after the arrest of nearly all of the group\'s top leaders.
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In Egypt, police fire tear gas on a student rally in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at Cairo\'s al-Azhar University.
The Egyptian interior ministry says eleven al-Azhar students and 14 others from other universities have been arrested. For several weeks now, the students have been demonstrating at the country\'s top institution for Islamic teachings against the army\'s ouster of the first democratically-elected president in early July. This, after the head of al-Azhar University had called on the police to enter campus grounds. Earlier, security forces arrested Essam al-Arian, a senior Muslim Brotherhood figure, after storming his house. Arian was the most senior Brotherhood figure on the run after the arrest of nearly all of the group\'s top leaders.
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[19 July 13] Murder of pro-Syrian figure in Lebanon - English
Gunmen have assassinated a prominent pro-Syria figure in southern Lebanon, Syrian official SANA news agency says.
On Wednesday, the state-run news agency said Mohammed Darrar Jammo, the head of...
Gunmen have assassinated a prominent pro-Syria figure in southern Lebanon, Syrian official SANA news agency says.
On Wednesday, the state-run news agency said Mohammed Darrar Jammo, the head of the political and international relations division of the International Organization for Arab Immigrants, was killed outside his home in the southern Lebanese coastal town of Sarafand.
On April 29, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi survived an assassination attempt after bomb attacks targeted his vehicle in downtown Damascus. The bombs were detonated in the al-Mazzeh neighborhood of the capital as Halqi\'s vehicle was passing through the area.
Three bodyguards of the Syrian prime minister and the driver of the vehicle were killed in the blasts.
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Gunmen have assassinated a prominent pro-Syria figure in southern Lebanon, Syrian official SANA news agency says.
On Wednesday, the state-run news agency said Mohammed Darrar Jammo, the head of the political and international relations division of the International Organization for Arab Immigrants, was killed outside his home in the southern Lebanese coastal town of Sarafand.
On April 29, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi survived an assassination attempt after bomb attacks targeted his vehicle in downtown Damascus. The bombs were detonated in the al-Mazzeh neighborhood of the capital as Halqi\'s vehicle was passing through the area.
Three bodyguards of the Syrian prime minister and the driver of the vehicle were killed in the blasts.
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Muhammad (PBUHAHF) - The Most Influential Figure in Human History - English
Michael Hart of USA who wrote - The 100 most influential persons in history - and placed Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and His Family - as number one - on the top of...
Michael Hart of USA who wrote - The 100 most influential persons in history - and placed Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and His Family - as number one - on the top of the list.
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Michael Hart of USA who wrote - The 100 most influential persons in history - and placed Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and His Family - as number one - on the top of the list.
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بيان إعلان رحيل آية الله محمد حسين فضل الله 1
Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday...
Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday where he was admitted on Friday for internal bleeding.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was regarded as Hezbollah's spiritual guide after it was founded in 1982.
A vocal critic of the United States, Ayatollah Fadlallah used to slam US warmongering policies in the Middle East, particularly its alliance with Israel.
Born in Najaf, Iraq, Fadlallah studied Islamic sciences in Najaf before moving to Lebanon in 1952.
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Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday where he was admitted on Friday for internal bleeding.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was regarded as Hezbollah's spiritual guide after it was founded in 1982.
A vocal critic of the United States, Ayatollah Fadlallah used to slam US warmongering policies in the Middle East, particularly its alliance with Israel.
Born in Najaf, Iraq, Fadlallah studied Islamic sciences in Najaf before moving to Lebanon in 1952.
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بيان إعلان رحيل آية الله محمد حسين فضل الله 2
Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday...
Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday where he was admitted on Friday for internal bleeding.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was regarded as Hezbollah's spiritual guide after it was founded in 1982.
A vocal critic of the United States, Ayatollah Fadlallah used to slam US warmongering policies in the Middle East, particularly its alliance with Israel.
Born in Najaf, Iraq, Fadlallah studied Islamic sciences in Najaf before moving to Lebanon in 1952.
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Description:
Lebanon's leading Shia Muslim cleric, a key figure in the founding of Hezbollah, has died aged 74, hospital sources have said.
Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah died in a Beirut hospital on Sunday where he was admitted on Friday for internal bleeding.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was regarded as Hezbollah's spiritual guide after it was founded in 1982.
A vocal critic of the United States, Ayatollah Fadlallah used to slam US warmongering policies in the Middle East, particularly its alliance with Israel.
Born in Najaf, Iraq, Fadlallah studied Islamic sciences in Najaf before moving to Lebanon in 1952.
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Beyond Our Eyes - Documentary - English
Beyond Our Eyes is a documentary which focuses on individuals of different Religious backgrounds, other than the Shia Muslims, who commemorate the influential figure in Islamic history, namely...
Beyond Our Eyes is a documentary which focuses on individuals of different Religious backgrounds, other than the Shia Muslims, who commemorate the influential figure in Islamic history, namely Hussain Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as). The story of Karbala has been an inspiration, a lesson and an everlasting message to mankind. The month of Muharram marks an event, although took place 1300 years ago, still strikes the attention of different religious figures even in the 21st century. This documentary finds out how and why Imam Hussain is significant in the lifestyle of many.
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Beyond Our Eyes is a documentary which focuses on individuals of different Religious backgrounds, other than the Shia Muslims, who commemorate the influential figure in Islamic history, namely Hussain Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as). The story of Karbala has been an inspiration, a lesson and an everlasting message to mankind. The month of Muharram marks an event, although took place 1300 years ago, still strikes the attention of different religious figures even in the 21st century. This documentary finds out how and why Imam Hussain is significant in the lifestyle of many.
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[24 Oct 2013] Bahraini opposition figure appears in court, denies charges of violence - English
In Bahrain, a prominent opposition leader appears in court to defend himself against charges of inciting violence.
Khalil al-Marzooq a top member of the main Shia political bloc al-Wefaq...
In Bahrain, a prominent opposition leader appears in court to defend himself against charges of inciting violence.
Khalil al-Marzooq a top member of the main Shia political bloc al-Wefaq rejected charges that he encouraged anti-regime attacks in the tiny Persian Gulf country. The arrest of Marzooq has prompted the Shia-led opposition to suspend political talks with the regime. Bahrain has been the scene of a nonstop uprising since 2011. Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations on the streets calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power. The regime has responded with a crackdown in which scores of people have been killed and thousands arrested.
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In Bahrain, a prominent opposition leader appears in court to defend himself against charges of inciting violence.
Khalil al-Marzooq a top member of the main Shia political bloc al-Wefaq rejected charges that he encouraged anti-regime attacks in the tiny Persian Gulf country. The arrest of Marzooq has prompted the Shia-led opposition to suspend political talks with the regime. Bahrain has been the scene of a nonstop uprising since 2011. Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations on the streets calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power. The regime has responded with a crackdown in which scores of people have been killed and thousands arrested.
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[26 Nov 2013] Yemeni Shia mourners attend funeral procession of Houthi figure - English
In Yemen, tens of thousands of Shia mourners have attended the funeral procession of Houthi lawmaker Abel Kareem Jadban in Sana\'a. Jadban\'s body was carried by his Houthi supporters to the...
In Yemen, tens of thousands of Shia mourners have attended the funeral procession of Houthi lawmaker Abel Kareem Jadban in Sana\'a. Jadban\'s body was carried by his Houthi supporters to the capital\'s airport and flown to the northern province of Sa\'da for burial. Jadban was a prominent Houthi lawmaker and the leading politician representing the Shia Houthi community in the national dialog, currently underway in the Arab country. He was gunned down by armed men on a motorbike as he was coming out of a mosque last Friday. The assassination came just weeks after deadly clashes between Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed Salafi militants in the northern town of Damaj.
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In Yemen, tens of thousands of Shia mourners have attended the funeral procession of Houthi lawmaker Abel Kareem Jadban in Sana\'a. Jadban\'s body was carried by his Houthi supporters to the capital\'s airport and flown to the northern province of Sa\'da for burial. Jadban was a prominent Houthi lawmaker and the leading politician representing the Shia Houthi community in the national dialog, currently underway in the Arab country. He was gunned down by armed men on a motorbike as he was coming out of a mosque last Friday. The assassination came just weeks after deadly clashes between Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed Salafi militants in the northern town of Damaj.
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[06 Dec 2013] Iran, Germany eye better trade ties after nuclear deal - English
The volume of bilateral trade between Germany and Iran stands at around 2-point-8 billion euros. That figure could still go up in the coming months, given the nuclear deal between Iran and the five...
The volume of bilateral trade between Germany and Iran stands at around 2-point-8 billion euros. That figure could still go up in the coming months, given the nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany.
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The volume of bilateral trade between Germany and Iran stands at around 2-point-8 billion euros. That figure could still go up in the coming months, given the nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the U-N Security Council plus Germany.
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[29 Dec 2013] Funeral of former Lebanese minister held amid tight security - English
Chatah was killed in a bombing two days ago. He was a senior political figure from the Western-backed March 14 Alliance. Friday\\\'s blast happened near the March 14 headquarters and the Lebanese...
Chatah was killed in a bombing two days ago. He was a senior political figure from the Western-backed March 14 Alliance. Friday\\\'s blast happened near the March 14 headquarters and the Lebanese parliament in Beirut. Six other people were killed and dozens more wounded. There\\\'s been no claim of responsibility for the bombing. The violence has drawn domestic and international condemnation.
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Chatah was killed in a bombing two days ago. He was a senior political figure from the Western-backed March 14 Alliance. Friday\\\'s blast happened near the March 14 headquarters and the Lebanese parliament in Beirut. Six other people were killed and dozens more wounded. There\\\'s been no claim of responsibility for the bombing. The violence has drawn domestic and international condemnation.
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[18 Feb 2014] Syrian internal opposition figure in Moscow for talks - English
The head of Syria\'s \'Popular Front for change and liberation\' says that peace talks on Syria in Geneva are doomed for a stalemate unless a delegation representing all Syrian internal opposition...
The head of Syria\'s \'Popular Front for change and liberation\' says that peace talks on Syria in Geneva are doomed for a stalemate unless a delegation representing all Syrian internal opposition groups is present.
During a press conference in Moscow, Kadri Jamil said that details for such a delegation are being discussed and that it must be formed in time for the third round of talks in Geneva. The second round of talks of Geneva 2 ended last week without a breakthrough result. Kadri Jamil says that at the moment the opposition is represented unfairly in Geneva. He says that members of internal opposition have been left out of the talks so far.
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The head of Syria\'s \'Popular Front for change and liberation\' says that peace talks on Syria in Geneva are doomed for a stalemate unless a delegation representing all Syrian internal opposition groups is present.
During a press conference in Moscow, Kadri Jamil said that details for such a delegation are being discussed and that it must be formed in time for the third round of talks in Geneva. The second round of talks of Geneva 2 ended last week without a breakthrough result. Kadri Jamil says that at the moment the opposition is represented unfairly in Geneva. He says that members of internal opposition have been left out of the talks so far.
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Che Guevara receives Jean Paul Sartre in Cuba - Farsi sub English
With English Subtitles. It was the dawn of the Cuban revolution. Hassan Abbasi, Iranian political science professor tells the story of his young years.
Apologies for the minor spelling in...
With English Subtitles. It was the dawn of the Cuban revolution. Hassan Abbasi, Iranian political science professor tells the story of his young years.
Apologies for the minor spelling in Sartre.
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (French pronunciation: [saʁtʁ], English: /ˈsɑrtrə/; 21 June 1905 -- 15 April 1980) was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, existentialism, and Marxism, and his work continues to influence fields such as Marxist philosophy, sociology, critical theory and literary studies. Sartre was also noted for his long polyamorous relationship with the feminist author and social theorist, Simone de Beauvoir. He was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature but refused the honour.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtʃe geˈβaɾa];[5] June 14,[1] 1928 -- October 9, 1967), commonly known as El Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, since his death, Guevara's stylized visage has become a ubiquitous countercultural symbol and global insignia within popular culture.[6]
As a medical student, Guevara traveled throughout Latin America and was transformed by the endemic poverty he witnessed.[7] His experiences and observations during these trips led him to conclude that the region's ingrained economic inequalities were an intrinsic result of capitalism, monopolism, neocolonialism, and imperialism, with the only remedy being world revolution.[8] This belief prompted his involvement in Guatemala's social reforms under President Jacobo Arbenz, whose eventual CIA-assisted overthrow solidified Guevara's radical ideology. Later, while living in Mexico City, he met Raúl and Fidel Castro, joined their 26th of July Movement, and travelled to Cuba aboard the yacht, Granma, with the intention of overthrowing U.S.-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.[9] Guevara soon rose to prominence among the insurgents, was promoted to second-in-command, and played a pivotal role in the successful two year guerrilla campaign that deposed the Batista regime.[10]
Following the Cuban Revolution, Guevara performed a number of key roles in the new government. These included instituting agrarian reform as minister of industries, serving as both national bank president and instructional director for Cuba's armed forces, reviewing the appeals and firing squads for those convicted as war criminals during the revolutionary tribunals,[11] and traversing the globe as a diplomat on behalf of Cuban socialism. Such positions allowed him to play a central role in training the militia forces who repelled the Bay of Pigs Invasion[12] and bringing to Cuba the Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles which precipitated the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.[13] Additionally, he was a prolific writer and diarist, composing a seminal manual on guerrilla warfare, along with a best-selling memoir about his youthful motorcycle journey across South America. Guevara left Cuba in 1965 to foment revolution abroad, first unsuccessfully in Congo-Kinshasa and later in Bolivia, where he was captured by CIA-assisted Bolivian forces and executed.[14]
Guevara remains both a revered and reviled historical figure, polarized in the collective imagination in a multitude of biographies, memoirs, essays, documentaries, songs, and films. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century,[15] while an Alberto Korda photograph of him entitled Guerrillero Heroico (shown), was declared "the most famous photograph in the world."
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With English Subtitles. It was the dawn of the Cuban revolution. Hassan Abbasi, Iranian political science professor tells the story of his young years.
Apologies for the minor spelling in Sartre.
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (French pronunciation: [saʁtʁ], English: /ˈsɑrtrə/; 21 June 1905 -- 15 April 1980) was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, existentialism, and Marxism, and his work continues to influence fields such as Marxist philosophy, sociology, critical theory and literary studies. Sartre was also noted for his long polyamorous relationship with the feminist author and social theorist, Simone de Beauvoir. He was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature but refused the honour.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtʃe geˈβaɾa];[5] June 14,[1] 1928 -- October 9, 1967), commonly known as El Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, since his death, Guevara's stylized visage has become a ubiquitous countercultural symbol and global insignia within popular culture.[6]
As a medical student, Guevara traveled throughout Latin America and was transformed by the endemic poverty he witnessed.[7] His experiences and observations during these trips led him to conclude that the region's ingrained economic inequalities were an intrinsic result of capitalism, monopolism, neocolonialism, and imperialism, with the only remedy being world revolution.[8] This belief prompted his involvement in Guatemala's social reforms under President Jacobo Arbenz, whose eventual CIA-assisted overthrow solidified Guevara's radical ideology. Later, while living in Mexico City, he met Raúl and Fidel Castro, joined their 26th of July Movement, and travelled to Cuba aboard the yacht, Granma, with the intention of overthrowing U.S.-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.[9] Guevara soon rose to prominence among the insurgents, was promoted to second-in-command, and played a pivotal role in the successful two year guerrilla campaign that deposed the Batista regime.[10]
Following the Cuban Revolution, Guevara performed a number of key roles in the new government. These included instituting agrarian reform as minister of industries, serving as both national bank president and instructional director for Cuba's armed forces, reviewing the appeals and firing squads for those convicted as war criminals during the revolutionary tribunals,[11] and traversing the globe as a diplomat on behalf of Cuban socialism. Such positions allowed him to play a central role in training the militia forces who repelled the Bay of Pigs Invasion[12] and bringing to Cuba the Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles which precipitated the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.[13] Additionally, he was a prolific writer and diarist, composing a seminal manual on guerrilla warfare, along with a best-selling memoir about his youthful motorcycle journey across South America. Guevara left Cuba in 1965 to foment revolution abroad, first unsuccessfully in Congo-Kinshasa and later in Bolivia, where he was captured by CIA-assisted Bolivian forces and executed.[14]
Guevara remains both a revered and reviled historical figure, polarized in the collective imagination in a multitude of biographies, memoirs, essays, documentaries, songs, and films. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century,[15] while an Alberto Korda photograph of him entitled Guerrillero Heroico (shown), was declared "the most famous photograph in the world."
[Audio] A Brief Account of the Life of Martyr Allameh Motahhari - English
Martyred professor, Allameh Morteza Motahhari, was born on February 2, 1919 in the town of Fariman, 75 kilometers from the holy city of Mashhad. At the age of twelve, he set off for Mashhad...
Martyred professor, Allameh Morteza Motahhari, was born on February 2, 1919 in the town of Fariman, 75 kilometers from the holy city of Mashhad. At the age of twelve, he set off for Mashhad seminary to embark on learning the basics of Islamic sciences. In 1937, despite Reza Khan’s intense confrontation with clergymen and also opposition by some of his friends and relatives, he left for Qom seminary to complete his studies.
During 15 years of his stay in Qom, he benefited from the presence of Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi (in jurisprudence and the principles of jurisprudence), Imam Khomeini (12 years in the philosophy of Molla Sadra, gnosis, ethics and principles of jurisprudence) and Allameh Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaiee (in philosophy). He had also benefited from the presence of the late Ayatollah Haj Mirza Ali Aqa Shirazi in ethics and gnosis. Among other teachers of professor Motahhari mention can be made of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hojjat (in principles of jurisprudence) and the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mohaqqeqdamad (in jurisprudence). While he was in Qom, in addition to education, he participated in socio-political affairs as well and he was in contact with Fadaiyan-e-Eslam group.
In 1952, he migrated to Tehran though he was one of the renowned teachers and among the future hopes of the seminary. In Tehran, he taught at Marvi School and delivered well-researched speeches. In 1955, the first session of the exegesis of the holy Qur’an in the Students\\\' Islamic Association was held by professor Motahhari. In the same year, he began teaching at the faculty of divinity and Islamic teachings of Tehran University. In 1958-59 concurrent with the establishment of the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association, professor Motahhari was one of the main speakers of the Association and during 1961-1971 he was the only speaker of the Association leaving behind a number of important deliberations.
In 1962, with the start of Imam Khomeini’s uprising, professor Motahhari accompanied him to the extent that one can consider the organizing of the June 5th uprising in Tehran and its coordination with Imam Khomeini’s leadership as being indebted to him and his companions. Having given an enlightening speech against the Shah on Wednesday, 5th of June 1963, Ayatollah Motahhari was detained by the police at 1 a.m. and sent to the interim police headquarters and was imprisoned with a number of Tehrani clergymen. 43 days later, following the migration of Ulema from other provinces to Tehran and public pressure, he was freed together with other clergymen.
After the formation of groups called “Mo’talefe Eslami”, which was among the combatant groups of the time, Imam Khomeini called on martyr Motahhari to lead these groups along with a number of clergymen.
Following Imam Khomeini\\\'s exile, professor Motahhari and his companions shouldered a heavier responsibility. At that time, he wrote books covering social requirements and delivering speeches at universities, the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association and mosques. Professor Motahhari made a lot of ideological efforts to Islamicize the content of the movement and strongly fought against diversions and falsehoods. In 1967, he established Hosseinieh Ershad with the help of some friends.
In 1969, after releasing an announcement signed by him, Allameh Tabatabai and Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Abolfazl Mojtahed Zanjani calling for collection of aid for the displaced Palestinians and because of publicizing it during a speech in Hosseinieh Ershad, he was detained and held in solitary confinement for a short while. From 1970-72 he supervised publicity works by Al-jawad mosque where he was the main speaker until the mosque and the Hosseinieh were closed and professor Motahhari was detained for a while. Later, Ayatollah Motahhari gave speeches at Javid, Ark and a number of other mosques. After a while Javid mosque was also closed. Around the year 1974 he was forbidden to speak which lasted till the triumph of the Islamic revolution.
Presenting genuine Islamic ideology through teaching, speech and writing books were among the valuable activities of professor Motahhari reaching its climax particularly during the years 1972-78; since in those years the leftists had increased their propaganda and groups of leftist Muslims and also those with a hotchpotch of ideas had emerged. After Imam Khomeini, professor Motahhari was the first figure who found out the ideological deviation of the heads of the so-called “Mojahedin-e-Khalq” organization and prevented others from cooperating with them and even foresaw their change of ideology. In those years, upon Imam Khomeini’s recommendation, professor Motahhari traveled to Qom twice a week to teach at its seminary where he taught important courses and at the same time he taught some courses at home in Tehran. In 1976, following an ideological dispute with a communist teacher of the faculty of divinity, he became retired prematurely. Furthermore; in those years Ayatollah Motahhari, in collaboration with some clergymen, established “Jameye Rohaniat-e-Mobarez” of Tehran hoping that such an institution would be gradually established in other cities as well.
Although professor Motahhari’s contact with Imam Khomeini continued after the Imam’s exile in France via letters and other means, in the year 1976 he managed to travel to the holy city of Najaf and consulted with Imam Khomeini on the important issues of the revolution and also seminaries. After the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini and the start of the new phase of the Islamic revolution, professor Motahhari fully devoted himself to the revolution and hence played a fundamental role in all of its phases.
At the time of Imam Khomeini’s stay in Paris, Ayatollah Motahhari traveled to France where he spoke with the Imam on the important issues of the revolution and it was then that Imam Khomeini urged him to shape the Islamic Revolution Council. Upon Imam Khomeini’s return to Iran, he personally took the responsibility of the welcoming committee and till the victory of the revolution and after that he always acted as a supporter of the leader of the Islamic revolution and served as a kind and trusted advisor for him. But at 22:20 p.m. of Tuesday, 1st of May 1979 he was martyred by a grouplet called “Forqan” after leaving an ideological and political gathering. This caused profound sorrow and grief for Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Ummah who had a lot of hopes for this great man’s future.
There remain tens of works by Ayatollah Motahhari. These works deal with a variety of religious issues and offer responses to many of the important questions of religious society so much so that we can name his works as a reliable source concerning the Islamic ideology system.
Some of Imam Khomeini’s Words on Martyr Allameh Morteza Motahhari
[Motahhari] was rare in Islamology and different Islamic and Qur’anic sciences. I have lost a very dear child. I am mourning for him who was one of the figures who was considered the fruit of my life. Martyrdom of this righteous child and immortal clergyman created a vacuum in the dear Islam that cannot be filled by any means.
Motahhari, who was rare in purifying spirit, the strength of belief and the power of speech, flew to the ethereal world, but the ill-wishers should know that his Islamic, scientific and philosophical personality won’t perish with his departure.
Motahhari was a dear child for me and a firm stronghold for the religious and scientific seminaries and a useful servant for people and country.
I recommend the students and the committed intellectuals not to let this dear professor’s books be forgotten by non-Islamic schemes.
In his short life, [Motahhari] left behind immortal works which stemmed from a wakeful conscience and a spirit filled with the love for religion. He embarked on educating and training the society with an eloquent style and an able thought in analyzing Islamic subjects and explaining philosophical facts with a popular diction and without uncertainty. His oral and written works are unexceptionally instructive and inspiring; and his advice and admonitions, which sprang from a heart filled with faith and belief, are useful both for the Ulema and the laymen.
Late Motahhari was an individual who had different aspects of personality; and few people have done the service to the young generation and others as Motahhari has done. All his works are unexceptionally good and I don’t know anybody else whose works I could call unexceptionally good. His works are unexceptionally good and constructive for humans.
Professor Motahhari from the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Khamenei
Interview with the Supreme Leader on Martyr Motahhari
‘I consider myself Mr. Motahhari’s pupil’
As you know late professor Motahhari was a philosopher; the science sought by him was mostly the philosophical science. Later on; however, he got to the subjects of theology, i.e. he dealt with Islamic issues with new argumentation method of modern philosophy. But he spent most of his time on philosophical matters. He was considered the philosophical student of Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. Thus what he maintains in theology is Hekmat Mota’aliah, i.e. the Philosophy of Molla Sadra.
His behaviour was like that of the mystics who would set out to find a perfect instructor. Basically his spiritual and moral condition was in such a way. He would search to know for example if a perfect elderly instructor is somewhere in the world, and he would go to him to stay by him. Indeed, spiritually, such a situation was fitting him. Yet he had found such a perfect instructor in Iran. He was absorbed in Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. He was captivated by their love and regarded their scientific and mystic status very high.
Morally, late Motahhari was a prominent man; and a pure-hearted, enlightened, just, self-possessed and mature person. In his personal bonds with God he was a mystic, a man of God’s remembrance, journey towards God and worship. He used to say: “I have learnt paying attention to and worship of God from my father.”
Professor Motahhari had a lot of historical information especially about the recent history, and particularly on the issues related to the Ulema, seminaries, scientific, spiritual, philosophical and mystic figures. These pieces of information were not registered in any book and are heard from the professors and great figures and kept in mind. Since he knew all professors and Ulema of Najaf, Samarra and Isfahan, he was well-informed about their events and he would talk of them in the gatherings and visits held on different occasions.
Supereme Leader’s Words on Professor Motahhari’s Personality and Works
“As time passes from his martyrdom, his spiritual and ideological works and bounties manifest more fresh dimensions. The ideological and scientific works of that grand clergyman become clearer in the scene of the country press and religious knowledge; and one understands that an intellectual clergyman with responsibilities could have so fruitful life.”
Martyr Motahhari with his strong and decent thought stepped in the fields of Islamic subjects that hitherto nobody had stepped; and considering the ideas that had prevailed or were going to prevail in the country---through translation and import from the west and east, he entered a profound, vast and interminable scientific challenge. He both embarked on a very clever struggle to confront with the Marxists and entered the scene to confront with the western and Liberalist thoughts. This role is very important; it needs both courage and self-confidence, it requires both thinking strength and Ijtihad (being well- qualified in jurisprudence and different theological fields), it both needs certainty and resolute belief. This great man had all these together; he was both a learned man and very faithful, he was firm in his belief and had self-confidence, too; these are all necessary.”
Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1996)
He had three characteristics regarding ideological issues: First, he had a strong thought and he was a true thinker. Secondly, while presenting and spreading the ideological principles, he had no intention but God’s nearness, promotion of the truth and fighting against the false. There was sincerity in him and his personal actions which would naturally make the second characteristic tangible. For example think of some people who are thinkers, yet do not present their thought for God’s sake, but they present it to show that they are knowledgeable, to draw people’s attention and to say that they are philosophers. Martyr Motahhari was not such. He would present thought for God’s sake and for Islam. He would truly burn up [like a candle] and would gush forth [like a fountain] and would present [Islamic ideas]. The reason for his survival is his second characteristic. It means that sincerity will have its impact and the Almighty God will grace any deed done with sincerity. The third characteristic was his working hard and his inexhaustibility.
The truth is that he wouldn’t sit till he might be referred to; but rather he would himself go after activity. He had these three characteristics.”
Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1998)
“We should introduce Mr. Motahhari to the world especially the Islamic world. And if we want to introduce him, which points should be highlighted? I think this is your most important job. Some aspects of a figure’s personality are either unique that must be highlighted or are very outstanding that should be stressed.
In the life of the late Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari, his personality and his scientific identity there are numerous examples of these. One point, that in my opinion has the prime importance, is the new interpretation of the Islamic teachings. This is apart from his philosophical aspect and his strong and compelling arguments in the footnotes of ‘The principles of philosophy’ by ‘Ayatollah Tabatabaiee. This is another point. He elucidated Islamic concepts and teachings with a novel diction and expression which was much needed. I don’t say that if the works of the predecessors were pondered and scrutinized signs of this exegesis would not be found. Really if one had attentively studied the works of the Ulema he would have found some hints and cues; but I want to say that nobody had done this. As far as we know, nobody had done it before Mr. Motahhari. Even the modernist writers, who had emerged in the Arab countries, and we knew some of them, had not done this. These Egyptian authors, who were modernists and would write things with a broader sight and who knew the world somewhat more than Martyr Motahhari, most of them had traveled a lot and had visited different universities. Yet he [Ayatollah Motahhari] was not so, he was confined. I mean he was inside Iran and Tehran but his profound vision of the Islamic issues and his novel understanding of the verses [of Qur’an] and the narrations [of the Ahl-ul-Bayt], in my opinion, was one of his most outstanding aspects. It was he who, for the first time, substantively expressed the subjects related to principles of ideology, piety, patience, love, fairness, justice, and so on in the ideological atmosphere of Iran.
We thank God that Mr. Motahhari’s name was not forgotten in our society and the mental atmosphere of this country; but rather it became more prominent day by day. Many of the world phenomena are naturally perishable and by the lapse of time they become older. Most of the world phenomena are such. Yet there are some phenomena that not only do not fall into oblivion via lapse of time but become brighter, more manifest, more spectacular and more impressive. The phenomena based on reality are usually such. I clearly feel that, thank God, Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari’s thoughts are such.”
Memoirs of Dr. Ali Motahhari (Martyr Motahhari’s Son)
Night Supplication in front of the Word Allah
As it is said he didn’t give up midnight vigilance, midnight prayer, and wakefulness since his youth till the end of his life. It was his practice both at the time of studentship and after that and even at the time of martyrdom. I remember that facing our house there was the house of one of the previous regime’s officials which was usually guarded by two police officers. Apparently since the official had seen that the lamp of our house was lit at midnight, had worried to find the reason and it was important for him from the security point of view. He had told the guards to look for the reason. Professor [Motahhari] had a neon board of Allah which was green when lit. He would turn it on and perform his midnight prayer in its light. After the revolution one of the officers said, we had examined several nights and I had looked through the window to see what was going on inside the house. At the end I myself saw that he came at midnight and started worshipping for an hour. We were somehow absorbed by the professor, and despite much negative propaganda against the clergymen and him in particular to make us pessimist to them, we became very interested in him so much so that some would say we got our salary from the government but it was as if we were guarding him.
A Voice vis-à-vis MHe was very sensitive against ideological deviations and believed that we were seeking Islamic revolution and not mere revolution. It is not important that Shah goes but it is important to see what system is established after his going. Because if after the ouster of the Shah, for example the Mojahedin-e-Khalq take the lead, it is much better not to stage a revolution at all. Thus the deviated groups had found out professor Motahhari’s sensitiveness and had become his enemy. Three or four months before the victory of the Islamic revolution, a person, who had some tendencies to Mojahedin-e-Khalq and the leftists and was intended to be religious, too, was freed from the prison. Professor [Motahhari] said we had better visit him. I was with the professor. There was a man by the name of Ashuri as one of the heads of the Forqan group. He spoke of Islam and Marxism and said: ‘These two religions say one single thing and their content is the same with different forms. They speak of the laborers and we speak of the oppressed. Therefore our word is the same. We should unite to topple the regime of Shah and basically there is no difference between Islam and Marxism, etc.’ Professor was very upset and that man knew that professor Motahhari would answer him. That’s why he rose to leave. The professor said: ‘No, Be seated! Be seated!’ He made him sit and explained him in detail that our path is fundamentally separate from that of the Marxists. In no way can the forms be different with the same content. And we cannot unite with the Marxists in any way.
Immortal among People
Prior to the victory of the Islamic revolution, at the time of Imam Khomeini’s staying in Paris, it was heard everywhere that the regime of Shah wanted to arrest the leaders and prominent figures of the revolution.
Some people told him [Ayatollah Motahhari] it was better to go somewhere else to hide. He said: ‘Such actions are not good for clergymen. It is not good for us to escape from one place to another to hide; such things are not good for us.’ He stayed at home like before and nothing happened.
His Method of Training Children
One of the features of the professor’s training method for his children was that he would never resort to force and coercion and he would let them to realize and choose the right path with their own thought and wisdom. About choosing the field of education and the way of spending leisure time and the like he would never force us to do something necessarily; but he would show us the way. As the holy Qur’an says: ‘…be he grateful or ungrateful.’ And it was we who would choose the way. There was never force over our heads and we would choose one way with interest and free will.
The Professor’s Arrest after anti-Israel Speech
I have another memory from the year 1969 when he delivered the provocative speech on Palestine in Hosseinieh Ershad. This speech has been broadcast many times by IRIB. It was a very provocative, important and interesting speech which shook the regime of Shah; and it required a lot of courage to deliver such a speech when the regime of Shah was in the zenith of power and had the highest level of relations and unity with Israel. When the Israeli planes would refuel in Iran’s airport(s) during the 1967 war and would fly over the heads of the Arabs and Muslims, much bravery was needed to give such a speech and we saw that professor Motahhari gave that speech and was promptly arrested and taken away. When he was freed he said, ‘They made me sit in a car and blindfolded me and the car set out. I told them there is no need to blindfold and I will not look. If you want me not to look I will close my eyes. But they didn’t agree. Yet I realized the route till Ferdowsi square but didn’t realize after that.’ Apparently they had taken him to the committee of the SAVAK which was presumably located in the same Ferdowsi Street.
Allameh Tabatabaiee’s Message on the Occasion of Ayatollah Motahhari’s Martyrdom
In the name of the Almighty God
In memory of a scientific and philosophical personality who cast a world into grief and made the world of science and merit mournful with his departure.
Late Motahhari, who was a scientist, a thinker and a researcher with an overflowing intellect, a bright thought and a realistic mind, has left behind marvelous works and researches written about scientific and argumentative purposes that are seen in his books.
Late Motahhari, through his precious and blissful life that was abundant with scientific effort and philosophical thinking, sends an expressive and valuable message to the enthusiasts of science and philosophy never to repose from effort towards perfection and never forget scientific struggle for perfection; and in the market of realities turn their life--which is the best human commodity-- to the spiritual life— which is the lofty human life and is lasting till the world exists; and not to be absorbed and deceived by fabricated and imaginary personalities in this short life.
Yes, a narrow route opened by a scientist towards realities will bestow eternal life upon him and this is more valuable than the world and what it contains.
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Description:
Martyred professor, Allameh Morteza Motahhari, was born on February 2, 1919 in the town of Fariman, 75 kilometers from the holy city of Mashhad. At the age of twelve, he set off for Mashhad seminary to embark on learning the basics of Islamic sciences. In 1937, despite Reza Khan’s intense confrontation with clergymen and also opposition by some of his friends and relatives, he left for Qom seminary to complete his studies.
During 15 years of his stay in Qom, he benefited from the presence of Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi (in jurisprudence and the principles of jurisprudence), Imam Khomeini (12 years in the philosophy of Molla Sadra, gnosis, ethics and principles of jurisprudence) and Allameh Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaiee (in philosophy). He had also benefited from the presence of the late Ayatollah Haj Mirza Ali Aqa Shirazi in ethics and gnosis. Among other teachers of professor Motahhari mention can be made of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hojjat (in principles of jurisprudence) and the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Mohaqqeqdamad (in jurisprudence). While he was in Qom, in addition to education, he participated in socio-political affairs as well and he was in contact with Fadaiyan-e-Eslam group.
In 1952, he migrated to Tehran though he was one of the renowned teachers and among the future hopes of the seminary. In Tehran, he taught at Marvi School and delivered well-researched speeches. In 1955, the first session of the exegesis of the holy Qur’an in the Students\\\' Islamic Association was held by professor Motahhari. In the same year, he began teaching at the faculty of divinity and Islamic teachings of Tehran University. In 1958-59 concurrent with the establishment of the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association, professor Motahhari was one of the main speakers of the Association and during 1961-1971 he was the only speaker of the Association leaving behind a number of important deliberations.
In 1962, with the start of Imam Khomeini’s uprising, professor Motahhari accompanied him to the extent that one can consider the organizing of the June 5th uprising in Tehran and its coordination with Imam Khomeini’s leadership as being indebted to him and his companions. Having given an enlightening speech against the Shah on Wednesday, 5th of June 1963, Ayatollah Motahhari was detained by the police at 1 a.m. and sent to the interim police headquarters and was imprisoned with a number of Tehrani clergymen. 43 days later, following the migration of Ulema from other provinces to Tehran and public pressure, he was freed together with other clergymen.
After the formation of groups called “Mo’talefe Eslami”, which was among the combatant groups of the time, Imam Khomeini called on martyr Motahhari to lead these groups along with a number of clergymen.
Following Imam Khomeini\\\'s exile, professor Motahhari and his companions shouldered a heavier responsibility. At that time, he wrote books covering social requirements and delivering speeches at universities, the Physicians\\\' Islamic Association and mosques. Professor Motahhari made a lot of ideological efforts to Islamicize the content of the movement and strongly fought against diversions and falsehoods. In 1967, he established Hosseinieh Ershad with the help of some friends.
In 1969, after releasing an announcement signed by him, Allameh Tabatabai and Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Abolfazl Mojtahed Zanjani calling for collection of aid for the displaced Palestinians and because of publicizing it during a speech in Hosseinieh Ershad, he was detained and held in solitary confinement for a short while. From 1970-72 he supervised publicity works by Al-jawad mosque where he was the main speaker until the mosque and the Hosseinieh were closed and professor Motahhari was detained for a while. Later, Ayatollah Motahhari gave speeches at Javid, Ark and a number of other mosques. After a while Javid mosque was also closed. Around the year 1974 he was forbidden to speak which lasted till the triumph of the Islamic revolution.
Presenting genuine Islamic ideology through teaching, speech and writing books were among the valuable activities of professor Motahhari reaching its climax particularly during the years 1972-78; since in those years the leftists had increased their propaganda and groups of leftist Muslims and also those with a hotchpotch of ideas had emerged. After Imam Khomeini, professor Motahhari was the first figure who found out the ideological deviation of the heads of the so-called “Mojahedin-e-Khalq” organization and prevented others from cooperating with them and even foresaw their change of ideology. In those years, upon Imam Khomeini’s recommendation, professor Motahhari traveled to Qom twice a week to teach at its seminary where he taught important courses and at the same time he taught some courses at home in Tehran. In 1976, following an ideological dispute with a communist teacher of the faculty of divinity, he became retired prematurely. Furthermore; in those years Ayatollah Motahhari, in collaboration with some clergymen, established “Jameye Rohaniat-e-Mobarez” of Tehran hoping that such an institution would be gradually established in other cities as well.
Although professor Motahhari’s contact with Imam Khomeini continued after the Imam’s exile in France via letters and other means, in the year 1976 he managed to travel to the holy city of Najaf and consulted with Imam Khomeini on the important issues of the revolution and also seminaries. After the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini and the start of the new phase of the Islamic revolution, professor Motahhari fully devoted himself to the revolution and hence played a fundamental role in all of its phases.
At the time of Imam Khomeini’s stay in Paris, Ayatollah Motahhari traveled to France where he spoke with the Imam on the important issues of the revolution and it was then that Imam Khomeini urged him to shape the Islamic Revolution Council. Upon Imam Khomeini’s return to Iran, he personally took the responsibility of the welcoming committee and till the victory of the revolution and after that he always acted as a supporter of the leader of the Islamic revolution and served as a kind and trusted advisor for him. But at 22:20 p.m. of Tuesday, 1st of May 1979 he was martyred by a grouplet called “Forqan” after leaving an ideological and political gathering. This caused profound sorrow and grief for Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Ummah who had a lot of hopes for this great man’s future.
There remain tens of works by Ayatollah Motahhari. These works deal with a variety of religious issues and offer responses to many of the important questions of religious society so much so that we can name his works as a reliable source concerning the Islamic ideology system.
Some of Imam Khomeini’s Words on Martyr Allameh Morteza Motahhari
[Motahhari] was rare in Islamology and different Islamic and Qur’anic sciences. I have lost a very dear child. I am mourning for him who was one of the figures who was considered the fruit of my life. Martyrdom of this righteous child and immortal clergyman created a vacuum in the dear Islam that cannot be filled by any means.
Motahhari, who was rare in purifying spirit, the strength of belief and the power of speech, flew to the ethereal world, but the ill-wishers should know that his Islamic, scientific and philosophical personality won’t perish with his departure.
Motahhari was a dear child for me and a firm stronghold for the religious and scientific seminaries and a useful servant for people and country.
I recommend the students and the committed intellectuals not to let this dear professor’s books be forgotten by non-Islamic schemes.
In his short life, [Motahhari] left behind immortal works which stemmed from a wakeful conscience and a spirit filled with the love for religion. He embarked on educating and training the society with an eloquent style and an able thought in analyzing Islamic subjects and explaining philosophical facts with a popular diction and without uncertainty. His oral and written works are unexceptionally instructive and inspiring; and his advice and admonitions, which sprang from a heart filled with faith and belief, are useful both for the Ulema and the laymen.
Late Motahhari was an individual who had different aspects of personality; and few people have done the service to the young generation and others as Motahhari has done. All his works are unexceptionally good and I don’t know anybody else whose works I could call unexceptionally good. His works are unexceptionally good and constructive for humans.
Professor Motahhari from the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Khamenei
Interview with the Supreme Leader on Martyr Motahhari
‘I consider myself Mr. Motahhari’s pupil’
As you know late professor Motahhari was a philosopher; the science sought by him was mostly the philosophical science. Later on; however, he got to the subjects of theology, i.e. he dealt with Islamic issues with new argumentation method of modern philosophy. But he spent most of his time on philosophical matters. He was considered the philosophical student of Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. Thus what he maintains in theology is Hekmat Mota’aliah, i.e. the Philosophy of Molla Sadra.
His behaviour was like that of the mystics who would set out to find a perfect instructor. Basically his spiritual and moral condition was in such a way. He would search to know for example if a perfect elderly instructor is somewhere in the world, and he would go to him to stay by him. Indeed, spiritually, such a situation was fitting him. Yet he had found such a perfect instructor in Iran. He was absorbed in Imam Khomeini and Allameh Tabatabaiee. He was captivated by their love and regarded their scientific and mystic status very high.
Morally, late Motahhari was a prominent man; and a pure-hearted, enlightened, just, self-possessed and mature person. In his personal bonds with God he was a mystic, a man of God’s remembrance, journey towards God and worship. He used to say: “I have learnt paying attention to and worship of God from my father.”
Professor Motahhari had a lot of historical information especially about the recent history, and particularly on the issues related to the Ulema, seminaries, scientific, spiritual, philosophical and mystic figures. These pieces of information were not registered in any book and are heard from the professors and great figures and kept in mind. Since he knew all professors and Ulema of Najaf, Samarra and Isfahan, he was well-informed about their events and he would talk of them in the gatherings and visits held on different occasions.
Supereme Leader’s Words on Professor Motahhari’s Personality and Works
“As time passes from his martyrdom, his spiritual and ideological works and bounties manifest more fresh dimensions. The ideological and scientific works of that grand clergyman become clearer in the scene of the country press and religious knowledge; and one understands that an intellectual clergyman with responsibilities could have so fruitful life.”
Martyr Motahhari with his strong and decent thought stepped in the fields of Islamic subjects that hitherto nobody had stepped; and considering the ideas that had prevailed or were going to prevail in the country---through translation and import from the west and east, he entered a profound, vast and interminable scientific challenge. He both embarked on a very clever struggle to confront with the Marxists and entered the scene to confront with the western and Liberalist thoughts. This role is very important; it needs both courage and self-confidence, it requires both thinking strength and Ijtihad (being well- qualified in jurisprudence and different theological fields), it both needs certainty and resolute belief. This great man had all these together; he was both a learned man and very faithful, he was firm in his belief and had self-confidence, too; these are all necessary.”
Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1996)
He had three characteristics regarding ideological issues: First, he had a strong thought and he was a true thinker. Secondly, while presenting and spreading the ideological principles, he had no intention but God’s nearness, promotion of the truth and fighting against the false. There was sincerity in him and his personal actions which would naturally make the second characteristic tangible. For example think of some people who are thinkers, yet do not present their thought for God’s sake, but they present it to show that they are knowledgeable, to draw people’s attention and to say that they are philosophers. Martyr Motahhari was not such. He would present thought for God’s sake and for Islam. He would truly burn up [like a candle] and would gush forth [like a fountain] and would present [Islamic ideas]. The reason for his survival is his second characteristic. It means that sincerity will have its impact and the Almighty God will grace any deed done with sincerity. The third characteristic was his working hard and his inexhaustibility.
The truth is that he wouldn’t sit till he might be referred to; but rather he would himself go after activity. He had these three characteristics.”
Leader’s Visit with Martyr Motahhari’s Family (1998)
“We should introduce Mr. Motahhari to the world especially the Islamic world. And if we want to introduce him, which points should be highlighted? I think this is your most important job. Some aspects of a figure’s personality are either unique that must be highlighted or are very outstanding that should be stressed.
In the life of the late Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari, his personality and his scientific identity there are numerous examples of these. One point, that in my opinion has the prime importance, is the new interpretation of the Islamic teachings. This is apart from his philosophical aspect and his strong and compelling arguments in the footnotes of ‘The principles of philosophy’ by ‘Ayatollah Tabatabaiee. This is another point. He elucidated Islamic concepts and teachings with a novel diction and expression which was much needed. I don’t say that if the works of the predecessors were pondered and scrutinized signs of this exegesis would not be found. Really if one had attentively studied the works of the Ulema he would have found some hints and cues; but I want to say that nobody had done this. As far as we know, nobody had done it before Mr. Motahhari. Even the modernist writers, who had emerged in the Arab countries, and we knew some of them, had not done this. These Egyptian authors, who were modernists and would write things with a broader sight and who knew the world somewhat more than Martyr Motahhari, most of them had traveled a lot and had visited different universities. Yet he [Ayatollah Motahhari] was not so, he was confined. I mean he was inside Iran and Tehran but his profound vision of the Islamic issues and his novel understanding of the verses [of Qur’an] and the narrations [of the Ahl-ul-Bayt], in my opinion, was one of his most outstanding aspects. It was he who, for the first time, substantively expressed the subjects related to principles of ideology, piety, patience, love, fairness, justice, and so on in the ideological atmosphere of Iran.
We thank God that Mr. Motahhari’s name was not forgotten in our society and the mental atmosphere of this country; but rather it became more prominent day by day. Many of the world phenomena are naturally perishable and by the lapse of time they become older. Most of the world phenomena are such. Yet there are some phenomena that not only do not fall into oblivion via lapse of time but become brighter, more manifest, more spectacular and more impressive. The phenomena based on reality are usually such. I clearly feel that, thank God, Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari’s thoughts are such.”
Memoirs of Dr. Ali Motahhari (Martyr Motahhari’s Son)
Night Supplication in front of the Word Allah
As it is said he didn’t give up midnight vigilance, midnight prayer, and wakefulness since his youth till the end of his life. It was his practice both at the time of studentship and after that and even at the time of martyrdom. I remember that facing our house there was the house of one of the previous regime’s officials which was usually guarded by two police officers. Apparently since the official had seen that the lamp of our house was lit at midnight, had worried to find the reason and it was important for him from the security point of view. He had told the guards to look for the reason. Professor [Motahhari] had a neon board of Allah which was green when lit. He would turn it on and perform his midnight prayer in its light. After the revolution one of the officers said, we had examined several nights and I had looked through the window to see what was going on inside the house. At the end I myself saw that he came at midnight and started worshipping for an hour. We were somehow absorbed by the professor, and despite much negative propaganda against the clergymen and him in particular to make us pessimist to them, we became very interested in him so much so that some would say we got our salary from the government but it was as if we were guarding him.
A Voice vis-à-vis MHe was very sensitive against ideological deviations and believed that we were seeking Islamic revolution and not mere revolution. It is not important that Shah goes but it is important to see what system is established after his going. Because if after the ouster of the Shah, for example the Mojahedin-e-Khalq take the lead, it is much better not to stage a revolution at all. Thus the deviated groups had found out professor Motahhari’s sensitiveness and had become his enemy. Three or four months before the victory of the Islamic revolution, a person, who had some tendencies to Mojahedin-e-Khalq and the leftists and was intended to be religious, too, was freed from the prison. Professor [Motahhari] said we had better visit him. I was with the professor. There was a man by the name of Ashuri as one of the heads of the Forqan group. He spoke of Islam and Marxism and said: ‘These two religions say one single thing and their content is the same with different forms. They speak of the laborers and we speak of the oppressed. Therefore our word is the same. We should unite to topple the regime of Shah and basically there is no difference between Islam and Marxism, etc.’ Professor was very upset and that man knew that professor Motahhari would answer him. That’s why he rose to leave. The professor said: ‘No, Be seated! Be seated!’ He made him sit and explained him in detail that our path is fundamentally separate from that of the Marxists. In no way can the forms be different with the same content. And we cannot unite with the Marxists in any way.
Immortal among People
Prior to the victory of the Islamic revolution, at the time of Imam Khomeini’s staying in Paris, it was heard everywhere that the regime of Shah wanted to arrest the leaders and prominent figures of the revolution.
Some people told him [Ayatollah Motahhari] it was better to go somewhere else to hide. He said: ‘Such actions are not good for clergymen. It is not good for us to escape from one place to another to hide; such things are not good for us.’ He stayed at home like before and nothing happened.
His Method of Training Children
One of the features of the professor’s training method for his children was that he would never resort to force and coercion and he would let them to realize and choose the right path with their own thought and wisdom. About choosing the field of education and the way of spending leisure time and the like he would never force us to do something necessarily; but he would show us the way. As the holy Qur’an says: ‘…be he grateful or ungrateful.’ And it was we who would choose the way. There was never force over our heads and we would choose one way with interest and free will.
The Professor’s Arrest after anti-Israel Speech
I have another memory from the year 1969 when he delivered the provocative speech on Palestine in Hosseinieh Ershad. This speech has been broadcast many times by IRIB. It was a very provocative, important and interesting speech which shook the regime of Shah; and it required a lot of courage to deliver such a speech when the regime of Shah was in the zenith of power and had the highest level of relations and unity with Israel. When the Israeli planes would refuel in Iran’s airport(s) during the 1967 war and would fly over the heads of the Arabs and Muslims, much bravery was needed to give such a speech and we saw that professor Motahhari gave that speech and was promptly arrested and taken away. When he was freed he said, ‘They made me sit in a car and blindfolded me and the car set out. I told them there is no need to blindfold and I will not look. If you want me not to look I will close my eyes. But they didn’t agree. Yet I realized the route till Ferdowsi square but didn’t realize after that.’ Apparently they had taken him to the committee of the SAVAK which was presumably located in the same Ferdowsi Street.
Allameh Tabatabaiee’s Message on the Occasion of Ayatollah Motahhari’s Martyrdom
In the name of the Almighty God
In memory of a scientific and philosophical personality who cast a world into grief and made the world of science and merit mournful with his departure.
Late Motahhari, who was a scientist, a thinker and a researcher with an overflowing intellect, a bright thought and a realistic mind, has left behind marvelous works and researches written about scientific and argumentative purposes that are seen in his books.
Late Motahhari, through his precious and blissful life that was abundant with scientific effort and philosophical thinking, sends an expressive and valuable message to the enthusiasts of science and philosophy never to repose from effort towards perfection and never forget scientific struggle for perfection; and in the market of realities turn their life--which is the best human commodity-- to the spiritual life— which is the lofty human life and is lasting till the world exists; and not to be absorbed and deceived by fabricated and imaginary personalities in this short life.
Yes, a narrow route opened by a scientist towards realities will bestow eternal life upon him and this is more valuable than the world and what it contains.
5:15
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[24 Oct 2013] Adelson US should nuke Iran before beginning to talk with Tehran - English
The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York,...
The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York, criticizing Washington\'s recent diplomatic outreach to Tehran. The gambling mogul donated nearly a hundred million dollars to Republicans last year. He\'s seen as an influential figure in devising U-S policies in favor of Israel. The 80-year-old is also a powerful figure inside Israel. He owns a Tel Aviv newspaper that frequently magnifies warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel.
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Description:
The biggest donor to the U-S Republican Party, Sheldon Adelson says America should begin negotiations with Iran only after nuking it.
Adelson made the comments at Yeshiva University in New York, criticizing Washington\'s recent diplomatic outreach to Tehran. The gambling mogul donated nearly a hundred million dollars to Republicans last year. He\'s seen as an influential figure in devising U-S policies in favor of Israel. The 80-year-old is also a powerful figure inside Israel. He owns a Tel Aviv newspaper that frequently magnifies warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran would pose an existential threat to Israel.
3:12
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[31 Oct 2013] Islamabad says only 3% of US drone strike victims were civilians - English
A new report by the Pakistani government has put the civilian death toll caused by US assassination drones at a surprisingly lower figure than previous estimates by government and independent...
A new report by the Pakistani government has put the civilian death toll caused by US assassination drones at a surprisingly lower figure than previous estimates by government and independent organizations.
Pakistan\'s Defense Ministry announced that only 3 percent of people killed by drones since 2008 were civilians. According to the ministry, the US has conducted about 320 drone strikes during that period, killing over 21 hundred militants and 67 civilians. The figure has sparked criticism from public opinion and groups that have been investigating the assassination drones. The Pakistani government regularly criticizes the drone program in public, even though it is reported to have secretly supported at least some of the strikes in the past.
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A new report by the Pakistani government has put the civilian death toll caused by US assassination drones at a surprisingly lower figure than previous estimates by government and independent organizations.
Pakistan\'s Defense Ministry announced that only 3 percent of people killed by drones since 2008 were civilians. According to the ministry, the US has conducted about 320 drone strikes during that period, killing over 21 hundred militants and 67 civilians. The figure has sparked criticism from public opinion and groups that have been investigating the assassination drones. The Pakistani government regularly criticizes the drone program in public, even though it is reported to have secretly supported at least some of the strikes in the past.
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Open and Closed Shapes *What\'s the Difference? | Math for Kids | English
What\' s the difference between open and closed shapes? An open shape is made up of line segments, but there is at least one line segment that isn\'t connected to anything at one of its endpoints....
What\' s the difference between open and closed shapes? An open shape is made up of line segments, but there is at least one line segment that isn\'t connected to anything at one of its endpoints. The shape is not a closed figure. If a shape is enclosed from all the sides end-to-end and form a figure with no openings is called a closed shape. #numbers #educationalvideosforkids #math
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FREE EDUCATIONAL GAMES FOR KIDS! https://www.brainstar.com/
Turtle Diary (Brain Star) creates educational videos for children about math, science, reading, writing, social studies and more! We believe learning can be fun for kids and have made it our passion to design educational interactive games and Youtube videos to help kids get excited about learning, in and out of the classroom. School isn\'t the only place to learn and grow. From ABCs and 123s to the science of motion, Turtle Diary (Brain Star) has kids education covered!
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What\' s the difference between open and closed shapes? An open shape is made up of line segments, but there is at least one line segment that isn\'t connected to anything at one of its endpoints. The shape is not a closed figure. If a shape is enclosed from all the sides end-to-end and form a figure with no openings is called a closed shape. #numbers #educationalvideosforkids #math
SUBSCRIBE https://tinyurl.com/yckbu4r5
WATCH MORE https://tinyurl.com/3ksmu7d9
FREE EDUCATIONAL GAMES FOR KIDS! https://www.brainstar.com/
Turtle Diary (Brain Star) creates educational videos for children about math, science, reading, writing, social studies and more! We believe learning can be fun for kids and have made it our passion to design educational interactive games and Youtube videos to help kids get excited about learning, in and out of the classroom. School isn\'t the only place to learn and grow. From ABCs and 123s to the science of motion, Turtle Diary (Brain Star) has kids education covered!
Brave Israeli solider !! (funny specially 4 israelis)
The coward soldier runs away from the palestinian child stones, thouh he holds in hands the best US weapons :)
Pappe, an Israeli historian and a senior lecturer at Haifa University, has...
The coward soldier runs away from the palestinian child stones, thouh he holds in hands the best US weapons :)
Pappe, an Israeli historian and a senior lecturer at Haifa University, has written a superb account of the Israeli expulsion of the Palestinians from their land in 1948. He says that between 30 March and 15 May 1948, i.e. before any Arab government intervened, Israeli forces seized 200 villages and expelled 250,000 Palestinians. The Israeli leadership stated, "The principal objective of the operation is the destruction of Arab villages ... the eviction of the villagers." On 9 April, Israeli forces massacred 93 people, including 30 babies, at Deir Yassin. In Haifa, the Israeli commander ordered, "Kill any Arab you encounter."
Overall, the Zionist forces uprooted more than half Palestine's population, 800,000 people, destroyed 531 villages and emptied eleven urban neighbourhoods of their inhabitants. Pappe concludes that this was "a clear-cut case of an ethnic cleansing operation, regarded under international law today as a crime against humanity."
Casualties (figures in parenthesis indicate the total figure since the beginning of the intifada)
According to B'Tselem's research, from January to December 27, 2006, Israeli security forces killed 660 (4005) Palestinians in the Occupied Territories VS. 16 israeli civilians...
WHO IS THE TERRORIST??? Who killed 16 civilians or who killed 660 civilians??
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The coward soldier runs away from the palestinian child stones, thouh he holds in hands the best US weapons :)
Pappe, an Israeli historian and a senior lecturer at Haifa University, has written a superb account of the Israeli expulsion of the Palestinians from their land in 1948. He says that between 30 March and 15 May 1948, i.e. before any Arab government intervened, Israeli forces seized 200 villages and expelled 250,000 Palestinians. The Israeli leadership stated, "The principal objective of the operation is the destruction of Arab villages ... the eviction of the villagers." On 9 April, Israeli forces massacred 93 people, including 30 babies, at Deir Yassin. In Haifa, the Israeli commander ordered, "Kill any Arab you encounter."
Overall, the Zionist forces uprooted more than half Palestine's population, 800,000 people, destroyed 531 villages and emptied eleven urban neighbourhoods of their inhabitants. Pappe concludes that this was "a clear-cut case of an ethnic cleansing operation, regarded under international law today as a crime against humanity."
Casualties (figures in parenthesis indicate the total figure since the beginning of the intifada)
According to B'Tselem's research, from January to December 27, 2006, Israeli security forces killed 660 (4005) Palestinians in the Occupied Territories VS. 16 israeli civilians...
WHO IS THE TERRORIST??? Who killed 16 civilians or who killed 660 civilians??
LONG LIVE Sayyed Hasan Nasrullah (h.a) - Arabic
Since 1992 Hassan Nasrallah has been the leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. A popular political figure in Lebanon - Nasrallah is a driving force behind Hezbollah s ongoing military operations...
Since 1992 Hassan Nasrallah has been the leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. A popular political figure in Lebanon - Nasrallah is a driving force behind Hezbollah s ongoing military operations as well as the group s foray into politics. On July 12 2006 - Hezbollah fighters abducted two Israeli soldiers from a border post near Lebanon - prompting a massive Israeli military campaign and thrusting Nasrallah and his organization into the international spotlight. Nasrallah and his party Hezbollah came out of that war victorious and became national and international heros to the Arab and Muslim world.
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Since 1992 Hassan Nasrallah has been the leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. A popular political figure in Lebanon - Nasrallah is a driving force behind Hezbollah s ongoing military operations as well as the group s foray into politics. On July 12 2006 - Hezbollah fighters abducted two Israeli soldiers from a border post near Lebanon - prompting a massive Israeli military campaign and thrusting Nasrallah and his organization into the international spotlight. Nasrallah and his party Hezbollah came out of that war victorious and became national and international heros to the Arab and Muslim world.
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Tehran Sermon - Rehbar asked for the meaning of HUMAN RIGHTS ? - English & Persian
No rigging in Election. Ahmedineejad \"Our enemies and their media have hired some opportunist and mischievous elements and have misused the simple-mindedness of some people to cause...
No rigging in Election. Ahmedineejad \"Our enemies and their media have hired some opportunist and mischievous elements and have misused the simple-mindedness of some people to cause unrest,\" the government said in a Thursday statement.
It further accused the Western media of \'spreading lies and rumors\' to create doubts over the health of Friday\'s presidential election.
Iran\'s European Union envoy criticized the Western countries for their \"support for these trouble-makers and anarchists under the cover of supporting democracy and the voice of the Iranian people\".
In a Thursday statement, the Iranian embassy in Brussels said, \"All foreign involvement will have a damaging impact and is rejected by the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran\".
Incumbent Ahmadinejad was re-elected as the Iranian president on June 12 with almost two-thirds of votes, but his main rival Mir-Hossein Moussavi has rejected the result as fraudulent and demanded a re-run of the election.
In the statement, the Ahmadinejad administration called on the security forces to take measures to uproot vandalism and the frightening of the public.
Hundreds of thousands of Moussavi supporters have staged daily rallies since the announcement of election results on Saturday, asking the Guardian Council to nullify the election.
Despite Moussavi\'s insistence on the peaceful nature of protests, violence flared in early stages of demonstrations. At least eight people were killed in Tehran and many others sustained injuries.
Iran has revoked all foreign media accreditations and foreign reporters are not allowed to cover gatherings which are banned as illegal.
Moussavi\'s camp has stressed that the post-election rioters are \"not supporters of, or linked to\" the former prime minister, who suffered a crushing defeat in the June 12 poll.
The Moussavi camp says that a number of \"miscreants\" are attempting to de-fame the popular figure and his supporters \"by conducting acts of vandalism\" in his name.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has also shed light on the situation. The Leader said on Tuesday that those who vandalize public property and stage violent riots are not related to any of the presidential candidates or their supporters.
On Thursday, dozens of Ahmadinejad\'s supporters staged a rally in front of the Justice Department in the capital, Tehran. They also called for strong action against the rioters.
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No rigging in Election. Ahmedineejad \"Our enemies and their media have hired some opportunist and mischievous elements and have misused the simple-mindedness of some people to cause unrest,\" the government said in a Thursday statement.
It further accused the Western media of \'spreading lies and rumors\' to create doubts over the health of Friday\'s presidential election.
Iran\'s European Union envoy criticized the Western countries for their \"support for these trouble-makers and anarchists under the cover of supporting democracy and the voice of the Iranian people\".
In a Thursday statement, the Iranian embassy in Brussels said, \"All foreign involvement will have a damaging impact and is rejected by the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran\".
Incumbent Ahmadinejad was re-elected as the Iranian president on June 12 with almost two-thirds of votes, but his main rival Mir-Hossein Moussavi has rejected the result as fraudulent and demanded a re-run of the election.
In the statement, the Ahmadinejad administration called on the security forces to take measures to uproot vandalism and the frightening of the public.
Hundreds of thousands of Moussavi supporters have staged daily rallies since the announcement of election results on Saturday, asking the Guardian Council to nullify the election.
Despite Moussavi\'s insistence on the peaceful nature of protests, violence flared in early stages of demonstrations. At least eight people were killed in Tehran and many others sustained injuries.
Iran has revoked all foreign media accreditations and foreign reporters are not allowed to cover gatherings which are banned as illegal.
Moussavi\'s camp has stressed that the post-election rioters are \"not supporters of, or linked to\" the former prime minister, who suffered a crushing defeat in the June 12 poll.
The Moussavi camp says that a number of \"miscreants\" are attempting to de-fame the popular figure and his supporters \"by conducting acts of vandalism\" in his name.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has also shed light on the situation. The Leader said on Tuesday that those who vandalize public property and stage violent riots are not related to any of the presidential candidates or their supporters.
On Thursday, dozens of Ahmadinejad\'s supporters staged a rally in front of the Justice Department in the capital, Tehran. They also called for strong action against the rioters.
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Israel to jump-start its settlement expansion - English
Israel is to allocate $ 250 million to further expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank territories over the next two years despite international objections.
The figure is contained in...
Israel is to allocate $ 250 million to further expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank territories over the next two years despite international objections.
The figure is contained in the 2009-2010 budget, which passed its first reading in the Knesset (parliament) last week, army radio said Sunday.
The move by the Knesset comes despite calls by the international community including Tel Aviv's staunch ally--Washington-- to Israel to halt its settlement expansion.
Some 125 million dollars (90 million euros) is to be used for various security expenses, with most of the rest allocated to housing construction, the radio said.
The Peace Now anti-settlement watchdog has declared that the settlement spending in the two-year budget could be far higher that by "spreading over several sections of budget."
"The official figures are nothing but the tip of the iceberg and the Israelis will pay not only a political price for the settlements, but also an economic one," the head of the group Yariv Oppenheimer said.
Israel's two-year 159-billion-dollar budget must pass two more readings in the Knesset.
Israel's settlement activities have been described as the main obstacle in the way of peace process
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Israel is to allocate $ 250 million to further expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank territories over the next two years despite international objections.
The figure is contained in the 2009-2010 budget, which passed its first reading in the Knesset (parliament) last week, army radio said Sunday.
The move by the Knesset comes despite calls by the international community including Tel Aviv's staunch ally--Washington-- to Israel to halt its settlement expansion.
Some 125 million dollars (90 million euros) is to be used for various security expenses, with most of the rest allocated to housing construction, the radio said.
The Peace Now anti-settlement watchdog has declared that the settlement spending in the two-year budget could be far higher that by "spreading over several sections of budget."
"The official figures are nothing but the tip of the iceberg and the Israelis will pay not only a political price for the settlements, but also an economic one," the head of the group Yariv Oppenheimer said.
Israel's two-year 159-billion-dollar budget must pass two more readings in the Knesset.
Israel's settlement activities have been described as the main obstacle in the way of peace process
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James Traficant and Israel-English
How long till we figure out where our tax money is going and to what purpose James Traficant was in Jail for several years for allegation of bribe and is recently released
How long till we figure out where our tax money is going and to what purpose James Traficant was in Jail for several years for allegation of bribe and is recently released
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How Israeli Ambassador in Californian University Treated - English
Contributed by Herald. February 8th, 2010, 6:01 pm Eleven people were arrested Monday evening during a raucous lecture at UC Irvine where Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren came to talk about...
Contributed by Herald. February 8th, 2010, 6:01 pm Eleven people were arrested Monday evening during a raucous lecture at UC Irvine where Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren came to talk about U.S.-Israel relations. (UCI earlier said that 12 were arrested.) Oren was interrupted 10 times Monday while trying to give his speech before 500 people at the UCI Student Center, where there was heavy security. Oren took a 20 minute break after the fourth protest, asked for hospitality and resumed his speech, only to be interrupted again by young men yelling at him every few minutes. Many members of the audience also applauded Oren. After the 10th interruption, several dozens students who opposed Oren’s talk got up and walked out and staged a protest outside. It is not clear whether they were members of the UCI Muslim Student Union, which issued an email earlier in the day condemning Oren’s appearance on campus. Oren continued talking, completing his speech at 6:42 p.m. Originally, he planned to take question from the audience. But that was canceled after the repeated delays. The second person yelled about “Zionism.†The third yelled, “Israel.†The fourth could not be clearly heard. UCI Police Chief Paul Henisey said it is not clear whether any of the protesters are UCI students. Mark Petracca, a UCI political science professor, lost his temper and yelled, “This is embarrassing … Shame on all of you.†UCI Chancellor Michael Drake also told the audience that he was embarrassed by the outburst. Drake and Petracca were booed by many people, and applauded by others. Hours earlier, UCI’s Muslim Student Union said in an email today that its members “condemn and oppose the presence of Michael Oren, the ambassador of Israel to the United States, on our campus today. We resent that the Law School and the Political Science Department on our campus have agreed to cosponsor a public figure who represents a state that continues to break international and humanitarian law and is condemned by more UN Human Rights Council resolutions than all other countries in the world combined.†The Jewish Federation Orange County said earlier in the day that it had been informed that Oren’s speech at UC Irvine late today might be disrupted by protestors. Shalom C. Elcott, president of JFOC, said in a statement today that, “We have been informed that some students may attempt to disrupt the event. We want to assure the community that our goal is to create a positive environment — indeed, a sacred space – for open dialogue, intellectual debate and civil discourse that befits a university setting.†This was not the first time that there has been confrontation at a political lecture at UCI. In January 2007, Daniel Pipes of the Middle East Forum was interrupted by protesters at UCI while giving a speech titled, “The Threat to Israel’s Existence.†The protesters ended up getting into a brief shouting match with some members of the audience.
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Contributed by Herald. February 8th, 2010, 6:01 pm Eleven people were arrested Monday evening during a raucous lecture at UC Irvine where Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren came to talk about U.S.-Israel relations. (UCI earlier said that 12 were arrested.) Oren was interrupted 10 times Monday while trying to give his speech before 500 people at the UCI Student Center, where there was heavy security. Oren took a 20 minute break after the fourth protest, asked for hospitality and resumed his speech, only to be interrupted again by young men yelling at him every few minutes. Many members of the audience also applauded Oren. After the 10th interruption, several dozens students who opposed Oren’s talk got up and walked out and staged a protest outside. It is not clear whether they were members of the UCI Muslim Student Union, which issued an email earlier in the day condemning Oren’s appearance on campus. Oren continued talking, completing his speech at 6:42 p.m. Originally, he planned to take question from the audience. But that was canceled after the repeated delays. The second person yelled about “Zionism.†The third yelled, “Israel.†The fourth could not be clearly heard. UCI Police Chief Paul Henisey said it is not clear whether any of the protesters are UCI students. Mark Petracca, a UCI political science professor, lost his temper and yelled, “This is embarrassing … Shame on all of you.†UCI Chancellor Michael Drake also told the audience that he was embarrassed by the outburst. Drake and Petracca were booed by many people, and applauded by others. Hours earlier, UCI’s Muslim Student Union said in an email today that its members “condemn and oppose the presence of Michael Oren, the ambassador of Israel to the United States, on our campus today. We resent that the Law School and the Political Science Department on our campus have agreed to cosponsor a public figure who represents a state that continues to break international and humanitarian law and is condemned by more UN Human Rights Council resolutions than all other countries in the world combined.†The Jewish Federation Orange County said earlier in the day that it had been informed that Oren’s speech at UC Irvine late today might be disrupted by protestors. Shalom C. Elcott, president of JFOC, said in a statement today that, “We have been informed that some students may attempt to disrupt the event. We want to assure the community that our goal is to create a positive environment — indeed, a sacred space – for open dialogue, intellectual debate and civil discourse that befits a university setting.†This was not the first time that there has been confrontation at a political lecture at UCI. In January 2007, Daniel Pipes of the Middle East Forum was interrupted by protesters at UCI while giving a speech titled, “The Threat to Israel’s Existence.†The protesters ended up getting into a brief shouting match with some members of the audience.