Sep.20.2008

Nategh Noori Did Not Mention Mr. Ahmadi Nejad’s Name

The phrase "like other years" is used as a tradition on the notices of religious ceremonies which are held at fixed places every year. If the lecturers were also the same every year, this “like other years” would become even more salient. It is years that “like other years" on the 19th and 21st night of Ramadan, Mr. Nategh Noori and Mr. Khatami respectively deliver their speeches at the shrine of Imam Khomeini.

 I also take part in these ceremonies all years. Last year and this year, Mr. Nategh Noori talked about the dangers of superstitions and attributing political and daily affairs to Imam Mahdi. He said that remembering Imam Mahdi is not just sending regards to him and praying for his re-appearance. These are the famous sentences that Mr. Ahmadi Nejad usually recites at the beginning of his speeches. More importantly, he said if people consider that some economic and political methods are the ones which can be attributed to Imam Mahdi, they would think that he will run the world by the same methods when he re-appears and then people would become pessimistic to Imam Mahdi. He, of course, did not refer to Mr. Ahmadi Nejad at this point. When he was talking about superstitions, he criticized that some people keep a picture which is said to be a portrait of Imam Ali at their homes. One of the politicians who was sitting beside me, said that: “we have the same picture in my father’s home. This is a traditional belief and is not related to religious superstitions”. I told him not to be upset and I reminded to him that Mr. Nategh Nouri is unhappy with some governmental officials who do have such beliefs and for reasons which are known to politicians, he cannot refer to them frankly, so he criticizes the picture of Imam Ali and his sword (known as Zolfaghar). I added that se has a good intention. I also did not mention the name of Mr. Ahmadi Nejad. In reply to those who criticize and say such statements are irrelevant to Ghadr nights, he said that even before revolution, we used to express our important political stances at important occasions like Ghadr nights and Ashoora. Maybe he failed to notice that at that time the clergymen could only talk in the mosques but now at least people like Mr. Nategh Noori can talk on TV and radio which have a great covering. Although most of his statements were the ones said in the last year and although they were correct stances but they were repeated, the accuracy and sensitivity of Nategh Noori toward these issues which have targeted the religion and beliefs of youth should be appreciated. The hidden aims of Mr. Nategh Noori of making such speeches should be appreciated even more. He talked a bit long. I made a joke and told Ali Khomeini who was sitting beside me that maybe he wants to continue talking until Imam Mahdi re-appears. Mr. Nategh Noori then performed the rituals of Ghadr nights perfectly.