Rajavi: By relying on their common values, Muslims and Christians must stand up to those who seek to pervert their religions
Wednesday, January 20, 2016, the Iranian Resistance’s President-elect Maryam Rajavi met with two distinguished church leaders from Britain, The Right Reverend John Pritchard, The Assistant Bishop (Durham), and The Right Reverend Adrian Newman, The Bishop of Stepney, at her residence in Auvers-sur-Oise (north of Paris).
Mrs. Rajavi asserted in this meeting: Our relations with the followers of other religions are in dire contrast to the religious fascism ruling Iran which under the name of Islam, severely oppresses and discriminates against followers of other religions and even Sunni Muslims.
Having established a fascist regime over the past 37 years, the Iranian regime has created, financed, backed politically and militarily, or at least inspired most of the terrorist and fundamentalist groups such as the Hezbollah of Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, a dozen terrorist groups in Iraq, Daesh, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
Maryam Rajavi emphasized that the claim of moderation in this regime is nothing but a deceptive maneuver to mask the repressive nature of this religious dictatorship. Two and a half years ago when Rouhani became president of the mullahs’ tyrannical regime, he promised to promote moderation but his record of 2000 executions shows his true colors. Fifty-two people have been executed in the first two weeks of January, alone. Executions and arrests have escalated during his term as have poverty and unemployment, discrimination against followers of other religions and aggressions in the region.
Maryam Rajavi said: While Muslims and non-Muslims, Shiites and Sunnis, have lived in peaceful coexistence and fraternity for centuries in Iran and the entire region, the Iranian regime has been fomenting discord and sectarian wars among different faiths and religions. Even in Tehran which is one of the world’s most populous capitals, the regime prevents construction of Sunni mosques and its suppressive forces destroyed the only Sunni prayer hall in Tehran, last year.
Mrs. Rajavi added: According to the resolutions adopted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, belief or disbelief in one or another religion cannot be considered a privilege or cause of denial for any citizen.
The bishops’ delegation presented to Mrs. Rajavi the declaration by The Most Reverend Dr. Barry Morgan, The Archbishop of Wales, which has been also supported by 52 other UK church leaders.
The declaration condemns the terrorist rocket attack on Camp Liberty on October 29, 2015 and stresses that the UN, the United States and the EU need to uphold their own international obligations and take concrete steps to secure adequate protection and security for the camp residents.
The delegation of bishops pointed out that the human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated since Hassan Rouhani came to office as president two years ago, and the number of executions, including public hangings and executions of juveniles has increased. They demanded that the human rights situation in Iran, especially the repression of religious minorities, including Christians, should be at the centre of discussions during Rouhani’s forthcoming visit to Europe.
They called on the government of the UK and other EU states to make improved international relationships with Iran contingent upon the demands of the latest UN resolution on human rights in Iran, namely the abolition of executions violating international obligations, the release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and end to torture and arbitrary arrests.
The Iranian Resistance’s President-elect appreciated the valuable efforts of church leaders in Britain defending the wellbeing, safety and security of Camp Liberty residents and reiterated: By relying on their common values, Muslims and Christians must stand up to those who seek to pervert their religions.
She strongly condemned suppression of Christians in the Middle East and particularly in Iran, by the clerical regime, its affiliated criminal militia or by the terrorist Daesh.
She expressed hope that there would be a quick end to the displacement of Christians across the Middle East, and an emancipation for the Christians and other people of Iran from the ruling dictatorship’s suppression and terror.
Mrs. Rajavi vowed that the Iranian Resistance will continue its battle against Iran’s religious dictatorship and endeavor to put an end to the subjugation of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran. It will also strive for the establishment of the Iranian people’s basic rights.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 20, 2016
