Anniversary of Dialogue among Civilizations and Religions Day

Amir Moussawi

The recent three decades clearly showed the difference between the Islamic approach in Iran, and the diabolic approach in the United States of America, where many examples could be shed here, but I will only mention three.

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran was able to impose its humane and ethical logic, through the United Nations General Assembly, and force out an international confession for dialogue of civilizations, which has become an official annual occasion for understanding among civilizations, religions and different visions in the world.
UN General Assembly approved on the 21st of September 2001, with confirmation from the UNESCO, a proposal by the Islamic Republic of Iran to name a day for dialogue of civilizations.

This proposal received confirmation from all countries except the Zionist entity, where this proposal does not fit with the philosophy of its existence.

This declaration came at a time when the US administration, led by then US President George Bush Jr., was preparing for a war, in addition to spreading hatred among civilizations and religions, which also aimed at the outbreak of the Crusade once again.
In this context, the Iranian proposal, planned by the lovers of peace and understanding in the world, were able to abort the clash of civilization plan, stopping all those calling for it, until those people became the worst people in the world, not mentioned unless cursed.

Days before this historic occasion we could hear abnormal voices supported by the neo-conservatives and racist politicians in the US, escalating attacks against Islam and its Holy book.

Pastor Terry Jones' threats are nothing but a small sample of these US policies that are incompatible with all laws of human rights, freedom of belief, intellect and opinion.
We have seen like these adverse behaviors to human values before, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon, where killing, eviction, Quran burning, rape, torture, and terrorism support of all types are being practiced.

What we hear and see now is not new, yet is of new styles, plays and scenarios where players are the same, for this escalation against Islam and its sanctities aims at two important issues:

The first is to cover up the truth about the September 11 attacks, which has not been revealed so far.
The second is to demean the International accomplishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the subject of the dialogue of civilizations, canceling the ovation of this historic day, which happens to be on the 21st of September 2010, and reducing its importance and effect on the International level.

2. This contrast was apparent again after the Pakistan floods and what the Islamic community there went through, where almost 20 million of the population were harmed due to this natural disaster.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was of the first to hurry to the rescue of affected people in Pakistan, sending different humanitarian aids, nutrition, medicine, tents, mobile hospitals, doctors and medical equipment, and other humanitarian aid.
These steps were guided by Head of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Sayyed Ali Khamenei, where he spoke in his latest speech marking Eid Al Fitr, about the suffering of people because of the floods in Pakistan.

Sayyed Ali -in that speech- cried in front of everyone, expressing grief and sorrow over what Muslims there (in Pakistan) are going through, referring that the supremacy countries care less for these severe sufferings.

On the other hand, we see the US military troops sending their bombs and deadly missiles to shred innocent Pakistani women, children and elders, under fake claims of combating terrorism.

These forces should have sent their helicopters and airplanes to distribute food and medicine, pick all injured people and take them to hospitals, yet instead they chose to do what defines them; crime, even with people of urgent needs.

3. Thirteen months after capturing three US citizens, who illegally sneaked into the Iranian territories, Iran's general prosecution announced that the US citizen Sara Shord, now detained for the Iranian authorities, will be bailed out for humanitarian reasons.
Sara will be released because she suffers from some diseases, and she will be allowed to leave the country, at a time when eleven Iranians are still in US prisons, prisons which could be considered worse than Abu Ghreib.

Those Iranian detainees were kidnapped from Iraq and many other countries, most of them suffer from health problems, but they were not even allowed to contact their parents or attorneys.
Iran, on the other hand, detained three Americans, who were practicing illegal actions that could affect the Iranian national security, and still allowed their parents, attorneys, and some western diplomats in Iran to meet them and talk to them.

Iran is still practicing the Islamic leniency with them, yet those claiming human rights, and those promising the world with democracy, are still not allowing Iranian detainees to practice their simplest legal and humanitarian rights.