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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Ahmadinejad Slams Pressure to Impose Islamic Values
2013-01-01
[An Nahar] Iran's diminutive President Mahmoud Short Round Ahmadinejad has again spoken out against the use of pressure to impose Islamic values on people, especially university candidates, media reported on Monday.

"You cannot impose things by issuing decrees and directives -- a choice imposed by force has no value whatsoever," Ahmadinejad said in a speech on Sunday.

"In some universities, female students are forced to wear the chador (covering the whole body, leaving only the face exposed), but the way they are forced to wear it... it is better not worn since it becomes worthless," he said.

He also criticized criteria on the selection of university candidates, citing the case of a student denied university admittance in the 1980s because he had shaved. Being unshaven in Iran is a sign that you are a good Mohammedan.

Ahmadinejad also mentioned another case of a girl refused a university place because she had "talked to a boy in the street and had her headscarf back an inch," thereby showing her hair.

He said that after he intervened in both cases they were granted places.

Ahmadinejad also denounced some of the questions posed to candidates during interviews for government jobs.

"We have asked people if they drank alcohol or have illicit sexual relations. This is an insult and goes against religion," he said.

Ahmadinejad, whose second and final presidential term ends in 2013, has repeatedly drawn the ire of ultra-conservative religious figures in the Islamic republic by advocating a more liberal view of Islam, criticizing in particular the use of force to compel women to cover their hair.
Posted by:Fred

#5  What Ahmadinejad is arguing for is a de-tensioning of the rack. It's not out of any sort of liberalism. It's to keep Iranian society from approaching full-boil discontent.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-01-01 13:32  

#4  I am not a Midget! I am a Free Man!
Posted by: Shipman   2013-01-01 12:18  

#3  What we got here boys is an Apostate, you know what we do with Apostates around here?
Posted by: Shipman   2013-01-01 12:18  

#2  I was thinking the same thing. I thought there was something wrong with me.
Posted by: Fred   2013-01-01 10:37  

#1  Scary. I actually agree with Ahmadinejad...
Posted by: Glenmore   2013-01-01 09:13  

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