The recent earthquake in Iran was truly horrible. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 people died in the disaster. Naturally, help is being offered from all over the world.
What is the response of the Iranian government to these generous offers? Akbar Alavi, the governor of the province in which the quake occured, said, "We greatly welcome any assistance from the United States. We welcome assistance from all countries except Israel". Let’s clarify. Iranian government, in sponsoring Hezbollah and others, murders Israeli citizens indiscriminantly. In spite of this, as a gesture of good will, Israel is offering a helping hand. Iran refuses.
When there is a great humanitarian need, political differences are often put aside. Today, Iran is even willing to accept help from the United States, or, as it is often called in Iran, the Great Satan. But to accept help from a country full of former dhimmis who are now free? To accept help from former subjects of the Khilafah who dare to defy the empire?
These must be difficult questions for Iranians to answer. Certainly, by refusing Israel’s help, Iranian government is condemning some victims of the quake to death. But really, some things might be worth dying for. Americans often think that freedom is worth dying for. Hence the quintessentially American expression "Live free or die". But we must accept that different cultures have different ideals. Apparently, for the Iranian government, the ideal worth dying for is that one should not accept help from former subjects. What can I say? If Khilafis wish to suffer, good riddance. |