Posted on 04/24/2008 11:50:25 AM PDT by forkinsocket
TEHRAN (AFP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the country's economic woes can be solved by the "culture of martyrdom, the Mehr news agency reported.
"If we want to build the country, maintain our dignity and solve economic problems, we need the culture of martyrdom," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a speech on Wednesday in the western city of Hamedan.
He described martyrdom, dying or being killed for one's religious beliefs, as "a quick and shortcut way to reach the summit of salvation."
He did not say how becoming a martyr would help the economy, which is struggling from high inflation.
The president was speaking a day after ousted economy minister Davoud Danesh Jaafari became the latest person to launch a withering attack on him for his unconventional economic policies.
Ahmadinejad has been criticised for pumping excessive liquidity into the economy to fund infrastructure projects, causing huge money supply growth and triggering Iran's current inflation of around 18 percent.
However, critics believe the real inflation rate exceeds 25 percent, and have accused Ahmadinejad of making unscientific decisions in economic matters.
Ahmadinejad rejects such criticism.
"When we insisted on cutting bank interest rates some objected and said this is not scientific, but we tell them that if they are not men of justice, they had better clear the way and leave," he was quoted on Thursday by the Etemad Melli newspaper as saying.
Last year, Ahmadinejad slashed interest rates of state and private banks to 12 percent, triggering a sudden demand for loans that economists blame for adding further expansionary heat to an already inflationary economy.
The Central Bank of Iran, headed by Tahmasb Mazaheri, is arguing for an increase in interest rates.
In his remarks on Wednesday, former economy minister Jaafari said "during my time, there was no positive attitude towards previous experiences or experienced people and there was no plan for the future.
"Most of the scientific economic concepts like the effect of liquidity on inflation were put in question," he said.
Criticism of the president has been mounting in recent weeks, amid clear signs the country's political elite are gearing up for presidential elections in 2009, with Ahmadinejad expected to seek a second term.
Leadership is best demonstrated by example not words.
I agree...the entire population becoming active participants would help their economy. They can all get together and have a martyrdom rave party and go out in a big bang.
The question of the hour:
How can America help????
Hard to argue with that. Suicide makes all of your problems go away: permanently.
martyrdom rave party??!!!
LOL!! Not sure if this is just an odd translation or the subtleties of what he was saying didn’t translate well. I’m guessing he meant that in order to fix their problems the Iranians would have to be willing to tighten their belts in a form of self sacrifice. I do like the other way of reading it though, I’d love for him to martyr himself, the sooner the better.
How many gallons of Kool-Aid will they need for this martyrdom exercise? I am sure we could gather a collection to fund it....
self-extermination of the enemy in a target rich environment ... sound like a plan
Exactly. You and your family first, Imanutjob!
I wonder what a Farsi speaker would have made of the remarks? This conflict can’t be good for the average non-mujahed Teheran worker trying to feed the kids and keep the jalopy running.
I think that’s what he meant too. But who knows anymore, ha.
Can we start with you Momudd Ahmadingbat?
I think you’re correct. First of all, martyrdom is not suicide; it’s dying for a cause.
Shiism is widely accepted as being a martydom religion anyway—based on the martyrdoms of Ali and his son, Hussein. So the concept of martyrdom is ubiquitous in Iran and it can just mean sacrifice in a general sense.
Suicide itself is not martyrdom since there’s no point to it. If he did mean martyrdom in a literal sense, then it could be an ominous indication that he may intend to boost the economy by going into a wartime production model, which in this case, could mean actual war.
Interest rates? I though it was un-islamic to charge interest????
>>>Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the country’s economic woes can be solved by the “culture of martyrdom, the Mehr news agency reported.<<<
I think the State Department forgot to forward this lexicon memo.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005160/posts
New State Department lexicon forbids use of the words “jihad” or “jihadist”
This statement by Ahmadinejad must surely reinvigorate Columbia University's pride in having invited him to speak there. After all, what university would not acquire enhanced prestige and academic standing by associating itself with a head-of-state who advocates, in the name of economic advantage, that his fellow citizens murder in horrible ways both themselves and those who do not share their religious views?
That's why he wants to lower them (even though you usually want to raise interest rates when inflation is high).
Just show us where to start bombing.
Hard to argue logic like that, you first Ahmacrazyraghed.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.