[Stoat]

2/13/2005	Clip No. 557
Iranian President Khatami Presents His Perception of Democracy
The following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian president Mohammad Khatami. Channel 1, Iranian TV aired this speech on February 13, 2005: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami: It will be impossible to establish democracy here without the help of Islam. Not only is it impossible to establish a non-religious democracy but we don't want it. The majority of our society doesn't want it either. You are entitled to ask why there has been no progress on the issues I've been raising. This is true. Many of our mottos have not been realized. But does this mean retreat? But does this mean I have backed down? Am I supposed to declare war against a regime that I accept in principle? I believe that if this regime is gone, it is not at all clear what will follow it - regardless of my religious belief. The people who want to change the constitution and the regime – can they guarantee that once the current regime is gone, Western-style democracy will be established here? Such a thing is impossible. With what public? With what faith? With what support? When there is no global support, will we ask for the support of the US and the others, in order to establish democracy here? After all, America is interested in controlling the world. America protects the most reactionary regimes in the world. They are its allies. I'm not claiming that the Islamic Republic is faultless. I'm not claiming that there are no human rights violations in some places. I'm not claiming that writers and journalists are always treated justly. I'm not claiming that our situation is ideal, from the Islamic point of view. But this I say, loud and clear: Even by current standards, we are better off than all our neighbors. Furthermore, our people is undergoing a new experience of Islam. In contrast to the Islam of the Taliban, It wants to establish democracy. This regime is being attacked on all fronts by America. So those who oppose this regime and want America's support... We see everything the US is doing in Iraq and Afghanistan today. it claims that it wants to devour the entire world. Do they want to create democracy here?! For me backing down means joining these people and joining the opinion of… No, not the public opinion… It means I should join the pressure against the Islamic Republic in order to make it disappear. If, indeed, the Islamic Republic is gone, democratic rule will not be established in this country.

[Stoat]

2/10/2005	Clip No. 556
Al-Azhar Sheik Farhat Al-Munji Explains Wife-Beating in Islam
The following are excerpts from an interview with Al-Azhar cleric, sheik Farhat Al-Muniji. The interview was aired by Dream TV (Egypt) on February 10, 2005: Interviewer: Just as Islamic law permits a husband to leave his wife's bed, it also permits him to beat her in certain cases, and to leave her bed in other cases… Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-Munji: This wife-beating – I don't want anyone to blame us, because people are watching us all over the world… This wife-beating used to be carried out with a handkerchief. The husband used to hold a handkerchief. They would beat with the tip of a toothpick. Interviewer: But some people say that the Prophet Muhammad banned the beatings, and that he never beat any his wives. Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-Munji: Obviously, he didn't, but why does one beat one's wife? Beatings with a handkerchief and so on were permitted for wives who doll themselves up, wear lipstick and preen before their husbands. At this point the man says, "I don't care about you or the things you do." That's how she knows that she's become vulgar to him, that he doesn't want her, and that he hates her. He lets her know this by beating her with whatever… a handkerchief, a piece of clothing, or something… This is the Islamic law. But taking a cane and flogging her feet or beating her – this is wrong. Interviewer: But even if this is done with a handkerchief or a toothpick, it still doesn't give the wife the right to beat her husband. Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-Munji: This is true, the wife is the one who... Interviewer: But today there are some women who say, "I'll beat you like you beat me, I'll curse you like you curse me." Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-mMnji: This is what's called… What women demand, and it's called "equality" - "You slapped me once, I'll slap you twice. You did this to me, I'll do that to you," and this becomes… A man doesn’t want to marry another man... The best thing in a woman is her submission and weakness. A man loves a woman's weakness. He loves her weakness, tranquility, and quietness… Interviewer: This is the so-called 'male culture.' They'll be saying that Sheik Farhat Al-Munji calls for… that he wants this male culture, to that wives will be beaten and weak… Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-Munji: No! Did I say beatings? I didn't say beatings. Interviewer: Why does the husband want a weak wife? So he can take all out his complexes on her? They will say that. They will have entire programs about this. Just wait a couple of weeks and you'll see. Sheik Farhat Al-Said Al-Munji: The wife doesn't want… What I mean by weakness is… I told you a man doesn't want to marry another man. A man wants someone who will be his partner, who'll be calm and obedient, and then they will both cooperate. Why was the issue of the husband's guardianship brought up? Because a ship with two captains is bound to sink.

[Dark Skies]

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami gave a speech:

He said: It will be impossible to establish democracy here without the help of Islam.

But he was thinking: "The people are going to kick my butt out and establish a democracy without Islam."

He said: Not only is it impossible to establish a non-religious democracy but we don't want it.

But he was thinking: Please don't kick us out.

He said: The majority of our society doesn't want it either.

But he was thinking: "If the majority didn't want democracy, why am I making this speech?"