Iran Arrests Moderate Cleric

Once again the world sees the degree of blossoming religious intolerance in the Islam-o-facist State of Iran like a mushroom cloud growing on the horizon. If there is any doubt left, this breaking story should put those doubts to rest. Western nations are now rapidly losing their focus (assuming they ever had any) to stand up to radical Islam, thanks in part to the politics and failures in Iraq. Giving Iran more power in the region than it could ever have dreamed in their quest of wrneching it by force in the Iraq-Iran war. Jihadists now see their power base spreading upward and outward on the world stage. The goal of radical islam stops short of nothing except full domination of all middle-eastern muslim central governments by radical jihadist islam. Only one voice will be accepted. Certainly not the voice of moderation from one cleric in a small town outside of Theran. Even moderate Muslim imams now have something to fear in Iran...

Perhaps an event such as this will open the eyes of tolerant and educated Muslim communities around the globe to further digest what the future holds under a radical Islamist central government. Perhaps some will even have the courage to fight, challange and demand religious tolerance for all people. But somehow we find that a logic a long shot. -- ZZ

(TEHRAN)"An Iranian cleric, Mohammed Kazemeini Boroujerdi, has been arrested amid clashes between his supporters and police outside his house in Teheran.

Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of his followers, who had formed a cordon around his residence.

In his sermons Mr Boroujerdi advocated a traditional interpretation of Islam which separates religion from politics. He is accused of misinterpreting Islam.

However, his supporters see him as a religious leader with spiritual powers.

Hidden Imam

Mr Boroujerdi has hundreds of supporters who regard him as a prominent cleric or ayatollah with divine powers to solve their spiritual and material problems.

He has been preaching his brand of Islam for years in a mosque in a poor neighbourhood in the south of Tehran.

However, Iranian officials have accused him of claiming to be a representative of a Shia saint, known as the hidden Imam, who is believed to have disappeared in the 10th Century.

But in an interview with a foreign radio station, Mr Boroujerdi denied the accusation and said he only defended what he termed the true Islam.

It appears that his increasing appeal among some sections of people in recent years has alarmed the authorities.

Liberal and dissident clerics in Iran have told the BBC that Mr Boroujerdi is not known outside a small circle of dedicated followers. " More...

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