In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,
Mr George Bush,
President of the United States of America,
For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify
the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international
arena -- which are being constantly debated, especially in
political forums and amongst university students. Many questions
remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some
of the contradictions and questions, in the hope that it might
bring about an opportunity to redress them.
Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger
of God, feel obliged to respect human rights, present liberalism
as a civilization model, announce one’s opposition to
the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs, make “War
on Terror” his slogan, and finally, work towards the
establishment of a unified international community –
a community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will
one day govern, but at the same time, have countries attacked.
The lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed
and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals
in a village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village,
city or convoy (are) set ablaze.
Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in
one country, it is occupied, around one hundred thousand people
killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed,
close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the ground, sanctity
of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed
back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions
of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain
other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women
– as occupation troops – put in harms way, taken
away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with
the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure
that everyday some commit suicide and those returning home
suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all sorts
of ailments; while some are killed and their bodies handed
to their families.
On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy
came to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying
country. Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin
with.
Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was
not waged to topple him, the announced goal of the war was
to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction. He was toppled
along the way towards another goal; nevertheless the people
of the region are happy about it. I point out that throughout
the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported
by the West.
Mr. President,
You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how
can these actions be reconciled with the values outlined at
the beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of
Jesus Christ (PBUH), the Messenger of peace and forgiveness?
There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been
tried, have no legal representation, their families cannot
see them and are obviously kept in a strange land outside
their own country. There is no international monitoring of
their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners,
POWs, accused or criminals.
European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret
prisons in Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction
of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons,
with the provisions of any judicial system. For that matter,
I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values
outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings
of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values.
Young people, university students, and ordinary people have
many questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you
are familiar with some of them.
Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but
I think the establishment of a new country with a new people,
is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times.
Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did
not exist. They show old documents and globes and say try
as we have, we have not been able to find a country named
Israel.
I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my
students told me that during WWII, which more than tens of
millions of people perished in, news about the war, was quickly
disseminated by the warring parties. Each touted their victories
and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other party.
After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been
killed. Six million people that were surely related to at
least two million families.
Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that
logically translate into the establishment of the state of
Israel in the Middle East or support for such a state? How
can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained?
Mr. President,
I am sure you know how – and at what cost – Israel
was established:
-Many thousands were killed in the process.
-Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.
-Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations,
towns and villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment;
unfortunately it has been ongoing for sixty years now.
A regime has been established which does not show mercy even
to kids, destroys houses while the occupants are still in
them, announces beforehand its list and plans to assassinate
Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians in
prison. Such a phenomenon is unique – or at the very
least extremely rare – in recent memory.
Another big question asked by the people is “why is
this regime being supported?”
Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of
Jesus Christ (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values?
Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants
of these lands – inside and outside Palestine -- whether
they are Christian, Moslem or Jew, to determine their fate,
runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights and
the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition
to a referendum?
The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took
office. All independent observers have confirmed that this
government represents the electorate. Unbelievingly, they
have put the elected government under pressure and have advised
it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and
follow the programs of the previous government.
If the current Palestinian government had run on the above
platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it?
Again, can such position taken in opposition to the Palestinian
government be reconciled with the values outlined earlier?
The people are also asking “Why are all UNSC resolutions
in condemnation of Israel vetoed?”
Mr. President,
As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in
constant contact with them -- many people from around the
Middle East manage to contact me as well. They do not have
faith in these dubious policies either. There is evidence
that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry
with such policies.
It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I
need to refer to other points as well.
Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement
reached in the Middle East region is translated into and portrayed
as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D
[Research & Development] one of the basic rights of nations?
You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages,
in what other point in history has scientific and technical
progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements
being utilized for military purposes be reason enough to oppose
science and technology altogether? If such a supposition is
true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics,
chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be
opposed.
Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result?
I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any
culture, and you do not like to be lied to.
Mr. President,
Don’t Latin Americans have the right to ask why their
elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported?
Or, Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear?
The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented.
They can play an important and valuable role in providing
for the needs of humanity and contribute to its material and
spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large parts of
Africa are preventing this from happening. Don’t they
have the right to ask why their enormous wealth – including
minerals – is being looted, despite the fact that they
need it more than others?
Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ
and the tenets of human rights?
The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions
and grievances, including: the coup d’etat of 1953 and
the subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day,
opposition to the Islamic revolution, transformation of an
Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities of those
opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of
documents corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the
war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger
plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing
threats, anger and displeasure vis-à-vis the scientific
and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all
Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country’s
progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer
to in this letter.
Mr. President,
September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of
innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world.
Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators
and offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed
its sympathies.
All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property
and good standing of their citizens. Reportedly your government
employs extensive security, protection and intelligence systems
– and even hunts its opponents abroad. September eleven
was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed
without coordination with intelligence and security services
– or their extensive infiltration? Of course this is
just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects of the
attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched
their responsibilities? And, why aren’t those responsible
and the guilty parties identified and put on trial?
All governments have a duty to provide security and peace
of mind for their citizens. For some years now, the people
of your country and neighbors of world trouble spots do not
have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing and tending
to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American
people -- who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks
-- some Western media only intensified the climate of fear
and insecurity – some constantly talked about the possibility
of new terror attacks and kept the people in fear. Is that
service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate
the damages incurred from fear and panic?
American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks
that could come at any moment and in any place. They felt
insecure in the streets, in their place of work and at home.
Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media,
instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace
of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?
Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification
--for an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the
role of media.
In media charters, correct dissemination of information and
honest reporting of a story are established tenets. I express
my deep regret about the disregard shown by certain Western
media for these principles. The main pretext for an attack
on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly
-- for the public to finally believe -- and the ground set
for an attack on Iraq.
Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate?
Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be
reconciled with the earlier mentioned values? Is the truth
known to the Almighty lost as well?
Mr. President,
In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses
of governments so that their governments in turn are able
to serve them.
The question here is “what has the hundreds of billions
of dollars, spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign,
produced for the citizens?”
As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country,
people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless
and unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems
exist – to a larger or lesser extent -- in other countries
as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan
expenses of the campaign – paid from the public treasury
– be explained and be consistent with the aforementioned
principles?
What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people
around the world, in our region and in your country. But my
main contention – which I am hoping you will agree to
some of it – is:
Those in power have a specific time in office and do not
rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history
and will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant
futures.
The people will scrutinize our presidencies.
Did we mange to bring peace, security and prosperity for
the people or insecurity and unemployment?
Did we intend to establish justice or just supported especial
interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty
and hardship, made a few people rich and powerful -- thus
trading the approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs’?
Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore
them?
Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or
imposed wars on them, interfered illegally in their affairs,
established hellish prisons and incarcerated some of them?
Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter
of intimidation and threats?
Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the
world or presented an inverted version of it?
Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors?
Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior,
logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service
to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human
dignity or the force of guns, intimidation, insecurity, disregard
for the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other
nations, and trample on people’s rights?
And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true
to our oath of office – to serve the people, which is
our main task, and the traditions of the prophets -- or not?
Mr. President,
How much longer can the world tolerate this situation?
Where will this trend lead the world to?
How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect
decisions of some rulers?
How much longer will the specter of insecurity – raised
from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction -- hunt
the people of the world?
How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women
and children be spilled on the streets, and people’s
houses destroyed over their heads?
Are you pleased with the current condition of the world?
Do you think present policies can continue?
If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns
and troop movement were instead spent on investment and assistance
for poor countries, promotion of health, combating different
diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical
fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation
of employment opportunities and production, development projects
and poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation
between disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of
racial, ethnic and other conflicts, were would the world be
today? Would not your government and people be justifiably
proud?
Would not your administration’s political and economic
standing have been stronger?
And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever
increasing global hatred of the American government?
Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.
If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus
Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would they have judged
such behavior? Will we be given a role to play in the promised
world, where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ
(PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?
My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact
with the rest of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions
of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions
of people who follow the teachings of Moses (PBUH). All divine
religions share and respect one word and that is “monotheism”
or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all
followers of divine religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers
of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and
you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall
not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall
not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn
back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family
of Imran)
Mr. President,
According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to
worship one God and follow the teachings of divine Prophets.
“To worship a God which is above all powers in the
world and can do all He pleases.” “The Lord which
knows that which is hidden and visible, the past and the future,
knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants and records
their deeds.”
“The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the
earth and all universe is His court” “planning
for the universe is done by His hands, and gives His servants
the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins” “He
is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors”
“He is the Compassionate, the Merciful” “He
is the recourse of the faithful and guides them towards the
light from darkness” “He is witness to the actions
of His servants” “He calls on servants to be faithful
and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness
and remain steadfast” “Calls on servants to heed
His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds” “A
bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life
of this world and disobey Him and oppress His servants”
and “A good end and eternal paradise belong to those
servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their lascivious
selves.”
We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets
is the only road leading to salvation. I have been told that
Your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and
believes in the divine promise of the rule of the righteous
on Earth.
We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great
prophets of the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in
the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been quoted in Koran as well:
[19.36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore
serve Him; this is the right path. Marium
Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all
divine messengers.
The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the
Pacific and the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty
who wants to guide and give dignity to all His servants. He
has given greatness to Humans.
We again read in the Holy Book: “The Almighty God sent
His prophets with miracles and clear signs to guide the people
and show them divine signs and purify them from sins and pollutions.
And He sent the Book and the balance so that the people display
justice and avoid the rebellious”.
All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other,
in the Good Book as well.
Divine prophets have promised:
The day will come when all humans will congregate before the
court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are examined. The
good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will meet
divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day,
but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers,
because we must be answerable to our nations and all others
whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our
actions.
All prophets, speak of peace and tranquility for man -- based
on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity.
Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and
abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of
God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the
Last Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world
-- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and
the teachings of prophets – and improve our performance?
Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes
and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?
Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten
principles are universally respected?
Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return
to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to
preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His
prophets?
Mr. President,
History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do
not survive. God has entrusted the fate of men to them. The
Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own
devices.
Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans
of governments. These tell us that there is a higher power
at work and all events are determined by Him.
Can one deny the signs of change in the world today?
Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of
ten years ago? Changes happen fast and come at a furious pace.
The people of the world are not happy with the status quo
and pay little heed to the promises and comments made by a
number of influential world leaders. Many people around the
world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity
and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies.
The people are protesting the increasing gap between the
haves and the have-nots and the rich and poor countries.
The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.
The people of many countries are angry about the attacks
on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families.
They are equally dismayed with the fading of care and compassion.
The people of the world have no faith in international organizations,
because their rights are not advocated by these organizations.
Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able
to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts
have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds
of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of
the Liberal democratic systems.
We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking
towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly
through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the
people will conquer their problems. My question for you is:
“Do you not want to join them?”
Mr. President,
Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards
faith in the
Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over
all things.
Vasalam Ala Man Ataba’al hoda
Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
