Controversy in Iran over female flag carrier
AKI
08-Aug-2008 (6 comments)

Tehran, 8 August (AKI) - Iranian religious figures have criticised that Olympic female rower Homa Hosseini was chosen as the flagbearer of Iran, calling the move a 'heresy'.

"To make a woman march with the flag of the Islamic Republic in Beijing, is pure heresy and shows total disobedience of the laws mandated by our spiritual guides," said Seyye Ahmad Elmalhoda, leader of Friday prayers in Iran's holy city of Mashad.

Hosseini, 19, grew up in Iran's Kermanshah province in western Iran, she is one of three Iranian female competitors at the Olympic Games and Iran's first ever female rower. The other two female competitors are Najmeh Abtin (archery) and Sara Khosjamal (Tae Kwon Do).

"To make this woman march means to openly declare war to our religious values. Whoever is responsible for this unforgivable act, he should know that this gesture constitutes an obstacle for the 'appearance' of Mahdi," said Elmalhoda.

He was referring to the mainly Shia Islam belief that imam Mohammed al-Mahdi will appear to fight a final apocalyptic battle over the forces of evil.

Followers believe he was born in the year 868 and has been in hiding ever since awaiting a decision from god to reappear.

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AnonymousHaha

This is the True face of the IRI and

by AnonymousHaha on Fri Aug 08, 2008 07:09 PM PDT

The type mentality that will lead our nation to war. We have no one to blame but the akhoonds.


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Dariushagha

huh??

by Dariushagha on Fri Aug 08, 2008 06:44 PM PDT

من اول ایرانی هستم.

 

THIS IS SUCH B.S. STORY THAT I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I SHOULD LAUGH OR CRY. THE WORST PART IS IT IS WRITTEN IN SOME ENGLISH SPEAKING MEDIA WHICH SHOWS THE STUPIDITY OF IRANIAN PEOPLE FOR HAVING SUCH LOSER GOVERNMENT. THEY MUST BE LAUGHING THEIR ASS OFF WHILE WE CRY OF SHAME. I HOPE THE NEXT GENERATION WILL THINKS TWICE ABOUT ALLOWING ISLAM IN THEIR LIVES AND THE GOVERNMENT.


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default

obviously!

by Mojgan- (not verified) on Fri Aug 08, 2008 02:06 PM PDT

these guys have a tendency to see everything as a phallic symbol. A woman carrying a flag will make these guys so hot they might commit some sort of sin (of course by no fault of their own)
I totally get it!


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default

Separation of religion and state

by Proof (not verified) on Fri Aug 08, 2008 01:45 PM PDT

Another proof to justify why religion, any religion, should be completely separate from running the affairs of state. By all means, statesmen can be religious but to base the state entirely upon religion is self-destruction. Iran's fate now is prime example.


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default

Wow what a total and

by Huda (not verified) on Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:45 PM PDT

Wow what a total and complete JACKASS this man is. Using such words as HERESY and 'declaring war' is absolutely unacceptable. And I myself am a Muslim woman who observes full Hijab. People like this should not be given a platform from which to spew their poison - this fool needs to be shut up- ideally for GOOD if you know what I mean! Not to mention that fact that not once does he say WHY its such a groundbreaking sin for her to commit this 'satanic' act - this sort of thing really doesn't do Iran's [already very poor] image any favours.


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News Goffer

An obstacle for the 'appearance' of Mahdi?

by News Goffer on Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:52 AM PDT

Just as we think there is no end to this stupidity, we find there is more! I didn't catch what the meaning of "an obstacle for the 'appearance' of Mahdi." So, if women DON'T do things they are supposed to be doing (!), he will appear? I thought he is supposed to come when things are a total mess and in complete chaos! Wouldn't a woman's carrying the flag constitute total mayhem and chaos for this wise gentleman in Qom? Well, never mind. I have already given this guy enough time and consideration by reading the article and leaving this comment! I can't wait to find out what Mahdi has to say to Mr. Elmalhoda if and when he does show up!


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