Post by Teddy Bear on Oct 9, 2006 23:47:22 GMT
Here's something for you to try and see what effect it has on you. Read once through the following story, as one would normally do, and ask yourself what you understand from it and what impressions you're left with. I would be very interested to know what they are and hope you will each post them below.
Did you understand at first reading from this story that this cleric is a truly religious man, and hates to see his religion bent and twisted by despots to further their political ambitions? How many Imams and Muslim leaders around the world do you hear protesting about the fact that he has been arrested by those despots? But let Jack Straw request that Muslim women with full veils on, remove them when coming to visit him at his 'clinic', and they all come out of the woodwork.
Anyway, for the BBC he's simply 'controversial'.
Iran arrests controversial cleric
By Sadeq Saba
BBC News
Followers of cleric Boroujerdi formed a cordon around his house
An Iranian cleric, Mohammed Kazemeini Boroujerdi, has been arrested amid clashes between his supporters and police outside his house in Tehran.
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.
Did you understand at first reading from this story that this cleric is a truly religious man, and hates to see his religion bent and twisted by despots to further their political ambitions? How many Imams and Muslim leaders around the world do you hear protesting about the fact that he has been arrested by those despots? But let Jack Straw request that Muslim women with full veils on, remove them when coming to visit him at his 'clinic', and they all come out of the woodwork.
Anyway, for the BBC he's simply 'controversial'.