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President Khatami and Zoroastrians

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Tehran, 18th October, 2000  original report and photos courtesy of IRNA

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President-Zoroastrians
 President says he feels responsible towards all strata Tehran, Oct 18, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday said that as the chief executive he feels responsible towards all strata of people irrespective of their religions, tendencies and preferences.

Addressing a group of visiting Zoroastrians, President Khatami highlighted the status of Zoroastrians all through the Iranian history and said that all sects and minorities who are living in Iran should be respected.
He pointed to the motto "good thought, good word and good deed" as a constructive slogan for the entire humanity and said in case the motto is realized, the world will experience peace and tranquility.
Citing a narration from the early stages of Islam, he pointed to the role that Imam Ali (a.s.) played in the recognition of Zoroaster as God's messenger and his book Avesta.

Khatami said: "Zoroastrianism is a divine religion and Zoroastrians alongside Muslims have played their own role in the emergence and promulgation of the Islamic civilization."
Stressing that Zoroastrians have been the origin of the civilization based on religious values, President Khatami said the contemporary world is suffering from a spiritual vacuum. He said if followers of religions abandon unfair prejudices and refine traditions, they would become closer to each other and would give momentum to the pace of development and progress.
President Khatami said all divine religions are similar in essence, adding that differences are in traditions and rituals. He stressed in conclusion that all should keep side with each other in building a prestigious, progressive and mighty Iran and elevate the country to its desirable status both at international level and in the arena of history.
Prior to President Khatami's remarks, Zoroastrian priest Jahangir Arshidari said: "It is a great honor for us that we are dealing with a liberal-minded, nationalist and philanthropist person."
He added that President Khatami's term of office will come to an end one day but his philanthropist character will remain for ever.
Meanwhile, Zoroastrian deputy in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) Khosrow Dabestani reported on the status of the Zoroastrians living in Iran.
The president was presented with a copy of the thesis written by Zoroastrian priest Arshidari and a book containing hymns of Zoroaster.
NS/KS
End
::irna 18/10/2000 12:11