Hello Nov.23rd, 1939

[Ripsnort]

http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=11fbf4a8-282a-4d18-954f-546709b1240f&k=32073

Iran eyes badges for Jews
Law would require non-Muslim insignia
 
Chris Wattie
National Post


Friday, May 19, 2006


Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims.

"This is reminiscent of the Holocaust," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. "Iran is moving closer and closer to the ideology of the Nazis."

Iranian expatriates living in Canada yesterday confirmed reports that the Iranian parliament, called the Islamic Majlis, passed a law this week setting a dress code for all Iranians, requiring them to wear almost identical "standard Islamic garments."

The law, which must still be approved by Iran's "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges and Zoroastrians would be forced to wear blue cloth.

"There's no reason to believe they won't pass this," said Rabbi Hier. "It will certainly pass unless there's some sort of international outcry over this."

Bernie Farber, the chief executive of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said he was "stunned" by the measure. "We thought this had gone the way of the dodo bird, but clearly in Iran everything old and bad is new again," he said. "It's state-sponsored religious discrimination."

Ali Behroozian, an Iranian exile living in Toronto, said the law could come into force as early as next year.

It would make religious minorities immediately identifiable and allow Muslims to avoid contact with non-Muslims.

Mr. Behroozian said it will make life even more difficult for Iran's small pockets of Jewish, Christian and other religious minorities -- the country is overwhelmingly Shi'ite Muslim. "They have all been persecuted for a while, but these new dress rules are going to make things worse for them," he said.

The new law was drafted two years ago, but was stuck in the Iranian parliament until recently when it was revived at the behest of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

A spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa refused to comment on the measures. "This is nothing to do with anything here," said a press secretary who identified himself as Mr. Gharmani.

"We are not here to answer such questions."

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has written to Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, protesting the Iranian law and calling on the international community to bring pressure on Iran to drop the measure.

"The world should not ignore this," said Rabbi Hier. "The world ignored Hitler for many years -- he was dismissed as a demagogue, they said he'd never come to power -- and we were all wrong."

Mr. Farber said Canada and other nations should take action to isolate Mr. Ahmadinejad in light of the new law, which he called "chilling," and his previous string of anti-Semitic statements.

"There are some very frightening parallels here," he said. "It's time to start considering how we're going to deal with this person."

Mr. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly described the Holocaust as a myth and earlier this year announced Iran would host a conference to re-examine the history of the Nazis' "Final Solution."

He has caused international outrage by publicly calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

Iran does not yet have nuclear weapons, but Tehran believed by Western nations to be developing its own nuclear military capability, in defiance of international protocols and peace treaties.

The United States, France and Israel accuse Iran of using a civilian nuclear program to secretly build a weapon. Iran denies this, saying its program is confined to generating electricity.

[Saintaw]

Aye... that is f*** up alright.

[Hangtime]

Go ahead, Iran.... make it easy for Israel to provide you with their version of a 'final solution'. Unlike the rest of the world, they won't dither about 'collateral damage' and they'll trade the lives of the jews in Iran for a glowing crater to protect the future of their nation without a seconds hesitation.

There is not much i like about the way israel treats us... but I do wholly enjoy their foriegn policy when they see a threat to their nation.

[lukster]

How far will Iran go in their west bashing and button pushing? I suspect this badge thing is really all about button pushing but it could easily get out of control. Let a mob run loose killing some of those wearing these badges and it will likely be the end of the current regime.

[midnight Target]

This is a great example of why religion needs to stay out of the government.

[Mini D]

Originally posted by midnight Target
This is a great example of why religion needs to stay out of the government.

Perhaps the dumbest thing you've ever said. You're on a streak this month.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Mini D
Perhaps the dumbest thing you've ever said. You're on a streak this month.

Wrong again mini.

I've said much dumber things than this, but maybe you could enlighten us on why you think I'm wrong here.

[ChickenHawk]

A country that denies the holocaust is following in the very footsteps of the nazis.

This is not good.

[Goomba]

So, Mini...

I'd like to understand your view a little better.

You think religion SHOULD be running our government?  You think you should have no say in anything, and only clerics are qualified to decide how you should think and act?

You do realize that a theocracy does not actually involve things like voting, right?

Which is the only right and proper religion to run our country, do you think?

What is your stance on Separation of Church and State?

[Mini D]

Originally posted by midnight Target
Wrong again mini.

I've said much dumber things than this, but maybe you could enlighten us on why you think I'm wrong here.

4- Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users and HTC. Flaming or abusing users is not tolerated.

[Boroda]

Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims.

It contradicts all current Iranian religious/ethnic policy. IMHO it's a lie. I've seen enough bull**** from "human-rights groups", they are strongly politically-engaged with their sponsors. Just look at their reports about Russian Federation.

I hope Babek will comment on this.

[Hap]

thanks for the post even though it's bad news.  we've seen this before haven't we?

hap

also, regarding mini's post and the retort "that's why religion shouldn't run the government" or words to that effect.  1st thing i thought of when i saw rip's post was nazi germany.  

not known for their religiosity.

hap

[RTSigma]

I give this whole situation about half a month before a fight breaks out and Iran's government realizes that they just stepped into a s*** pond.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Mini D
4- Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users and HTC. Flaming or abusing users is not tolerated.

First of all your lack of knowledge of Iranian history is showing like the crack of your bellybutton when you try to bend over for another beer. Iran was basically ruled by BP until they attempted to be democratic and all.... that was squashed by the CIA back in the 50's. Maybe you can pull some other facts outta your nether region later on.

This new Iranian law is all about power corrupting. In this case it is the power of religion. Religion has a stranglehold on that government and it MUST act accordingly. It still stands as a great example of religion in government run amock.

"Sure" you'll probably say after you drop a few more bombs on the discourse. But it is about power not religion (like Hitler not like The Ayatolla). But the power in this case comes from religion... not from an individual dictator or even some atheistic dogma like Communism or National Socialism. So you can't separate them, and you are wrong once again.

[Angus]

What is this with those small and bearded guys?
Small+bearded=It's the jews, so tag'em.
Not a good idea if the tagged one has a nuke in his pocket or what?

Anyway, seriously, Iran is now toying with the western world because Iraq is basically a screw-up. They belive there is going to be no more action because of public opinion in the west so they are ready to go quite far in their game. Well, it might work for a while, but carry on like this and there will be no sympathy from the west.
The Nazis held one theory quite high. Hitler himself may have been the author of that one. ok:
"A democratic nation will never be able to fight a hard war. The military will not be hard enough" (Very much from memory so forgive me, but the meaning is on spot).
He proved wrong. And he had to swallow this the hard way.