Blasphemy laws of Islamic Republic of Iran

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Blasphemy laws of Islamic Republic of Iran are laws against disrespecting Islam and the high-ranking members of the government. Blasphemy laws are in line with sharia[1] The International Humanist and Ethical Union promulgates such laws as "frivolous and vindictive".[2] These laws are the backbone of the religious component of censorship in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Contents

[edit] Incidents

Many news outlets have been closed on allegations of "insulting Islam" or criticizing "the Islamic foundation of the Republic."[3] One need not necessarily use crude and lewd language; it is very dangerous to openly criticize the foundations of Islam or question the divinity of, for instance, the Quran.

The most famous example is the sentencing of Salman Rushdie to death[4] which the government of Iran has been unable to carry out in Great Britain due to lack of jurisdiction. Part of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's attainder by religious edict states

   
“
 I would like to inform all the intrepid Muslims in the world. . . that the author of the book titled The Satanic Verses, which has been compiled, printed, and published in opposition to Islam, the Prophet, and the Koran, as well as those publishers who were aware of its contents, have been declared madhur el dam [“those whose blood must be shed”]. I call on all zealous Muslims to execute them quickly, wherever they find them, so that no one will dare to insult Islam again. . . .[4][5]
   
”

[edit] Freedom of expression

On the other hand, there is freedom of expression if the manner thereof is not subversive to the government and seditious, heretical, profane and vulgar, pornographic, or as Article 24 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran states, "detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam or the rights of the public." For example, in 2006, the Iranian government held International Holocaust Cartoon Competition[6][7] the winner whereof had depicted the Israelis committing genocide against the Palestinians.[8]

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Countries with sharia

Afghanistan • Iran • Iraq •Nigeria • Pakistan • Palestinian National Authority •Saudi Arabia • Somalia •Sudan • Yemen

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ Ford Has a Better Idea: One Nation Under Allah
  2. ^ International Humanist and Ethical Union 30 November 2000
  3. ^ United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
  4. ^ a b CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION
  5. ^ Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa against Salman Rushdie read on Iran's state radio on 14 February 1989
  6. ^ Holocaust Cartoon Contest-2006 IRAN CARTOON International
  7. ^ Iranian TV Report on International Holocaust Cartoon Contest in Tehran
  8. ^ Moroccan wins Iran Holocaust cartoon contest AP via MSNBC 2 November 2006

[edit] External links

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