The Tragic Story of Ayatollah Boroujerdi

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DW Duke
by DW Duke
15-Dec-2008
 

By DW Duke and Nazanin Afshin Jam 

It is unfortunate that the western world has such a negative image of people of the Muslim faith.  To most Americans and Europeans the notion of Islam embodies an extreme religion of violence and human rights abuses.  Yet, we hear it said that Islam is a religion of peace and that the Islamic extremists we see in Iran and other nations where Shariah law is enforced do not represent the true Islamic faith.  Many ask “Where are these peaceful Muslim leaders?  Why do we never hear about them?  Do they really exist?”  In fact they do.  One such Islamic leader is Ayatollah Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi who today is held captive in a prison in Yazd in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Ayatollah Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi is a Shi'a Muslim cleric who supports the freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion in Iran.  He believes that the government should not be controlled by religion.  Thus, he supports the separation of government from the dominance of Islam.   Ayatollah Boroujerdi believes that the repressive government of Iran, which purports to exist under the rules of Islam, is not true Islam at all.  According to Ayatollah Boroujerdi true Islam is a religion of tolerance, mercy and compassion which is the opposite of the religion of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Ayatollah Boroujerdi is the son of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Kazemeini Boroujerdi who died under suspicious circumstances in an Iranian prison in 2002.  His father was one of the leading religious leaders of Iran in the Pahlavi government and published over thirty books.  He was widely respected in the western world as well as in Iran and he refused to support Ayatollah Khamenei’s efforts to establish the Islamic regime in 1979.  As a result of his refusal of support he was persecuted and imprisoned in an Iranian prison where he eventually died. 

The younger Ayatollah Boroujerdi became openly critical of human rights abuses of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1994.  For over a decade he spoke to his supporters about the need to peacefully promote their views and he is opposed to violence in any form.  On October 7, 2006 Ayatollah Boroujerdi was arrested along with many of his supporters who had gathered at his home. Although no crime had been committed, witnesses say that they were incarcerated and subjected to torture in section 209 of Evin Prison.

The government of Iran has not provided any information concerning his prosecution and conviction.  In a special clerical court, without representation by legal counsel, Ayatollah Boroujerdi was initially sentenced to death but due to appeals and international pressure, the sentence was changed to eleven years of imprisonment ten of which are to be in exile in Yazd.  Ayatollah Boroujerdi was then coerced, under threat of torture, to give a statement in which he was forced to confess to acts he did not commit. This forced confession was televised nationally in Iran in an attempt to humiliate Ayatollah Boroujerdi and others who share his belief in the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech.  

Since his incarceration in the Iranian prison Ayatollah Boroujerdi has been brutally tortured resulting in serious injury to his vital organs.  He has been repeatedly refused medical treatment by his captors and his family and supporters have also undergone torture.  His wife has been brought into his prison cell and forcibly raped in his presence.  He and his family have been victims of incomprehensible cruelty at the hands of this tyrannical regime. 

Ayatollah Boroujerdi has committed no crime. He is a peaceful man who does not advocate violence nor does he threaten the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in any way though he supports the separation of religion from government.  All he has done is to advocate for the unalienable right of the individual to hold personal religious beliefs and to exercise freedom of speech. For this he has been subjected to imprisonment and torture under continuous threat of execution. 

Article 56 of the United Nations Charter requires that all member nations pledge to "take joint and separate action in cooperation with the Organization (UN) for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55." Article 55 includes several paragraphs most notably here "universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion."

Article 18 Section 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, provides that:

“1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.”

Article 19, Sections 1 and 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provide that:

“1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.”

Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides in pertinent part:

“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

Ayatollah Boroujerdi has been denied his rights under each of the above referenced Articles and sections of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He has been arrested held in confinement and tortured because of his beliefs and for expressing his views on political matters.

On September 24, 2007 Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke in the United States at Columbia University. In response to the introduction from Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, President Ahmadinejad said the following:

“I think the text read by the dear gentleman here, more than addressing me, was an insult to information and the knowledge of the audience here, present here. In a university environment we must allow people to speak their mind, to allow everyone to talk so that the truth is eventually revealed by all."

"Certainly he took more than all the time I was allocated to speak, and that's fine with me. We'll just leave that to add up with the claims of respect for freedom and the freedom of speech that's given to us in this country.”

In his words, which have been communicated to billions of people throughout the world, President Ahmadinejad expressed his belief in the freedom of speech and the right of people to “speak their mind.” Yet, within the nation of Iran people are arrested and tortured for “speaking their mind.”

Now the world is watching to see if Iran will live up to the high standard set by these words of the President Ahmadinejad. Will Iran release Ayatollah Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi, who has done nothing more than exercise his right to “speak his mind,” as President Ahmadinejad said, so that “truth is eventually revealed by all.”

What can you do to help free Ayatollah Boroujerdi?  If you would like to show your support of this victim of the Iranian terror machine, you may sign the petition at //www.petitiononline.com/Maat2/petition.html

 

The United Nations has been requested to investigate this case and to assure that Ayatollah Boroujerdi is provided the needed medical attention.  If we join efforts to support the release of Ayatollah Boroujerdi, the leaders of Iran will take note.  While it may seem a futile effort, it is important to bear in mind that Iran seeks to become a member of the international community.   The embarrassment brought about by these abuses when publicized will ultimately compel the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release this honorable man and his supporters. 

Copyright DW Duke, 2008

DW Duke is a partner in the California based law firm of Spile, Siegal, Leff & Goor, LLP.  He is a writer, a human rights activist, President of The Institute for Children’s Aid and legal counsel to Stop Child Executions which are organizations devoted to securing the inalienable rights of children and others throughout the world in nations where human rights abuses occur.  

Nazanin Afshin Jam is a recording artist, human rights activist, a writer and an actor.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Master of International Diplomacy from Norwich University.  She is also the co-founder and president of Stop Child Executions.  She was Miss Canada in 2003 and First Runner Up Miss World in the same year and is best known for her successful efforts to obtain the release of Nazanin Fatehi, a minor who was sentenced to death in Iran for defending herself against two would be rapists.    

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Re: To the genocidal Islamist

by KavehV (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 08:26 PM PST

Suppose I believe you say who you are. Then what is your business in confronting us in matters you seem ill prepared to argue ?

And I am not interested in your brand of Islam. You will not make friends among the Islam stricken people by introducing a new/different brand of Islam. Leave us alone!


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Reply to KavehV

by Ma'at (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 07:40 PM PST

For your information sir, I am not a genocidal Islamic mongrel. I am an orthodox Jew. :) This might help you understand the original and true Islam as a noahide faith.

//www.aish.com/literacy/jewishhistory/Crash_C...


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To the genocidal Islamist

by KavehV (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 06:03 PM PST

To the genocidal Islamist mongrel: "Ma'at"

Wrong again! My heroes are buried in places your ilk calls Khavaran, LaanatAbad and many many other isolated places in our Iranian plateau where they fought and fell (and many times slaughtered as prisoners) to your invading, bloodthirsty and criminal forefathers.


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Reply to KavehV

by Ma'at (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 05:29 PM PST


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Eradicating Islam is a

by KavehV (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 05:09 PM PST

Eradicating Islam is a human rights issue!

The followers of the bloodthirsty cult who have killed, tortured and oppressed numerous societies throughout ages are CRIMINALS. There are very many of them in Vran today since we are still in a period of Islamic rampage and crimes against humanity. The criminal Islamic cult must be ERADICATED and the criminal followers prosecuted, forever.


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Shahrex

by Ma'at (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 04:13 PM PST

Regardless of your hatred for people of Islam they have rights. They are entitled to be free from torture and political abuses. This is not simply about Islam. It is about human rights and yes, I campaign for all peoples' rights. The hatred and bigotry you express toward the Muslims is no different than the hatred and the bigotry expressed toward the Jews during the holocaust. Only the names and faces are changed.

Incidentally, go back and reread your on post. You will see that you are not as eloquent as you believe. In the meantime, you might want to seek the assistance of someone who can help you with yoru issues. :)

//mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/


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Shahrex

Illiterate MA'AT!

by Shahrex on Mon Dec 15, 2008 03:18 PM PST

It seems as if you are not capable of reading a simple text, I said forget about exceptional likes of "Gorbeh Nareh", it means people like Montazeri and Boroujerdi, besides i meant not only condemning Islamic terror during the last 30 years, Have you ever seen an Ayatollah, or your Hero, Boroujerdi, condemning Islamic Terror in Iran since 1400 years ago? Have you seen any Ayatollah Condemning Your Imam Ali's terror , killing many innocent people, many Iranians, Have you seen them Condemning Islamic terror against Iranian intellectuals, against Kasravi, against Bakhtiar, against Farrokhzad, aganst Sharafkandi? When and where did you see them organizing a demonstration agains terror excersised against women, Bahaiis?

NO, you are not wrong, you are a LIAR, ISLAM is exposed, and we will not let it survive again, preparing for the next "TRUE ISLAM"!!

Forget it, this time is the final time, WE WILL NOT LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!

Besides, there are many more individuals in Islamic prisons, many of them are mch more human, much more prominent than your AYATOLLAH, have you ever bothered writing about them? defending them? NO, because in your mind, an AYATOLLAH has special ights and priviledges, i strongly condemn that attitude, you can not pretend to be a defender of human right, at it's best you are an Ayatollah defender!


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Reply to Shahrex

by Ma'at (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 02:54 PM PST

You asked:
"Have you ever heared (sic) any Ayatollah in public or private condemning Islamic terrorism?"

Yes, Ayatollah Boroujerdi publicly condemns Islamic terrorism. It is unfortunate that you choose to exhibit such hatred and bigotry toward people of another faith. You must be a wonder to behold in civic's class. :)


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Shahrex

Let the Ayatollah taste his own medicin!

by Shahrex on Mon Dec 15, 2008 02:16 PM PST

It is beyond rationals to support an Ayatollah in opposition while the absolute majority of Ayatollahs are directly engaged in the criminal activities in our country. Have you ever heared any Ayatollah in public or private condemning Islamic terrorism? Have you ever heared a Mullah condemning the Islamic terror? Have you ever heared a Mullah condemningwhat happens to women, to Bahaiis, to homosexuals? (Forget about Gorbeh Nareh, he has always been labil).

The fact is that the problem number one is not Ayatollahs or Mullahs, it is ISLAM in itself.

Islam is the drug, Ayatollah is the drug dealer, and the islamist is the addict. However they are dealers and addicts by choice, and the victim is the country, so here is the solution, let us make use of their own sharia against them, after all, we have no time to reeducate and rehabiliate these reptiles, let us eradicate them both rapidly and slowly. Rapidly by trying them in a national justice tribune and executing them accordingly, if they are innocent they will surely get an attractive flat in heaven, with many hores ( i did not say whores) as they have been promissed to, and if they are guilty, then there is no  reason to feel sorry about them.

Slowly, by challenging critically the very basis og this stupid ideology, exposing it's crimes, it's messages and it's hereoes from the very beginning until no, confiscating their economical and institutional resources, depriving them the right to spread their drug, and forbiding clercic as a profession, let them have a job instead for paraziting on the society, challenging them by real education, art, science, social justice, freedom and beyond that, liberty and enlightement.

Back to those who suddenly find a new hero in an Ayatollah, forget about it, we will not let you to pull the walls over our eyes anymore, Ayatollah Borujerdi either is an ayatollah and therefore should not rely on us but on his Allah, or he should get rid of his filthy title and uniform and act as a civilian, then perhaps e deserves our support and sympathy!


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DW Duke

Reply to Ramin A.

by DW Duke on Mon Dec 15, 2008 02:06 PM PST

I understand your apprehension with the title "Ayatollah" Ramin A.  It is a term that refers to a high ranking Shia' religious authority or a "master teacher" if you will.  I am hopeful that by his title people will come to understand that there are leaders in Islam who do not support the abusive tyrannical extremists of Islam.  The Special Clerical Court that sentenced Ayatollah Boroujerdi also attempted to take away his title of Ayatollah.  Many Islamic leaders maintain that the title cannot be removed once obtained therefore the attempted "defrocking" was of no effect.   


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DW Duke

Ayatollah Boroujerdi's Family

by DW Duke on Mon Dec 15, 2008 01:52 PM PST

Here is a link that might assist in identifying the family members of Ayatollah Boroujerdi.

 

//vofiran19.blogspot.com/


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Masoud Kazemzadeh

correction

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Mon Dec 15, 2008 01:26 PM PST

Dear Faryam,

The Grand Ayatollah Hussein Brujerdi died in 1961.  He was a supporter of the Shah; Khomeini was his clerk and confidant; their children married each other.  Brujerdi and Falsafi were responsible for the attacks on Bahais in 1954.  The Shah was showing his gratitude to the conservative Shia clerics for their support of him in 1953 coup.

 

The father of this Ayatollah Kazemieni Brujerdi died in  2002.  They are different folks.

 

 


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I don't want to sound

by Ramin A (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:14 PM PST

I don't want to sound negative, but there is no peace in a name that starts with "AYATOLLAH"!!


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Reply to Faryarm

by Ma'at (not verified) on Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:32 AM PST

Yes, the son has turned the page and supports the freedom of all religions. Perhaps it was the persecution of his father and his family that caused him to adopt a more tolerant position than his father. Here is some information from Amnesty International.

//www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/iran/ayato...


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faryarm

Refreshing to know...

by faryarm on Mon Dec 15, 2008 09:53 AM PST

It is Refreshing to know that the son has "turned a page"..

Was his father Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Kazemeini Boroujerdi , the same Ayatollah Boroujerdi  who with Falsafi were responsible for the persecution of the Bahais and the desecration of the Bahai center etc in 1955?

//iranian.com/main/2008/sacrificing-innoc...

 


In Khaterat va Mubarezat [Memories and Struggles], Muhammad-Taqi Falsafi writes:

Ayatollah Borujerdi sent a message for me to convey the issue [of Baha’is] to the governmental authorities. … Eventually, after Ramadan 1332 [May 1953], he sent a letter for me to meet with the Shah and to express the Ayatollah’s disapproval and displeasure over the situation of [the relative freedom of] Baha’is. … Before Ramadan of 1333 [May 1954], I asked Ayatollah Borujerdi, ‘Are you supportive of the idea that I discuss the situation of Baha’is during my radio sermons which are broadcast live from Masjed Shah?’ He thought for a moment and then responded, ‘If you were to say so, it would be good. For now, the authorities are heedless (of suppression and annihilation of Baha’is). At least that would suppress them [Baha’is] in the field of public opinion.’

He added further, ‘It is necessary to mention this beforehand to the Shah so that he would not have an excuse later to intercede, ruin everything and terminate the radio broadcasts. If the latter were to happen, that would be most unfortunate for the Muslims and would embolden the Baha’is.’

I called the Shah’s office and requested an appointment. When I met the Shah, I stated, ‘Ayatollah Borujerdi has consented that the issue of Baha’is, which is a cause of worry for the Muslims, be dealt with and discussed in my radio sermons during the month of Ramadan. Would your majesty consent as well?’'

From  the memoirs of Falsafi

thanks

Faryarm 


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