Commentator spin after a big political speech is customary. So here’s an unbiased interpretation of some paraphrased Rafsanjani statements. Any disagreement with the interpretation below is a sign of bias. This inclewds objections to mis-spellings.
- “Salaam O aleikom. Kheili Motshakker az shoma.”
Translation: The only reason I am here is because Ayatollah Khamenei is now a lame duck Supreme Leader. I am effectivley the new Supreme Leader. This is because the lame duck Supreme Leader has failed to maintain unity in this republic, and people need me to clean up his mess.
- “Don’t ever think of the people as being weak.”
Translation: Because Allah will help the people kick your ass.
- “Why would the Koran swear to the Pen? What is so sacred about the mere pen?”
Translation: Our written constitution is sacred; follow the law, because Allah’s Evin is a lot worse than the earthly one. By the way, it is perfectly Islamic to go after the violators of our constitutionally given rights and box their ears fullest extent of the law.
- “You can’t put ignorant people at the same level as knowledgeable people.” Translation: An ignorant Baseej beating a university student isn’t what Islam intended.
- “The Prophet made sure no person’s rights were violated in his domain.” Translation: Rulers who conspire to cheat in elections are not following the path of the Islam.
- “Hours before his death, the Prophet came to the pulpit and asked people to speak up if he had wronged anyone, so he could address the injustice.”
Translation: Khamenei, you are old and sick; ‘fess up before it is too late.
- “The Prophet created unity.”
Translation:Unity does not spontaneously appear; it takes a wise leader to bring it about. Khamenei, you are a miserable failure.
- “The Prophet dug trenches with Salman. [the Persian].”
Translation: Islam is not a foreign religion to Iran, as revolutionary Iranians had a part in bringing it about.
- “Hundreds of thousands have died to make this strong tree [Islam]. Some during the Iraq war.”
Translation: Baseej, there were others before you who gave their lives for Islam, so don’t hog the credit. Yet we will be lenient with your crimes because you helped defend the country.
- “Imam Mosusa Kazem, was unjustly imprisoned, and later killed.”
Translation: Baseej, you will be held accountable for the Iranian Shiites you have jailed and killed [commenter’s note: Hard to to tell if Baseej victims belonging to minority religions are also covered]
- “It is not in China’s interest to persecute her Muslim population. They know there are a billion and a half Muslims in the world.”
Translation: I’ve taken it upon myself to defend the Islamic world. We don’t need Ahmadinejad and his one-issue hypocritical defense of the Palestinians.
- “Whatever the election results may have been.” Translation: I hereby confirm that Ahmadinejad did NOT win the election.
- “Whenever we as young Imam Khomeini followers asked how to start the revolution, he would say your mission is to get people to come around to my way of thinking.”
Translation: Prostesters, continue to gather support for yourselves Get more people involved; it really works. I should know.
- “If people are dissatisfied, the government can’t rule.”
Translation: We have a defunct administration right now. Let’s get rid of it.
- The Prophet told Ali, if the majority follow you, take care of them. If they don’t, let them do what they want. I did the research myself.”
Translation: As a Supreme Leader and an Islamic scholar I am inclined to build a Shiite case for democracy [Religious minorities probably excluded].
- “Everything depends on the vote of the people.”
Translation: I said, “vote” of the people, not “will” of the people. So I’m talking about this last election, even though I’m pretending to be telling an old story about Ali.
- “We rushed to write a constitution because we knew we had the backing of the people.”
Translation: The constitution is shaky, particularly now that we’re not sure of the backing of the people. I’m willing to consider amending it.
- “This order is both Islamic and a republic. One without the other is not possible.”
Translation: IRGC, don’t even think about a military dictatorship. Your name will sit in Iranian history next to the MKO, and all your Iraq War credits would go down the drain.
- “The Gaurdian Council squandered the time given to regain the trust of the people in the government.”
Translation: Khamenei manages an incompetent team, himself the biggest goof up. This is why I’m the new Supreme Leader.
20. “Free the prisoners.” No Translation necessary; this is exactly what Rafsanjani said.
- Give freedom to the press within the law. No Translation necessary; this is exactly what Rafsanjani said.
