Posted by
L Gravel on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 10:11:41 PM
Never let it be said I don't keep up with the times. I was
googling around looking for Ahmadinejad's recent speech to the UN, and
I found
last year's speech
instead. In going through it, I noticed he used the phrase
"justice and spirituality" over and over. Just for fun, I
lifted all paragraphs containing it, and replaced the phrase with the
word "Islam." For extra spice, I also retained the nuclear threat
and the call at the end for the return of the Twelfth Imam.
"We believe that a sustainable order, nurturing and
flourishing peace and tranquility, can only be realized on the ...
pillars of [Islam]. The more human society departs from [Islam],
the greater insecurity it will face, so much so that a relatively small
crisis, such as a natural disaster, leads to various abnormalities and
inhuman behavior.
"Justice recognizes the right of every one to tranquility, peace and a
dignified life. Justice rejects intimidation and double standards. As
the eminent daughter of the Prophet of Islam has said, "justice brings
tranquility and harmony to our hearts."
"Today, the world is longing for the establishment of such justice. If
humanity heeds the call of its primordial nature with firm resolve,
justice will emerge. This is what the Almighty has promised and all
people of good will from all religions are waiting for. If the
prevailing discourse of global relations becomes one of [Islam], then durable peace will be guaranteed.
"Conversely, if international relations are defined without [Islam]
and void of moral considerations, then the mechanisms for promoting
confidence and peace will remain insufficient and ineffective.
"Today, my nation calls on other nations and governments to "move forward to a durable tranquility and peace based on [Islam]."
"All these problems emanate from the fact that [Islam] [is] missing in the way powerful governments conduct their affairs with other nations.
"We must endeavor to achieve sustainable tranquility and peace based on [Islam].
"The UN can be the standard bearer of democracy in the world, when it,
itself, is a manifestation of democratic process. I reiterate that
durable tranquility and peace can only be built on [Islam].
"Today, more than ever, nations need constructive, positive and honest
cooperation and interaction in order to enjoy a dignified, tranquil and
peaceful life based on [Islam]. Let us enter into a collective covenant to realize this legitimate aspiration of our nations.
"As the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I assure you that my
country will use everything in its power to contribute to global
tranquility and peace based on the ... maxims of [Islam] as well as the equal rights of all peoples and nations.
"Here, I would like to briefly talk about the approach and initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the nuclear issue.
Nuclear weapons and their proliferation, and attempts to impose an
apartheid regime on access to peaceful nuclear energy, are two major
threats, challenging international tranquility and peace.
"However, if some try to impose their will on the Iranian people
through resort to a language of force and threat with Iran, we will
reconsider our entire approach to the nuclear issue.
"Dear Friends and Colleagues,
"From the beginning of time, humanity has longed for the day when
justice, peace, equality and compassion envelop the world. All of us
can contribute to the establishment of such a world. When that day
comes, the ultimate promise of all Divine religions will be fulfilled
with the emergence of a perfect human being who is heir to all prophets
and pious men. He will lead the world to justice and absolute peace.
"O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last
repository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, the
one that will fill this world with justice and peace.