In his second sermon Friday, Tehran interim Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati slammed world leaders, human rights bodies, and heads of Islamic states for remaining silent on the situation in Gaza, accusing them of making "only one proposal for a U.N. Security Council session, which failed to issue a resolution against the Zionists' crimes."
He said, referring to Muslim ulemaa and Al-Azhar University officials, "Why don't you fight for saving the oppressed... You should today give statements and instigate the public against the Zionists,” and added that another Karbala and Ashura are taking place in Palestine (a reference to the murder of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad).
He lauded Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for consulting with certain Muslim heads of state on Palestine, praised Ahmadinejad and Iranian MPs, students, and citizens for their sympathy for the oppressed and defenseless people of Gaza, and expressed his hope for a day when the Palestinian nation would celebrate its victory.
In a rally following prayers, tens of thousands of worshipers shouted slogans such as "Down with the U.S., and "Israel commits crimes and the U.S. supports it," and called on the international community to act against Israel. They were joined by political, religious, civil and military figures. Following the rally, a resolution was issued condemning Israel's actions following Annapolis and U.S. President Bush's visit to the Middle East.
Sources: IRIB.news, IRNA, Fars, Iran, January 25, 2008
