RNA (Tehran, Iran) – Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi has met with group of women employees of the municipal government of Tehran, where he discussed cultural activities in the Iranian capital.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi praised the role of Muslim family, saying: “You must give women their rights as stated in Islamic teachings. The lofty status of women is described with great emphasis in the Holy Quran. For example, God says: “Wives have rights similar to the obligations upon their husbands, in accordance with honourable norms” [2:228]. His Eminence pointed out that women have many rights which must be respected. One of these rights is that women must be allowed to fully participate in society.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi pointed out that the Western concept of freedom has the same meaning as decadence and promiscuity. His Eminence explained that in the West freedom has no red lines – everyone is allowed to do whatever they wish. However in Islam, freedom has clear limits for both men and women in order to prevent the corruption of society. Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi stressed that Islam truly honours women and stated that the injustice and persecution committed by the so-called Islamic State is against Islam and they are the same kinds of acts that were committed by the pagan Arabs during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. If anyone compares the honour and esteem enjoyed by women under Islam to the grave abuses suffered by women under the so-called Islamic State, they will realize that women really do enjoy great honour in the Islamic religion.
He explained that the media is active in spreading corruption which greatly affects the Islamic society. The ethical and cultural evils came quickly from Western countries to Islamic countries, and this represents a major challenge to Islam. In our era, the entire world is linked together; this global village can have many benefits but it can also be the cause of much corruption. Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi stated that we need to weigh the interests of both in order to prevent corruption. He gave the example of technology and media, saying that “we have repeatedly said that we welcome every new form of technology, but we use it correctly so avoid its detrimental effects.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi also criticized some who fear receiving criticism from the Western media, saying:” Some think that all which comes from the West is good. However, Islam is a complete system for human life and we do not need to follow Western methods.
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