Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi on 3G Internet controversy:

Some of our words and intentions have been distorted // Not a global issue //

Rasa News Agency reports – Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi has said that not only he is not opposed to new technologies, but he believes that using modern technologies is a must.

News ID: 1058

Date: 01 September 2014 - 16:57

Rasa News Agency reports – Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi has said that not only he is not opposed to new technologies, but he believes that using modern technologies is a must. There have been many news articles being propagated on various news websites which mock and distort the words of this illustrious and knowledgeable Shi’ah source of emulation.

“When the issue of third-generation (3G) Internet was proposed, several members of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace came to us and I explained that I felt it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, some of our words and intentions were distorted. We are not opposed to technology but it is necessary that we use it correctly,” the source of emulation said on Sunday. “It should not be assumed by some people that we are against these technologies. But the Western technology is like muddy and unsanitary water. Water is the lifeblood, but when it gets murky and unsanitary it must be purified,” he added.

A few days ago, Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi had stated that as long as the national information network, which can solve many problems, has not been established, offering high-speed mobile Internet devices and 3G mobile communication services, are against the shari’ah (Islamic law) and moral norms. His Eminence added that any technology that is introduced to the country should be first purified, advising the information ministry not to hurry in providing the 3G mobile services. “With access to 3D technology it is easy to access or download any movie you want onto mobile telephones without a filter,” he said.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained that because of his own personal experience, he is wary of such technology: “In Mashhad, someone brought a mobile phone to me and showed me all kinds of dirty pictures and films on it. Because of this, I did not trust this person and I took his mobile and saw once again all these films were accessible because of the lack of a filter. We wanted to go to the respected Minister of Communications and show them that such films were so easily accessible.”

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