President Khatami message to OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference)

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
The Emir of the Government of Qatar and
Chairman of the Ninth Summit Meeting of the
Organisation of Islamic Conference

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUH

The terrorist attacks on public places in America have roused dismay and
abhorrence all over the world. Without a doubt, the victimization of
defenseless human beings, under any pretext, is rejected and condemned
according to the teachings of Divine religions, as well as by human
conscience. In the religious system of thought, the sanctity of human life
is so revered that Islam equates the protection of the life of one human
being with that of the entire humanity. It is on this basis that Islamic
civilisation has always initiated a call for dialogue, tolerance and
communication. Murder and crime are condoned neither by human nature nor by
Islam or the historical conscience of Islamic civilisation. From this
standpoint, violence is also rejected because it makes man's life void of
the logic of tolerance and communication.

Regrettably, the recent antihuman incidents provided a pretext for those who
seek their interests in a confrontation between Islamic and Western
civilisations, to try and use the recent incidents to incite the feelings
and anger of the West against Muslims and the world of Islam. The interests
of the world of Islam and the international community require that this
danger -- which has fortunately been noted by many of the leaders and
intellectuals of the Western world - should be eliminated through the
vigilant and responsible action of the world of Islam. The current critical
atmosphere of the world has allowed Israel to fan the flames of anger,
redouble its criminal campaign against the innocent and defenceless people
of Palestine and impudently expand the range of its state-sponsored
terrorism. At this juncture, the world must be concerned about the
bloodstained fate of Palestine and condemn Israel's opportunistic abuse of
the current situation.

At the same time, any response on the pretext of revenge for the incidents
in America, which might lead to the injury of innocent people, would be
unacceptable and would breed fresh violence. Islamic countries and the
international community are expected to play a more effective and more
active role in this regard.

It is, therefore, essential that the Organisation of Islamic Conference
should emphasise the idea of dialogue among cultures and civilisations --
which has received the consensus support of the international community --
and formulate new policies and make fresh efforts to mobilise and educate
world public opinion, prevent the spread of violence and intolerance and
thus avoid a confrontation between religions and cultures.
At this critical juncture, the Islamic Republic of Iran proposes that
foreign ministers of Islamic countries should hold an urgent meeting to make
the vital presence of the world of Islam and the Muslim community felt on
the scene of current developments, and to make a more effective contribution
to the progress of dialogue and global coexistence, as well as to defend
human rights, especially the rights of the innocent people of Palestine. The
Islamic Republic of Iran declares its full readiness to play an active part
in this area.

Seyyed Mohammad Khatami
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

President Khatami message to UN 
(United Nation Organisation)

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

16 September 2001

His Excellency,
Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary-General
United Nations

The terrorist attacks of 11 September against American citizens unfolded new and alarming dimensions of the menace of terrorism and illustrated the vulnerability of all people across the globe, imploring reflection and sole-searching on the part of each and every human being to seek a genuine solution. I Once again condemn these acts of inhumanity and express the sympathy of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to those injured and condolences to the families of the victims.

It is quite disconcerting that in the threshold of the Third Millennium, we witness persistence of situations as well as acts blatantly disregarding the sanctity of life and the inherent dignity and rights of the human person, killing thousands of defenseless people and endangering the stability and security of states and the global community. Terrorism is the common problem of today’s world. It threatens peace, liberty, spirituality, knowledge, culture and global coexistence. A sustainable solution to this hideous and dangerous phenomenon requires vision, serious political will and active participation and cooperation of all members of the human society.

Eradicating the roots of and the grounds for acts of terrorism can only be attained through genuine, rational and farsighted efforts. Countering terrorism cannot be based on emotional and hasty reactions. Protection of the human person and fighting its depravation and degradation must be central in combating terrorism, where rationality instead of prejudice and justice and fairness instead of coercion would prevail. Terrorism has no association with any divine religion, nationality or civilization. Therefore, attributing terrorism to any religion or justifying it in the name of a religion are both grave dangers to the entire human society. I emphasize that intolerance, extremism and violence have never had a place in Islam or among its adherents.

It is regrettable that the most brutal and savage terrorist attacks should be committed in the year of dialogue among civilizations. Disturbing trends have surfaced in their aftermath to bring about a clash among civilizations and prevent the realization of dialogue at the national and international levels.

The recent event is a human catastrophe, which should be addressed with common effort. It should not be utilized to further stimulate chronic cultural and political misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices. Rather, we must reflect seriously on how to dry up pretexts for terrorism and remain constantly concerned about the fate of humanity as well as the sufferings of deprived nations. Abuse of this catastrophe, exemplified by the increasing suppression of Palestinians by Israel, would only exacerbate and aggravate its bitter and inhuman dimensions and implications.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which has itself suffered immensely from the horrifying menace of terrorism, reiterates the imperative of prudent, coordinated and rule based international endeavor against each and every terrorist act and considers the United Nations as the appropriate framework to organize this struggle.

In this context, I propose that comprehensive and inclusive negotiations in order to articulate practical and serious global policies and strategies to eradicate the menace of terrorism should commence. This should be followed, at the earliest possible time, by a Global Summit to register and demonstrate the highest international political will to uproot terrorism and adopt appropriate strategies and measures in this regard. You can count on the full and active cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this endeavor. I wish you every success in this effort.

Seyed Mohammad Khatami

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

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