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Ahmadinejad Gives Xmas TV Speech
Critics have attacked Channel 4's decision to screen a Christmas message from Iran's president - claiming it gives a misleading impression of his hardline policies. Skip related content
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Ahmadinejad Gives Xmas TV Speech
The speech by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose antipathy towards Israel and claims that the Holocaust is a "myth" have sparked international condemnation, was broadcast by Channel 4 this evening.
The president used the message to express his wish for a peaceful New Year and greater spirituality among governments, leaders and society as a whole.
Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles, he said: "Upon the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, Son of Mary, the Word of God, the Messenger of mercy, I would like to congratulate the followers of Abrahamic faiths, especially the followers of Jesus Christ, and the people of Britain."
He described Jesus as "the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings" and warn that civilisation ignores the prophets of the Almighty at its peril.
"The crises in society, the family, morality, politics, security and the economy which have made life hard for humanity and continue to put great pressure on all nations have come about because the Prophets have been forgotten, the Almighty has been forgotten and some leaders are estranged from God," he said.
Stephen Smith, director of the Holocaust Centre, said: "I think this benign message is deceptive. People need to be alert to the fact that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Many of his political and historical views are very dangerous and do not uphold the views in his message."
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, of Liberal Judaism, said Mr Ahmadinejad's "lovey-dovey speech" had allowed him "to dress himself up as a kind of Father Christmas".
Mr Ahmadinejad sparked widespread condemnation last year when he told American students that there were no gay people in Iran.
The treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the country has long been criticised by human rights groups.
Ben Summerskill, director of gay rights group Stonewall, said: "I think President Ahmadinejad should celebrate the fact that he can appear on television to give a message like this.
"In spite of his ridiculous and often offensive views, it is an important way of reminding him that there are some countries where free speech is not repressed.
"We look forward to President Ahmadinejad giving someone the opportunity to appear on Iranian national television to make similarly counter-intuitive points very shortly."
Channel 4 head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: "Channel 4 has devoted more airtime to examining Iran than any other broadcaster and this message continues a long tradition of offering a different perspective on the world around us."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20081225/tuk-ahmadinejad-gives-xmas-tv-speech-45dbed5.html
Fury at Iran president's broadcast
The Government has criticised Channel 4's decision to broadcast an Alternative Christmas Message by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Skip related content
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the invitation by the broadcaster to the hard-line leader would cause international offence.
An FCO spokeswoman said: "President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements. The British media are rightly free to make their own editorial choices, but this invitation will cause offence and bemusement not just at home but amongst friendly countries abroad."
The decision to allow Ahmadinejad to deliver the Alternative Christmas Message on Thursday night has already angered human rights campaigners, Israelis and politicians.
Mr Ahmadinejad's anti-Western rhetoric and views on Israel and homosexuality have strained international relations between Iran and the West.
Campaign groups attacked the broadcaster's decision to air the speech, as "dangerous" and motivated by ratings.
Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor said: "In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows."
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell joined the attack, and called on the broadcaster to "pull the plug on this criminal despot, who ranks with Robert Mugabe, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and the Burmese military junta as one of the world's most bloody tyrants".
Stephen Smith, director of the Holocaust Centre, said the message should be treated with caution. He said: "I think this benign message is deceptive. People need to be alert to the fact that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20081226/tuk-fury-at-iran-president-s-broadcast-6323e80.html
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