Talk of boycotting elections an empty slogan: Ayatollah Khatami
Tehran Times – The leader of this week’s Friday prayers in Tehran said the talk of boycotting the March parliamentary elections is nothing but a hollow slogan.
Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami made the remarks in a sermon during Friday prayers at the campus of the University of Tehran on the anniversary of the December 30, 2009 demonstrations in response to certain political groups who have announced that they would not contest the elections.
On December 30, 2009, millions of people took to the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities and towns to show their anger over sacrilegious acts committed on Ashura day (December 27, 2009) in the follow-up to the post-election unrest.
The massive rallies against the seditious movements came to be known as the 9th of Day demonstrations because they took place on the ninth day of the Iranian calendar month of Day.
Ayatollah Khatami said, “The talk (of boycotting elections) is definitely a slogan, and they are very active behind the scenes.”
Khatami added that in fact they are telling outsiders: ‘Do not deprive us of your dollars.’
“That is just like their political fasts when they were devouring behind the scenes,” he said, adding, “Such behavior is hypocritical… and is doomed to failure.”
“It is a duty to participate in elections since safeguarding the system is one of the most important obligations and going to the polls and demonstrations paves the way for safeguarding the system,” Khatami stated.
He went on to say that the hegemonistic powers are seeking to dampen the people’s enthusiasm to participate in elections, adding that the Iranian people will hold no value for the statements issued by the United States.
Demo held in Tehran to commemorate 9th of Day
After Friday prayers, the worshippers held a spontaneous demonstration from the University of Tehran to Enqelab (Revolution) Square in central Tehran to commemorate the 9th of Day.
The demonstrators held up photos of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and reaffirmed their allegiance to him.