An interim Friday prayer leader of Tehran here Monday emphasized need for observation of Islamic norms by upcoming parliamentary election candidates, stressing preservation of system is topmost Islamic norm, so flickering flames of discord is unacceptable. Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ahmad Khatami who was speaking for the media representatives on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Seminary Section of the 19th Glorious Qur’an Exhibition, added, “God should be remembered at all times as being present and a witness, and political piety, particularly in the process of elections is refraining from resorting to slander and smear against the other competitors.” Seyyed Ahmad Khatami emphasized, “The election hopefuls should not resort to telling lies, and refrain from promising the people rose gardens that do not exist.” The seminary teacher meanwhile advised the candidate not to promise the people in their election campaigns mottoes keeping which are beyond their authorities, and not to chant slogans to which they themselves are not committed.” The interim Friday prayer leader said, “These people should also refrain from trampling over the sacred values in order to gain a number of more votes, and the greatest value is observation of the Islamic election ethics.” He added, “As I said at a gathering of Khorassan-e Razavi Province clerics, the pulpits, the prayer chambers, and the mosques should not be turned into election platforms, because the enthusiasts of spirituality come to such places and therefore, the candidates can proceed with their positive election campaigns at other places. That is to say, they should speak about their own capabilities and refrain from highlighting the real and unreal weak points of the others.” Khatami emphasized, “When the Guardians Council approves of the legitimacy of a candidate for running in the elections, that means this person has the minimum acceptable competence, and the other candidates should refrain from ruining the personality of such people.” Focusing on the formation of the G7+8 fundamentalists’ coalition and the publication of their list, he said, “Any step taken aimed at preservation of unity is praised, and we hope the selfless efforts made in this field would bear sweet fruit and lead to the strengthening of the Islamic system. The Hojjatoleslam focusing on the annual holding of the Qur’anic exhibition, said, “Getting acquainted with the Glorious Qur’an and the cultural atmosphere that this exhibition provides are very precious achievements of this event, and I request everyone who can be benefitted from this Qur’an Exhibition to visit it and to be benefitted from its unique blessings.”/129
