Extremism leaves no room for wisdom: Tehran mayor

TEHRAN,March 1 (MNA) – Tehran’s mayor said that people should not adhere to extremist beliefs as they are detrimental to the national interests. In a TV program on Tuesday night ahead of parliamentary election, Mohmmad Baqer Qalibaf said, “Those who act in the national interest in accordance with the ideals of the revolution and those that believe in solving the problems of the people, should understand that they must not behave in extreme ways.” Mohmmad Baqer Qalibaf said in an atmosphere of extremism there is no room for “wisdom and moderation”. He also said extremism had its roots not in the national interest but in personal and group interests. The mayor, who is politically close to the mainstream moderate principlists, called upon people to turn out for the parliamentary elections, especially as certain Western countries are trying to paint a picture that there is a gulf between the people and the ruling establishment in Iran. “I kindly ask the people to enter the political space. We rebuke enemies that try to portray a division between the people and the system. One of the ways in which we can prove that it is not so is to demonstrate a strong turn-out for the election.” “Our condition abroad is very sensitive and we should not allow enemies to take advantage of this situation.” Raising the quality of citizens’ lives Qalibaf, a former police chief who ran for president in 2005, said a “proud Iran” should promote the materialistic and spiritual status of its people. He went on to say that the 20-Year Outlook Plan shows that “we can see the direction the country is going.” “A good Iran is a proud Iran that under the umbrella of Islam can promote the quality of life for its citizens and nation materialistically and spiritually. We should prove this to the nation.” The mayor said those who consider themselves loyal to the revolution, the system, Imam Khomeini, the nation, the Leadership and the ideals of the martyrs, should not practice their loyalty only in words. “I believe that we should raise the quality of people’s lives. It is the right of every Iranian, inside or outside the country, to feel proud of himself,” said Qalibaf. Qalibaf said that people should not use their dissatisfaction with officials as a justification to abstain from voting because “participation in election is a religious duty” and that failures by officials should not be attributed to the system.