Pres. Rouhani: Iran pioneer of democracy in region

Tehran, Aug 5, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran is the pioneer of democracy in the region and that as long as people respect the ballot boxes, no power can harm the country. Congratulating the Muslims on the birthday of Imam Ali al-Hadi, the 10th imam of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Infallible Household, and the event of Ghadir Khum, President Rouhani said that 114 years have passed since the proclamation of constitutional monarchy on August 4, 1906, on which Iran established the first the parliament in the region. Rouhani said Iran experienced ups and down from that date until the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and added that Iran is still treading the same path of the Constitutional Movement and enjoys a religious democracy. He added that everyone should know that as long as the ballot boxes are respected, no power can harm the country. When the government and parliament and all the other pillars of the administration are directly or indirectly elected by the people, it is totally senseless to make decisions in a house on the other side of the world to end the Islamic System or to make riots in Iran, he said. President Rouhani said that they can annoy Iran, but they cannot take the democracy away.