Mr. Seyed Hossein Boroujerdi is a progressive Iranian religious leader who advocates the separation of religion from politics, and supports peace, democracy, freedom and human rights. He initially began his religious and social activities in 1980 based on the concepts of Islam, which is the major religion of Iran. Meanwhile, at this time, the Islamic state of Iran was established based on the ruling of Islamic clerics. Mr. Boroujerdi, however, established a different movement in accordance with the peaceful aspects of the religions and promoted secularism.
During the 1990’s, he established a new movement in which he led benediction ceremonies in the presence of Shiites and Sunnis, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and Baha’is and followers of other beliefs. He called for the abolishment of execution, and cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments such as torture, stoning and whipping. He rejected anti-Semitism and advocated religious freedom. He established charities and welfare centers for helping the poor and assisting victims of natural disasters and condemned personal financial gain from religious activities. His call was welcomed by an increasing number of followers to the extent that until his arrest his gatherings surpassed the theocracy’s organized ceremonies, by their sheer size and numbers.
The enmity of the Iranian regime against Mr. Boroujerdi began 30 years ago when he first went public with his support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and protestations against the abuses of theocratic rule. He condemned Islamic fundamentalism, radicalism and terror. He was and currently still is opposed to Velayet-e-Faqih, the system that rules Iran by clerical jurisprudence. Consequently, he has been jailed and tortured in the prison since 2006. So as a result of promoting Monotheism excluding politics, he devoted his youth and health whereas his family is torn apart and his belongings have been confiscated. This injured cleric has recently sent out for his first temporary medical leave since being jailed following critical deterioration of his health condition. However, he had been forced into accepting serious conditions imposed by the rulers, such as hefty bail amounts, bondsmen, and severe commitments including “never to meet people”.
Moreover, during his lengthy jail time, he has presented new ideas and approaches based on monotheism in order to dampen Islamic radicalism and to establish peace in the Middle East and the world. His new teachings have been compiled into a book which showcases a new scientific doctrine called “incompatibility of the religious contexts with the religious records”, which illuminates modern views on monotheism resulting in an ultimate peaceful approach to human livelihood and convergence between varying religious believers.
His effective efforts and plans are the best solution to make a new Iran and Middle East free from religious violence and inhumane laws as a result of the demonstrably incorrect interpretation of religious contexts that he has sought to reexamine and transform.
