Iran: Government Bans Sunnis from Praying in Universities, Military Camps, Homes

"Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- the Iranian government yesterday issued a decision banning Sunni Muslims from praying at state universities and military camps, Asharq Al-Awsat has learned. This decision comes within the framework of pressurizing the Sunni community in Iran, which has been taking place for decades.

"This ban, which was confirmed by Sunni sources in Tehran, came after Sunni Muslims were banned from holding communal Friday prayers services in their homes in cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, Kerman, and Yazd.

"Sheikh Abdul-Hamid Esmaeel Zahi, the highest authority for Sunni Muslims in Iran and the imam and preacher of the Makki Mosque...criticized this decision, stating that the Iranian constitution does not prevent any religious group from practicing its faith, regardless of its sect. He added, 'There should not be a ban on performing prayers, rather everybody should be invited to perform prayers, and we hope that all Sunnis and Shia take the initiative to perform this obligation that is the most important pillar of Islam after belief in the oneness of God.' "

Boobquake: American Atheist Responds to Mullah's Assertion

Blogger Jen McCreight is a self-described "liberal, geeky, nerdy, scientific, perverted atheist feminist trapped in Indiana".  She responded to claims by Ayatollah Kazem Sedighi that women not dressing modestly causes earthquakes--by suggesting an international event.  Women all over the world are to "Help fight supernatural thinking and the oppression of women, just by showing your cleavage!" She posted this idea here on Monday, April 19th. As of 11am today, the Facebook page associated with this event has over 36,706 confirmed guests. The page says, "So, who's with me? I may be a D cup, but that will probably only produce a slight tremor on its own. If you'll be joining me on twitter, use the tag #boobquake!"


I personally sent out invitations to over 100 of my male and female friends, many of whom are are Iranian and/or Muslim. One of my friends who is both responded, " 'Incite extramarital sex in society, which increases earthquakes'--I didn't know that the cause of earthquake is boobs! 
...Oh my god! Dr.Shariati said Islam wanted to save the world, but ...people...start ruining it! So that now we're seeing the fake Islam, which is Mullah Islam! 
Boobs are 'haram', but sighe is 'GREAT'! WHOO-HOO!"  


According to Google Translate, "sighe" means "concubine" in Persian.  My friend could be referring to "temporary marriage"-- the practice of temporarily marrying a woman in order to legally satisfy sensual desires under Shia Islam.  (This practice is also carried out in Iranian prisons in order to legally rape virgin female prisoners who are about to be executed. It is illegal to execute a virgin female in Iran).


I have not read the Koran. But friends who have tell me that there are Sharia laws that are not based on the Koran--even though the promoters of those laws act as though those laws are God-given. Could this contribute to a sense of "fake Islam"?   


Back to the topic of earthquakes, the Boobquake Facebook event page says, "Dressing modestly won't end earthquakes, so help out the victims of inevitable natural disasters at the Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/  and Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation: http://www.theahafoundation.org/