TEHRAN - MP Ali Motahhari has criticized President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for praising Cyrus during a live televised interview on Friday.

Although there are some positive points in the Human Rights Charter of Cyrus (the Cyrus Cylinder), the actions of Cyrus were not in line with the prophets’ teachings, Motahhari said.
The British Museum recently loaned the Cyrus Cylinder to Iran. The artifact was put on display at the National Museum of Iran and the president formally opened the Cyrus Cylinder exhibit last week.
When Cyrus captured Babylon, he did not abolish idolatry in the name of freedom of thought, Motahhari stated.
It seems that the president has made the remarks under the influence of his advisor, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaii, who has recently proposed that Iran promote the Iranian School of Thought instead of the Islamic School of Thought, the MP said.
The president should be aware that he is obligated to promote Islam and not ancient Iran, and if he fails to fulfill his obligation, he will lose the support and trust of the Muslim nation of Iran, he added.