SHIRAZ, Fars Province -- Minister of the Interior Hojjatoleslam Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari said on Monday that one of the most outstanding features of the Islamic Republic is that the system has emerged from within the public and is based on people's will.
Addressing a large gathering of local people in Hajiabad, center of Zarrin-Dasht in this southern province, Mousavi Lari said that democracy based on religiousness is an honor for the system.
"It is also our great honor that while we think of republicanism we are also faithful and committed to Islam as well," he stressed.
The minister further remarked that the Islamic Republic government, as the servitor of the nation, deems it necessary to pay attention to any movement which aims to address people's demands.
He said the popular government, by moving within the framework of legitimate demands of the public, feels itself responsible for making efforts to perform its duties towards the nation.
In a ceremony on Monday night in the presence of the interior minister and provincial officials, Zarrin-Dasht was officially declared as a city. It has a population of 45,000 and is situated 280 km southeast of the provincial capital city of Shiraz.
According to another development, the Interior Minister addressed a gathering in Neiriz on Tuesday, and said that the danger now being felt is that some think they are the only custodians of religion while accusing the others of not being committed to religion.
The minister said people should be alert towards such issues.