Majlis to Ban Entry of Security Forces Into Universities, Theological Schools
October 3, 2000 - 0:0
TEHRAN The Iranian Parliament approved the first reading of a bill banning the entry of security forces into universities just on the hills of another bill it passed to allow single girls to study abroad.
As the first instance of the entrance of security forces into universities, the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in July 1999 stormed the Tehran University's dormitory. The students at the dormitory were protesting the closure of the Persian-language daily Salam, which had been closed down by order of the Judiciary for publishing a classified government document. The raid on the university dormitory led to a five-day unrest in Tehran and Tabriz. Referring to the bill, an informed source told the TEHRAN TIMES that the Parliament will add new clauses to the bill in its second reading, also banning the entry of the security forces into the theological schools and the residences of grand ayatollahs who are authorized to issue decrees on religious affairs.
Differences of opinion exist among experts on a letter written by Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi who opposed a bill passed by the Majlis for allowing single girls to go abroad for an education.
The Majlis passed a bill on Aug. 27 with an absolute majority.
If approved by the Guardian Council it would allow unmarried female students to go abroad for an education. The ayatollah wrote a letter to the Majlis that was read aloud: "At times a motion is tabled which does not solve any problem and may even add to problems.
For instance, what particular problem of the people does the motion permitting single girls to go abroad for higher education solve?" Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, Mashhad deputy Ali Tajernia said, "If we don't allow single girls to go abroad for an education, it would mean that we discriminate between boys and girls. Currently, we need expert women in different fields; the bill that was passed will help the nation fill that gap. It is strange that girls can go abroad as tourists, but not for an education.
" "A committed religious personality who is sensitive ought to understand that our country needs female experts; and this bill will help us," said Tajernia in reference to Ayatollah Shirazi's letter. Also talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, echoing Ayatollah Shirazi, former deputy Abbas-Ali Noura remarked, "Our country has numerous problems. We should tackle them first rather than focus on sending single girls abroad for an education. I want those who support the bill to tell us how many girls have applied for permission to study abroad, and whether their requests have been rejected!" "Upon receiving their high school diploma, 70 percent of girls enroll at universities in the country; they don't need to go abroad," Noura insisted.
"Moreover, those girls who wanted to go abroad to study have had no obstacle in their way. There is no need for such a bill!"
As the first instance of the entrance of security forces into universities, the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in July 1999 stormed the Tehran University's dormitory. The students at the dormitory were protesting the closure of the Persian-language daily Salam, which had been closed down by order of the Judiciary for publishing a classified government document. The raid on the university dormitory led to a five-day unrest in Tehran and Tabriz. Referring to the bill, an informed source told the TEHRAN TIMES that the Parliament will add new clauses to the bill in its second reading, also banning the entry of the security forces into the theological schools and the residences of grand ayatollahs who are authorized to issue decrees on religious affairs.
Differences of opinion exist among experts on a letter written by Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi who opposed a bill passed by the Majlis for allowing single girls to go abroad for an education.
The Majlis passed a bill on Aug. 27 with an absolute majority.
If approved by the Guardian Council it would allow unmarried female students to go abroad for an education. The ayatollah wrote a letter to the Majlis that was read aloud: "At times a motion is tabled which does not solve any problem and may even add to problems.
For instance, what particular problem of the people does the motion permitting single girls to go abroad for higher education solve?" Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, Mashhad deputy Ali Tajernia said, "If we don't allow single girls to go abroad for an education, it would mean that we discriminate between boys and girls. Currently, we need expert women in different fields; the bill that was passed will help the nation fill that gap. It is strange that girls can go abroad as tourists, but not for an education.
" "A committed religious personality who is sensitive ought to understand that our country needs female experts; and this bill will help us," said Tajernia in reference to Ayatollah Shirazi's letter. Also talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, echoing Ayatollah Shirazi, former deputy Abbas-Ali Noura remarked, "Our country has numerous problems. We should tackle them first rather than focus on sending single girls abroad for an education. I want those who support the bill to tell us how many girls have applied for permission to study abroad, and whether their requests have been rejected!" "Upon receiving their high school diploma, 70 percent of girls enroll at universities in the country; they don't need to go abroad," Noura insisted.
"Moreover, those girls who wanted to go abroad to study have had no obstacle in their way. There is no need for such a bill!"