TEHRAN -- The Majlis deputy representing the Iranian Jewish population, Mauris Mo'tamed, here on Sunday expressed his appreciation of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, for his efforts to promote the rights of the Iranian Jewish minority, adding that he hoped that similar measures would be adopted in the future for cases such as ****qesas**** (law of retaliation), legal testimony, and inheritance laws.

Speaking during the Majlis pre-debate speeches, Mo'tamed thanked the Leader for seeing to it that Iran's law was changed so that now an equal amount of blood money must be paid for the death of Jews and Muslims.

He also praised Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahroudi for his efforts to remove the problems and obstacles hindering the development of the law. The deputy also thanked the administration of President Mohammad Khatami for expediting the procedures in drawing up the relevant bill and quickly sending it to the Majlis, where the bill was passed.

Mo'tamed also asked the Leader to pardon the Jewish prisoners in the southern city of Shiraz on the eve of the upcoming Jewish holiday.