TEHRAN -- Wide protests are still continuing across the country against the recent blasphemous remarks of Hashem Aghajari, a member of the Islamic Revolution Mojahedin Organization (IRMO).

These protests are mainly being raised by senior political officials and religious scholars.

President Mohammad Khatami, while on a three-day tour of Ardebil Province, on Thursday criticized those who were 'insulting and weakening' clerics in the name of intellectualism and reform.

"Nothing is expected from foreign enemies except the attempt to weaken the clergy and the religious leadership of Shia clerics and, if possible, destroy them. But our complaint is that these efforts to weaken and insult the clergy are being made in the name of intellectualism and reform," IRNA quoted him as telling residents of the northwestern city of Ardebil.

Friday prayer leaders throughout the country also continued with their protests. Qom Friday Prayer Leader Ayatollah Ali Meshkini condemned Aghajari's insulting remarks against Islam and the clergy and advised Judiciary officials to punish severely those who insult Islam and the clergy.

Stressing the importance of the clergy in society, the ayatollah cited an example from the Holy Prophet (S), saying that the Prophet (S) said: "Ulema of my community are like those of the prophets of the Israelites." The Qom Friday prayer leader also thanked Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi for blasting Aghajari's remarks.

The Central Province Friday prayer leader said the words uttered by Aghajari were aimed at undermining religion in Iranian society.

Ayatollah Ahmad Mohseni Gorgani told worshipers that the statements by the IRMO member have caused a pain in the hearts of clerics and the faithful.

He said Aghajari has insulted the people's belief and Shia principles.

Pointing to the importance of the clergy in Iranian society, he said that the clergy have played an undeniable role in the history of Islam, and that all the important revolutionary movements in Iran have been spearheaded by senior clerics.