Mohammad Khatami quotes

Mohammad Khatami is an Iranian politician and reformist, best known for serving as the President of Iran from 1997 to 2005. His presidency focused on promoting political reform, dialogue among civilizations, and greater social freedoms within Iran. He continues to be an influential voice advocating for democracy and reform in Iranian society. Here are 18 of his quotes:

What I propose is that dialogue should take place among cultures and civilizations. And as a first step, I would suggest that cultures and civilizations should not be represented by politicians but by philosophers, scientists, artists and intellectuals.[...] Dialogue will lead to a common language and a common language will culminate in a common thought, and this will turn into a common approach to the world and global events. (Mohammad Khatami)
...the policies that the United States has chosen unfortunately have brought about the wrong sentiment toward the United States and has only increased, and will only increase, extremism in our region. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
I don't like the death penalty, although if there is one case where there should be an execution, the fairest case would be for Saddam. But I would never wish for that. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Faith and Religiosity is compatible with human nature, The most Wretch man is one who has no religion.». View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Of course we may assume many general and non-historical meanings for secularism, but turning a subject that is in all its existence a historical matter into a non-historical matter is a blatant mistake. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
In response on the motives of suicide bombers, he said that, Those who put others through hell will never go to heaven. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
A basic change in political ethics is required for the realization of the proposal [The dialog among civilizations]. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
One cannot reach paradise by creating Hell for others. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Terrorism, which means killing civilians in whatever name or title, lacks morality, and nobody who lacks such principle will go to heaven. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Hezbollah is like a shining sun which warms up all oppressed Muslims, especially those in Palestine and Lebanon. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
In order to understand the meaning of the phrase dialogue among civilizations as defined here, one has no choice but to closely pay attention to a number of points one of which is the relationship between a politician and an artist, and the other is the relationship between ethics and politics. (Mohammad Khatami)
Without a doubt, we will succeed in moving forward, only if we have the capacity to reap the benefit of positive, scientific and social accomplishments of Western civilization. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Pope John Paul II was a seeker of truth, justice and peace. Pope John Paul II was a disciple of religious mysticism, philosophic deliberation and thought and artistic and poetic creativity, By emphasising his experience and teachings, (he) earnestly tried to utilise them in the path of the triumph of truth, justice and peace. It is hoped that the leadership of Catholic Christianity, by following the teachings of the Prophet Jesus, may peace be upon him, by interacting with justice seeking and peace loving political-religious leaders and by also following the ethical and humanitarian thinking of John Paul II, help the world towards a better and more just life. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
We believe that Hizbullah has an authentic Lebanese identity. We love Hizbullah. I emphasized this in talks with Mr. Chirac, who said he has never called to weaken or disarm Hizbullah, and on that matter he is in disagreement with some of his European allies. Hizbullah will remain and keep its weapons. View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Offending and insulting, is different from expressing an opinion that can be analyzed, argued on, and can eventually be accepted or rejected [therefore offending others is not acceptable] ... But in addition to the west, we ourselves also have problems in this regard. Instead of logical criticism or debate, we only keep saying offensive things about liberalism, democracy and modernism. I had told some of our elders before, that the religion of the today's world is 'liberalism' and we have no right to make insults about it. We should not keep using phrases such as "the corrupt culture of the west" etc. in our words. As it's also said in the Holy Koran, "Do not insult the gods of others, otherwise you are indirectly insulting your God." View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Secularism is the experience of the Western culture and thought. Insisting on spreading it to places where the underlying intellectual background, and the political and social reasons for its appearance are lacking, is clearly a mistake, regardless of being desirable or not. (Berlin Institute of Advanced Studies, Nov 2005) View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Liberalism is the world's religion. We do not have the right to insult liberalism. (after Malaysia conference on Islam and West, 2006) View quote
Mohammad Khatami
Liberalism is the world's religion. We do not have the right to insult liberalism. View quote
Mohammad Khatami