The Pakistani Spectator

Thursday December 25, 2008

Report by A Khokar

 Critics have attacked Channel 4’s decision to screen a Christmas message (The Alternative Christmas Message) from Iran’s president - claiming it gives a misleading impression of his hardline policies. President Ahmadinejad’s hardline views have proven very controversial outside Iran. The speech by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose antipathy towards Israel and claims that the Holocaust is a “myth” have sparked international condemnation, will be broadcast by Channel 4 today. 

The president uses the message to express his wish for a peaceful New Year and greater spirituality among governments, leaders and society as a whole. Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles, he says: “Upon the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, Son of Mary, the Word of God, the Messenger of mercy, I would like to congratulate the followers of Abrahamic faiths, especially the followers of Jesus Christ, and the people of Britain.” He describes Jesus as “the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings” and warn that civilisation ignores the prophets of the Almighty at its peril. “The crises in society, the family, morality, politics, security and the economy which have made life hard for humanity and continue to put great pressure on all nations have come about because the Prophets have been forgotten, the Almighty has been forgotten and some leaders are estranged from God,” he says.  If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would hoist the banner of justice and love for humanity to oppose warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies the world over. 

Stephen Smith, director of the Holocaust Centre, said: “I think this benign message is deceptive. People need to be alert to the fact that this is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. “Many of his political and historical views are very dangerous and do not uphold the views in his message.” Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, of Liberal Judaism, said Mr Ahmadinejad’s “lovey-dovey speech” had allowed him “to dress himself up as a kind of Father Christmas”. Mr Ahmadinejad sparked widespread condemnation last year when he told American students that there were no gay people in Iran. The treatment of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the country has long been criticised by human rights groups. 

Channel Four has been criticised 

Ben Summerskill, director of gay rights group Stonewall, said: “I think President Ahmadinejad should celebrate the fact that he can appear on television to give a message like this. “In spite of his ridiculous and often offensive views, it is an important way of reminding him that there are some countries where free speech is not repressed. “We look forward to President Ahmadinejad giving someone the opportunity to appear on Iranian national television to make similarly counter-intuitive points very shortly.” 

Channel 4 head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: “Channel 4 has devoted more airtime to examining Iran than any other broadcaster and this message continues a long tradition of offering a different perspective on the world around us.”