Iran will always be a Muslim country, but what kind of Islam will it have? A moderate kind that keeps out most direct political involvement or a militant kind that seeks to guide society by political means? The Iranian economy was hurt by the revolution, war, isolation and mismanagement. Although oil income has increased, the GDP has barely recovered, and unemployment is at 20 percent. Iranians also debate over what kind of clothing is admissible for women and men. Western style clothing is not allowed, meaning men cannot wear blue jeans and women loose clothing that covers them from head to toe. In the area of foreign policy, Iran feels it must take a leading role in destroying Israel, which it depicts as a polluter of Islamic holy ground (Jerusalem is also sacred to Muslims) and an outpost of Western imperialism.
Iranian Moderate and Islamist Views | |
---|---|
Moderates | Islamists |
End Islamic revolution | Maintain Islamic revolution |
Shift power to Majlis | Preserve power of faqih |
Permit all parties | Ban non Islamic parties |
Free press | Censored press |
Permit Western women’s attire | Islamic attire only (veil) |
Improve relation with West | Keep distance from West |
Dialogue with America | Hate America |
End nuclear program | Build nuclear bombs |
Liberalize economy | Keep economy statist |
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