Iran continues to surprise the world scientific community. This time, however, it is not yet another story of improved missile system or uncovered nuclear plant but the advent of a new theory on earthquakes.
Scientists still cannot predict earthquakes but they know why and how they occur – at least that is what they thought they knew. The new theory coming from Iran offers a new explanation for the causes of earthquakes that may considerably improve their prediction. Or even completely prevent their happening.
AP news agency, via The Guardian daily, reports that a senior Iranian cleric has recently announced that women who wear immodest clothing and behave promiscuously are to blame for earthquakes.
“Many women who do not dress modestly … lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes,” Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Sedighi is Tehran’s acting Friday prayer leader.
Women in the Islamic Republic are required by law to cover from head to toe, but many, especially the young, ignore some of the more strict codes and wear tight coats and scarves pulled back that show much of the hair.
“What can we do to avoid being buried under the rubble?” Sedighi asked during a prayer sermon Friday. “There is no other solution but to take refuge in religion and to adapt our lives to Islam’s moral codes.”
“A divine authority told me to tell the people to make a general repentance. Why? Because calamities threaten us,” Sedighi added.
Referring to the violence that followed June 2009 disputed presidential election, he said, “The political earthquake that occurred was a reaction to some of the actions (that took place). And now, if a natural earthquake hits Tehran, no one will be able to confront such a calamity but God’s power, only God’s power. … So let’s not disappoint God.”
Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Sadeq Mahsooli, said prayers and pleas for forgiveness were the best “formulas to repel earthquakes.”
“We cannot invent a system that prevents earthquakes, but God has created this system and that is to avoid sins, to pray, to seek forgiveness, pay alms and self-sacrifice,” Mahsooli said.
Scientists still cannot predict earthquakes but they know why and how they occur – at least that is what they thought they knew. The new theory coming from Iran offers a new explanation for the causes of earthquakes that may considerably improve their prediction. Or even completely prevent their happening.
AP news agency, via The Guardian daily, reports that a senior Iranian cleric has recently announced that women who wear immodest clothing and behave promiscuously are to blame for earthquakes.
“Many women who do not dress modestly … lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes,” Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Sedighi is Tehran’s acting Friday prayer leader.
Women in the Islamic Republic are required by law to cover from head to toe, but many, especially the young, ignore some of the more strict codes and wear tight coats and scarves pulled back that show much of the hair.
“What can we do to avoid being buried under the rubble?” Sedighi asked during a prayer sermon Friday. “There is no other solution but to take refuge in religion and to adapt our lives to Islam’s moral codes.”
“A divine authority told me to tell the people to make a general repentance. Why? Because calamities threaten us,” Sedighi added.
Referring to the violence that followed June 2009 disputed presidential election, he said, “The political earthquake that occurred was a reaction to some of the actions (that took place). And now, if a natural earthquake hits Tehran, no one will be able to confront such a calamity but God’s power, only God’s power. … So let’s not disappoint God.”
Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Sadeq Mahsooli, said prayers and pleas for forgiveness were the best “formulas to repel earthquakes.”
“We cannot invent a system that prevents earthquakes, but God has created this system and that is to avoid sins, to pray, to seek forgiveness, pay alms and self-sacrifice,” Mahsooli said.
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