A controversial Christmas?

by -Max- • 24 Dec 2008, 19:09 • Journals

Ahmadinejad gives festive speech


QuoteIranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will deliver Channel 4's alternative to the Queen's Christmas Day speech this year, it has announced.

He will be shown telling British viewers "the general will of nations" is for a return to "human values".

His speech, in Farsi with English subtitles, will be the channel's 16th alternative Christmas message.

Unlike previous years, it will be broadcast at night and not at the same time as the Queen's speech.

The message of seasonal goodwill is to be aired at 1915 GMT.

'Alternative view'

In his speech, Mr Ahmadinejad congratulates the people of Britain on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

He says that problems in society are rooted in the rejection of the message of the prophets of God, including Jesus.

And he criticises the "indifference of some governments and powers" towards the teachings of "the divine prophets".

Channel 4 head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: "As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's views are enormously influential.

"As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view."

'Divisive denial'

But Stephen Smith, director of the Holocaust Centre in Newark, Nottinghamshire, criticised Mr Ahmadinejad's "benign" message as "deception".

"This message of so-called peace needs to be treated very carefully," he said.

A speech Mr Ahmadinejad gave in December 2005, in which he referred to the Holocaust as "the myth of the Jews' massacre", angered Jewish groups.

Mr Smith criticised "the fact that somebody who openly denies the Holocaust is given legitimacy on prime time television, someone who uses Holocaust denial to be divisive".

Mr Ahmadinejad has also been criticised for the treatment of gay people in Iran.

Last year, when asked in a visit to New York's Columbia University about the execution of gay people in Iran, he replied: "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."

Gay rights group Stonewall said Mr 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," director Ben Summerskill said.

Channel 4's first alternative message was delivered by gay icon Quentin Crisp in 1993.

Others to have given the broadcast include French actress Brigitte Bardot, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and TV chef Jamie Oliver.

Last year's message was given by Maj Andrew Stockton, a British soldier who lost an arm fighting in Afghanistan.


(Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7799094.stm)

Discuss.
Comments
38
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silly 24 Dec 2008, 19:10
whos gonna read this shit
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-Max- 24 Dec 2008, 19:11
People smarter than you I guess.
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stKz 24 Dec 2008, 19:10
lol, +1
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defOK 24 Dec 2008, 19:13
sick muslim nazi, it's just awful that the place we live in (earth) makes it possible for fanatics like him to reign over a country
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e1vz 24 Dec 2008, 19:19
/callvote "ban muslims from english soil and tv" ......... Seriously though - it would solve alot of problems..!
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im a tree 24 Dec 2008, 19:26
Wow. You clearly know nothing about Islam.
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 19:31
not every muslim is a terrorist but every terrorist is a muslim
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-Max- 24 Dec 2008, 19:36
facepalm
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 19:41
The only terrorist group I know, who are not muslims, is IRA. If you know more please enlighten me.
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aZrail 24 Dec 2008, 19:48
ETA..
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 19:53
Well they're only responsible for dozens of attacks made against the Spanish government and public areas. They are more like freedom fighters than terrorists :p
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aZrail 24 Dec 2008, 19:55
it depends on which folk/humans you like more he? ye ye always the same....bb pwned!
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 20:00
It's totally not the same, no reason explaining it to a moron.
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aZrail 24 Dec 2008, 20:07
there you go
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Haffle 24 Dec 2008, 21:29
You speak about freedom fighters and call IRA as terrorist. IRA has tried to turn on politics (Sin Fein), but always there will be a "better" IRA with violence.
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-Max- 24 Dec 2008, 19:53
Well there's no agreed definition on what terrorism actually means. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Apply that sentiment to the IRA.

To some people, the likes of the Israeli, US and British Army are terrorists. All you have is your opinion.
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 19:56
Yeah but the difference between armies and terrorists is that terrorists try to kill as many civils as possible and persuade kids & women to become suicide-bombers.
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aZrail 24 Dec 2008, 19:57
did you ever heard something like "friendly fire"? pls stop talking
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-Max- 24 Dec 2008, 19:57
Holy shit. Go educate yourself. That is so narrow!
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Booni 24 Dec 2008, 20:03
I know that USA & it's allies are just as wrong as (muslim) terrorists and perhaps even more wrong but my point is that they're not in Middle-East to KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE ON PURPOUSE unlike terrorists around the world.
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sock 24 Dec 2008, 20:05
There's no agreed definition because the word terrorist is purposefully left undefined, it's an emotive reference.
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dEzIrE 24 Dec 2008, 19:22
just got back from work, to much 2 read :{
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rebelii 24 Dec 2008, 19:28
ALL HAIL.
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Eddo 24 Dec 2008, 19:47
2much2read
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b0nes37 24 Dec 2008, 19:59
"The message of seasonal goodwill is to be aired at 1915 GMT... 'Alternative view'"
The message of seasonal goodwill needs an alternative view? A "Merry Christmas" would do me nicely

"In his speech, Mr Ahmadinejad congratulates the people of Britain on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ."
Can you really congratulate someone for just existing at some point in time after some other guy?
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aZrail 24 Dec 2008, 20:06
With anniiversary he means that they still give this honor to jesus`s way of life and that they still follow him.

bonehead pls dont give a comment just to critisize some1 without any backround knowledge.
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carnje 24 Dec 2008, 20:02
i wont waste my xmas for reading ur shit journal
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Edik 24 Dec 2008, 20:02
Last year, when asked in a visit to New York's Columbia University about the execution of gay people in Iran, he replied: "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."

This guy is giving a piece of nice propaganda shit...
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lettu 24 Dec 2008, 20:07
wow a controversial view, cant be!
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sock 24 Dec 2008, 20:14
In response channel 5 announce their "Merry Nigger Christmas" special.
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e1vz 24 Dec 2008, 23:28
gotta keep inline with the pc police!
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