President Ahmadinejad's speech to the Iranian student organization Union of Islamic Students Association's "World Without Zionism" conference last week stating, "Very soon, this stain of disgrace [i.e. Israel] will vanish from the center of the Islamic world" has been widely condemned internationally.
In Iran, however, his speech was surrounded by celebrations and proclamations — which were part of Al-Quds Day. This included a reception for ambassadors from Muslim countries "thrown in their honor" by Iran's Foreign Ministry on October 27.
A legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority on "peace negotiations," Diana Butto, was pictured by the Islamic Republic News Agency on October 28 speaking to an audience in Iran about "her support of the intifada." A Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, issued a statement to the conference with a warning to America: "The Islamic nation feels ready to confront Zionism and the United States."
As the Mehr News Agency reported on October 20, programs to celebrate a "World Without Zionism" and Al-Quds Day were also planned for abroad. These included events hosted by Iranian embassies throughout Europe. For example, Iran's ambassador to Spain, Morteza Alviri, hosted a ceremony for ambassadors of Islamic states at his office.
The Union of Islamic Students Association conference has many initiatives going on as part of official "World Without Zionism" celebrations. One includes a global competition on cartooning, painting, and graphic design for children between the ages of 7-18. Thirteen cartoons have already been selected as winners from countries such as America and the Netherlands.
Another competition focuses on "A World Without America." As an IRNA headline from October 27 quoting Mr. Ahmadinejad proclaimed: "World Without U.S. ... Achievable," he explained. "They [ask]: 'Is it possible for us to witness a world without America and Zionism?' But you had best know that this slogan and this goal are attainable, and surely can be achieved."
In an analogy between the former Soviet Union and America, he added, "Nobody believed that we would one day witness the collapse of the Eastern Imperialism [i.e. the U.S.S.R]... it was an iron regime. But in our short lifetime we have witnessed how this regime collapsed."
"A World Without America" was also the main focus of the Union of Islamic Students Association's conference last year. Many prominent Iranians participated such as Ali Larijani, Iran's Supreme Council for National Security. He was quoted on the Iranian News Channel on November 8, 2004, stating: "As the nations (of the world) reach intellectual growth, political, and economic independence, they will thwart America."
The deputy chief of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Baqer Zol Qadr, also appeared, stating: "When we talk about the 'World Without America,' we mean a world governed by peace and justice. ... Unfortunately, today America is the symbol of these deficiencies and distortions."
An official video, which can be seen on www.memritv.org, with footage from the attacks of September 11, 2001, when both planes hit the World Trade Center, was shown at the conference. Classical music played as another image appeared with the word "America" spelled out in flames. Each letter disappeared — leaving an empty screen.
As the video continued, the music grew louder and the words "The World Without America" appeared in English and Farsi — accompanied by a picture of the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty's body had a skull imposed on it.
Ayatollah Khomeini could be heard in the background: "Oh sleepy ones, oh distracted ones, wake up and look around you: You have built your house near wolves' dens. [A picture of President Bush is shown.] Rise, this is no place to sleep. We must shout: Rise up soon because the world is not safe from the hunter. America is lurking for you, and will not give up until it destroys you completely. Indeed, if there was a global mobilization of Muslims, would anyone dare to be so impudent and act so cruelly toward the spiritual offspring of the Messenger of Allah?"
