Ban On WMD, Permanent and Unchangeable: Cleric

Qom, July 3, IRNA – An prominent instructor of Qom Theological School said on Wednesday that based on the Islamic teachings and Shia tenets, the ban on the production, stockpiling and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) will remain permanent and unalterable. Ayatollah Mohammad Javad Fazel- Lankarani, also head of Aemmeh Atˈhar (AS) Jurisprudential Center told IRNA that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneiˈs edict prohibiting weapons of mass destruction is rooted in Holy Quran, in addition to the fact it conforms to the sayings of Imams of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Infallible Household. The issue of weapons of mass destruction, among them nuclear weapons, is one of the new challenges facing todayˈs humanity, the cleric said, noting that Supreme Leaderˈs edict is based on robust reasoning and principles of jurisprudence. The Quranic verses and tradition of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) about the wars occurred in the course of Islam underlie the issue of ban on production and use of microbial, chemical and nuclear weapons, collectively called weapons of mass destruction, Lankarani said. Commenting on the Supreme Leaderˈs edict about the nuclear weapons, he further noted that it is not prevarication (Taqqieh) and temporary government ruling; rather it is religious fact, a Quranic fact rooted in religious teachings and complying with principles of jurisprudence. He said that a comprehensive not a selective look at holy Quran reveals the necessity to shun producing and using weapons of mass destruction, adding that the holy book contains verses inviting Muslims to fight with all power on the one hand but it discourages them from excessive measures such as killing civilians, on the other. In addition to holy Quran, the religious tenets also prohibit use of the weapons which leave mass destructive impacts on the human society. As to scientific research on nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under international supervision, Ayatollah Lankarani said that jurisprudence poses no restrictions on scientific studies./end