Iran: Senior clerics oppose nominations of women ministers

The outcome will be a test of Ahmadinejad’s hold on power after his disputed re-election in June led to the worst unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and exposed establishment divisions. At least 26 people were killed in street protests.

Parliament must approve his ministerial candidates and vice speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar has already warned that up to fine members of the 21-strong cabinet risk being voted down.

Another senior deputy, the head of parliament’s energy commission, expressed concern about the proposed oil minister’s qualifications and warned of “irreversible damage” to the industry, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

The legislature is dominated by conservatives, but some of Ahmadinejad’s backers have abandoned him since the election, even though he enjoys the backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s highest authority. Moderates see Ahmadinejad’s next government as illegitimate.

The president’s cabinet list, submitted to parliament on Wednesday, has also created controversy abroad.

Argentina’s Foreign Ministry condemned the nomination of Ahmad Vahidi as defence minister, saying it was “an affront to the victims” of a 1994 attack on a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires in which 85 people died.

Argentina accuses Vahidi of involvement in planning the attack. Iran has repeatedly denied any link to the bombing. Vahidi is deputy defence minister in the outgoing government.

Ahmadinejad also nominated women as ministers for health, social welfare and education — the first female ministers in the conservative Islamic Republic.

But Rahbar said many senior clerics “have doubts about choosing female ministers and want Ahmadinejad to reconsider,” Iran’s English-language Press TV reported on its website.

Rahbar cited “religious uncertainties surrounding the limits of women’s abilities and their management”.

Friday prayer leaders in the cities of Mashhad and Isfahan also criticised the choice of women ministers, Press TV said.

The move appeared to be an attempt by Ahmadinejad to boost support among women. But one rights activist said the nominees were conservatives and unlikely to promote female rights.

Ahmadinejad’s moderate opponents campaigned ahead of the June election on the need to enhance women’s position in Iran.

Campaigners say Iranian women face institutionalised discrimination, for example in divorce and child custody.

In another surprise nomination, Ahmadinejad put forward current Commerce Minister Massoud Mirkazemi as new oil minister, a key post as Iran is the world’s fifth-largest crude exporter.

23 August, 2009

Source: Gulf in the Media