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Seminary Teacher in Qom: Torture is for Awakening Humans - 2003-12-25

Feb 8, 2026 February 8, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Mohsen Ghorvian, a teacher at Qom Seminary, argues that torture is misinterpreted and can be justified under certain regulations in Islam. He distinguishes between torture and punishment aimed at preventing social crimes, although he does not clarify the differences. This statement reflects the ongoing debate about human rights practices in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: A religious figure in Iran justifies certain forms of punishment, highlighting ongoing human rights debates.

👥 Key Players

Mohsen Ghorvian MENTIONED
Teacher at Qom Seminary and member of the Imam Khomeini Research Institute
"Ghorvian is influential in shaping religious and legal interpretations within Iran, particularly on sensitive issues like human rights."

📰 What Happened

Mohsen Ghorvian, a seminary teacher in Qom, stated that torture is often misinterpreted and justified under specific Islamic regulations, distinguishing it from punishment aimed at preventing social crimes.

  • Ghorvian claims torture is not approved without cause in Islam.
  • He suggests that the clergy in Iran are responsible for interpreting such regulations.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The statement reflects internal debates on human rights and the role of Islamic law in governance.
🌍 Regional: It highlights the tension between religious interpretations and human rights norms in the Middle East.
🌐 International: Raises concerns about Iran's human rights practices, affecting its international relations and image.

📚 Background

Iran's legal system is heavily influenced by Islamic law, and interpretations by religious leaders can significantly impact legal practices.

Human rights in Iran Islamic law and governance
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The source provides a direct quote from a religious figure, offering insight into internal perspectives on controversial issues.

Mohsen Ghorvian, a teacher at the Qom Seminary and a member of the Imam Khomeini Research Institute, stated: "The interpretation that others have of torture is not approved by us; we have a series of regulations that we interpret ourselves and we also specify the instances of it ourselves." He further claimed: "We believe that torture is a negative matter, and in Islam, there is no torture without cause or reason. However, punishment for awakening humans to prevent social crimes exists in legal systems and is present in our laws as well." Mr. Ghorvian did not clarify what the difference is between torture and corporal punishment according to his view. As he has stated, it seems that the interpretation of such issues is the responsibility of the clergy ruling over Iran!

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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