The moderate cleric Ayatollah Montazeri, whom the Iranian opposition wants to install as a temporary “Supreme Guide” until a new constitution is drafted, issued a statement today. It said in part:

The distinction of a powerful government – Islamic or non-Islamic – is its ability to heed both similar and opposing views and, with religious compassion, which is a prerequisite of government, allow all the strata of society, whatever their political beliefs, to participate in the running of the country, instead of totally alienating them and constantly increasing their [the dissidents] number. Since this government is known as a religious government, I fear that the conduct and actions of the officials may ultimately harm the religion and undermine the people’s beliefs.

It may be too late for that. Years ago, long before the uprising began, the Iranian writer Reza Zarabi said the regime had already all but destroyed religion itself.

The name Iran, which used to be equated with such things as luxury, fine wine, and the arts, has become synonymous with terrorism. When the Islamic Republic government of Iran finally meets its demise, they will have many symbols and slogans as testaments of their rule, yet the most profound will be their genocide of Islam, the black stain that they have put on this faith for many generations to come.