Promiscuous women cause quakes: Iranian cleric

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Apr 20, 2010 21:56 Updated: Apr 20, 2010 21:57

BEIRUT: A senior Iranian cleric says women who wear immodest clothing and behave promiscuously are to blame for earthquakes.

Iran is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, and the cleric's explanation for why the earth shakes follows a prediction by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that a quake is certain to hit Tehran and that many of its 12 million inhabitants should relocate.

"Many women who do not dress modestly ... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes," Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Sedighi is Tehran's acting Friday prayer leader.

"What can we do to avoid being buried under the rubble?" Sedighi asked during a prayer sermon. "There is no other solution but to take refuge in religion and to adapt our lives to Islam's moral codes." Seismologists have warned for at least two decades that it is likely the sprawling capital will be struck by a catastrophic quake in the near future.

Some experts have even suggested Iran should move its capital to a less seismically active location. Tehran straddles scores of fault lines, including one more than 80 km long, though it has not suffered a major quake since 1830.

"A divine authority told me to tell the people to make a general repentance. Why? Because calamities threaten us," Sedighi said.

Referring to the violence that followed last June's disputed presidential election, he said, "The political earthquake that occurred was a reaction to some of the actions (that took place). And now, if a natural earthquake hits Tehran, no one will be able to confront such a calamity but God's power, only God's power. ... So let's not disappoint God."

Ahmadinejad made his quake prediction two weeks ago but said he could not give an exact date. He acknowledged that he could not order all of Tehran's 12 million people to evacuate. "But provisions have to be made. ... At least 5 million should leave Tehran so it is less crowded," the president said.

Minister of Welfare and Social Security Sadeq Mahsooli said prayers and pleas for forgiveness were the best "formulas to repel earthquakes." "We cannot invent a system that prevents earthquakes, but God has created this system and that is to avoid sins, to pray, to seek forgiveness, pay alms and self-sacrifice," Mahsooli said.

Another Little Friend

This is Saeed he is another one of our calcium patients. Little Cutie. He was trying hard to hide from me trying to take this picture.

Shopping Malls

Inside some of the malls in Riyadh

All malls have huge childrens play areas - they really are a kids paradise - this is an ice skating rink, there is a merry-go-round and even a rollar coaster.

Looking down in to the kids play areas in Faisaliya Mall

This is an electronic mall directory complete with a creepy lady who keeps blinking at you.

Kids Hair Salon

Inside the Faisaliya Mall

Saudi Houses

Just a few examples of the 'upper class' living in Riyadh

All villas are built with high walls around the outside and most have small windows 1) for privacy 2) to keep the sun out

The doors on the outside are very elaborate - these are the doors on the street entrance.

Brilliant Picture

This picture was taken by a friend of mine. It was taken at the local racing track (cars) on a race day. You are not supposed to be taking pictures of the locals here in Saudi and especially not women.

Note the eyes and the finger!!!!

I love it - its such a brilliant photo..

Historical Village Trip

My friend and I joined the hospital social club and went on a trip to Ushaiger Historical Village.

It is a small village 200km NW of Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Ushaiger is one of the oldest towns in Saudi's Nej'd Province and it was a major stopping point for pilgrims coming to perform Hajj.

The village belongs to the Tamim Tribe although other tribes live there as well. It is the home land to many of Saudi scholars and in particular religious ones.

The people of Ushaiger have decided to renovate the old village with their own money and have also opened a museum that displays old relics and pieces from the village.

The last people moved out of here in the 1980's but the village was home to many as far back as 1500 years ago. Now people come here to relax for the weekend.

The museum

Collection of many old items

Old kitchen ware of which they are using in the village

Stuffed animals

Collection of teapots

Old soda bottles

Saudi banknotes old and new

This is where they keep milk from animals and depending on how long it is in here for depends on the final product - like yoghurt or laban (yoghurt drink)

This document is 500 years old - it is the will of one of the residents of the village he was very wealthy and this states how he wants his possessions and money to go to the poor.

This is where they heat the tea and coffee

Old housing made from clay and grass

These are the type of doors that are all around the village

One of the ceilings

This very small cubicle you can see on the outside of the house is the toilet- all houses in the village are like this.

Very small kitchen in the house

My friend Annina and I - relaxing in one of the houses

We we all invited to eat a traditional Saudi lunch in one of the locals houses - and we were free to roam the house and spend a few hours after lunch just relaxing - the saudi way.

Kabsa rice, some other mushy rice, vegetables and wheat and of course Camel!!!

Two of the men tucking into their lunch with their hands - most Saudis eat with their hands

Ushaiger Historical Village from the hill top.

These were some the men from the family that invited us for the day.

Ladies posing for a family picture

This is friends Debbie, me and Annina after we successfully climbed the biggest sand dune .

You can tell how high we are by how small the bus and the people are

Me sliding down the dunes on a plastic board - it was sooo much fun.

Most of these people did not make it to the top. It was a really hard walk to the top.

My Favourite Little Man

This is Amar - he is just gorgeous - he is so cute I want to take him home with me. His smile just lights up the room.

Amar is one of our regular patients.

Amar comes in every two months for five days at a time for calcium infusions due to Rickets Disease which affects how the bones grow and develop and causes them to become soft and weak, and as they grow they can become bowed.

A side effect of Rickets is low very calcium levels - which is what Amar has.

We have many many patients like this. They will come to us for the rest of their lives.

My friend Amar - hes sooooo cute xx