President Rouhani in a cordial meeting with athletes on Tuesday evening said “our country’s athletes have always generated hope for the Iranian nation and the young."
The President expressed happiness that women are active in sports, saying “all honors that we have been achieved are indebted to tireless efforts of mothers who have trained us and helped us to choose the best path in the course of our lives."
“If we want to introduce Islam to the world, is it better to say that our girls do not have the permission to take part in sport events, or is it better to say that our girls and women participate in various sport events and gain success while observing all religious principles?,” he added.Is preventing women from attending sports arenas as spectator in favor of Islam?, Rouhani asked, saying "they say women shouldn't hear male fans' swear words and curse in football stadiums. Should our women pay for it?"
The true Islam does not prevent women from social engagement. Islam has not said at all woman must stay at home, however, it says women can participate in all social affairs with hijab, he underlined.
Rouhani stressed the need for broadcasting women's sports events in television, saying "why we cannot show the events, specially when they (women) compete bravely with world-famous teams and win great victories."
Rouhani stressed “the government is beside you athletes, and as the President and representative of the people of this country, we are beside you and I want you to stand by the Iranian nation with all your heart."
He also said “if we believe that it is our right to stand on the podium at world championships, we will succeed in that goal because training, practice and hard work are followed by victory."
Referring to Iran football national team’s participation in the World Cup, Rouhani added “it is not important what team we are going to play against in World Cup, but rather we must believe that we are able to win."
Pointing to the holy month of Ramadan, he also said “we must practice, take action, tolerate and be patient in this month."Rouhani also said “the Iranian nation is not afraid of empty threats and is so much greater than Trump, Pompeo, Bolton and all these people who have gathered in Washington as extremists. The Iranian nation have been victorious in all periods of history and I want to say it here, Mr Trump! This nation will be victorious against you."
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