On July 16, 2024, in his podcast, Hossein Boroujerdi revealed that he had been threatened with execution and assassination by both the Ministry of Intelligence and religious extremist groups operating outside Iran.
According to recent reports Hossein Boroujerdi has been the victim of escalating threats. In the first instance, one of Boroujerdi’s students was summoned and interrogated for several hours by the Ministry of Intelligence. After this incident, Boroujerdi, who is under house arrest, received a truly horrifying message from the intelligence agents. The message stated: "Your execution was ordered a year and a half ago. Prepare for your demise." Additionally, Boroujerdi has reportedly been threatened by an Islamic jihad terrorist group due to his recent outspoken criticisms of religion, which encompass its doctrines, practices, principles, and branches of religion.
Hossein Boroujerdi, formerly known as Ayatollah Seyyed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi, has adopted the byname “the explorer of monotheism without borders.” Initially, he was a religious leader very critical of theocracy, choosing advocating for a clear separation between religion and the state. His strong stance ultimately led to his imprisonment for eleven years.
During Boroujerdi's eleven years of incarceration, he endured a complete deprivation of fundamental prisoner rights. This included the restriction of access to lawyers or timely medical care. Furthermore, credible reports allege that Boroujerdi endured severe and prolonged tortures while in Evin and Yazd prisons, which resulted in significant physical and psychological harm. In 2017, he was released on temporary medical leave in a severely debilitated condition, unable to walk or eat independently. Currently, he remains under house arrest.
In 1992, Boroujerdi, a proponent of the "School of Noor" – a philosophical movement with roots in his ancestry – embarked on his own intellectual pursuits. His primary goal was centered on the pursuit of monotheism, devoid of prejudice and self-interest. However, these activities and beliefs drew the ire of the religious authorities of Iran, resulting in repeated arrests and torture during his imprisonment. A significant portion of his incarceration was reportedly spent in Tawheed prison, notorious for its harsh conditions and brutal methods of interrogation. In 2007, Boroujerdi publicly renounced his clerical title as a protest against the atrocities committed by the Ayatollah and government clerics. He urged news outlets and others to refrain from using the title "Ayatollah" when referring to him as well as relinquished the honorific "Sayyid" from his name. During his imprisonment, Boroujerdi embarked on research into religious texts. These findings were later shared with students via telephone and disseminated to the public through online platforms.
Boroujerdi has been maintaining an independent stance, unaffiliated with any political party or organization. He has dedicated himself to full-time research focused on compiling a comprehensive encyclopedia related to the critical examination of religious documents, with a particular emphasis on identifying and analyzing contradictions and inconsistencies within the core texts of various religions.
Moreover, in a recent podcast episode titled "Tahrim Sokhan (Boycotting Speech) #476," Boroujerdi addressed the recent threats against him. In this podcast episode, he demonstrated unwavering courage and his unwavering commitment to his beliefs, even in the face of potential death. The attached video segment features Boroujerdi expressing his thoughts in the form of poetry following the banning of his lecture in November 2022.
Boroujerdi's research on religious texts led him to summarize his knowledge in the following statement: " I have concluded that prophets’ revelation stems from disruptions in the flow of inspiration. Furthermore, religious doctrines, in my view, lack a foundation in justice, and the deity central to these belief systems does not have an external or physical existence."
In response to the recent threats against his life, Boroujerdi stated: "Many in my situation who decide to bring attention to the present problems would likely choose to flee the country. However, I remain committed to my homeland. I stand by my convictions and am prepared to defend them, even if my own life is at risk."
Furthermore, when addressing the masses, Boroujerdi drew a parallel between his own situation and historical figures, stating: "Facing potential execution, I find myself in a position similar to Christ's. Much like him, I have come to terms with this possibility and am prepared to accept it." He further elaborated on this theme, referencing Amir al-Muminin Ali: "Following the example of Amir al-Muminin Ali, who bravely faced his assassin and said: “Where are you, Ibn Muljam? Come and kill me. I, too, call out to my executioners, bring me my hanging rope; I too would meet my fate with courage."
Moreover, Boroujerdi's language echoed the sentiments expressed by Abi Abdallah on the Day of Ashura, who stated: " Come, O swords, take me." Today, this same sentiment echoes through the words of Hossein, who proclaims, "O terrorists, come forth! O masters of executions, take me!
In a previous lecture, Boroujerdi made a strong statement regarding his critical approach to religion as follows: "I have sat upon the bayonet, challenging the religions of the world. In essence, I have positioned myself in opposition to the beliefs and followers of all religions, and have confronted every government globally that relies on religion—an endeavor far more daunting than facing a thousand furnaces full of fire”
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