Jews in Iran not free to worship
Dr Morrison writes "that Iran is home to the largest number of Jews in any state in the Middle East outside Israel". (Letters, September 9).
But what kind of home is it? Yes, it is believed that there may have been some 25,000 Jews living in Iran, but the numbers are falling.
They are allowed to practise their Judaism as long as they submit to Sharia law, show no links with Zionism and Israel, and do as they are told.
They are under the surveillance of the secret police, their Jewish schools are controlled by Iranian Muslims and are made to open on the Jewish Sabbath.
If this was happening in Ireland, then it would be the equivalent of Christians being allowed to worship provided they never mentioned Mary or Bethlehem, the entire Christian community living under Sharia law, all priests under surveillance to ensure there was no holy communion, and all the pubs either shut or not allowed to sell alcohol.
Clearly, the Jews are not under threat, and in similar circumstances Dr Morrison would be equally certain that neither were the Christians.
Lewis Herlitz
Essex, England
Irish Independent
