IRAN: Today’s lesson — The clash of civilizations

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Ayatollah Mohammed Emami Kashani is a soft-spoken 90-year-old who speaks with fiery anger against the West. Leading Friday prayers in Tehran today, just before the start of the academic school year, he urged the universities that have been at times hotbeds of anti-government activism ‘to promote Islamic civilization’ against the influence of the West.

‘Our Islamic civilization had been ravaged by the West but, fortunately, the Islamic Revolution halted that ravage,’ Kashani said to those assembled at Tehran University for Friday prayers. ‘Now you young students should revive that Islamic civilization.’

He reminded students that a generation of young people had sacrificed their lives to uphold the revolution. ‘Your parents’ generation braved bullets,’ he said. ‘Why should you not shoulder the responsibility to promote Islamic civilization?’

— Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran