Iranian supreme leader critical of 'Western-influenced' Rouhani education plan

Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei addresses the Iranian Army members as part of the National Army Day, in Tehran, Iran on April 19, 2017 [Supreme Leader Press Office / Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday criticised the government of President Hassan Rouhani for promoting a “Western-influenced” United Nations education plan which his hardline allies have said contradicts Islamic principles.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remarks came ahead of May 19 polls, in which the president is seeking re-election.

Khamenei told a gathering of educators, according to his website:

In this country, the basis is Islam and the Quran. This is not a place where the faulty, corrupt and destructive Western lifestyle will be allowed to spread its influence

Referring to the Education 2030 plan proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Khamenei said:

It makes no sense to accept such a document in the Islamic Republic

Khamenei did not give details of his opposition to the UNESCO plan, but hardline commentators in Iran have said its promotion of gender equality in education contravened Islam.

“How can a so-called international body which is under the influence of the great powers allow itself to assign duties for countries with different histories, cultures and civilisations?” said Khamenei, who often warns of a “soft war” mounted by the West to topple Iran’s Islamic government.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attends the parliament session to present the Iranian New Year budget in Tehran, Iran 4th December 2016 [Fatemeh Bahrami / Anadolu Agency ]

Khamenei has the final say over policy in Iran and has repeatedly distanced himself from Rouhani in recent weeks.

Read: Khamenei criticises Rouhani’s detente policy with West

But he has stopped short of backing any of Rouhani’s hardline opponents, who include influential cleric Ebrahim Raisi and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

A UN human rights report issued in August 2015 said Iran had almost achieved universal enrolment and gender parity at all educational levels. But the report said that gender-ratio policies adopted in 2012 had led to a fall in enrolment of female students in universities.

Read: ‘Let Sunnis run for president’ says Iranian scholar

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