Article
9 [Independence Principle]
In the Islamic
Republic of Iran, the freedom,
independence, unity, and territorial
integrity of the country are inseparable
from one another, and their preservation
is the duty of the government
and all individual citizens. No
individual, group, or authority,
has the right to infringe in the
slightest way upon the political,
cultural, economic, and military
independence or the territorial
integrity of Iran under the pretext
of exercising freedom. Similarly,
no authority has the right to
abrogate legitimate freedoms,
not even by enacting laws and
regulations for that purpose,
under the pretext of preserving
the independence and territorial
integrity of the country.
Article
10 [Family Principle]
Since the
family is the fundamental unit
of Islamic society, all laws,
regulations, and pertinent programs
must tend to facilitate the formation
of a family, and to safeguard
its sanctity and the stability
of family relations on the basis
of the law and the ethics of Islam.
Article
11 [Unity of Islam Principle]
In accordance
with the sacred verse of the Koran
"This your community is a
single community, and I am your
Lord, so worship Me" [21:92],
all Muslims form a single nation,
and the government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran have the duty
of formulating its general policies
with a view to cultivating the
friendship and unity of all Muslim
peoples, and it must constantly
strive to bring about the political,
economic, and cultural unity of
the Islamic world.
Article
12 [Official Religion]
The official
religion of Iran is Islam and
the Twelver Ja'fari school, and
this principle will remain eternally
immutable. Other Islamic schools
are to be accorded full respect,
and their followers are free to
act in accordance with their own
jurisprudence in performing their
religious rites. These schools
enjoy official status in matters
pertaining to religious education,
affairs of personal status (marriage,
divorce, inheritance, and wills)
and related litigation in courts
of law. In regions of the country
where Muslims following any one
of these schools constitute the
majority, local regulations, within
the bounds of the jurisdiction
of local councils, are to be in
accordance with the respective
school, without infringing upon
the rights of the followers of
other schools.
Article
13 [Recognized Religious Minorities]
Zoroastrian,
Jewish, and Christian Iranians
are the only recognized religious
minorities, who, within the limits
of the law, are free to perform
their religious rites and ceremonies,
and to act according to their
own canon in matters of personal
affairs and religious education.
Article
14 [Non-Muslims' Rights]
In accordance
with the sacred verse "God
does not forbid you to deal kindly
and justly with those who have
not fought against you because
of your religion and who have
not expelled you from your homes"
[60:8], the government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran and all
Muslims are duty-bound to treat
non-Muslims in conformity with
ethical norms and the principles
of Islamic justice and equity,
and to respect their human rights.
This principle applies to all
who refrain from engaging in conspiracy
or activity against Islam and
the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Chapter
II The Official Language, Script,
Calendar, and Flag of the Country
Article 15 [Official Language]
The Official
Language and script of Iran, the
lingua franca of its people, is
Persian. Official documents, correspondence,
and texts, as well as text-books,
must be in this language and script.
However, the use of regional and
tribal languages in the press
and mass media, as well as for
teaching of their literature in
schools, is allowed in addition
to Persian.
Article
16 [Arabic Language]
Since the
language of the Koran and Islamic
texts and teachings is Arabic,
and since Persian literature is
thoroughly permeated by this language,
it must be taught after elementary
level, in all classes of secondary
school and in all areas of study.
Article
17 [Official Calendar]
The Official
Calendar of the country takes
as its point of departure the
migration of the Prophet of Islam
-- God's peace and blessings upon
him and his Family. Both the solar
and lunar Islamic calendars are
recognized, but government offices
will function according to the
solar calendar. The official weekly
holiday is Friday.
Article
18 [Official Flag]
The Official
Flag of Iran is composed of green,
white, and red colors, with the
special emblem of the Islamic
Republic, together with the State
Motto.
Chapter
III The Rights of the People
Article 19 [No Discrimination,
No Privileges]
All people
of Iran, whatever the ethnic group
or tribe to which they belong,
enjoy equal rights; color, race,
language, and the like, do not
bestow any privilege.
Article
20 [Equality Before Law]
All citizens
of the country, both men and women,
equally enjoy the protection of
the law and enjoy all human, political,
economic, social, and cultural
rights, in conformity with Islamic
criteria.