Tehran, 2007 Aug 20, IRIB

Head of Islamic Culture and Communication Organization (ICCO) Mahmoud Mohammadi Araqi in Tehran said on Sunday that the Western world is afraid of pure Islam.

Mohammadi Araqi made the remark in the Women's Cultural and Social Commission, adding, "When the Zionist lobby and global arrogance have made all-out efforts to undermine Islam, Muslims should powerfully confront their conspiracies."

"The world against Islam wage a propaganda campaign that the religion does not recognize the rights of women, but it has upgraded the conditions of women," he added.

Pointing to the fact that converts to Islam in Europe are mostly women, he noted that these people often have academic degrees, therefore global arrogance is afraid of the power of Islam.

The ICCO chairman said that despite the Westerners' propaganda against Islam, it is the only religion in Europe with growing number of converts.

The Fourth Conference of Ahl-ul-Bait World Assembly is being held in Tehran from August 18-20.