posted August 03, 2001 09:44               

Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA

Tehran, 1 August: Some 20,000 members of a political group known as "Iran-e Farda Society" gathered here Tuesday [31 July] in front of the Islamic Propagation Organization (IPO) in a protest move to what was termed by them as 'The involvement of IPO Art Centre in commercial activities'.

The protesters set fire on a number of cigarette boxes as a symbolic move in protest to the involvement of IPO Art Centre in distributing cigarettes.

The Secretary General of Iran-e Farda Khosravi said, "IPO and its Art Centre, which are considered cultural institutions should not get involved in any anti-cultural activity targeted at commercial ends.

Khosravi added, "The measure taken by IPO Art Centre has disturbed the families of the children who used to attend the numerous cultural centres affiliated with IPO Art Centre and has made them ban their attendance."

One of IPO officials said, "IPO does not approve the Art Centre's involvement in distributing cigarettes."

He asked the protesters to voice their protest in front of IPO Art Centre instead of gathering there.