A senior Iranian cleric says that under pressure from the Zionists 'the advocates of freedom of speech' are now promoting blasphemy.

Violating religious sanctities cannot dissuade people from practicing Islam nor can such shameful measures discourage anyone from embracing the religion, Tehran's interim Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said.

The cleric was referring to Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders' 17-minute film titled Fitna, which attempts to connect the September 11 terrorists attacks on the US with Islamic beliefs.

Khatami said Wilders, who has made some 40 trips to Israel and is close with a number of Israeli officials, is a Zionist puppet and has made this outrageous film to win favor with his masters.

DTJ/MD/HGH