February 26, 2021
Abbas Tabrizian, the zany cleric who promotes so-called “Islamic medicine,” has now entered the debate over coronavirus vaccines by telling the faithful to avoid all Covid-19 vaccines, not just Western-made versions, because they make people homosexual.
A year ago, Tabrizian announced his own medication to cure the coronavirus the application of “violet oil” to the anus.
But now he has gone further. On his Telegram channel, which has 210,000 followers, he told his followers: Do not approach those who are vaccinated [against Covid-19], because they have microchips and have undergone genetic mutations and are outside of the human race, acting like controlled robots, losing their genes of faith, morality and decency, and becoming homosexual. They are dangerous creatures.”
Tabrizian claims that modern medicine is a fallacy and that the treatment of diseases must be “derived from the Qoran.” To demonstrate his point, in January 2020 he set fire to a copy of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, a standard medical school text. The video went viral, but the subject was condemned by Iranian officials and Shia authorities alike.
Tabrizian’s claims about the coronavirus are not limited to violet oil and vaccines. He has also said men do not need to wear masks, as only women can transmit the disease. The cleric also advocates “prayer therapy” and once said at a conference: “Any disease that is not cured by a Qoranic verse will never be cured,” IranWire reported.
Tabrizian promotes his medical teachings as the only correct reference for the treatment of many modern diseases, despite having no medical education himself. Many clerics oppose him, and the Special Clerical Court has written to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education ordering the closure of all of Tabrizian’s centers. But he continues to operate.
Tabrizian sells herbal products from his online store, whose website proclaims: “This store is only for the convenience of compatriots to access medicines and other products and is not and will not be for profit.”
Tabrizian’s comments about Covid-19 have provoked strong reactions from social media users. One wrote: “Our clergy in the 21st century have an understanding equal to the priests of the 16th century. Alas, they are too numerous to be tried and burned.”
Many individuals and religious groups believe that Tabrizian is undermining the image of the Islamic faith and, indeed, so-called “Islamic medicine” with his superstitious positions. Officials at the Ministry of Health are calling for the Judiciary to deal with him because they believe his statements endanger public health.