Iranian Cleric Claims Hubble Telescope Images Fabricated

Abbas Tabrizian, a controversial Iranian Shia cleric known for his advocacy of Islamic Medicine, has made headlines again calling NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope a sham.

According to a post on his Telegram channel, Tabrizian alleged that the images from the iconic telescope are created inside a water basin and said that as the moon is ‘made of water and light’, the presence of soil and rocks is a nonsense.

Tabrizian, who resides in Qom—the religious capital of Iran—has been a polarizing figure in the country, often dismissed as a figure of ridicule by many.

He has authored several books on what he terms Islamic Medicine and operates an Islamic Medicine Center. The center promotes various products under the guise of religious compliance, including Islamic toothbrushes, Islamic soap, and even Islamic ink.

His views on medicine have sparked controversy, particularly his description of immunization as a "colonialist medicine" plot.

He asserts that following Islamic teachings can cure any ailment and that living a "true Islamic lifestyle" eliminates the need for conventional medical treatment. Tabrizian also provides his followers with diagnostic guidance, including advice for "womb preparation" and "treatment of brain debility," as well as prescriptions for medications like "nerve strengthener" and "blood detoxifier."

Tabrizian's notoriety surged during the COVID-19 pandemic when he suggested bizarre and unscientific remedies, such as applying violet oil to the anus as a cure for the virus. His statement in February 2021, claiming that COVID-19 vaccinations cause homosexuality, sparked backlash and mockery.

In January 2020, a video of Tabrizian burning a copy of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine went viral, leading to public condemnation by Iranians.