HOLY QOM, Iran: Radio Farda reported while quoting an Iranian cleric close to the religious establishment in the holy city of Qom that several of the city's top clerics refused to meet Iran President Mahmud Ahmadinejad during a recent visit, according to Payvand Iran News.

Cleric Mohammad Javad Akbarin who is also a journalist spoke on April 8 to the Radio about Ahmadinejad's March 18 visit to the holy city of Qom that houses the holy shrine of Hazret Fatimeh Masumeh bint Al-Imam Mousa Kazim (a.s.).

Akbarin said only one top cleric agreed to meet Ahmadinejad. "As I was informed, that top cleric spent most of the meeting criticizing Ahmadinejad," Akbarin said.

Akbarin suggested that the refusal by some ayatollahs to meet Ahmadinejad demonstrates a rift between religious authorities and the government. It may create difficulties for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wants to restore good relations between the clerics and the president.

Akbarin believes the clerics are sending a message to Ahmadinejad. "Instead of trying to convince the religious elements in society that the government and grand ayatollahs are on good terms, you must try to solve the grave problems that exist in Iranian politics, the economy, and the culture," he said.