NEW YORK (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday challenged a university audience to look into "who was truly involved" in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, defended his right to question established Holocaust history and denied there were gay Iranians. When pressed about the harsh treatment of women, homosexuals and academics who challenge Iran's government, Ahmadinejad painted a rosy picture, saying, "Women in Iran enjoy the highest levels of freedom," he said. He elicited laughter and boos from the audience at Columbia University when he said, "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country." His remarks, which lasted about an hour, made several general references to God, religion and science. He portrayed himself as an academic, misunderstood and unfairly criticized in the United States.
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NEW: Israel's status should be determined by elections, Iran leader says
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NEW: No homosexuals in Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says
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Columbia University president: Ahmadinejad lacks courage to answer questions
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Ahmadinejad says "insults," false claims in Columbia introduction
Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia
Blaming his schedule, Ahmadinejad left @placeholder after his speech before answering many questions posed to him, Bollinger said.
Holocaust
Hundreds gathered to protest Ahmadinejad's appearance, incensed that a leader who has publicly denied the @placeholder and called for the destruction of the state of Israel was given a prestigious forum to espouse his beliefs.
Holocaust
"If the @placeholder is a reality of our time, a history that occurred, why is there not sufficient research that can approach the topic from different perspectives?"
Israel
The Iranian leader has made statements in the past suggesting @placeholder be politically "wiped off the map," though he insists that can be accomplished without violence.
United States
"I think that if the U.S. administration, if the @placeholder government puts aside some of its old behaviors, it can actually be a good friend for the Iranian people, for the Iranian nation," he said.
Iranian
Iranians
Iran
Iran
Iran
Iran
Iran
"I think that if the U.S. administration, if the U.S. government puts aside some of its old behaviors, it can actually be a good friend for the Iranian people, for the @placeholder nation," he said.
United States
"We oppose the way the @placeholder government tries to manage the world.