The Latest from Iran (27 December): The Day of Ashura
Posted by Scott Lucas in Middle East & Iran
2225 GMT: Karroubi Comments. Mehdi Karroubi has issued a statement offering condolences for today’s martyred protesters and condemning those carrying out oppression: “The sins that you have committed today cannot be forgiven by God. If you don’t have a belief in God, at least be a human.”
Karroubi offered a sharp comparison, asserting that even the Shah respected the day of Ashura and gave orders for people to be able to commemorate it as they wished..
2155 GMT: Closing and Wondering. As we get to the end of the day, a tentative assessment of the signficance, “A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura”. (For those who want to see what 24 hours can bring, see our analysis yesterday in Edward Yeranian’s article for the Voice of America.)
2150 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz reports that the brother of Abdollah Nouri, Minister of Interior in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was severely beaten in Isfahan today.
NEW Iran: A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 3rd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 2nd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December)
NEW Iran: A Tehran Map for Today’s Events
NEW Iran Uncovered: The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship
NEW Iran: The False US Friends of the “Iranian People” (An Open Letter to Charles Krauthammer)
NEW Latest Iran Video: Attack on Jamaran Memorial/Khatami Speech (26 December)
Latest Iran Video: Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December — The Jamaran Videos)
Latest Iran Video: The Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December)
The Latest from Iran (26 December): The Eve of Ashura Demonstrations
2040 GMT: Desperation. Press TV, citing Fars, reports — presumably with a straight face:
A source with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has announced the arrest of a number of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorists in the anti-government protests that sparked in central Tehran.
At right, a stunning photograph to set beside the story: an anti-riot officer, wearing a green headband given to him by demonstrators, joins the “MKO terrorist” crowd.
2035 GMT: Martial Law?! Rah-e-Sabz is reporting that martial law was declared at 9 p.m. local time in Najafabad.
The website is also claiming “unprecedented police violence” outside the IRIB buildings.
2030 GMT: Ashura & Mousavi. A crowd have gathered outside Ebn-e-Sina Hospital to mourn and support the family of Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mousavi’s nephew Seyed Ali died in the hospital today after being shot in demonstration in Enghelab Square.
2020 GMT: The US Comments. The White House has issued the following statement:
We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights. Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States.
Governing through fear and violence is never just, and as President Obama said in Oslo — it is telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.
2005 GMT: AUT News reports on Internet chatter we’ve heard all evening: Mohammad Moin, the son of Mustafa Moin, former reformist Presidential candidate and Minister in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was arrested today.
2000 GMT: The Ashura “Martyrs” in Tehran. Rah-e-Sabz has named the five people killed in the capital today: Mehdi Farhadi Nia, Mohammad Ali Rasekhi, Amir Arshadi, Shahram Fraji, and Seyed Ali Mousavi.
1950 GMT: What We’re Watching. Reports of clashes outside buildings of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and in squares and avenues across Tehran: Mirdamad, Karegar, Enghelab, Azadi, Tajrish, and 7 Tir.
1835 GMT: And Tonight? From a distance, it feels like the final round of a heavyweight boxing match. The challenger — having landed some mighty blows and even putting the champion (if you can call the regime “champion”) on the ropes — has punched himself/herself out.
So the protests tonight are smaller, with security forces preventing a mass gathering. For example, groups tried to congregate in Mohseni Square but were contained along Mirdemad Avenue.
Yes, it feels like the final round. Except that you and I know it is far from the final round, right?
1715 GMT: I’m Telling You, They Set the Koran on Fire! That’s Fars News’ latest attempt to tarnish the protests (which only hours supposedly had not occurred).
1705 GMT: A 3rd set of videos from today is now posted.
1635 GMT: Rouydad is now reporting on the Arak protest and clashes, and we have video from there and Najafabad.
1550 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Josh Shahryar is summarising:
Protests in Mashhad can be confirmed now. Protesters gathered outside Grand Ayatollah Sane’i’s house and at Imam Reza’s Shrine. At least 17 people were arrested – most of them students. Many people were injured in clashes as well.
Protests in Babol can be confirmed too now. Many protesters – including a young girl – were beaten badly by security forces here.
The number of people arrested in Tehran has reached at least 10. The number is probably going to rise. At least 4 people were also killed here.
So far, the protests could be confirmed in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Babol, Ardabil, Qom and Najafabad.
In addition, an Iranian source is reporting protests and clashes in Arak.
1510 GMT: Mousavi’s Nephew Dead. A “close aide” to Mir Hossein Mousavi has confirmed the killing of Mousavi’s nephew Seyed Ali by security forces this afternoon.
1500 GMT: Understatement of the Day. Press TV takes the gold medal: “The Iranian capital on Sunday witnessed sporadic anti-government protests on the anniversary of the Shia Muslim Ashura religious event.”
Sporadic?
1420 GMT: Parleman News is reporting that Seyed Ali Mousavi, Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew, was shot and killed in today’s demonstrations. Mousavi was reportedly slain in Enghelab Square around noon local time (0830 GMT).
1350 GMT: Rouydad News is reporting clashes in Tabriz, with “probably at least four” killed.
1330 GMT: The Official Interpretation. Islamic Republic News Agency writes that a “cult of Mousavi” has caused chaos in Tehran, damaging public property and inconveniencing citizens.
IRNA also tries the story of a group of students out to cause trouble, with foreign media on hand to report “uproar and chaos”.
Fars News reports on same lines,
1245 GMT: Taking the Streets? We have been busy looking at and uploading footage, starting a second set of vide0s, of the demonstrations. The images indicate that, at least for periods today, protesters have beaten back security forces — despite the first deaths in months — and taken control of sections of Tehran.
Rah-e-Sabz, still under cyber-attack, has reported, “Police forces are refusing their commanders’ orders to shoot at demonstrators in central Tehran….Some of them try to shoot into the air when pressured by their commanders.”
1135 GMT: Reports now of protests in Babol.
1130 GMT: Still a fluid situation with reports of gatherings and clashes throughout Tehran and in other cities. We have posted the first set of videos from today, including dramatic footage of protesters fighting back against security forces, especially at College Bridge (Pole Kalej). One report claims the forces relinquished Val-e Asr Square to demonstrators.
1025 GMT: Reformist websites are now confirming the 4th death. Reliable sources says a 5th person has been killed outside Amir Kabir University.
0955 GMT: 4th Death? Sources are reporting that a person has been killed in demonstrations at Vali-e Asr.
0950 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz confirms that its site is under attack.
0940 GMT: Mardomak confirms no live footage from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, unlike past years, of Imam Hossein Square in Tehran.
Meanwhile, Ironic Journalism Award of Day goes to Press TV. After showing ceremonies in Zanjan (but not Tehran), the channel reported very seriously that Moharram marches have been banned in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
0930 GMT: We’ve posted the first claimed video of today’s protests and also the link to a useful map of Tehran.
0925 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Reports now coming in of protests in Isfahan, Shiraz, and Najafabad.
0915 GMT: Deaths of Protesters? Rah-e-Sabz (which is up but is difficult to access because of overload) is reporting three people killed and two injured in the area near Kalej Bridge (Pole Kalej).
0830 GMT: We are watching carefully the torrent of claims of clashes across the capital, including claims that security forces have backed away at certain points in the face of determined protesters. BBC has now posted, “Tehran police ‘fire tear gas at opposition protesters’.”
0815 GMT: Mardomak reports tear gas fired in Enghelab Square and clashes in Imam Hossein Square. After clashes at Amir Kabir University, the crowd has been dispersed.
0810 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz, before it went down, also reported tear gas at Vali-e Asr.
0805 GMT: Fancy a Lighter Moment? It promises to be an intense day, so if you need a break, have a look at our special world exclusive, based on minutes of investigative journalism, “The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship”.
0755 GMT: Watching reports of clashes at Imam Hossein, Vali-e Asr, and Enghelab Squares.
0745 GMT: The reformist site Rah-e-Sabz, a key source in recent days for “Western” media, has just gone down. The site had just reported tear gas used in Enghelab Square and the closing off of Vali-e Asr crossing.
0740 GMT: Mardomak is reporting clashes at Ferdowsi Square and heavy traffic around Pol-e Choubi.
0715 GMT: First unconfirmed reports of clashes in Tehran, mainly at Imam Hossein Square and 17 Shahrivar Street.
0711 GMT: Nothing to See Here, Go Away. Press TV still repeating the history and religious background of Ashura over and over, against live shots from Taft. Just keep talking — even though nothing new is being said — and maybe no one will notice the current political context and events.
0700 GMT: Press TV are carrying live shots of the Ashura ceremony in Mashhad and Taft. No word of Tehran, however.
0655 GMT: The reformist website Rah-e-Sabz reports an “extensive security presence” in Tehran, noting in particular forces around Imam Hossein and 7 Tir Squares.
0640 GMT: Drama and Polemic. We’ve posted stunning footage of yesterday’s attack on the Jamaran memorial.
And we’ve finally caught our breath to highlight our analysis of the embrace of the “Iranian people” by American “false friends”, trying to use the movement to extend US power in the name of the “new birth of freedom”.
0625 GMT: A hat-tip and a heads-up for coverage of events. While we were down because of host problems yesterday, we noticed the good work being done by the LiveBlogs of The Daily Nite Owl (EA correspondent Josh Shahryar) and of IranNewsNow. Both are already in action this morning.
0605 GMT: AUT News reports that, in addition to the disruption of the Jamaran memorial and the speech of former President Mohammad Khatami by plainsclothes “thugs” (see yesterday’s updates), 2000 Basiji surrounded the mourning ceremonies at Dar al-Zahra last night.
Ferehsteh Ghazi has a detailed report, in Persian, of the events and violence at Jamaran. Robert Mackey’s blog for The New York Times draws from several sources for a summary.
0600 GMT (0930 Iran time): The holy day of Ashura, marking the death of the third Imam, Hossein, at the hands of Yazid’s forces at the battle of Karbala, has begun. Government forces reported “in large numbers at all intersections from Enghelab to Azadi Squares” in Tehran.
Entries (RSS)
Ashfin
“Sanctions have NEVER worked and will not work either.”
I have seen this stated many times. It is true that the so called sanctions applied so far have not at this time brought the Iranian Regime to it’s knees, but can you really say that they have not worked at all – not worked to even the slightest degree. And what exactly does “worked/not worked” mean anyway??
I suspect that the existing sanctions, although promulgated, have not been scrupulously and fully enforced – there are many multinational companies who will soon need to decide which side of the bread the butter is on – right now they are licking butter from both sides , but they are about to find out on which side of the bread the butter is by far thickest!! Two large western banks have found that out only very recently.
New sanctions – recently enthusiastically passed by the US Houses – will be very interesting. IF Obama chooses to implement them, it will make life very interesting for the Regime – interesting, as in the old Chinese curse “may you live in interesting times!”
Barry
Mike, Scott and all EA staff,
Thank you so much for continous reporting, even during the holidays! Your reply was certainly necessary, but please do not listen to people like Kayvon. Linking your site to suspicious funds etc. is typical IRI slander in order to justify its own atrocities.
In today’s VOA discussion a speaker from Tehran implored all Iranians abroad to spread the news about what is happening in the country. Your coverage gives a voice to all those who have been muzzled, banned or imprisoned in Iran.
Merci beaucoup, Arshama
Indeed PB is correct, and this is the real sentiment of millions of Iranians. We do not support the culture of death and we do not want to throw Israel into the sea. I feel, and millions of Iranians do, the pain of Jewish suffering by the Nazis and by ignorant and manipulated people in Muslim lands. In Iran we, for the most part, have had a great symbiotic existence with the Jewish element in Iranian civilization. The terrible anti Jewish sentiments are new and are all due to the propaganda of the IRI. Iranian people have never harbored any such disgusting positions and feelings. The Jewish contributions to Iranian culture, science, medicine, literature is enormous and marks a long standing belief in tolerance and in equality by the best of Iranian identity. This is so correctly put to verse by Sa’di in his “Children of Adam are all of the same essence” poem, and this is not a mere statement to be looked at formally only. We believe it and we live it. Just look at how people in fact protected even the thugs from mob behaviour today in Tehran. These are facts and are upheld by reason. People who are muddying the water by recourse to slogans and to the official IRI line, should stay away. Something magnificent is going on in here. You should open your eyes and behold this moment that is shaping Iranian history and will impact the entire ME very positively. No more death wishes, no more hatred, no more anti Semitic thugs. I am proud of my tolerant heritage and will not allow any one to tarnish it with half truths and childish rhetoric.
Ange,
“Beating them to death”? In your response you seem to acknowledge that the two sides are similarly armed (clubs, chains, rocks). That is not a massacre, it is a fight between two armed groups. As for the gentle nature of the greens; are they just trying to help the Basij cook up a large feast by setting the building on fire??? The fact is that the greens want running street battles with the Basij (we have seen that movie before) and so they get them.
Folks talk about the regime misusing language but I think the greenees take first place. How about calling an 87 year old cleric who dies in his sleep a martyr???
Samuel
How about calling an 86 year old killer who died in his sleep an IMAM??
Barry
Ange is right on. Those who do not see the core of the Green movement are blind to reason and work through slogans others have told them and they repeat them. Experience and reason will guide the courageous Iranians against this tyranny. Those who do not see the evil side of the IRI are either blind to history or are mere followers of what others tell them. We are well beyond all of the lies thrust upon us for 30 years, no more death wishes, no more lies, no more hatred. We want freedom and happiness, and we will attain them.
Barry, a brilliant statement:
How about calling an 86 year old killer who died in his sleep an IMAM?
Believe me, we no longer pay attention to childish slogans perpetuated by brainwashed Basijis. Montazeri is a giant symbol for the cause, but no one believes in the Leader’s Velayat anymore, save paid groups. Independent reason, thus majority of Mojtaheds, are against the injustices of the IRI and are disgusted by the culture of rape and death and lies. We no longer believe their lies. Period.
Barry,
Nice try he was referred to as Imam while alive. I just read about some unfortunate individuals who died in a boat accident. Are they martyrs too???
Hossein
Be careful that you do not finish up in Evin. They might ask you the questions below for 1988. I would NOT have lasted long!!!
* ‘Are you a Muslim?’ NO
* ‘Do you believe in God?’ NO
* ‘Is the Holy Koran the Word of God?’ NO
* ‘Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?’ NO
* ‘Do you accept the Holy Muhammad to be the Seal of the Prophets?’ NO
* ‘Will you publicly recant historical materialism?’ WHAT’sTHAT?
* ‘Will you denounce your former beliefs before the cameras?’ NO
* ‘Do you fast during Ramadan?’ NO
* ‘Do you pray and read the Holy Koran?’ NO
* ‘Would you rather share a cell with a Muslim or a non-Muslim?’ LOADED QUESTION
* ‘Will you sign an affidavit that you believe in God, the Prophet, the Holy Koran, and the Resurrection?’ NO
* ‘When you were growing up did your father pray, fast, and read the Holy Koran?’ NO
Barry
Samuel
Re the “he” that you are referring to – is he the same “he” that I am referring to . ie the killer?
Barry
Samuel
I am so happy that iranians were armed a “little” bit today ! it’s just as well that they were not beaten as dogs, as usual !! but when they were able to take their revenge, they didn’t !! this is the “noblesse” of “my” people !
Thanks Barry. As we say, az in harfha gozashteh. The people on the streets are from all age groups and divergent social strata. The level of sophistication is fantastic. The movement here will also have a major impact in shaping the historical processes of the Middle East. People have woken up. Many and I included have been reading Iranian mythology of Zahhak and how the light of justice returns to our land. I have no doubt of this. So, LONG LIVE FREEDOM.
Interesting how the MKO seems to have eyes and ears on the ground with the green mobs. They seem particularly precise in the types of motorcycles destroyed, to whom they belonged to etc.
http://www.english.mojahedin.org/pagesEn/detailsNews.aspx?newsid=6764
“Many and I included have been reading Iranian mythology of Zahhak and how the light of justice returns to our land. I have no doubt of this.”
So you are converting to Zoroastrianism or Zionism? Why not both?
By the way your comment about how well jews and persians always got along is a bit off. Loot at the Safavid period esp. early on. In any event no one has any problems with jews as a people only with Zionism. Why Ahmadinejad himself is jewish as we all know.
Ah, the blinkered head-in-the-sand refuge of scoundrel ideologues impervious to reason and evidence: Raising the specter of bogeymen – MKO, Zionists, Martians. Boo!
Are you sure you’re not a Western colonialist, Samuel? You’re great at denying the collective agency and autonomy of the Iranian people. Are they all marionettes for shadowy forces, or just the ones you don’t like?
Look out for the MKO assassin under your bed.
Bozorgi,
I’m not saying that the riots were caused by the MKO, the greenies can do that by themselves thank you very much.
Think of the MKO on the ground as a vitamin tonic, a shot of adrenalin, the tough guy enforcer on a sports team. The MKO as mentioned before are the real thing, revolutionaries who effectively targetted many clerics in the past. And they unlike the on the greenies don’t whine like children.
Ange-I am very much in the middle of this debate so please do not think that I am samuel’s “customer”. You want a landscape that may not fit the reality of today’s Iran-yes democracy is good but wihtin Iran’s context. A European style democracy will not come about when the majority are still pious but may not agree with AHmadinejad. Do not confuse rioters with so many who are standing back and watching events -even though they may no longer support A.N. this does not mean they will support a non islamic government. Look closer at karroubi,Rafsanjani and the uelema who disagree with Ahmadinejad-are they calling for disembowlment of the Islamic Republic ? The truth is a compromise has to come about. Sometimes you have to look at things for what they are and many people are watching events and NOT paricipating-the people on the streets are more and more two sides of different poles. Samuel has very valid points about the MKO. Unfortunantly, I feel that wiht the nuclear dossier etc…the fuelled and manipulated unrest…it will end badly for Iran.
Just to be clear I am not a “supporter” of Ahmadinejad. I am a supporter of the revolution. Of course if you don’t support the Greenies they automatically want to make you an AN supporter.
Samuel, if Iran splits and weakens, it is because people like Khamenei would rather destroy the nation than relinquish their illegitimate power. The people aren’t making any unreasonable demands, yet the regime would rather step on them then give them their right.
By the way, your revolution is dead. It has been for quite some time now.
Teez Nagah
:) I have no idea if that is your name – or even what this tag is?? :)
Re Pious. The people of Poland are also very pious (in a Roman Catholic way). And the Polish nation is very much a Catholic nation – even though it is not named as such. There is no dichotomy between religious piety and Democracy. Iran’s problem is that religious piety is indeed linked to it’s system of Governance – and furthermore, the Governors do terrible things in the name of Religion. Most religions appear to have the propensity to be oppressive – the Roman Catholic part of Christendom was very much that way in past centuries – but then there was the “Enlightenment” followed by the “Reformation”.
There are indeed dark times ahead for Iran – but have heart. I have just spoken to my son who has visited Berlin for the first time – staying mainly in the old East side. He is amazed that a city that has suffered such immense physical hardships, being practically razed to the ground and then occupied for such a long time has still retained it’s soul – whereas he laments that London (where he lives) has kept it’s wonderful physical attributes barely harmed but has now lost it’s soul.
Barry
Mr. Samuel,
Remarks such as:
So you are converting to Zoroastrianism or Zionism? Why not both?
are without value. When you study a subject you don’t “convert” to that subject, but that is too much to wish for. It is precisely this lack of knowledge, not just of history but of process, that makes subjects targets of propaganda. Reason and experience plus long study of history, and in this case of Iranian mythos also, will guard us against ignorance and superstition. Snide remarks are not part of the process and are without signification.
Samuel
“Just to be clear I am not a “supporter” of Ahmadinejad. I am a supporter of the revolution.”
I have noted your consistency in saying that you are a strong supporter of the “revolution” – but there is something I just don’t understand. My understanding of a revolution is that it is something that happens – and changes the course of history (whether good or bad, depending on one’s perspective) . However, similar to the Cubans, you appear to have this desire to “continue” a perpetual Revolution. What is it exactly that you are revolting against? – and why can’t you just do it yourself – why do you want to insist that everyone else in Iran should continue revolting alongside you?. There are those that are quite happy that the original Iranian revolution took place – but now want to move on with their lives and live alongside the rest of the world peacefully. . I suspect that your quest for perpetual revolution is actually a desire for world conquest.
Barry
At approx 2 AM Tehran time, there appears to be still fighting underway (obviously less so than at 1 PM ) – but I am not able to come to an idea of the extent of this fighting.
Any thoughts please?
Barry
Samuel
Also, if you are not a supporter of AN, then I assume you voted for someone else in the Presidential elections. You are happy that your vote was counted??
Barry
Dear Hossein,
I love your comment at 20 h 50 and if as you say millions of Iranians feel the same as you, Iran will soon be a great nation again, and I hope and feel it willl be very soon, very soon now.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
I also believe that if you Iranians succeed, t will trigger a positive momentum in the ME, other peoples will be inspired by your example; this at least is my dearest wish for the coming year.
God bless Iran. From the videos I have seen and the rhetoric I have seen translated, Iran really could use prayers for all concerned.
Kayvon,
“but what I said about what we have inherited today as being the fruit of the tree of 1953 is true”
Disagree. What we have today is the fruit of a tree we allowed to be planted by force by Mohammad army 1400 years ago. CIA was not around those days.
You are definitely an Iranian; evident from your manner of writing and cultural nuance in your arguments- always pointing to others to divert a criticism.
If someone or other nations have taken advantage of us, it is because we allowed them. What we have today is the product of centuries of gullibility and apathy by us, the Iranians. We need to look at ourselves critically for the root cause of our problems and not look for excuses by pointing to others.
If you feel readers on this blog have taken your comments personally, it is because of you. Have you heard the first impression is the lasting one? You came to this blog and the first thing you did questioning the blog creator, Scott. EA is like Scott’s home and us the readers are his guests. It is smart to analyze and question events/individuals around you but certainly not a good idea the very second you walk in. In addition, if we do not like something we do not need to keep coming back for more. Your first post gave the impression that you had formed an opinion before you did logon, evident by your insistence that Scott was stationed in U.S. – a claim not based on facts and certainly not a sound practice for a person claiming to be a journalist for 25 years.
Lastly, I do welcome your invitation to unity and ask that you take the lead in championing that by not turning this forum into a ping pong match.
We are all hurting for those in Iran. Speaking for myself, I feel helpless that I cannot do much except expressing my heartfelt solidarity with Iranians in Iran. And because of that I often jump on anyone who wants to divert my attention to other insignificant topics.
Ange paris, hossein, whereismyvote …..
Have you seen this terrible video and do you know more about it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWyx_sDsMg
Dear Florence Achard,
Thank you. My sentiments and those of millions of Iranians who are fed up with lies and deceit and the culture of death, exactly.
The video you indicate is of a public hanging in Sirjan (southeastern Iran), where people who are fed up again with the regime’s horrible practice of hangings in public areas rush in and bring down the poor men hung from the gallows. I am not making a judgment about guilt or not of the poor men, but I will say this: people are fed up with goo many hangings, many of them on trumped up charges and some for political reasons. What you see on the video indicates the reaction cooped up for 30 years and is gushing out. This same type of reaction to central authority is seen today everywhere in Iran all of it as reactions to 30 years of deceit and torture and rape and killings. People want the same thing as people everywhere, they want justice and equal opportunity upheld by justice for each and every citizen to pursue life and to be free and to be happy. As simple as that. All of these have been denied by the IRI, but now 30 years of pressure is exploding and will bring down the IRI with it. I know for sure that the process unfolding i Iran will have an impact all over the ME and in all Islamic countries, it will be a new movement with potential for change from despotism to the rule of law, and from the culture of death to the culture of life. We all want to embrace life and to live freely. As simple as this sounds it has been denied by a small yet ruthless gang of thugs who have ruled Iran and have killed us and tortured us and raped us. No more! We of course need your support in any way you can. Inform your friends of the realities in Iran. Inform them that we don’t want to nuke anyone, especially not Israel, nor do we want to throw anyone into the sea. We respect all people because we for once are now respecting ourselves. We are after 30 years of being controlled and kept in ghetos defined by the ruling thugs now tasting what it means to be free and to desire justice, and we know we must fight for it. The IRI is a ruthless regime of killers and thugs and rapists, you can help by informing y our friends, y our politicians, y our educators, and all not to support them. Not to invite them to conferences, nor to economic summits, nor to any gathering of civilized people. Just look at what they are doing to our citizens of all ages on the streets—watch the videos and read the few sources where truth comes out. Avid government media such as the England-based Press TV, etc. In form your countrymen that some of the western as well as Iranian “pundits” who come on TV and denounce the Green movement and support AN are wrong, and some are agents. Please please form your own opinion by reason and observation of the facts as they unfold.
My wish for the New Year is what I uttered to my friends on the longest night the start of Winter, or the night of yalda (we believe it to be the night of the birth of the sun = Mithras), namely that Iran be freed from the evil that has gripped it in its claws for 30 years, and for us to then bring about a just and democratic state where the culture of “death to!” is replaced by that of “love to!” and so to revive our own essential unity with all humans, to live in peace and to be happy. The end of darkness and of anguish, and so light beckoning us all. PEACE.
Mr. Hossein,
“Remarks such as:
So you are converting to Zoroastrianism or Zionism? Why not both?
are without value. When you study a subject you don’t “convert” to that subject, but that is too much to wish for.”
What you call a snide remark was simply a joke BUT one meant to highlight an important point regarding your comment about Hezbollah. Your statement went well beyond the usual one about the treatment of the jews and became a full blown acceptance of the Zionist project, a project built entirely on stolen Palestinian land. Your statement was an affirmation of Zionism and I labeled it as such. A project, let us emphasize which is rejected by millions of people in and outside the region.
The second point was simply to correct an error and to point you to the early Safavid era. No joke or snide remark there.
Regards,
Samuel
“Disagree. What we have today is the fruit of a tree we allowed to be planted by force by Mohammad army 1400 years ago. CIA was not around those days.”
It’s all the Arab’s fault, all the Arab’s fault!!! Megan, You are getting pretty good at holding back and not engaging in your usual insults towards Arabs. I can almost feel how difficult it is for you, it must be like a smoker trying to quit.
Samuel,
Seeing as you’re such a staunch advocate of racial unity, what do you make of your pal AK’s anti-Semitism?
“From the very beginning, the historical movement of Islam has had to contend with the Jews, for it was they who first established anti-Islamic propaganda and engaged in various stratagems, and as you can see, this activity continues down to the present. Later they were joined by other groups, who were in certain respects more satanic than they.” p.27 Khomenei “Islamic Government” Islam and Revolution
“We see today that the Jews (may God curse them) have meddled with the text of the Qur’an and have made certain changes in the Qur’ans they have had printed in the occupied territories. It is our duty to prevent this treacherous interferences with the text of the Qur’an. We must protest and make the people aware that the Jews and their foreign backers are opposed to the very foundations of Islam and with to establish Jewish domination throughout the world. Since they are cunning and resourceful group o people, I fear that – God forbid! – they may one day achieve their goal, and that the apathy shown by some of us may allow a Jew to rule over one day. May God never let us see such a day!” – p.127 Khomenei, “Islamic Government” Islam and Revolution
It’s all the Jew’s fault, the Jew’s fault!!! What chutzpah.
The anti Semitic remarks are horrible and totally against the very core of humanity and must be eradicated. Period.
“Seeing as you’re such a staunch advocate of racial unity, what do you make of your pal AK’s anti-Semitism?”
It is there I don’t deny it and it is unfortunate. I believe it really references SOME jews in the past which is undeniably true and Zionists in the present day. Islam as we know is the least racist religion in the world. The early muslims eagerly welcomed non-Arabs to the faith and in a few years Turks, Persians and Indians (all non-Arabs) came to dominate the community. Ahmadinejad or the Supreme Leader for that matter could be a convert from Judaism and it would not bother me or anyone I know in the least.
Historically jews did find a better home among Muslims than among Christians (who until not too long ago accused the jews of killing the founder of their religion) and the Imam did not attack the jews while he was in power.
Samuel,
You cannot stop yourself to have a conversation with me. You are not worth the time. I have no respect for a person whose opinion is bought and paid for.
I see some readers trying to reason with you. I hope they stop because there is no hope for you. Your head is screwed backward you cannot see what is in front of you. You and your bosses are yesterday story. I have expressed my feeling where I want you and your mullah friends and bosses to go. So now go….
Megan,
“You cannot stop yourself to have a conversation with me. You are not worth the time. I have no respect for a person whose opinion is bought and paid for.”
I’m not quite sure why you think I would want your respect but it is interesting that someone who obviously has nothing but hatred for Islam (“a tree we allowed to be planted by force by Mohammad army 1400 years ago”) nevertheless supports the idea of using a religious ocassion to try to overthrow a govt she diagrees with. I do think you are more honest than most when it comes to the green leaders.
It is late, night is turning to day, I am tired but very optimistic as I see around me genuine people who desire freedom and are fed up with lies and with the culture of death. So too we are fed up with the cronies of the IRI who are nearing their end. Megan is so right and bravo to her. Be brave and keep up the hope and spread the truth.
Yep Samuel, no massacres… after June the killing stopped right? Or maybe the killings never happened, just like your master Ahmadinejad says the Holocaust never happened?
“Yep Samuel, no massacres… after June the killing stopped right? Or maybe the killings never happened, just like your master Ahmadinejad says the Holocaust never
happened?”
Of course the Holocaust happened stop writing nonsense. Did Khomeini ever deny it, has Khamenei? No and No.
Do you feel vindicated now because you can finally take the word out of your pocket without sounding bizarre? Go ahead, enjoy.
As I’ve already written the govt. does have a real problem with riot control and it is mostly of a technical nature. There should be no need to resort to live ammunition.
I suggest that the security forces implement three steps immediately:
First it is clear that the tear gas being employed is not exactly state of the art. The green mobs are not being affected quickly enough. Either a more concentrated form must be used or one that blends tear gas with any type of military grade pepper spray.
Second it is inexplicable that the security forces are not equipped with either plastic or rubber bullets to deal with crowd control. These are very effective and minimize the need for hand to hand combat. Used correctly they would take down the rioters easily. Of course they are non-lethal.
Third, the police should consider the use of trained snipers with small caliber scoped rifles. Nothing is more effective in diffusing a tense situation than a few well placed rounds below the waist directed against riot leaders. Again non-lethal and only if the first two measures prove inadequate which is unlikely.
Speaking of pretty comical things being said with a “straight face”, I offer this assessment of Ashura from our friend Dr. Sayed Mohamed Marandi of the University of Tehran, from an interview with him today:
“Initially after the elections a lot of people in Tehran did believe there were irregularities in the poll, but after a period of time when Mousavi was unable to provide any form of evidence, that belief gradually disappeared. The opposition is very much fragmented now and those people that you do see demonstrating are a [remaining] segment of the reformist movement. Other segments of the movement have distanced themselves from Mr Mousavi over the last few months.
For example a reformist faction in parliament no longer supports the Green Movement as it stands today. The group that rallied yesterday [Sunday] was extremely violent and extremely small.”
“They [the protests] are largely being orchestrated from abroad, they are orchestrated from television networks that are being beamed in from the United States and Europe. The important thing is that initially the protests against Mr Ahamdinejad were more homegrown, but gradually the pro-American opposition, the opposition supported from outside the country, began to have a greater role.”
megan ,,
At least I have the bravery to name myself properly,, what are you then ? a man ? a woman ? an Iranian ? what a name ?
I dont know why you all think that me being a journalist means that I want to show superiority to you ,, this is never so ,, If I didnt know Sscott is in the UK is because I never had enough time to read his history which is not relelant to what he is doing anyway ,,
By what you have said, I come to the conclusion that you dont know what happened in 1953 and how it happened ,, if you did you would not think as you do ,, about Scott and his mates, I must say that although I do respet them and even thanked them but the question still remains wehter you want to agree or disagree ,, in Birmingham and all over UK every one is down in the pub now,, so just tell me how is it that few British lads are taking so much trouble and time to do this for me and you ? Do you know that one of my post last night that had a comment about David Miliband was deleted from this site by the EA ? why ?
why did they delet Milibands comments on 1953 ?? you tell me why ,,
Besides,, Ahmadinejad being good or bad, supreme leader being good or bad,, is all our problem and our situation and must be solved by ourselves only ,, wh do we have it debated by EA ? what profit do they get out of this ? dont you think that it is somehow kind of unusual for a British guy to have become a point of referrence for us Iranians ,, considering that we all know that Iran suffered most from Britain during the past 150 years ,,
finally, every one is welcomed to express their opinion ,, Iranians shout out for years for democracy and the rule of law but it surprises me that do not accept any opinion if not in lined with theirs ,, lets learn to honor every ones opinion and live with it ,, this is called democracy that every one wants but no one knows ,,
Kevin,
Who conducted the interview?
S.
It was an interview with the BBC Farsi service last week ,, I have the script but its in Farsi ,, dont know how you can find its Englsih version but I could give you the high lights of it if you want ,,
Sorry Scott
I thought you meant me ,,
LOL, pretty funny. We have a Kayvon and a Kevin posting comments, not to mention a Kevina and some Scotts ;-)
To EA Scott, I’m a little too sleepy to see if I can dig up a link, but it was definitely Al-Jazeera.
Kayvon (and Kevin),
Much appreciated…
S.