From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – Persian Heritage, No.74, Summer 2014
With the summer issue of Persian Heritage, I am reminded of the summer 2009 and the Green Movement in Iran. This was a movement in which the Iranian people, young and old, stood and fought to attain equality, freedom, the right to choose their political system, the right to choose their religion, the right to choose their appearances, the right to speak freely, the right of political and social expression, the right to freely publish, etc. Unfortunately, based on the release of a video recording, by the head of the Sepah and his admissions, the movement faced a “coup d’etat.” This resulted in the murder of many Iranian men and women and the arrests of several of the movement’s leaders, journalists and intellectuals. As a result the dreams of the youth, who believed there was a real chance for change and freedom were shattered. The glory days of that summer were followed by executions and oppression. After this came days of superficial freedoms and superficial change, provided by the regime. These “superficial” freedoms and changes, however, resulted in additional incarcerations and executions which continue to rise. For many years Iran was in third place in the number of executions, following China and the United States. Today they are number one, certainly not a statistic to be proud of.
Remembering the days of the summer of 2009 I look back at how the use of social media and the news media were used to cover this story. These new forms of instantaneous communication, like an avalanche, brought this movement into our living rooms and to the attention of the world. Sadly, the sudden death of Michael Jackson, during the same month, ended the movement’s media coverage and with that the movement lost the attention and the interest of the world.
Surprisingly, demise of the movement was similar to events that took place during the Carter administration, when President Jimmy Carter beautifully expressed his views to the people of the world, “Iran was an the ocean of tranquility, ” a few months prior to the 1979 Revolution. Within months, as if a bomb exploded, the revolution consumed Iran. Isn’t it ironic that President Obama, a few months before the Arab movement, also used similar kind and calming words while addressing the Egyptians in Egypt and Arabs of other nations. He labeled the movement the “Arab spring.” These kind and calming words were used and yet the upheavals continue throughout the Arab nations. What good, I ask, has come from gentle words, destruction of the political systems of Libya, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and death of so many of their citizens? Throughout history, the Middle East has been in turmoil. Is it ironic or is their destiny because of their potential natural resources?
Yes, the internet, social media and twitter have brought the people of the world closer together, creating a global community. Despite instant media exposure the leaders in Iran continue, their path of destruction, making the life of the Iranian people more difficult and miserable. Inflation, poverty, lack of medicine, medical access, drug addictions and other social difficulties have crippled the people, especially the lower and working class. These social concerns must be addressed! Remember the downfall of the people will impact their sovereignty and place Iran in a very dangerous situation.
Despite the world’s attention on these issues the Islamic government officers, in the country, continue making the argument that religion is the only way for Iranians to have peace. They insist that religion and their help is the only way to pave a path to heaven.
According to the Imam Jomeh of Tehran, it is the responsibility of the political leaders to pave a path to heaven, for its people. He believes that if the Iranian people are given freedom, that they will make the wrong choice, one that will put them directly on the path to hell. I have always believed, or at least thought, that it is the government’s responsibility to pave REAL roads, that lead to REAL destinations and roads that are safe to travel, not FICTIONAL ones that lead to “Heaven!” I have always believed, or at least thought, that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of its people, not to build a FICTIONAL path to heaven! I have always believed, or at least thought that is the government’s responsibility to create new jobs that allow its citizens to develop new technology, ie: planes, cars, buildings, not to build a FICTIONAL path to heaven! I have always believed, or at least I thought that is the government’s responsibility to provide avenues of education for its citizens, not to build a FICTIONAL path to heaven! I NEVER BELIEVED OR THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE ITS CITIZENS A PAVED AND DIRECT PATH TO HEAVEN. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE JOBS, SHELTER, MEDICINE ETC. TO ITS PEOPLE AND THAT RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE BE TAUGHT, BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, MOSQUES, CHURCHES AND TEMPLES.
Interestingly, the Iranian president himself, while wearing his religious attire, has stated many times “don’t meddle in peoples personal business, allow people to find their own path to heaven, one cannot force people to choose the heavenly path it should be by choice.” Yet the mullah argue with the president’s statement and threatens to use physical force to teach people the heavenly path. I suppose that by convincing and insuring the people that religion will help build a path to heaven for their people, secures their power. But 75 million Iranians young and old, will not listen to them. 75 million Iranians young and old know that their path to heaven is only paved by the freedoms they are denied, by their ability to be educated, by their ability to provide for their families and by their ability to secure a solid and respected place in the world community. 75 million Iranians know where to find God and know how God expects them to live! 75 million Iranians know that the mullah’s use of religion IS NOT a path to heaven, but rather their way of controlling them and staying in power. This reminds me of an old saying, “kindness and mischief the wise ones can control the people like sheep and cut their throats with a butter knife.” Like these words the religious leaders will try to herd their citizens like cows and sheep, to THEIR “promise land.”
This kind of herding brings back a memory of my childhood. It was a time when milk pasteurization was not fully implemented in Iran. The locals would herd their own cows for milk to avoid diseases from outside cows. These cows were well taken care of. Vets would come several times a year to clear them of any disease. I remember we hired a young boy to take out the cow during the summer time to graze the land. Initially I thought it was a great job and initially envied him. I remember the first couple of weeks the boy had a difficult time convincing the cow to leave its comfortable stable. By the third week, much to my surprise, the cow was well trained. The cow simply left her stable, with head pointed straight and followed the boy. I asked him how he accomplished this and he told me by convincing the cow with a bit of a mental and physical beating.
I am in no way trying to compare people to animals. People like animals, however, are also innocent. And, like the innocent cow who gave milk to us, fed us and so kindly took care of us became a slave to our needs, the Iranian people too, so innocent, are becoming slaves to the religious preaching of their leaders. This is very dangerous. I wish my fellow Iranians nothing but peace, prosperity and freedom. God has already given them the gift of kindness and intelligence. It is they who must continue to fight for earthly leadership, that will guide them back into the path of reality. NOT earthly leadership that wants to build a path of control. They must know and believe that with all their wisdom and intelligence they should never be forced or condemned to follow the path paved by someone else, but rather their own path to freedom and respect.