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Iranian Student Association at York University Displaying Clear Signs of Support for the Islamic Regime?
27-Mar-2010
Recently it was brought to my attention that the Iranian Student Association at York University has been openly and publicly displaying the flag of the Islamic Regime at York University.
For non-Iranians who may not be familiar with the “flag issue” in Iran, it is important to give a bit of background. Prior to the Islamic Regime coming to power in 1979 the Iranian flag was a green, white, and red with the symbol of the Lion and Sun in the middle.
One of the first things the Islamic Regime did after coming to power was to change the flag, adding Arabic writing to it, removing the Lion and Sun and adding the “Allah” symbol in the middle. There was no vote or referendum about changing the flag, it was done in a dictatorial manner the same way the Regime does everything else.
Today most opposition (both groups and individuals) display the Lion and Sun flag instead of the Islamic Regime Flag as a clear and obvious sign of opposition to the Regime. The only exception is the leftist/communist groups who do not display a national flag at all.
In the past year even brave Iranian activists in Iran have displayed the Lion and Sun flag in various cities in Iran, despite great risk to their personal safety and even lives. For most Iranians the Islamic Regime flag is only that, representative of the Islamic Regime and not the Iranian people or Iran.
It is clearly understood among Iranian’s abroad that the usage of the Islamic Regime flag is a sign of support for the Islamic Regime and its atrocities, therefore it is shocking and disturbing to see the Iranian Student Association at York University openly displaying the Islamic Regime flag with complete disregard for the lives that have been lost at the hands of the Islamic Regime, not only in the past year, but for the past 31 years.
Many Iranians have come to Canada because of the danger they were faced with in Iran. Many have been imprisoned and tortured by the Islamic Regime, others have had their loved ones executed by the Regime. They have all come to Canada to live in a free and democratic country and to be free from any threats, dangers and reminders of the Regime.
Many Iranians have come to Canada because of the danger they were faced with in Iran. Many have been imprisoned and tortured by the Islamic Regime, others have had their loved ones executed by the Regime. They have all come to Canada to live in a free and democratic country and to be free from any threats, dangers and reminders of the Regime. Yet it seems even in Canada we are not free of the influence and the threat posed by the Islamic Regime. The Islamic Regime manages to continue its influence and propaganda through “bursary students” it imports to Canada. “Bursary Students” are students whose education is funded by the Islamic Regime. In order to be eligible for such bursaries the student and his/her family must be 100% loyal to the Islamic Regime and what the Regime stands for. These students serve a number of purposes for the Islamic Regime.
1. To spy on fellow students, especially those who are activists, or whose families are involved in anti-Regime activity abroad.
2. To further the Islamic Regime propaganda, by using the Islamic Regime flag, having pro-reform (pro-Islamic Regime) speakers and by having “cultural events” in an attempt to have people forget the atrocities committed by the Regime by focusing on art and culture instead.
3. Intimidation of pro-democracy Iranian students through open display of Islamic Regime Flag and propaganda.
One can only imagine how a student who has been imprisoned and tortured by the Regime, or a student whose mother or father has been subjected to such brutality must feel looking at the symbol of that oppression (The Islamic Regime Flag) on a regular basis. It can’t be much different from a Holocaust survivor having to come face to face with the Swastika and Nazi supporters on a regular basis.
It is no secret that the Regime is one of the worst human rights violators in the world. It is no secret that the Regime spends millions of dollars on it’s international “spies” in order to spy on, and to intimidate opposition. We also know about the Regime’s involvement in terrorist activities abroad. We know that at least some of the terrorists involved with 911 were students; we know that some of the 18 individuals involved in the “Canada 18 Terrorist Plot” had also come to Canada on “student visas.”
I am not suggesting that these particular students or the student association is involved or will be involved in such activity. What I am suggesting however is that perhaps their activities and their open support for the Islamic Regime, in Canada should not go unnoticed. Food for thought...
Down with the Islamic Regime
Long Live Freedom in Iran
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Great Response Cost Of Progress
by Iraneh Azad on Mon Mar 29, 2010 07:41 PM PDTI have always said that this Q character was a fake reformist. He is a true enemy of Iran and Iranians. Here with his "85% voted" bullshit twisting and lying to make it look as if Iranians want an evil idiot like Khamenei as their akhoond/king. If we actually had a referendum today or even as long as ten years ago, the same 85% would vote to get rid of this menace called the IRI.
These evil fake reformist hate Iran and could care less about Iran.
"Foul-mouthed "gardan
by jamshid on Mon Mar 29, 2010 05:23 PM PDT"Foul-mouthed "gardan koloft" types who are desperately trying to prove their manhood by clinging to nationalism..."
Q, would you instead prefer, "Foul-mouthed "gardan koloft" types who are desperately trying to prove their manhood by clinging to Islamism"??
Sort of, like you for instance? Would that work better for you?
Dear Sayeh
by benross on Mon Mar 29, 2010 04:11 PM PDTThe students who are displaying it are bursary students, (and we all know how one gets a bursary) and they have a function to carry out in Canada. That's what I have a problem with.
With the same logic (which I fully understand) we can argue that the whole 'green' movement which voice the opposition is a bogus opposition because it was created through the same IRI filters. I should emphasize though, that we shouldn't fault people who participate in such movement for lack of alternative. By the same token, we can't fault ALL bursary students for taking advantage of the only way it was offered to them to pursue their carriers or studies. People have to live within IRI rules and regulations, and for the most of them, despite their inner desire. A successful political activism should always be aware of the nuances.
Just to let you know some students actually confronted these people a few days ago and eventually many non Iranian students got involved as well and they were forced into taking down the flag on that occasion.
This is a VERY good news. They will come back for sure. But now they know that there are people who are prepared to fight back as well.
On the question of flag, you are right. It's not a monarchy issue at all. It's an Iranian issue. And a free Iran may want to decide to change her flag through a referendum or other democratic means. But look at who are shaken by this issue in your blog. This is not because the design of Shir-o-Khorshid is this or that. It's because it is the symbol of Iran and their flag is the symbol of Iran invaders. They know it's a hot button and they know that it will eventually bring them down. For the time being, just watch how they are shaken and enjoy!
The apologists on this site
by Cost-of-Progress on Mon Mar 29, 2010 08:09 AM PDTkeep pointing out to the 85% who voted during the election as a clear sign that the people are head over hill for this criminal enterprise occupying Iran.
First off, they "voted" thinking their "vote" would count. Second, in the absence of a better system - a choice - they "voted" hoping they can choose the lesser of the evils offerred to them.
Too bad none of this matters a bit. Islam and democracy are incompatible no matter how much english-speaking, satirical intellectual apologists who live in the west would want you to believe.
No regime can last indefinitely through fear and intimidation.
____________
IRAN FIRST
____________
The point I was trying to
by Sayeh Hassan on Mon Mar 29, 2010 07:51 AM PDTThe point I was trying to make isn't which flag should we use, I think when the Regime changes there should be a referendum about the flag and the people should choose, I personally would vote for Lion and Sun because its historic.
A flag does not belong to a government, when the US government changes they don't change their flag, a flag belongs to the country, so I don't equate the flag with Monarchy, and just for the record I believe in a republic.
Having said that the issue here isn't about the flag as much as it is about what the Islamic Regime flag represents, it is a symbol of oppression the same way the swastika is. The students who are displaying it are bursary students, (and we all know how one gets a bursary) and they have a function to carry out in Canada. That's what I have a problem with.
And thanks everyone for reading and commenting. Just to let you know some students actually confronted these people a few days ago and eventually many non Iranian students got involved as well and they were forced into taking down the flag on that occasion.
Sayeh Hassan
www.shiro-khorshid-forever.blogspot.com
From a purely design
by Sargord Pirouz on Sun Mar 28, 2010 09:58 PM PDTFrom a purely design perspective, the present coat of arms of Iran is superior to the tired, old lion, sun, sword emblem.
From Wikipedia:
The logo consists of four crescents and a sword. The four crescents are meant to stand for the word Allah. The five parts of the emblem symbolize the Principles of the Religion. Above the sword is a shadda: in Arabic script, this is used to double a letter. The shape of the emblem is chosen to resemble a tulip, for the memory of the people who died for Iran: it is an ancient belief in Iran, dating back to mythology, that if a young soldier dies patriotically a red tulip will grow on his grave. In recent years it has been considered the symbol of martyrdom.
Personally, I think Hamid Nadimi did a fine job in designing this symbol.
It's a completely meaningless issue and a hypocritical one
by Q on Sun Mar 28, 2010 09:02 PM PDTFirst of all, it is completely meaningless to resist the "flag" in Canada when it is in all the geography books, atlases and international references. Even websites use the current flag to indicate Persian language. But even get all that changed (a laughable waste of time) you will have accomplished absolutely nothing.
Using the correct flag of Iran does not mean belief in a political party or religion. The Monarchists (real and closet) have tried to make the flag some kind of "litmus test" of some BS self-concocted "loyalty test" for the past 30 years and it has not accomplished anything.
But even if using the flag did mean support for the current government, so what?. Isn't this the freedom of speech, freedom of association you people are always preaching about? It's great to get a taste of what you really mean, when you say you are fighting for "freedom".
Second, this neo-fascist "identification of regime supporters" would be frightening if it wasn't for the fact that its proponents lack the slightest amount of power, and this is part of the reason such people will be never given any power in future Iran.
Third, Sayeh and other rejectionists (people who don't consider the 85% of Iranians who voted in the 2009 election as worthy of having a opinion) have been trying "represent" the will and aspirations of the Iranian democracy movement for 30 years, but unfortunately the only legitimacy being questioned is always their own. The Green movement, the Reformists and others who have taken real risk to stand up for what they believe, do not consider the flag as an important issue. They are busy demanding things like ecnomic freedom and a transparent justice system.
One would think for people who continuously cry about 'unity' against the 'islamists', you would lay off divisive issues around meaningless sybmology, but alas, there is no shortage of hypocrisy around here...
If you are willing to waste your time trying to change flags in College clubs, be my guest. But don't insult us by pretending you are doing anything wrothy for Iran.
Marge, Foul-mouthed "gardan koloft" types who are desperately trying to prove their manhood by clinging to "nationalism" are exactly what I mean, when I talk about meaningless symbology. These people have lived in a lala land of make belief for the past 30 years and are not the least bit interested in the will of the Iranian people on the ground. What they want is the exact antithesis of democracy. These people just want their own nostalgic "ideal" of some racio-linguistically "pure" aryan nation to become reality. Keep on dreaming, since you clearly can afford it.
Moosh o Khorsheed would be
by Bavafa on Sun Mar 28, 2010 07:29 PM PDTMoosh o Khorsheed would be far more appropriate
If it is to be a symbol of of Monorchy. And of course IRI needs to change the Allah with "chomagh" to have the right symbol of their mentality.
Mehrdad
Agree With Benross & Thank you Sayeh
by Artificial Intelligence on Sun Mar 28, 2010 05:51 PM PDTThe IRI flag represents a symbol of repression of the Iranian people. It must be changed.
I agree with benross
by Onlyiran on Sun Mar 28, 2010 05:43 PM PDTnot accepting the IRI flag is in and of itself is a show of resistance. IRI's flag is just like ALL of its other symbols, is a political statement. It has replaced a symbol that is used by the Iranian PEOPLE for thousands of years (including heavily religious dynasties such as the Safavids--the founders of modern day Shiaism) and have replaced it with a symbol that more closely resembles the Indian Khalistan emblem shown here //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Flagge_Khalistans.png
than anything in Iranian culture, heritage or history. It must therefore be resisted.
"Shallow Appearances" ?!
by Mehrban on Sun Mar 28, 2010 06:13 PM PDT1- The flag
2- "Islamic" In the Islamic Republic of Iran
3- Hejab Ejbaari
4- Starting every political speech in Iran in Arabic
5- ............
I didn't mention it; flags are fake symbols
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Sun Mar 28, 2010 05:37 PM PDTBut you mentioned monarchy. Big surprise.
Anyway, as I stated originally, this is silly. Arguing over flags is dumb. Actually, flags are stupid, shallow, and primitive to begin with. I'd rather talk about ideas and people. Flags are fake.
Flag is significant indeed
by divaneh on Sun Mar 28, 2010 04:52 PM PDTYou are right Benross, flag is as significant as it gets. Our whole mythology is based on a flag (Darafsh Kavian) that was turned into a bonding symbol for people to unite and fight the cruel ruler.
If a flag is a flag, then let’s say a color is a color, a symbol is a symbol. People need a rallying point when joining each other to fight back and flag provides a good one.
I don't hate anybody. I hate
by benross on Sun Mar 28, 2010 04:41 PM PDTI don't hate anybody. I hate the stagnation of ideas, rotten in the graves of nineteenth century. This is not good for IC, nor for encouraging some valuable minds to contribute.
The funny thing is that this blog doesn't even belong to a monarchy sympathizer. Sayeh is for a republic. The fact that this bunch suddenly show-up only when an Iranian flag bearer is expressing herself or himself, goes a long way to demonstrate the significance of Iranian flag in our struggle for freedom.
Dear SamSam, we are all good and protected in our host democratic countries. This is the least we can do, not to let mediocrity prevail.
I'm sorry. I thought this was a forum. How respectful of you Sam
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Sun Mar 28, 2010 04:28 PM PDTI can't say I'm surprised. I don't care what flag someone hides behind. It's just a flag. I've seen so many fake patriot Iranians hide behind ancient flags then proclaim Israel is right to bomb the USA. A flag is nothing. Fighting over flags is nothing. People hide behind flags and religion every day. You're doing that in here and elsewhere.
If one ever wondered to witness
by SamSamIIII on Sun Mar 28, 2010 04:24 PM PDTthe difference between Ommatie cyber f*rt vs real intelligent comment this is an excellent blog to observe that idiocy & cluelessness is a trait inherited solely by lobster flag cyber conscripts. If only these traites were commodities they all be super rich & no need to be beneficiaries of akhoond handouts.
Benross, wasting prescious brain cells on educating the brainless is a true selfless act on your part .
Cheers!!!
Path of Kiaan Resurrection of True Iran Hoisting Drafshe Kaviaan //iranianidentity.blogspot.com //www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia
Aw benross
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Sun Mar 28, 2010 03:47 PM PDTYou hate it when I comment.
The IRI flag is what it is. It's the flag of Iran. People recognize it on Fox News everyday. Perhaps these students are defending themselves. Who knows? What do you know just by a flag? That they don't agree with you? Sheesh. What a narrow view. I couldn't care less about the flag. The IRI exists and it has a strong support system within Iran. Some students in canada are not going to change that. It's the same with the fools who protest with lion sun flags thinking they are making a difference. I have protested enough in my life to see that flags are just dividers and useless tools.
Are you upset that they
by benross on Sun Mar 28, 2010 03:37 PM PDTAre you upset that they exist or that they are displaying their pride? It's their right to do this.
Sorry, for a second I thought you are talking to the mirror, for your jumping in and trashing any blog related to the monarchy.
You have to learn to tolerate the people who disagree with and have a conversation.
That's rich. Where did you learn that?
This is silly. Sorry. The flag issue distracts us from important problems.
I know, your problems.
The point is not banning IRI flag. It's to recognize it for what it is. Join them with 'proud'. By all means. Actually I'm looking forward to it.
This is silly. What's the big deal, exactly?
by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Sun Mar 28, 2010 03:02 PM PDTAre you upset that they exist or that they are displaying their pride? It's their right to do this. You have to learn to tolerate the people who disagree with and have a conversation. This is silly. Sorry. The flag issue distracts us from important problems.
It's all about symbols and
by benross on Sun Mar 28, 2010 02:48 PM PDTIt's all about symbols and appearances with you people, isn't it? Is this even an issue for most Iranians in Iran today?
Not until they are hung for it.
Who do you want to fool with this cheap argument Q? IRI flag represents what it represents. In university setting, nobody forces you to brandish a flag if it is not a political statement. But of-course it is very convenient for you to pretend that Israel and Palestine and U.S.A are the issues for most Iranians in Iran today, not their flag... you won't win that battle.
Tone down the fascism, Sayeh,
by Q on Sun Mar 28, 2010 02:20 PM PDTIt is clearly understood among Iranian’s abroad that the usage of the Islamic Regime flag is a sign of support for the Islamic Regime
Oh please... this is the flag used by the UN, the State department and all reference books. I would think a University of all places has an obligation to use the correct flag.
It's all about symbols and appearances with you people, isn't it? Is this even an issue for most Iranians in Iran today? When are you people going to get out of your defeated Monarchist cry chamber and join the real struggle for freedom in Iran? -- assuming you are interested in anythig other than shallow appearances.
!
by The Phantom Of The Opera on Sun Apr 04, 2010 06:13 PM PDT.
The Pahlavis, all mullahs, and all public figures associated with the Green Movement must disclose the source and the amount of their wealth/income.
Referendum
by benross on Sun Mar 28, 2010 07:57 AM PDTCanada is infested by pro-regime agents. But we should not confuse the 'immigrants of convenience' with the regime agents. The immigrants of convenience are not against IRI, because it is not 'convenient' for them. These are the one who are easily influenced by those who brandish IRI flag. Not those who saw the torture of IRI.
I think one of my first comments in IC was about the flag. Because it is such a revealing barometer regarding the political destination. At the end of the day, those who brandish IRI flag and those who brandish Iranian flag, should all go for a national referendum on choosing a historic path. The one represented by monarchy constitution or the path represented by Islamic constitution, each represented by a specific flag. No matter which flag we choose to bear, the social peace in Iran depends on this historic clarification through a referendum.
btw Sayeh, your blog needs some editing. It has repeated segments.