Lengesh kon
Movement against mullahcracy -- with patience
By Shahla Samii
November 20, 2002
The Iranian
The students in Iran are continuing to demonstrate, in many cities, but they
have learned over the past few years not to rush it.
I would like to add that we in the West should also show restraint in pushing the
students and all who are voicing their discontent and frustration in Iran. This will
take time; in order for it to succeed.
The movement against the mullahcracy is going about it with patience. They understand
that each time violence erupts at demonstrations, they have been squelched with brutal
force. None of us in the West can allow ourselves to ask the students or others to
put their lives on line - we are quite safe and they are not!
The demonstrators need time and have to keep their cool. The avalanche has started
down the mountain, but in order for it to gain more momentum and finally come down
with full force and succeed to crush those who have harmed them and the country,
they have to remain vigilant and patient.
They now know that reform within this regime, be it with Khatami or any other so-called
"reformist" mullah, is not possible. Freedom of speech and human rights
through secularism are their goal.
What we can do is spread their voice around the world, as Shahzadeh Reza Pahlavi
has been doing, so that Western governments do not bury these grievances from within
Iran for their own selfish economic reasons.
We have to alert the media, the human rights groups, the United Nations and the EU
governments, and relentlessly bombard them with letters and petitions. We have to
support Iranian websites, because they can reach thousands. We have to use the internet
for communication, exchange of ideas and show our moral support.
We have to support Iranian satellite TV and radio stations, because the human faces
and voices that are carried both ways can bring solace and hear grievances and expose
the truth.
We, the Diaspora, have to stop bickering amongst ourselves. We have to woo the disengaged
and cynical and unite as one voice with one aim, and that is to help our compatriots
who are valiantly struggling to free themselves from hypocritical religious fundamentalists.
We owe this to them as to ourselves.
Does this article have spelling or other mistakes? Tell
me. I'll feex it.
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