Persian Realm
به زبان فارسی
PICTORY
LATEST MUSIC
SEARCH
Tunisia could benefit from bitter lessons of Iran’s clumsy '79 revolution
14-Jan-2011
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." - Mark Twain
Carter's infamous "Island of Stability" Speech in Tehran toast the Shah of Iran at Niavaran Palace:
President Ben Ali admonished on lack of democracy by then US President George W. Bush:
Unrests in Tunisia and the passionate reactions it has triggered in a nation often hailed as an “Island of Stability” in the Maghreb could benefit from the bitter lessons of Iran's clumsy "Islamic" revolution in it's legitimate struggle for Democracy.
( See Related News Here )
Ironically just like in Iran 30 years ago In Iran with the Cinema Rex Tragedy what triggered the protests in Tunisia was an isolated incident which symbolically concentrated the nation's discontent towards it's leaders that of of a graduate who set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid over lack of jobs. The clashes and violent incidents to date have led to dozens of deaths ( however tragic although fairly limited given the violent circumstances).
Ironically Tunisia just like Imperial Iran is largely a Secular Society deemed an "Island of Stability" in the Maghreb which despite an Authoritarian regime enjoys social progress and particularly emancipation and equal rights for wormen as no where else in the Muslim world apart from maybe Turkey.
A Report on the Situation of Women in Tunisia ( English Subtitles):
The major difference in the current unrest with the revolution in Iran 30 years ago is that for the time being the Tunisians are lucky not to have a mad Ayatollah leading the opposition to the regime. There may be a less dramatic outcome to this "revolution" than was the case for our unfortunate country.
Opening scene of Ferid Boughedir's Film Un été à la Goulette:
With Cameo Roles with Claudia Cardinal and Michel Boujnah
French Tunisian Comic Actor /Director Michel Boujnah Jokes about Tunisians on French TV:
But there I am merely being cautiously optimistic.
Only time will say if the departure of President Ben Ali and the announcement of a provisionary government by the Prime Minister will lead to a more constructive outcome for a people legitimately struggling for Democracy within an Authoritarian ( yet hardly Tyrannical ) environment.
For indeed history often tragically illustrates that far more difficult than the task of toppling an Authoritarian or dictatorial Regime, the Greatest Challenge for a Nation is to construct and maintain a democratic one.
May the Tunisian People overcome the challenge of succeeding their Democratic Transition in a constructive way and without giving in the destructive temptations of vengeance which often characterizes national upheavals and often dooms the legitimate hopes of a nation when at crossroads in it's history.
My thoughts are with the Tunisian People and Friends of that Beautiful country in these challenging times.
Darius KADIVAR
Jan 14th, 2011
Paris, FRANCE
Recommended Photo Essay:
Golden Blue by shahireh sharif (Iranian.com)
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
Miscellaneous Footage as a Comparative Study
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
Shah of Iran in London say's People will not revolt in Iran (1963 or 1965 ?): An overconfident Shah shortly after a failed Assassination attempt on his life speaks to the international press and diplomats. During this period Iran faced unrests triggered by an unknown Ayatollah Khomeiny protesting against the Shah's White Revolution and Land Reforms.
British ITV Report on Shah faced with the early uprisings against his regime in 1979:
(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)
Shah of Iran's Last Public Speech the nation: Shah Speech acknowledges Voice of the Revolution butrefuses to abdicate and promises to Respect the Constitution once Calm andOrder is Restored.
Pro Bakhtiar demonstrations in Support of the 1906 Constitution:
Tunisia's President Ben Ali's last speech:
Anti-government protests continue despite Ben Ali's promise to stand down
Thousands of people took to the streets of Tunis Friday to protest the rule of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
This despite his promise Thursday not to seek another term and his orders that police stop using real bullets on protesters.
Flights continue to Tunisia despite unrest:
Iran's IRI's Press TV coverage of Tunisia's Unrest:
French Coverage of Tunisian Revolution:
Related Blogs:
ROYAL FORUM: China signs $7.5b deals with Juan Carlos' Spain
ROYAL FORUM: Zahra Rahnavard Monarchist Muslim? ;0)
ROYAL FORUM: Unauthorized Bio Tarnishes King of Sweden's Reputation With Wild Sex Allegations ROYAL FORUM: Spain's Royal Family Cut Budget For First Time In History ROYAL FORUM: King Charles or King William? Britons want Charles to step aside for William ROYAL FORUM: Prince William and Harry - Prisoners of Celebrity ROYAL FORUM: The Pain in the Reign in Spain ROYAL FORUM: Prince Charles and Camilla's Car has been attacked by protesters ROYAL FORUM: Crown Prince of Serbia Seeks to Restore The Monarchy ROYAL FORUM: Behind the Scenes of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953 ROYAL FORUM: Explaining the Concept of a Constitutional Monarchy to a Staunch Republican
ROYAL FORUM: Tests show head of France's popular King Henri IV 'genuine'
| Recently by Darius Kadivar | Comments | Date |
|---|---|---|
| TOMBSTONE: Bidding Goodbye to Iranian.com (ers) | 4 | Dec 05, 2012 |
| ROYAL PREGNANCY: Prince William, Duchess of Cambridge Announce Pregnancy | 3 | Dec 04, 2012 |
| DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Golshifteh Farahani & Sienna Miller in Road Movie ‘Just Like a Woman » | - | Dec 03, 2012 |
RECENT COMMENTS
IRANIANS OF THE DAY
| Person | About | Day |
|---|---|---|
| نسرین ستوده: زندانی روز | Dec 04 | |
| Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
| Majid Tavakoli: Prisoner of the day | Iterview with mother | Dec 02 |
| احسان نراقی: جامعه شناس و نویسنده ۱۳۰۵-۱۳۹۱ | Dec 02 | |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Prisoner of the day | 46 days on hunger strike | Dec 01 |
| Nasrin Sotoudeh: Graffiti | In Barcelona | Nov 30 |
| گوهر عشقی: مادر ستار بهشتی | Nov 30 | |
| Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
| محمد کلالی: یکی از حمله کنندگان به سفارت ایران در برلین | Nov 29 | |
| Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
Islamist killed in Tunisia clash
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 30, 2012 05:11 PM PDTIslamist killed in Tunisia clash (bbc)
Authorities in Tunisia say an Islamist militant has been killed in clashes between radical Salafi Muslims and police in the capital Tunis.
Talk is cheap
by MRX on Mon Oct 08, 2012 05:14 AM PDTor should i say reveloutions are cheap? it is easy to destroy and it's hard to build. when you have no plans and no mechanism the end result is disasterous. The countries in mid east and north Africa with a high birth rates will never get any where till they control their population growth.
Tunisia’s unemployed revolutionaries head to Europe
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Oct 08, 2012 02:18 AM PDTDying for a job (bbc)
The unemployed revolutionaries in Tunisia burning to reach Europe
Tunisia clashes over rubbish dump injure 50 people
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Oct 06, 2012 05:23 PM PDTTunisia clashes over rubbish dump (bbc)
More than 50 people, mostly policemen, are injured in protests over the reopening of an unofficial rubbish dump on the Tunisian holiday island of Djerba.
Tunisians 'questioned over Libya attack'
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Oct 06, 2012 03:11 PM PDTTunisians 'questioned over Libya attack' (cnn)
(CNN) -- There is a connection between two Tunisians detained for questioning in Turkey and the attack on an American Consulate in Libya that left four dead, the U.S. defense chief said.
"We know there is some connection but, frankly, we really don't have all the specifics," Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told reporters Friday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Crowd backs Tunisia 'rape' woman outside court
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 02, 2012 02:03 PM PDTCrowd backs Tunisia 'rape' woman (bbc)
A Tunisian woman allegedly raped by police but accused of indecency draws a crowd of supporters as a judge studies her case.
Tunisia 'police rape' condemned
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Sep 29, 2012 09:19 AM PDTTunisia 'police rape' condemned (bbc)
Tunisia's minister for women denounces the alleged rape by policemen of a woman who was later charged with indecency, along with her fiance.
US orders Embassy staff out of Sudan and Tunisia
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Sep 15, 2012 03:37 PM PDTUS orders staff out of Sudan and Tunisia (bbc)
The US orders all non-essential diplomatic staff and families to leave Tunisia and Sudan, amid a wave of protests over an anti-Islam film made in the US.
Tunisian PM on anti-Islam film protests
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:35 PM PDTTunisian PM on anti-Islam film protests (bbc, video)
In an exclusive interview with BBC Arabic, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali says that the tension over a film that was considered to be insulting to Islam "will not affect" his country's relationship with the West.
He denounced the violence which erupted as a result of the film.
Alcohol sparks Tunisia hotel raid
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:14 AM PDTAlcohol sparks Tunisia hotel raid (bbc)
Muslim hardliners known as Salafists have attacked a hotel in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid because its bar still served alcohol, reports say.
Dozens of activists smashed bottles and chased away customers at the Horchani hotel, news agencies reported.
The sale and drinking of alcohol is legal in Tunisia, which is popular with foreign tourists.
The country has witnessed a resurgence of Islamist hardliners recently since the overthrow of President Ben Ali.
The central Sidi Bouzid is the cradle of Tunisia's revolution, which ended secular rule and triggered the Arab Spring.
Thumbs up for Tunisian women
by Rea on Tue Aug 14, 2012 12:14 PM PDTFight before it goes too far, before it's too late.
Tunisian women's rights protest
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:49 AM PDTTunisian women's rights protest (bbc)
Thousands of Tunisians have protested in the capital against moves by the Islamist-led government which they fear will reduce women's rights.
Ousted leader Ben Ali sentenced in absentia to life in prison
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jul 21, 2012 03:42 PM PDTOusted leader Ben Ali sentenced in absentia to life in prison (france 24)
Ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was sentenced in absentia to life in prison by a military court for complicity in the murder of protesters during the revolt that toppled his regime in January 2011.Tunisia reassures France it is en route to democracy
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:21 PM PDTTunisia reassures France it is en route to democracy (france 24)
Addressing the French National Assembly on Wednesday, Tunisia's President Moncef Marzouki reassured lawmakers that Tunisia was pursuing democracy, and had not fallen into the hands of Islamists.French Far Right Jean Mari Le Pen vacations in Tunisia
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Jun 27, 2012 04:06 AM PDTJean-Marie Le Pen en vacances en Tunisie : réaction indignée du parti Al-Madj
Hammamet : Jean-Marie Le Pen prend ses vacances : Tunisie ...
Jean-Marie Le Pen, ex-président du Front ne semble pas s'inquiéter des alertes sécuritaires lancées par son ambassade aux touristes français. Il est en effet ici même en Tunisie, à 60 km de la capitale profitant du soleil.
Libya ex-PM Mahmoudi extradition from Tunisia 'illegal'
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:34 PM PDTLibya ex-PM extradition 'illegal' (bbc)
Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki says his country's extradition of Libyan ex-PM al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi back to Libya was "illegal".
Tunisia extradites Libya ex-PM Mahmoudi
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Jun 24, 2012 09:14 AM PDTTunisia extradites Libya ex-PM (bbc)
Libyan ex-PM al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi is extradited by Tunisia, where he fled during the uprising against Col Gaddafi last year.
Ben Ali’s wife blames general for Tunisia ‘coup d’état’
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jun 23, 2012 03:08 PM PDTBen Ali’s wife blames general for Tunisia ‘coup d’état’ (france 24)
Leila Ben Ali, the wife of the deposed Tunisian president, has blamed a senior general for orchestrating a ‘coup d’état’ by tricking them into exile in Saudi Arabia, according to a book recently released in France.Gun smugglers attacked in Tunisia
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:37 AM PDTGun smugglers attacked in Tunisia (bbc)
A Tunisian military plane destroys cars packed with weapons travelling near the border of Libya and Algeria.
Ben Ali given another jail term in absentia by military court
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Jun 13, 2012 06:21 AM PDTBen Ali given another jail term (bbc)
A military court in Tunisia sentences exiled former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to 20 years in jail in absentia for inciting violence and murder.
Tunisia imposes curfew after riot
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jun 12, 2012 01:47 PM PDTTunisia imposes curfew after riot (bbc)
Tunisia declares an overnight curfew in eight regions, including the capital, after rioting which the government blames on Islamists angered by an art show.
Salafists clash in Tunisian town attacking Alcohol bars
by Darius Kadivar on Sat May 26, 2012 04:10 PM PDTSalafists clash in Tunisian town (bbc)
Hundreds of Salafists have clashed with security forces and attacked a police station in a Tunisian town.
The clashes, in Jendouba, were sparked when the ultra-conservative Muslims began protesting against the arrest of four fellow Muslims.
The number of those who took part, some armed with clubs and Molotov cocktails, swelled to 500 during the day.
After setting fire to the security headquarters, the group attacked bars and stores selling alcohol.
The group were angered by the arrest of fellow Muslims in connection with previous attacks on alcohol sellers.
Prosecutors seek death for Tunisia's ex President Ben Ali
by Darius Kadivar on Sat May 26, 2012 12:24 AM PDTProsecutors seek death for Tunisian strongman (cnn)
Tunisian prosecutors say they'll seek a death sentence for former President Zine El Abedine Ben Ali, now charged in absentia with ordering the killings of anti-government demonstrators.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Tunisia TV boss fined over film 'Persepolis'
by Darius Kadivar on Thu May 03, 2012 05:21 AM PDTTunisia TV boss fined over film (bbc)
The owner of a Tunisian TV station is fined for showing a controversial and award-winning animated film, Persepolis.
Having lunch during Ramadan – a controversial film from Tunisia
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Apr 11, 2012 03:43 PM PDTTunisian director on controversial film (bbc, AUDIO)
Tunisian film director Nadia El Fani is worshipped abroad and cursed at home.
She has won international awards and worked with renowned names like Roman Polanski, but her latest film, Neither Allah, Nor Master, screened at the Cannes and Berlin film festivals, has provoked a violent reaction back in Tunisia.
The film raises provocative questions about the status of secularism in a predominantly Muslim country and includes scenes of a restaurant that is serving food during fasting hours in the month of Ramadan.
Currently abroad, she has been the subject of death threats and could face charges of blasphemy if she returns home.
Sian Griffiths met Nadia El Fani at a conference in Canada and asked her, for BBC Africa, what she had hoped to achieve with her documentary.
Tunisians jailed for posting 'Naked Muhammad' cartoons
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Apr 07, 2012 05:00 AM PDT'Naked Muhammad' Tunisians jailed (bbc)
Officials in Tunisia say two bloggers have been jailed for seven years after posting cartoons of a naked Prophet Muhammad on the internet.Tunisia sentences two to seven years for Prophet caricatures
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Apr 05, 2012 11:55 PM PDTYouths sentenced to seven years for Prophet caricatures (France 24)
A Tunisian court has sentenced two youths to seven years in jail, one in absentia, for publishing caricatures of the Prophet on Facebook, the justice ministry said Thursday. Rights activists said the sentence was overly harsh.Tunisians edge away from Sharia
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 26, 2012 02:16 PM PDTTunisians edge away from Sharia (bbc)
Officials from the largest party in Tunisia's governing coalition have said they will not support moves to enshrine Islamic law in the new constitution.
Senior members of the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party said the wording of the old constitution, which proclaims Islam as the state religion, would remain.
A group of ultra-conservative Muslims known as Salafis had demanded the introduction of Sharia.
Ennahda has been under growing pressure to declare its position on the issue.
The BBC's Jon Leyne says that the news will disappoint the increasingly vocal conservative minority, but it will bring relief to liberals and secularists who fear a tide of Islamism sweeping across the region.
Tunisia's Jews shun 'migrate to Israel' idea
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Jan 31, 2012 05:37 AM PST
Kosher Tunisians (bbc)By Wyre Davies
In the wake of the Arab Spring, an Israeli government minister said that for their own safety all of Tunisia's remaining Jews should move to Israel.
Hundreds of thousands of Jews once lived across North Africa and the Middle East before the creation of Israel in 1948. But the suggestion that the small communities that remain should disband has been largely met with derision - from the Jews themselves.
Tunisia marks revolution anniversary
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jan 14, 2012 03:50 PM PSTTunisia marks revolution anniversary (BBC Video)
One year ago, Tunisians overthrew the dictatorship of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in the first popular revolution of the Arab Spring.
Since then there have been elections and a new interim government is now in place.
The BBC's Wyre Davis has been speaking to Rachid Ghannouchi head of the moderate Islamic party, Ennahda, which is now the biggest political party in Tunisia.