Montazeri Responds to Questions about Green Movement

Here are the questions and Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's response:

To Grand Ayatollah Montazeri:

As you are aware the Iranian nation raised justified demands before the election in order to achieve higher political, economical and social status. And to realize these aspirations , participated in the election with unquestionable passion and vigor. But the authorities who hold power turned the election results and the condition of society to what we are witnessing today by means of altering the votes.

After the election “ the green movement” in [its] quest to demand the rights of society , was able to represent requests and desires of majority of Iranian public. For these demands it suffered from prison and horrendous medieval tortures and also gave martyrs to show that with persistence on non-violent [protest] it is attempting to reach its ideals. With Gods ‘s blessing this movement has spread throughout the country. For this reason , continuing on this course , people are seeking answers to different questions formed in their minds.

We ask that with your replies in promoting the movement , you show your support and guidance for [this] oppressed nation.
In your opinion:

1. What are the achievements of people of Iran’s green movement in recent period?
2. What factors hinder development and spread of people’s green movement and result in a longer time in reaching its goals?
3. What are the ways to strengthen and relatively protect the movement?
4. What suggestions do you have for promoting the movement?



Grand Ayatollah Montazeri’s response:


In the name of God , the Compassionate and the Merciful

Never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). [Quran: Surah 13-11] [1]

With greetings and gratitude for your attention to current destiny shaping events in the country

(1) This movement is a true reflection and realistic representation of justified demands of majority of Iranian people over many years. Although it has faced a violent reaction and vehement hostility from the hardliner faction of the state, its domestic and foreign achievements are undeniable. Inside Iran, this movement has succeeded in institutionalizing a tolerant culture for demanding rights of a large number of people which were ignored during the election [process] and the events that followed. On the other hand this movement has prevailed in exposing the violent nature of the radical and oppressive faction. Of course to achieve this it has paid a high price. This shows that people will not be convinced unless they gain their justified rights and killings , intimidation , threats, detainments , arrests, illegal and non-religious trials, heavy and unjust convictions for political activists , freedom seekers and false and deceiving propaganda has had no influence on their will and their determination. Outside Iran, the movement has succeeded in drawing attention of countries of the world specially developed societies and human right organizations to the oppression it faces and its rightful demands. From a political analysis [perspective] ,[ the movement ] has showed the real power of nation to the world.

(2, 3) one of factors that may constrain the development of the rightful movement of people is a group of deviant [from the core values of establishment], slogans with the tone of overthrowing the structure and other inappropriate reactions that would provide an excuse for the radical [hardliners] wing to suppress people. A movement that has legitimate and rational demands can voice them rationally and nonviolently. [The movement] must not be tempted to react violently to violence and suppression or produce slogans or reactions that would ultimately satisfy the need of the radical wing now in power. It is even possible that such slogans and violent reactions are initiated by mercenaries [of radicals] to deviate the movement from its right path just like the numerous occasions when people have witnessed their agents busy with vandalizing public and private property.

Another such factor is expectations for a quick and early victory. The movement should not become impatient and hasty. Patience over hardships during resistance to revive the rights and on the path of encouraging virtue and discouraging vice is an important religious teaching with great emphasis in the Quran and Hadith.

The third factor is the difference of opinions on the approach to revive rights [of people.] This can severely harm the movement. In this regards, figures who are trusted by the people and who are influential in the movement can mitigate the risk of such damage by clarifying the legitimate and religious demands of people and by collaborating amongst themselves. This would in return empower people’s movements and keep it safe from possible harms.

(4) Needless to say, those who struggle on the path to revive the rights of people are in fact acting up to their national and religious duty of encouraging virtue and discouraging vice. Such individuals should themselves be an example of attachment to the virtue and truth that they encourage for and of refrain from the vice that they discourage from. They should remain within the bounds by religious and ethical guidelines so that their act and move would be to the satisfaction of God and the benefit of his subjects.

In the end, with good intentions, I will remind the government yet again: The path that officials and decision makers of the establishment have taken would conclude nothing but harm to the mundane and religious affairs of people and of themselves.

The best way to show sincerity of the government is abiding by all the articles of the constitution, recognizing the rights of the nation, and commitment [to their revival.] Monolithic and self-centered approaches, despotism and using violence against people, illegitimate and non-religious trials for political activists and public servants would bring nothing but further seclusion of the country and the establishment in the world. In addition such acts would further distance people from the establishment, desecrate the image of the oppressed Islam, would ultimately lead to the wrath of God. I hope that responsible officials would quickly correct their deviations and satisfy God and its subjects.

10 Azar 1388 (December 1, 2009)

Hosseinali Montazeri