Sad news to report on the passing of Mir Hussein Mousavi' Father:
It has been reported that since the house arrest of his son, Mir Esmail Mousavi who was accustomed to regular weekly visits by Mousavi, was continuously asking about his son's well being and whereabouts. In the more than 45 days that Mir Hossein Mousavi has been under house arrest, he was only allowed visitation with his ailing father once and under very tight security conditions when he and his wife Zahra Rahnavard were allowed a short visit with Mir Esmail in his room, with the presence of three male security officers and one female security officer. It is worth mentioning that, the presence of so many security personnel did not go unnoticed by the elder Mousavi.
This as there has been little information about his condition:
Except for a short phone call from Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard on the first day of New Persian Year to their family, there have been no other contacts or visitations; and the security forces prevented their daughters to meet with them.
Despite the efforts by the daughters of Mousavi and Rahnavard and their repeated attempts to visit with their parents at their home, located in Pasteur street (south of Tehran) where it is believed that they are being under illegal arrest since New Persian Year, security forces have been preventing them from meeting or having any kind of contact with their parents.
In these attempts which happened many times after the New Persian Year, not only the daughters of Mousavi and Rahnavard were banned from meeting with their parents or even learn about the wellbeing and situation of them, but also in some cases they were harassed and insulted by security forces. Following these illegal and inhumane restrictions, the daughters of Mousavi and Rahnavard tried to inform their parents about the wellbeing of the members of the family and their messages by shouting, with the hope that they could hear their voice.
The only considerable new development in the recent days has been the placement of new Iron bars in the alley where Mousavi’s home is located, which are assumed to be installed to the doors and windows of their residence. Also as it can be seen from the photo above a new Iron barrier has been installed at the entrance of the alley which cannot be seen from outside.
The continuation of lack of information about the situation of Mousavi and Rahnavard, increases the concerns about their wellbeing, quality of food they are given, the permanent location there are being held and their access to the basic necessities of life.
It is also noteworthy to consider that to this time no official organization or authority has accepted the responsibility of the illegal and inhuman arrest of Mousavi, Karroubi and their wives.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Obama's Nowruz Message
"Though times may seem dark, I want you to know that I am with you" - President Obama
Persian transcript of his comments.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Grand Ayatollah Ardabili Blasts Regime
Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardabili has said some major criticisms of the government:
"Without a doubt the experience of the Iranian nation over the past 30 years can be a strong basis for lessons to be taught to the popular movements.... It is regrettable and sad, however, that what is done by some in the name of defending Islam and Islamic government is against the religion, the law, morality, and human rights, and threatens the spirit of justice, search for the truth, and freedom that must be the basis for any government that is based on Islamic teachings.
No Islamic law allows insults and baseless accusations against any person or any group, even if guilt has been proven in a just court. But under the current conditions in the country, we witness that making insults and baseless accusations is becoming a common and widespread process. All sorts of people, with or without authority, allow themselves to insult persons and groups fearlessly and with impunity, without the guilt [of the accused] being proven in a qualified court and sentence decided by it, prosecuting them in advance and even issuing verdicts, while they see themselves as immune from the consequences of such actions. Undoubtedly, this hazard is a fire that, if not controlled, will spread and not only shake the people's trust, but also create chaos in the society and a dark outlook.
It is hoped that the respected officials and the honorable nation of Iran, recalling the Islamic values, will make execution of justice accompanied by kindness, respect, and attention to the religious and lawful rights of the people their top priority; that old friends will make peace; and that the history of [people's] struggle and service [on behalf of the nation] will not be forgotten, in order to prevent the country from becoming a place for both domestic and foreign opportunists."
"Without a doubt the experience of the Iranian nation over the past 30 years can be a strong basis for lessons to be taught to the popular movements.... It is regrettable and sad, however, that what is done by some in the name of defending Islam and Islamic government is against the religion, the law, morality, and human rights, and threatens the spirit of justice, search for the truth, and freedom that must be the basis for any government that is based on Islamic teachings.
No Islamic law allows insults and baseless accusations against any person or any group, even if guilt has been proven in a just court. But under the current conditions in the country, we witness that making insults and baseless accusations is becoming a common and widespread process. All sorts of people, with or without authority, allow themselves to insult persons and groups fearlessly and with impunity, without the guilt [of the accused] being proven in a qualified court and sentence decided by it, prosecuting them in advance and even issuing verdicts, while they see themselves as immune from the consequences of such actions. Undoubtedly, this hazard is a fire that, if not controlled, will spread and not only shake the people's trust, but also create chaos in the society and a dark outlook.
It is hoped that the respected officials and the honorable nation of Iran, recalling the Islamic values, will make execution of justice accompanied by kindness, respect, and attention to the religious and lawful rights of the people their top priority; that old friends will make peace; and that the history of [people's] struggle and service [on behalf of the nation] will not be forgotten, in order to prevent the country from becoming a place for both domestic and foreign opportunists."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Shouts of God is Great
Even as the regime arrested Mousavi and Karroubi, shouts of God is Great still are heard in Iran tonight.
Mousavi and Karroubi Arrested
The regime has finally made good their threat and arrested Mousavi, Karroubi, and their wives. Here is the story:
2009 Iranian Presidential candidates and leaders of Iran’s reformist opposition movement, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their spouses Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karroubi have been arrested and transferred to Heshmatiyeh prison in Tehran, according to the Kaleme website. Information on the time and date of the transfer is not yet available.
The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran had remained silent on the recent restrictions on Mousavi and Karroubi until today when the General Prosecutor, Mohseni Eje’i released a statement to confirm the news of house arrest. He did not mention or make reference to the news of the prison transfer.
According to Kaleme, the daughters of Mir Hossein Mousavi made repeated attempts to visit their parents but received no results or answers. Additionally, over the past few days, the lights in the Mousavi and Karroubi households were turned off.
Kaleme explains that there is a possibility that the families of the reformist leaders were denied contact in order for the transfer location to be kept a secret.
Yesterday, one of Mehdi Karroubi’s sons told Saham News that a neighbour confirmed to him that the security forces had transferred his father and mother to an undisclosed location. He said, “…I spoke with one of the neighbors who witnessed the transfer…” The neighbour reported that on late Thursday night, eight regime security vans were parked in the outside area of the building complex, and after a few minutes, the vans drove away.
2009 Iranian Presidential candidates and leaders of Iran’s reformist opposition movement, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their spouses Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karroubi have been arrested and transferred to Heshmatiyeh prison in Tehran, according to the Kaleme website. Information on the time and date of the transfer is not yet available.
The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran had remained silent on the recent restrictions on Mousavi and Karroubi until today when the General Prosecutor, Mohseni Eje’i released a statement to confirm the news of house arrest. He did not mention or make reference to the news of the prison transfer.
According to Kaleme, the daughters of Mir Hossein Mousavi made repeated attempts to visit their parents but received no results or answers. Additionally, over the past few days, the lights in the Mousavi and Karroubi households were turned off.
Kaleme explains that there is a possibility that the families of the reformist leaders were denied contact in order for the transfer location to be kept a secret.
Yesterday, one of Mehdi Karroubi’s sons told Saham News that a neighbour confirmed to him that the security forces had transferred his father and mother to an undisclosed location. He said, “…I spoke with one of the neighbors who witnessed the transfer…” The neighbour reported that on late Thursday night, eight regime security vans were parked in the outside area of the building complex, and after a few minutes, the vans drove away.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Mousavi and Karroubi Placed in "Safe House"
The house of arrest of Mousavi and Karroubi entered a new stage with the two and their wives put in a "safe house" that is really basically a prison. Here is more on the story:
Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karrubi and their wives were placed in a "safe house" for their own welfare, but they have not been arrested, Iranian government sources told CNN Saturday.
"The opposition movement is very much looking for martyrs so if this is true it's for their own safety," one source told CNN.
The pro-reform opposition movement "is always looking for an excuse to create something, so this may be done to keep someone from doing something to them," the source added.
But the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed concern for the safety of the leaders and their wives.
"Moussavi and Karrubi and their wives have been disappeared; they are being held incommunicado in an unknown location, a severe breach of Iranian and international law," Aaron Rhodes, a spokesman for the campaign, said in a statement.
"Given the lynch mob-like calls for their execution by numerous Iranian politicians and clerics, there is reason to be deeply concerned for their safety and well-being," Rhodes said.
State-run Press TV aired video of Iranian lawmakers earlier this month chanting, "Moussavi, Karrubi ... execute them."
The human rights organization also pointed out that "a 'safe house' is considered a place for the secret detention of high security-value detainees, which is not under the control of the judiciary or any other monitoring mechanisms. The Revolutionary Guards and Iranian intelligence agencies are well-known for using safe houses for all methods and techniques to get confessions from detainees without scrutiny or pressure from other legal bodies."
"Given the use of so-called safe houses to mistreat opponents of the government in the past, the campaign finds it deeply disturbing that Moussavi and Karrubi have reportedly been removed to such a facility," the statement said.
Iranian authorities began rounding up many government opponents this month amid calls for protests like those that have swept across North Africa and the Middle East.
Iranian leaders have praised the revolution that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, but when protesters in Iran took to the streets of Tehran on February 14, the government cracked down hard. The Iranian government rounded up activists ahead of the protests after Karrubi and Moussavi called for supporters to gather at Azadi Square -- the site of mass protests by Iran's opposition movement after the disputed 2009 presidential elections.
Despite the security crackdown, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Tehran. Dozens of demonstrators were detained during those protests, while videos posted on YouTube showed others had been chased and beaten.
One person was shot and killed during the protests, according to Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency. Several others were injured and listed in serious condition as a result of the shooting, which the Iranian government blamed on "agitators and seditionists."
The Iranian government source claimed Saturday that Iranians are disturbed by the opposition's demonstrations.
"The people are not happy with these protests and these people (Moussavi and Karrubi) making announcements for more protests. The people believe their peace is being disrupted and they want these protests to stop," the source said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday accused Iran of a repressive crackdown on protesters and political opponents in the past 10 days, including the killing of peaceful demonstrators by security forces.
International journalists have been limited in their ability to gather news in Iran, where the government has cracked down on the media and maintains tight control of state-run news organizations. During the protests earlier this month, foreign journalists were denied visas, accredited journalists living in the country were restricted from covering the demonstrations, and internet speed slowed to a crawl in an apparent attempt to restrict information from being transmitted out of the country.
Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karrubi and their wives were placed in a "safe house" for their own welfare, but they have not been arrested, Iranian government sources told CNN Saturday.
"The opposition movement is very much looking for martyrs so if this is true it's for their own safety," one source told CNN.
The pro-reform opposition movement "is always looking for an excuse to create something, so this may be done to keep someone from doing something to them," the source added.
But the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed concern for the safety of the leaders and their wives.
"Moussavi and Karrubi and their wives have been disappeared; they are being held incommunicado in an unknown location, a severe breach of Iranian and international law," Aaron Rhodes, a spokesman for the campaign, said in a statement.
"Given the lynch mob-like calls for their execution by numerous Iranian politicians and clerics, there is reason to be deeply concerned for their safety and well-being," Rhodes said.
State-run Press TV aired video of Iranian lawmakers earlier this month chanting, "Moussavi, Karrubi ... execute them."
The human rights organization also pointed out that "a 'safe house' is considered a place for the secret detention of high security-value detainees, which is not under the control of the judiciary or any other monitoring mechanisms. The Revolutionary Guards and Iranian intelligence agencies are well-known for using safe houses for all methods and techniques to get confessions from detainees without scrutiny or pressure from other legal bodies."
"Given the use of so-called safe houses to mistreat opponents of the government in the past, the campaign finds it deeply disturbing that Moussavi and Karrubi have reportedly been removed to such a facility," the statement said.
Iranian authorities began rounding up many government opponents this month amid calls for protests like those that have swept across North Africa and the Middle East.
Iranian leaders have praised the revolution that overthrew Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, but when protesters in Iran took to the streets of Tehran on February 14, the government cracked down hard. The Iranian government rounded up activists ahead of the protests after Karrubi and Moussavi called for supporters to gather at Azadi Square -- the site of mass protests by Iran's opposition movement after the disputed 2009 presidential elections.
Despite the security crackdown, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Tehran. Dozens of demonstrators were detained during those protests, while videos posted on YouTube showed others had been chased and beaten.
One person was shot and killed during the protests, according to Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency. Several others were injured and listed in serious condition as a result of the shooting, which the Iranian government blamed on "agitators and seditionists."
The Iranian government source claimed Saturday that Iranians are disturbed by the opposition's demonstrations.
"The people are not happy with these protests and these people (Moussavi and Karrubi) making announcements for more protests. The people believe their peace is being disrupted and they want these protests to stop," the source said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday accused Iran of a repressive crackdown on protesters and political opponents in the past 10 days, including the killing of peaceful demonstrators by security forces.
International journalists have been limited in their ability to gather news in Iran, where the government has cracked down on the media and maintains tight control of state-run news organizations. During the protests earlier this month, foreign journalists were denied visas, accredited journalists living in the country were restricted from covering the demonstrations, and internet speed slowed to a crawl in an apparent attempt to restrict information from being transmitted out of the country.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Calls for Protests
Calls for protest on Tuesday to opposed illegal house arrest of Mousavi and Karroubi
In the name of God the Merciful,
Following the warnings by the social and political organizations within the Green movement and in particular by the passionate reformist youth within the Green movement to the authoritarian government of Iran regarding the continued, illegal house arrest of the leaders of the Green Movement Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their spouses, the Council for the Coordination of the Green Path of Hope in keeping with the legitimate demands of the nation of Iran, invites all freedom seeking citizens to protest the continued house arrest and imprisonment of the leaders of the Green Movement, this Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 [10 Esfand 1389], coinciding with the birthday of the great Mir Hossein of the Green Movement. The demonstrations will begin at 5:00pm and we will gather and march from Imam Hossein to Azadi Square [in Tehran] chanting "Ya Hossein... Mir Hossein" and "Ya Mehdi, Sheikh Medi", raising our voices to demand the release of our Green leaders. The demonstrations will also take place in the main squares across other major cities in Iran.
In the event that our voices are silenced and the illegal house arrest and imprisonment of the Green leaders continues, in addition to other methods [of civil disobedience] to be announced by the Council in its next statement, we are also calling upon all Green companions to participate in decentralized, nation-wide protest on Tuesday March 15th, 2011 [24 Esgand 1389] coinciding with ChaharShanbe Souri. During this undoubtedly difficult time, we ask all Green supporters to continue focusing on raising awareness [within our society] and to patiently endure the hardship and ill-treatment imposed upon us by the coup forces in power; hardships designed to continue the dire status quo and impose tyranny on the people of our nation. Together we will find a new path and better future for all Iranians, ensuring that our long traditions and the divine right throughout our history to be victorious and demand justice continues.
The Council for the Coordination of the Green Path of Hope
ا حسین میرحسین، یا مهدی شیخ مهدی
بیانیه شماره ۴ شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید؛ فراخوان راهپیمایی
جمعه, ۶ اسفند, ۱۳۸۹
چکیده :شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید با انتشار بیانیه ای و در پاسخ به فراخوان جوانان، تشکل های سیاسی واجتماعی از مردم دعوت کرد تا در روز ۱۰ اسفند که همزمان با شب تولد میر حسین موسوی است، در اعتراض به حصر و زندان خانگی غیر قانونی همراهان مردم ایران، از میدان امام حسین تا میدان...
شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید با انتشار بیانیه ای و در پاسخ به فراخوان جوانان، تشکل های سیاسی واجتماعی از مردم دعوت کرد تا در روز ۱۰ اسفند که همزمان با شب تولد میر حسین موسوی است، در اعتراض به حصر و زندان خانگی غیر قانونی همراهان مردم ایران، از میدان امام حسین تا میدان آزادی در تهران و در تمام میادین اصلی در شهرستانها فریاد” یا حسین میرحسین”،” یا مهدی، شیخ مهدی” را طنین انداز کنند.
متن کامل بیانیه به شرح زیر است:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
در پی هشدار شبکه های اجتماعی، تشکلهای سیاسی جنبش سبز و بویژه جوانان پرشور اصلاح طلب به اقتدار گرایان حاکم بر کشور برای رفع حصر غیرقانونی رهبران جنبش سبز آقایان موسوی و کروبی و همسرانشان ، شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید در همراهی با این خواست مشروع و قانونی همگان را دعوت می نماید که دراعتراض به ادامه حصر و زندان خانگی رهبران جنبش روز سه شنبه ۱۰ اسفند، که مصادف با شب تولد میر بزرگوار جنبش است، از ساعت ۵ بعداز ظهر دست به تجمع و راهپیمایی از میدان امام حسین بسوی میدان آزادی با شعارهای «یا حسین ، میرحسین» و « یا مهدی ، شیخ مهدی» زنند و بدین وسیله صدای خود را برای آزادی رهبران سبزمان به گوش حاکمیت برسانند.در شهرستانها تظاهرات در میادین و خیابانهای اصلی برگزار خواهد شد
در صورتی که صدای اعتراض ما شنیده نشود و حصر و زندان خانگی غیرقانونی رهبران ادامه یابد, علاوه بر راه کارهای مناسب دیگر که شورا در اطلاعیه های بعدی خود پیشنهاد خواهد کرد, از هم اکنون همراهان سبز ر ا دعوت به تجمعات اعتراضی غیر متمرکز در سراسر کشور در روز ۲۴ اسفند می کنیم و در همه این ایام از باورمندان به جنبش سبز خواهانیم که به آگاهی بخشی هرچه بیشتر در درون جامعه پرداخته و با صبر و استقامت و در صفوف هماهنگ در مقابل سختی ها و ناملایمانی که از سوی اصحاب قدرت و کودتا برای تداوم وضعیت نامطلوب کنونی وتحمیل استبداد اعمال می شود راه عبور بسوی آینده و فردای بهتر را برای همه ایرانیان باز نمایند و مطمئن باشند که سنت الهی و تقدیر تاریخ بر پیروزی حق طلبان و عدالت خواهان قرار دارد.
شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید
In the name of God the Merciful,
Following the warnings by the social and political organizations within the Green movement and in particular by the passionate reformist youth within the Green movement to the authoritarian government of Iran regarding the continued, illegal house arrest of the leaders of the Green Movement Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their spouses, the Council for the Coordination of the Green Path of Hope in keeping with the legitimate demands of the nation of Iran, invites all freedom seeking citizens to protest the continued house arrest and imprisonment of the leaders of the Green Movement, this Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 [10 Esfand 1389], coinciding with the birthday of the great Mir Hossein of the Green Movement. The demonstrations will begin at 5:00pm and we will gather and march from Imam Hossein to Azadi Square [in Tehran] chanting "Ya Hossein... Mir Hossein" and "Ya Mehdi, Sheikh Medi", raising our voices to demand the release of our Green leaders. The demonstrations will also take place in the main squares across other major cities in Iran.
In the event that our voices are silenced and the illegal house arrest and imprisonment of the Green leaders continues, in addition to other methods [of civil disobedience] to be announced by the Council in its next statement, we are also calling upon all Green companions to participate in decentralized, nation-wide protest on Tuesday March 15th, 2011 [24 Esgand 1389] coinciding with ChaharShanbe Souri. During this undoubtedly difficult time, we ask all Green supporters to continue focusing on raising awareness [within our society] and to patiently endure the hardship and ill-treatment imposed upon us by the coup forces in power; hardships designed to continue the dire status quo and impose tyranny on the people of our nation. Together we will find a new path and better future for all Iranians, ensuring that our long traditions and the divine right throughout our history to be victorious and demand justice continues.
The Council for the Coordination of the Green Path of Hope
ا حسین میرحسین، یا مهدی شیخ مهدی
بیانیه شماره ۴ شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید؛ فراخوان راهپیمایی
جمعه, ۶ اسفند, ۱۳۸۹
چکیده :شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید با انتشار بیانیه ای و در پاسخ به فراخوان جوانان، تشکل های سیاسی واجتماعی از مردم دعوت کرد تا در روز ۱۰ اسفند که همزمان با شب تولد میر حسین موسوی است، در اعتراض به حصر و زندان خانگی غیر قانونی همراهان مردم ایران، از میدان امام حسین تا میدان...
شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید با انتشار بیانیه ای و در پاسخ به فراخوان جوانان، تشکل های سیاسی واجتماعی از مردم دعوت کرد تا در روز ۱۰ اسفند که همزمان با شب تولد میر حسین موسوی است، در اعتراض به حصر و زندان خانگی غیر قانونی همراهان مردم ایران، از میدان امام حسین تا میدان آزادی در تهران و در تمام میادین اصلی در شهرستانها فریاد” یا حسین میرحسین”،” یا مهدی، شیخ مهدی” را طنین انداز کنند.
متن کامل بیانیه به شرح زیر است:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
در پی هشدار شبکه های اجتماعی، تشکلهای سیاسی جنبش سبز و بویژه جوانان پرشور اصلاح طلب به اقتدار گرایان حاکم بر کشور برای رفع حصر غیرقانونی رهبران جنبش سبز آقایان موسوی و کروبی و همسرانشان ، شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید در همراهی با این خواست مشروع و قانونی همگان را دعوت می نماید که دراعتراض به ادامه حصر و زندان خانگی رهبران جنبش روز سه شنبه ۱۰ اسفند، که مصادف با شب تولد میر بزرگوار جنبش است، از ساعت ۵ بعداز ظهر دست به تجمع و راهپیمایی از میدان امام حسین بسوی میدان آزادی با شعارهای «یا حسین ، میرحسین» و « یا مهدی ، شیخ مهدی» زنند و بدین وسیله صدای خود را برای آزادی رهبران سبزمان به گوش حاکمیت برسانند.در شهرستانها تظاهرات در میادین و خیابانهای اصلی برگزار خواهد شد
در صورتی که صدای اعتراض ما شنیده نشود و حصر و زندان خانگی غیرقانونی رهبران ادامه یابد, علاوه بر راه کارهای مناسب دیگر که شورا در اطلاعیه های بعدی خود پیشنهاد خواهد کرد, از هم اکنون همراهان سبز ر ا دعوت به تجمعات اعتراضی غیر متمرکز در سراسر کشور در روز ۲۴ اسفند می کنیم و در همه این ایام از باورمندان به جنبش سبز خواهانیم که به آگاهی بخشی هرچه بیشتر در درون جامعه پرداخته و با صبر و استقامت و در صفوف هماهنگ در مقابل سختی ها و ناملایمانی که از سوی اصحاب قدرت و کودتا برای تداوم وضعیت نامطلوب کنونی وتحمیل استبداد اعمال می شود راه عبور بسوی آینده و فردای بهتر را برای همه ایرانیان باز نمایند و مطمئن باشند که سنت الهی و تقدیر تاریخ بر پیروزی حق طلبان و عدالت خواهان قرار دارد.
شورای هماهنگی راه سبز امید
Karroubi Video From House Arrest
This video footage was taken with the help of Fatemeh Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi’s wife, just before the security forces made their final move to complete the house arrest: Raided Karroubi’s residence, locked up Mehdi Karroubi and Fetemeh Karroubi in separate rooms, searched their home, confiscated their books and documents, changed all the locks and arrested their son Ali; since then there is absolutely no information regarding their wellbeing. In this video Mehdi Karroubi once again stressed that he will stand with the people till the very end. Mehdi Karroubi said: “We are standing firm in defending people’s rights and we must stand with iron will in the path we believe in and I am sure that victory, prosperity and redemption are ours. We are standing firm in defending people’s rights and we will honor our promise we gave to the people. The government should be from and for the people. We always have said that it is the people and the people’s vote which should determine their destiny not whatever the rulers say. Government must be based on people’s choice and vote. And in this path that we have chosen we will overcome all hardships and sufferings as they are sweet rather than bitter.”
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Grand Ayatollah Khorasani Blasts Regime
Grand Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani gave a speech in which he deeply criticized the behavior of the regime. Here is the report:
In a speech to thousands of people in the Grand Mosque of Qom, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani, the most important Shiite Marja' living in Iran, severely criticized the judiciary for turning arrests and jailing into a normal and common practice in Iran, disregarding slamic teachings regarding imprisonment. He said that only "a true Faghih (Islamic scholar that can properly deduce instructions from Islamic teachings) who has understood the depth of Islamic teachings knows when jailing someone is allowed and why jailing is such a severe punishment, and [because] the basis of religion is people's freedom and jailing them and taking them away from their families and society is a severe punishment, the cases for which jailing is allowed has been carefully laid out."
Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani is father-in-law of the judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani. He has reportedly told his son-in-law that not only is he not qualified to lead the judiciary, but that he should resign under the present terrible conditions. He has consistently refused to meet with Ayatollah Khamenei wherever he travels to Qom, and reportedly told him many years ago that, "You be the king, and leave Feghahat to others," hence questioning his religious credentials. Just before the February 14 demonstrations, he met with families of imprisoned political figures, expressed his sympathies and declared that, "We have no relations with them [the hardliners]." In meeting with these families he has repeatedly made statements that clearly indicate that he does not believe his son-in-law is qualified or even fair minded enough to lead the judiciary.
The day after the February 14 demonstrations, classes taught by Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani were forced to be canceled by the followers of Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, the reactionary cleric and spiritual advisor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. They apparently wanted to make it look like Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani had canceled his classes to protest the demonstrations the day before, but it became quickly clear that it was the work of Mesbah Yazdi's followers.
Ayatollah Vahid Khoarsani's criticism is clearly directed first and foremost at Ayatollah Khamenei, who appoints the clerics to all the important judicial posts, and then his own son-in-law, hence questioning the legitimacy of both as well as their religious credentials.
In a speech to thousands of people in the Grand Mosque of Qom, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani, the most important Shiite Marja' living in Iran, severely criticized the judiciary for turning arrests and jailing into a normal and common practice in Iran, disregarding slamic teachings regarding imprisonment. He said that only "a true Faghih (Islamic scholar that can properly deduce instructions from Islamic teachings) who has understood the depth of Islamic teachings knows when jailing someone is allowed and why jailing is such a severe punishment, and [because] the basis of religion is people's freedom and jailing them and taking them away from their families and society is a severe punishment, the cases for which jailing is allowed has been carefully laid out."
Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani is father-in-law of the judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani. He has reportedly told his son-in-law that not only is he not qualified to lead the judiciary, but that he should resign under the present terrible conditions. He has consistently refused to meet with Ayatollah Khamenei wherever he travels to Qom, and reportedly told him many years ago that, "You be the king, and leave Feghahat to others," hence questioning his religious credentials. Just before the February 14 demonstrations, he met with families of imprisoned political figures, expressed his sympathies and declared that, "We have no relations with them [the hardliners]." In meeting with these families he has repeatedly made statements that clearly indicate that he does not believe his son-in-law is qualified or even fair minded enough to lead the judiciary.
The day after the February 14 demonstrations, classes taught by Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani were forced to be canceled by the followers of Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, the reactionary cleric and spiritual advisor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. They apparently wanted to make it look like Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani had canceled his classes to protest the demonstrations the day before, but it became quickly clear that it was the work of Mesbah Yazdi's followers.
Ayatollah Vahid Khoarsani's criticism is clearly directed first and foremost at Ayatollah Khamenei, who appoints the clerics to all the important judicial posts, and then his own son-in-law, hence questioning the legitimacy of both as well as their religious credentials.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Iranian Diplomat Rejects Regime
Here is the report:
Ahmad Maleki, the head of Iran's consular office in Milan, has resigned his post to protest the Iranian government's "barbaric actions against the Iranian nation," RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
Maleki told RFE/RL in an exclusive interview on February 20 that he had joined the opposition Green Movement. He became the fourth Iranian diplomat in the past year to resign over disagreements with how Tehran has handled the Green Movement and its supporters.
In January 2010, Mohammad Reza Heidari, a counselor in the Iranian Embassy in Norway, was the first diplomat to resign. He had condemned the deaths of protesters on the Shi'ite Islamic holiday of Ashura and then later established the "Green Embassy Campaign" in Oslo with the goal of encouraging other Iranian diplomats to support the opposition.
Hossein Alizadeh of the Iranian Embassy in Finland then resigned in August 2010 to show his disagreement with the 2009 presidential election results. That same month, Faraz Farhangian, a diplomat at the Iranian Embassy in Brussels, left his post and moved to Norway.
Maleki had worked as a diplomat for 25 years and had previous posts in Portugal and Kenya.
He told RFE/RL there are "many others in the [Iranian Foreign Ministry] who are unhappy with the government."
Maleki said he was initially upset by the conduct of the 2009 presidential election -- which the opposition says was rigged -- and by the regime’s actions against the protesters afterward, but he said that recent harsh measures against the Green Movement finally persuaded him to "join hands with the nation.”
Maleki said his resignation and that of the other Iranian diplomats has "a positive effect as the first step against suppression." He expressed optimism for the opposition, saying: "following recent incidents in Iran and people [leaving the Foreign Ministry], the upcoming events will take us toward victory."
The Green Embassy Campaign announced in a statement on February 20 that Maleki and Heidari, the campaign's spokesman, will appear at a press conference in Paris today.
Ahmad Maleki, the head of Iran's consular office in Milan, has resigned his post to protest the Iranian government's "barbaric actions against the Iranian nation," RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
Maleki told RFE/RL in an exclusive interview on February 20 that he had joined the opposition Green Movement. He became the fourth Iranian diplomat in the past year to resign over disagreements with how Tehran has handled the Green Movement and its supporters.
In January 2010, Mohammad Reza Heidari, a counselor in the Iranian Embassy in Norway, was the first diplomat to resign. He had condemned the deaths of protesters on the Shi'ite Islamic holiday of Ashura and then later established the "Green Embassy Campaign" in Oslo with the goal of encouraging other Iranian diplomats to support the opposition.
Hossein Alizadeh of the Iranian Embassy in Finland then resigned in August 2010 to show his disagreement with the 2009 presidential election results. That same month, Faraz Farhangian, a diplomat at the Iranian Embassy in Brussels, left his post and moved to Norway.
Maleki had worked as a diplomat for 25 years and had previous posts in Portugal and Kenya.
He told RFE/RL there are "many others in the [Iranian Foreign Ministry] who are unhappy with the government."
Maleki said he was initially upset by the conduct of the 2009 presidential election -- which the opposition says was rigged -- and by the regime’s actions against the protesters afterward, but he said that recent harsh measures against the Green Movement finally persuaded him to "join hands with the nation.”
Maleki said his resignation and that of the other Iranian diplomats has "a positive effect as the first step against suppression." He expressed optimism for the opposition, saying: "following recent incidents in Iran and people [leaving the Foreign Ministry], the upcoming events will take us toward victory."
The Green Embassy Campaign announced in a statement on February 20 that Maleki and Heidari, the campaign's spokesman, will appear at a press conference in Paris today.
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