Q&A: Tweeting from Tehran
By Kathleen McCaul
Online social networking has played a big role throughout the Iranian elections.
The oppostion used it to organise their campaign, then to get out the vote, and eventually to plan the enormous protests that followed the counting of the votes.
But not all those who are part of the information uprising in Iran are against the government.
Al Jazeera English spoke to one pro-government user of Twitter, the social networking website, who is known in the Iranian blogosphere by the nickname Shahrazad.
Al Jazeera: You are part of the ‘information uprising’ in Iran – why are you doing it?
Shahrazad: I just feel the need for a reliable source in this world of rumours. I saw that some people are using this opportunity to mislead non-Iranians.
There are many fake Twitter accounts right now which just make everything so twisted and untrue.
Since the beginning, I have witnessed desperate minds trying any means to influence the voters into accepting Mousavi as the saviour.
I felt there was no respect to the minds of the voters. Instead of giving true data so the voter may build up a true opinion, they were just spreading insults and rumours.
One could feel desperation and the formation of a misleading front with only one target; to bring to life the corrupting forces behind the mask of reform.
This intimidated me into standing up for my duty as a loving citizen of this great country to point out to what I believe is true and factual.
The role of Twitter in the Iranian elections has been big news. You’ve recently moved from blogging to Twitter. What makes it so important for you?
I did not move from blogging to tweeting. I am tweeting as a blogger.
Twitter has its impact on Iran’s election in general. We could show the world many special characters of Iran’s election, what they could not find in the western Media.
We could share the election rallies, the debates and the atmosphere in Iran before the election.
Though now, after the results and after the protests had taken over, there were many fake news and rumours spread all over the internet and it’s the disadvantage of Twitter.
At the moment, we should not forget that just one third of Iranians use the internet and take it as a serious tool.
I assume Twitter might not represent the ideas of the majority here. It only caters for the elite and the younger generation who form the majority of the reformists.
The Revolutionary Guard have threatened bloggers and Twitter users, and they have crackdown on communication. How do you feel about that?
I am not aware about such threats but I can understand that a warning of some kind should be given to all to be responsible while using such modern tools of media and not use it to feed in intentional lies and hatred to fellow citizens.
After all, we are all under one Islamic umbrella and must co-exist together as true builders of a loving and peaceful and prosperous future for generations to come.
Is it becoming dangerous to blog and use Twitter? How easy is it to get caught and what would happen to you if you did?
I honestly do not think at security level.
I have full trust in our system of government and I can see the positive changes Ahmadinejad had brought into our lives.
Let us not forget that President Khatami – a reformist in his own right – had blocked university students from demonstrating during his rule, while they are given the freedom to be over-expressive nowadays.
You say you’re against Mousavi – did you vote for Ahmadinejad?
I am not with, or against, a candidate as a person but rather the system of thought he or she presents.
When I saw how Mousavi performed opposite Ahmadinejad in the famous debate I lost trust in his ability and I sensed a hidden agenda behind him, a feeling that he is being pushed forward to safeguard the interests of certain powerful figures.
It was not a pleasant feeling to see candidates pushing forward to further mislead us into another colour of the same old fabric of deceit.
We are intelligent enough to remember that all the negativity of today is an accumulation of the mistakes of the past and it is not just that those who are mostly to blame point fingers of blame on Ahmadinejad, who is of a much younger age and lesser time in power.
I trust that Najad should be given the time to prove his good intentions and we rally behind him as he leads us into this era of positive changes.
My favourite candidate was not Mr Mousavi, but even so I would not participate in rallies. We have a legal system in Iran like any other country in the world.
What are you angry about? What needs to change in Iran? What do you want to happen?
Well, I am not angry, but hopeful.
The freedom we gained for advertisements and rallies during election, those very frank and uncensored debates on TV, usage of colours and so on were all new, and the matter that for the first time in the history of Islamic Republic, protesters were shown on state TV, means that at general things are changing.
We’ve started a new era in the Islamic Republic. Regardless of who is in power, things will change here.
I believe that Iranian society and government is getting ready for big changes and we should not just push it to go forward.
It will come to us by time and patience and not by force. I do not see the need to go in the streets and make life difficult for people.
Tehran is a crowded city and usually there’s lots of traffic everywhere and it takes time for someone to get to the place he wants in a normal day. The places they chose for protests are the most crowded parts of Tehran.
It gives opportunity to some groups to misuse peaceful protests and turn it to a clash between parties. As we saw, so many people were injured – and some even murdered – and it’s so sad.
*I also notice with regret how Mr. Rafsanjani and Khatami had failed to congratulate the winner and chose to side by unfounded claims against the lawful ways of handling such disputes.*
When we have legal system, we should complain based on that. These candidates ran for presidency and are supposed to obey law more than any other Iranian citizen.
* You say it’s raining in Tehran now – is that going to dampen the protesters?
Rain brings the message of hope and peace for me and i wish it makes us all more calm and these trouble days be over soon.
I am with the demonstartions as long as they are peaceful and mean to correct our path into a better future, but When I recall Musavi’s claims of being the winner even befor the ballots were casted and his claim that should he be not the winner then cheating took place, i feel bitter to the level such a candidate had gone to force his will and his agenda on our lives with disregard to the majority of hard working Iranians who chose not to buy his ways into sneaking into their lives. *
What do you think of the coverage of events in Iran by the western media?
I am disappointed with the way the western media plays and is being picky. It chooses information that only serves to prove their own wishful thoughts. I did many interviews and when I read the edited published texts I realise how manipulative such a media is.
P.S: * These parts have not been published
I am with the demonstartions as long as they are peaceful and mean to correct our path into a better future, but When I recall Musavi’s claims of being the winner even befor the ballots were casted and his claim that should he be not the winner then cheating took place, i feel bitter to the level such a candidate had gone to force his will and his agenda on our lives with disregard to the majority of hard working Iranians who chose not to buy his ways into sneaking into their lives.
June 21, 2009 at 12:23 am
Thank Shahrjad jo.
June 21, 2009 at 12:26 am
Dear Shahrzad,
I respect you as a very bright and logical woman who avoids allowing a tide of emotion carry her along with it. I am an American woman, who had no feelings in opposition to Mr. Ahmadinejad or Ayatollah Khamenei. I believe that Iran has the right, as any country has the right, to pursue its interests and develop its techonologies and economy in the way the builds the best destiny for its citizens. I trust that Iran, lead by a religion of peace will do these things in harmony with the community of all other countries.
But I am deeply concerned to see protestors treated with violence. I know that these protests are inconvenient to the daily operation of the nation, but I also know that if the nation were to allow them to continue and to pay no attention, that the protestors would get tired and go home. After all, the protesters would realize that they needed to go back to work to earn money for food and shelter, they needed to continue education. They would get bored with standing in the street while their daily life became chaos from neglect and they would return to useful activities. So I must wonder why the leaders allow violent response to curb these protests? Why do the leaders allow images of violence that distort the image of Islam?
I hope that you do not think I ask this question because I want to make trouble or an arguement. I am seeking an honest and true understanding of events.
Thank you very much for any consideration you may give to me. In the current situation I know that so much may be going on in your life that to make a reply at all is an unreasonable burden.
My best regards, and I hope for the safety of all those whom you care about.
Mary
June 21, 2009 at 12:38 am
[...] Mousavi declared victory even before vote was counted. British officials said “there is a talk of green revolution” even before the polls started. The vigor (and bias) with which the Western Media portrays Mousavi makes it clear that they love him. I see no “visible reason” why that should. Mousavi’s history is quite anti-west and unclean. His backer, Rafsanjani (who has a very positive wiki article about him- something I noticed about Sonal Shah too) is accused of corruption, and is afraid that there may be an enquiry. [...]
June 21, 2009 at 12:49 am
[...] Iranian blogger (who recently started tweeting @shahrzadmo) I know for two years is interviewd by [...]
June 21, 2009 at 12:56 am
Dear Mary Dearing,
When the Palestinians in Gaza threw some rockets on israel to complain about the boycot and the silent killing of their dignity and human rights, israel retaliated with the most inhumane ways as you in the west went blind and silent.
When Your foreign minister sat in the UN security council and showed the world intentional lies about Iraq and later went in the country and ended up killing innocents by the hundreds of thousands and causing millions to run away for their lives we did not see so much sympathy for the over use of power.
Now after the demosnstrations in my country caused the riotors to burn and damage public property You want the police to sit and watch?
Its not about demosnstartions, it is about the misuse of demonstartions by foreign agents to continue exhausting the country away from its march into modernization and acquiring rightful means of technology and advancement into a more secure and peaceful future.
I am always open ready to listen to any opinion as long as it originates from a mind who doesnt use different measures.
As i see things at these hard times the western media is again pulling its hypocrite stunts to play the role of world judge, sorry but until i hear you pointing a finger at the many miseries and misuse of power the western politics is exhibiting I will remain suspicious about all the good will messages they try to fool us with.
I have nothing against you the person but i welcome you later to let me know what you feel about the nuclear bombs the USA had used twice to blow up the spirits of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Islam is very realistic and straight forward. We do not hide behind lies and deceiving acts; if you allow one to kill then you are killing all, the demoinstrators were infiltrated by some agents who turned things sour.
Democracy shouldnt allow violance; other than that I do not mind if they rally untill the end of the century.. as long as they respect the law of the land.
I hope peace will prevail all over the world and the citizens of the world stand united against the evil of absolute power tyrany which has taken over the world and started calling white black and red green.
June 21, 2009 at 12:57 am
Thank you Manas
June 21, 2009 at 1:34 am
I am so happy that AJE chose you instead of those hypocrites.
Good luck to you.
June 21, 2009 at 1:34 am
And keep tweeting. (See? I’m spamming you now.
)
June 21, 2009 at 1:56 am
Manas, lol thank you. And you’re very welcome here
June 21, 2009 at 2:15 am
Good job Shahrzad. We really need such voices in international media to show that Iranian people are not only those hypocrites who spread wrong news around the world.
June 21, 2009 at 2:18 am
خرچنگ زاده,
Thank you so much for your comment. Happy that you joint the club here
June 21, 2009 at 3:41 am
Shahrzad,
Regarding your response to Mary Dearing, I agree that protests shouldn’t have taken place. But I think that your response to Mary was not appropriate at every part of it. Making examples of US and Israel tyranny makes the impression that you’re escaping a direct answer. Yes, you did mention the reason you supported action against the protests, but you should be more specific and direct.
The typical Western observer wonders why protesters are dealt with violently. Couldn’t have the police maintained the demonstrations’ security as well as it maintained it before the elections and as it does regularly during official demonstrations? (Reportedly there has been no violence in the Wednesday and Thursdays protests) Is it fair that even illegal demonstrations be dealt with so violently that people are killed? Is it worth?
As someone who believes in the legal process (that Mr. Rezaei is taking) and is against the protests, I don’t think such harsh confrontation with the illegal protesters is any helpful or fair.
And to clarify more, you should mention that some actions of some uncontrolled people (such as the one happened at Tehran University dormitory) have been condemned by the Leader himself. You should also cite the reasons that we think foreign or malicious agents may infiltrate the protesters and try to exploit it to undermine our national security, and why this is not merely an illusion (they have already done it).
You should put yourself at the place of a typical non-Iranian observer and answer all of the questions he/she may have clearly.
June 21, 2009 at 4:57 am
[...] [Read the interview] [...]
June 21, 2009 at 6:16 am
Dear Shahrzad,
I am a big believer in free speech which is one of the reasons I have been following you on twitter as well as pro-Mousavi supporters, it would seem that there is a lot of false information out there delivered by both camps, so watching both sides of an argument seems to be the way to go to get some idea of accuracy. Usually when listening to two sides, somewhere in the middle is the truth.
I agree when you say that Mousavi has a hidden agenda, but in my experience all politicians from all over the world have hidden agendas, even Ahmadinejad. The one thing that disturbs me though, is that Mousavi must have known that a velvet revolution would not work when he knows the determination of the people he is up against. I say this because according to what I have read, he was one of them at some stage. I can’t help but believe that he knew he was sending the youth of Iran to the streets to die, he didn’t prepare them for what was to come.
I fear that Mousavi will let the people down if he wins. From what I have seen, they want huge changes in the system and I honestly don’t think that Mousavi is willing to give it to them. It is a lot to ask for a country to go from a religious political state to a secular one. It is also unrealistic to ask for equal rights for women in one foul swoop. There are still countries that claim to have equal rights for women but when you look under the surface it is not as equal as most people think. Australia being one of them. I agree with what they want, I just honestly don’t think they are going to get it from Mousavi. I don’t know what he has actually promised as opposed to what the people assume he will deliver, as the translation services from Persian to English are sloppy. I just think he is using the idealism of youth to his own ends and not that of the people. But having said that, Ahmadinejad seems to be a puppet of higher powers and therefore useless as well.
I think that if the people of Iran want true change it has to be done slowly, get one thing you want first and then move onto the next and so on. It will take a long long time but I believe that going about it that way will make the changes more stable and incite less anger among the people who blame the protesters. If one thing history has taught us, it’s that violence only leads you from one problem to another, it rarely solves anything.
Just to clarify for people out there who may be reading my opinion, I am a woman in Australia, not an Iranian government agent, and I am merely exercising my right to free speech.
June 21, 2009 at 11:19 am
Shahrzad,
Regarding your response to Mary Dearing, I agree that protests shouldn’t have taken place. But I think that your response to Mary was not appropriate at every part of it. Making examples of US and Israel tyranny makes the impression that you’re escaping a direct answer. Yes, you did mention the reason you supported action against the protests, but you should be more specific and direct.
The typical Western observer wonders why protesters are dealt with violently. Couldn’t have the police maintained the demonstrations’ security as well as it maintained it before the elections and as it does regularly during official demonstrations? (Reportedly there has been no violence in the Wednesday and Thursdays protests) Is it fair that even illegal demonstrations be dealt with so violently that people are killed? Is it worth?
As someone who believes in the legal process (that Mr. Rezaei is taking) and is against the protests, I don’t think such harsh confrontation with the illegal protesters is any helpful or fair.
And to clarify more, you should mention that some actions of some uncontrolled people (such as the one happened at Tehran University dormitory) have been condemned by the Leader himself. You should also cite the reasons that we think foreign or malicious agents may infiltrate the protesters and try to exploit it to undermine our national security, and why this is not merely an illusion (they have already done it).
You should put yourself at the place of a typical non-Iranian observer and answer all of the questions he/she may have clearly.
BTW I love your blog!
June 21, 2009 at 2:53 pm
If I remember correctly, the last president who tried to impose so much change had the hardest time trying to pass it, because the Ayatollah believed many of his changes ran counter to the ideals and respects of Islam and the Iranian constitution. So even if Mousavi does eventually get the president position, how many of his changes will be allowed by the Supreme Leader?
And for the West to say who should really win … that’s still the same as backing dictators with a pro-western agenda. Bad Occident!!!
June 21, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I sure hope that when protests take place in the U.S. that they describe the protesters as “Reformers” and not “Terrorists” or “Malcontents” like they have done so many times in the past. In the U.S. there have been over 15,000 arrests for resistance to war since 2002. There were several arrests made in the U.S. simply for wearing a T-Shirt with an anti-Bush message.
It’s okay for the Capitalists to teargas and pepper spray protesters in Seattle during WTO and in Europe.
In the future, anti-globalization forces and anti-capitalists should change their name to “Reformers” in order to gain the identical U.S. media support as what is given to those protesters (Reformers) in Iran.
And, every Palestinian is now a “Reformer”.
Pentagon Rebrands Protest as “Low-Level Terrorism”
By Tom Burghardt
June 18, 2009
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/39822prs20090610.html
June 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm
OOOPs
This is the link to the story referenced above.
http://antifascist-calling.blogspot.com/2009/06/pentagon-rebrands-protest-as-low-level.html
June 21, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Shrazad, glad that you are ok, alhamdu lillah!
I am not iranian which means neither pro-ahmadi nor pro-mousavi however I think we should hear from all of you. That said, it’s quite interesting how the *stared parts* haven’t published over AJE’s article!
June 21, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I am so worried about you! I am looking TV as much as I can to keep up with what’s going on and I have to tell you, I feel SO BAD for the people in Iran! I read the twitters and look the pictures and videos and am horrified! It almost doesn’t really matter anymore if it’s Nejad or Mousavi … it’s a scream for freedom and liberty – and the people DESERVE IT! It is a movement which won’t be stopped anymore … not by Basij nor by military.
I cross-posted your interview … I hope you don’t mind dear!
WATCH YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 21, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Salaam Shahrzaade aziz and thank you for sharing your interview with us. It truly is a refreshing voice among the unbeliavably biased media. My parents just got back from Iran yesterday and from what I heard, things are different from how they are portrayed in the media. I only pray that people settle and start living their lives and work together for a better Iran. InshAllah ke hamechiz ba to khoob bashe. Movazebe khodet bash va deege update emoon kon!
Mersi!
June 21, 2009 at 9:58 pm
It looks like the players in the streets of Iran are many;
Some are visible and loud; they are the young and pro-western so called reformists. They lack a leader from within them. rallying behind Musawi is a wrong choice.
Some are rallying in proxy for the losers in the elections. They have no real agenda, just followers of orders. Some think reform means western living and free worship of desire and instinct. Very impressed by the west and its openness on sexuality and play. Have less national pride and believe when the western media supports them it is out of love for them and their freedom. They will learn the truth the hard way.
Others are infiltrators to cause as much damage to the civilian order as possible in order that the western media may boost the damage and paparazzi the police retaliations to cause political damage to the present government. They are the scum of any nation, their motives are the price one is ready to pay for their services. They are haters and bitter, careless and dangerous.
There are also the invisibles; everyone knows them, they are the ones in the Islamic regime who felt a threat from the big Question Ahamadi Najad had asked about the means they and their family members had acquired so much wealth from their positions !! They are the real motivators behind this all. capital wants to protect itself and safeguards its gains.
Not to forget the ordinary citizens, the hard working masses, who elected out of belief and pride and exhibited a kind of democratic understanding we lack in the west. But suddenly everything turned sour and they become at loss as to WHY and WHAT.. They are the victims and they are the ones who will continue paying the bill.
Let us not forget there is Musawi and his wife; the couple who need to be investigated by independent committee, what you think Mr. Khatami?
My advice to the young reformists is to elect some wise ones amongst them and let them present their interest, ask for an open debate with those in power, similar to the pre election debates, and I am sure it will take you closer to your target than playing the rally game in the streets. Pleasing the western media is not the way, Spreading lies and rumors exposes many weaknesses in your structure, we love to interact with you as Iranians and not as westernized Iranians, we have many of our own kind here in abundance
Take care of your beautiful country and be proud of your heritage and stand united towards a common goal, you already caused enough damage to the image of your country. Go on start cleaning the mess you left behind.
Last there were ones who lost their lives, Ask the Musawis WHY? Is making his wife the first lady in Iran worth the bloodshed of innocents?
June 22, 2009 at 12:28 am
[...] My Interview With Aljazeera English « Shahrazad [...]
June 22, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Thank you, Dear Shahrzad and dear Mohammad, for your thoughtful answers to my questions.
I am glad that we can have an honest discussion and ask the hard questions. Of course it hurts to hear them, but we must be brave and face painful questions if we wish to progress to understanding.
You make some uncomplimentary observations about the US. You are not wrong. I have felt shame at some actions from our last administration. I have tried to make appropriate personal reponses. I have used my vote in the attempt to change to a new administration that I hope and believe will correct abuses. I have joined and supported organizations, such as ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) which register protest and make legal challenges against policies that I believe are unjust. I have tried to say “NOT IN MY NAME!”. Not in my name shall you invade a sovereign nation claiming they have weapons that are not really there. Not in my name shall you imprison people without the due process of fair public trial. Not in my name shall you approve the use of torture for any reason. Not in my name. Because I think that if being secure from danger is purchased at the cost of disrespecting individuals and nations, if the cost is violating the sanctity of life, then the cost is too high. I do not think the USA should purchase security at the cost of her soul. My very personal struggle these past days is this: I watch these protesters who know they may face phyisical danger, and I must ask myself if my own protests have been strong enough.
With regards to Mohammad’s concerns about possible infiltraters who may influence the protesters to mischief, it is my hope and belief that our current President Obama does not allow such abuses from the US. He is trying to remain aloof from the situation in Iran, because he recognizes this is Iran’s internal matter. I think this is hard for him because so many US citizens are following events in Iran and are emotionally moved, and they see Mr. Obama’s restraint as weakness. I think these people do not question and analyze enough, they are irresponsible.
With social media such as Twitter now a factor I would like to explain my feelings about that. I saw a tweet, it may have been one of yours, that said 99% of US persons on Twitter advocate violent actions from the protesters. I hope it is not so high as that, but I know that some have made those kind of statements. They are shallow, ill-informed and irresponsible people. How dare they advocate that these young people make a war in the street that will lead to their deaths, while they themselves are safe and comfortable thousands of miles away? While I hope it is not so high as 99%, even one is unacceptable. I am ashamed of such people.
Here is a question that I do not think many Americans are asking themselves. What really is the nature of this protest? Is it counter-revolution to the Islamic Revolution of 1978-79? (I think that is what many in the USA assume and believe they support). Or is it possibly a second stage of the Islamic Revolution? These young people may want something that young people in the USA are not equiped to understand. I will very freely admit that I know little about Iran and cannot pretend to be equiped to answer that question. I ask it because of a history professor who once pointed out to me that real revolutions do not happen quickly, they are not neat and precise. He made an example of the French Revolution that was repeated over the next 100 years with restorations of the monarchy, empire and revolution again before a stable form of democratic government was achieved. He pointed out also the history of England which suffered a series of revolutions before the system of a strong parliment and figurehead monarchy was achieved. His theory was that any original revolution had to be followed over by a series of less violent revolutions that would define and refine the movement. Again, I emphasize that I do not know enough about Iran to be able to know if it even makes sense to ask this question.
The last concern that I would like to share with you is this: I have been hoping that with a new administration, the USA would begin to find ways to interact and engage with Islamic nations in more positive ways. I had hoped that diplomatic relations with Iran would be reopened, and the USA would again have an embassy and ambassador in Tehran. That the trade sanctions, which I feel bring no benefits and only hardship to the Iranian people, would be lifted. I fear that one of the casualties of the revolution may be this hope of understanding, trade and friendship. Of course, this hope along side even one human life lost, becomes a small thing.
So I will close with the wish that all as I write this, Iran awakes to a day that brings reconcilliation and peace to all her sons and daughters.
June 22, 2009 at 8:47 pm
If you have an opinion . . . . Is it still useful to the Iranian people to have additional proxy servers set up?
June 22, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Mary Dearing’s points are well-taken.
But American triumphalism I think will slowly wane as we become more integrated with the world. I have hope for the younger generations’ ability to listen. Please be patient with us!
What continues to concern me is Americans’ lack of knowledge of their own history–let alone of the history of Iran. How can we bet to know others when we misunderstand ourselves?
Perhaps this will improve. The American Revolution, both its successes and failures (the latter regarding especially, slavery and the indigenous population), has been the subject of many recent popular books and television shows. The clever young Sarah Vowell, who is part American Indian, teaches history in a forthright manner. These are good signs.
Barack Obama has been in office a short time. It can be argued that he has offered mainly “words” so far. But getting the words right is not a small thing. Let’s be honest: perhaps the best thing he can do is keep the U.S. from interfering. (I had to laugh at this article’s headline, at the expense of the conservatives who now realize that, yes, there are people who would have died had we bombed sites in Iran. They think that we can use this moment to tip things in “our” favor. How ridiculous. Instead, I think of anti-war protesters who put flowers in soldiers’ gun barrels.) http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/06/17/iran_obama/index.html
The Islamic Republic of Iran is what it is. It is not waiting to be, nor does it need to be, enlightened by the West. Its politicians do not need to pick up strategies about how to win elections from Obama or anyone else. Western culture, which too often glorifies the self, can certainly be instructive in many cases as to what to AVOID.
There are a few basic, human rights that nearly everyone can agree are universal, but everything else is up to a people to decide.
June 23, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Salaam alaikum Sister,
Thank you for your posts. Most of the people I know here in the Pacific Northwest of america have been following the election coverage with
June 23, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Hmm– don’t know how that happened! Anyway, we’ve been following it with a great deal of interest. I’ve gotten most of my coverage from Al-Jazeera, the blogger Juan Cole http://www.juancole.com, and Gary Sick http://garysick.tumblr.com/. I’m interested to have your perspective. I think something very lacking in the coverage has been nuanced discussion of the organization and philosophy of the Iranian government. As a Muslim who has had some exposure to Shia Islam I feel I have just a little more understanding, perhaps, but only enough to have a sense of how much I don’t know.
At this point, my question is how the Iranian nation can go on peacefully from here. I understand that yesterday a body of clerics acknowledged that there had been election fraud, though they said it could affect 3 million votes and the tally awarded the election to Ahmadinejad by 11 million. It seems to me that the election has been so tainted that no-one’s word will be widely respected. Do you see violent quelling of protests as the only way to put a lid on the situation, or can you imagine a resolution that will bring most people together?
Finally, Muslims everywhere as well as some non-Muslims share your resentment that the rights to life and liberty of the people of Gaza were forgotten last year while now everyone’s terribly excited about protests in Iran. It stings, and we know this kind of ignorance and naivete is nothing new. But I do believe Muslims and non-Muslims around the world wish for the avoidance of bloodshed in Iran right now. InshaAllah you and yours will be safe and the people of Iran and their leaders will be rightly guided. Thanks for your posts, and I will make dua for you and for your country.
June 24, 2009 at 3:13 am
Greetings! I live in the US. I have depended upon Aljazeera to provide valuable and balanced coverage of world events, and to bring particular insight into coverage of the Middle East.
It has been very disappointing to follow coverage of the Iran crisis on Aljazeera, however. Your interview is a case in point. I respect your right to your own opinion, but you seem to be at odds with millions who have marched at great personal danger. Twitter has been an important part of the unfolding story, and for Aljazeera to not provide a counterpoint to your views is telling.
June 24, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Steve — I’m sure the leaders of most Arab nations do NOT want what’s happening in Iran to happen in their countries!
Most of them are ruled by dictators whom the people would gladly get rid of if they were able. I know some Arabs who wish they were as brave as the Persians in speaking out against their government. PERHAPS this is why Al Jazeera is not providing a counterpoint.
Reading this post was enlightening since I’d not come across the pro-government side until I read Shahrazad’s post yesterday. I don’t think either candidate is wonderful. I don’t believe anyone could run unless he were selected by the top cleric and allowed to run in the first place. My gripe is how the government — the top (so-called) “man of God” — can threaten bloodshed to HIS OWN PEOPLE if they do not stop protesting.
Thanks for providing this for us, Shahrazad. I never considered this perspective and you made me wonder if, indeed, there are only outsiders causing all the trouble or if these are Iranians who are crying out for freedom.
Not everyone wants to live in an Islamic state…not even in Iran.
June 25, 2009 at 12:08 am
Read half of it n really liked it… have to say. .Good Job [will continue latersorry]
June 27, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I’m not Iranian but I feel the Western media is trying all its best to create an hostile environment towards Iran (wonder what the agenda might be, say Iraq part II?) What disturbs me the most is to see how Iranian expats are participating in this process; behaving like experts and coming with their opinions such as this is the end of the ISLAMIC republic and Ahmadinejad has taken the country back to stone age, etc. I just feel that I’m not getting the full picture and important things are being left out in this process wherein Iran is being blamed. I agree, there exists problems in the country and a lot of things need to change with regards to the economy, womens rights etc. But it’s not constructive at all to start this hate-game in the media, which is really stirring un-logical sentiments, which can in the end have bad effects on the future international political scene. ONe has to stay cool and evaluate both sides to see their rights and wrongs.
I’m not even sure if Mousavi would bring that many changes to the country and I’m also disturbed by the fact that instead of urging people to stay calm and “fight” differently – he is doing the opposite and hereby leading the way to more chaos.
Given the troubled past of IRan I can’t help thinking about foreign hands in all of this wanting a so-called “velvet revolution” to further their geo-political interests. all I’m saying is that people need to be logical before jumping into hasty conclusions.
And I’m also tired of how Western politicians are using the current situation in Iran to start their nasty dirty games in order to get more votes. One example is in DK where a prominent politician demanded muslims in DK to protest openly against the “mullah dictatorship” in Iran in order to prove if they are really “Danes”….say wha’???????
June 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I am not an Iranian but I am proud of you, as a Muslim at least. I recently blogged about The Iranian Election and Twitter.
The fact that non of the pro Ahmedinejad Iranians were given as much attention in international media was a clear enough indication of the media’s inconsistency and hypocrisy, intentional or unintentional.
Go be with Iranians, all Muslims and the noble people around the world
June 28, 2009 at 6:37 am
[...] the elections, Mousavi appereared suspicious, as though he had a hidden agenda, or as she put it, ‘a feeling that he is being pushed forward to safeguard the interests of certain powerful figu…. When I asked her, she told me she had voted for Ahmadinejad, and that people around her had, as [...]
June 29, 2009 at 2:48 am
Dear Shahrzad , thank you for honest opinion . I am a Iranian woman living in US for the past 30 years and travel to Iran often (twice a year ). I am very disappointed with the bias reporting of International media regarding the protestors and post election dispute .BUT, I am most disgusted by the crocodile tears that some of the Iranian ex patriot living in western country are shedding for Iran .
Few years ago when there was a talk of US attacking Iran none of these people were wiling to attend even one anti war rally !! Their reason ? Lets US bomb Iran and get rid of the Mullahs ! And now they are all joining this circus with the hope of overthrowing the IRI through Musavi . They hate the Mullahs so much that they do not care if every single Iranian , woman , man and a child is killed .
I myself am no supporter of this regime , but I know that there is a color blacker than black that has taken over our country in the past 30 years .I am all for changing this regime for a secular one through evolution , not revolution and chaos .We did that once in 1979 . Any revolutionary move this time makes 1979 looks like child play .If we had one army during the Shah now have the Army , Basij and Pasdaran that can easily start fighting one another and leave our border towns open to the garden variety of democracy loving funded separatist groups .During the Shah Iranians were 80-20 divided against and pro Shah and the minority that supported the Shah just packed up took their billions and left the country or accepted the new regime .Now our population is 60-40 divided , if not 50-50, for and against the regime . This is a perfect recipe for civil war , some thing that every true Iran loving person hates to see and Iran hater wolves in sheep clothing wish for it to happen .
Mussavi by his irrational behavior has shown the most gross misjudgment of these dangers and has disqualified himself as a leader . He should have file a compliant and follow his dispute through legal channels . One either believes in the laws of the system that he is running to be president of or he doesn’t . If he did not believe in the fairness of the Guardian counsel and the election laws of Iran to investigate any dispute then he should have not run . He can not have it both ways
June 29, 2009 at 2:59 am
Sussane430 , you asked :
“My gripe is how the government — the top (so-called) “man of God” — can threaten bloodshed to HIS OWN PEOPLE if they do not stop protesting.”
I like to see how many days any government in the world would allow its citizens to demonstrate *with out a permit* and break street pavement , throw stone at the anti riot police , burn buildings , buses , cars and break windows and destroy ATM machines and banks ? I am not saying that the government is justified to shoot its citizens but look at this videos and see how the demonstrators refuse to leave and throw stone at the anti riot police . Also watch how the anti riot police hands over a demonstrator to 2 women . Where in the world can 2 women interfere in the riot police’s job ?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8111233.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8112049.stm
June 29, 2009 at 6:00 am
Marjan, thank you for posting your views. I found them very interesting and thought-provoking. Also I appreciate your addressing what I wrote and countering it with your own thoughts and videos.
July 3, 2009 at 5:51 pm
[...] “Well, I am not angry, but hopeful.” — Shahrazad [...]