"Ever greater gap between the masses and ruling class"
Rome (AsiaNews) ) Twenty-five years ago, millions of Iranians welcomed back the ayatollah Khomeini from exile. The Shaw of Persia had been deposed and everyone believed in the birth of a democratic Iran.
Today Iran is going through a major internal political crisis. The post-revolution generation has lost all enthusiasm. According to official stats, only 20% voters turned out for last year's local elections.
Lack of interest is not just for politics, but also for religion. Mosques, once filled with faithful, are often now half empty. In his speech yesterday, President Khatami spoke about the importance of the country "continuing on the path toward reform" in order not to become another Afghanistan and "opposed to freedom and democracy in the name of religion."
AsiaNews spoke with Ali Azadi (fictitious name), an exiled Iranian living in Rome collaborating with various humanitarian organizations in defense of Iranian people, while not playing direct supporting role to the Iranian opposition. At the time of the Revolution AliAzadi was 22 years old and fought in the name of freedom and democracy. In order explain better why he thinks President Khatami's internal reforms won't work, he uses a Iranian proverb: "a dove can't come from a snake".
On Wednesday Feb. 11, Iran celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Revolution. What did you feel while here in Rome?
Those days, as I recall, were the best days of my life. February 11, for us, was a day filled with hope. It marked the end of a tyrannical dynasty and 2500 years of imperial rule. I was 22 years old then and witnessed a special event in history. I was also proud to see ideologies different than my own at newsstands. People were happy. But unfortunately this joyful period did not last very long. They (those in power) immediately betrayed our trust. As a great Iranian wise man, Sayyed Mohsen, once said: "The greatest betrayal is that of people's trust." People had placed all their trust in Khomeini, who was able to gain power, also since there was no other alternative. The Shaw had eliminated all charismatic leaders opposed to his despotic rule.
What is your opinion of the current situation in Iran?
There is an ever greater gap between the masses and ruling class. Today there is no newspaper against the Iranian government. This is enough to understand how much democracy there can be in our country. If we wanted to speak about Islamic values, they are not to be found: the use of narcotics is widespread among young people and the number of drug addicts being the highest in the whole Middle East region. Moreover, there exists a frightening prostitution racket in the country. Which political slogans shouted during Revolution have placed into action in our country? None. People see no other alternative, and much less do they hope for any change to occur from within.
There are the reformers, led by Khatami, who were voted to power by the people in 1997. That process of change was said to be a revolution within the revolution. What do you think?
People's trust has been betrayed for the second time. Khatami was the minister of culture in the Islamic regime. Like one of our proverbs says: a dove can't come from snake. For quite some time people have hoped the government itself would give rise to change. Yet nothing of the sort has happened. Khatami came to give the world the impression that things have changed and free Iran from international isolation. Yet deep down everything is still the same. Since last Jan. 1 until today I have the proof in hand 50 people have been publicly tried. Khatami is a product of Khomeinism.
You were 22 years-old back then. How do post-revolution youth now live?
Today's Iranian youth, born and raised under this regime, takes little interest in politics and religion. The feel deprived of a future, without any prospects. They are not allowed to live out their youth. Almost any gathering of more than 10 people sparks the pasdaran (the guardians of the revolution) to intervene. Having no place to go for relax and recreation, they shut themselves in at home and many fall prey to drugs. Today's Iranian youth are solitary. They are nothing like the youth of our time. This makes me really sad. They live under a prohibitionist system. Our country has 3000 years of history and civilization. Any such regime cannot snuff out for very long thousands of years of culture.
Elections will take place on Feb. 20. Is there any hope for change?
People will not come out to vote. They want a referendum, not elections. People know perfectly that there vote will change nothing at all. Only political slogans words, and promises change. Yet nothing else in reality.
However, there is still hope, even if people are tired. Last Sunday, university students cried out for a referendum. There is an alternative to this government, yet cannot be found within it. Current Iranian politicians are Islam's greatest enemies. Iran has had extremely difficult times throughout history, but people have always known how to get through them. Not even under Mongol rule did they think of leaving the country. On the other hand, since this fundamentalist regime has gained power, a mass exodus of 6 million Iranians has occurred in less than 25 years. Iranians love their own freedom, but this is one of the darkest periods in the history of our nation.
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23/12/2023 15:30
