19
Jun
2009
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A Saudi's take on the Iran elections

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I’ve been closely following event in Iran since the elections, watching in astonishment the huge demonstrations, the passion of the people and their bravery. As someone who has never experienced democracy, I have trouble making judgments about this. But clearly, Iran is not democratic, but the way the people in Iran reacted shows that there is some freedom there, and that a significant stratum in the society in Iran that is unhappy and willing to risk a lot to get their rights.

Much has been written about the failure of mainstream media around the world in covering the protests. At first, it seemed, the media didn’t understand how unprecedented and widespread the protests were, and by the time they wanted to cover the events, they were barred, kicked out and even attacked by the regime in Iran. Despite the filtering and slowing down of internet connections, people in Iran, and especially in the capital, were able to spread the news using websites such as Twitter, facebook, YouTube, flickr and FriendFeed.

Before I share with you my opinion on these phenomenal events, a quick recap. on June 12 almost 85% of Iran’s 46 million eligible voters went to the polls, following a heated campaign between President Ahmadinejad and his main rival Mir-Hossein Mousavi, former Iranian Prime Minister. The last days of the campaign saw massive rallies, heated televised debates (a first in Iran), accusations and recriminations of corruption and a general loosening of the restrictions on freedom of speech in Iran.

The results of the elections, which appeared only few hours following the elections, showed a significant win for President Ahmedinijad (62% for Ahmedinijad as compared to 34% for Mousavi). Many supporters of Mousavi suspected the results were rigged, since they felt a serious momentum behind Mousavi’s campaign in the last days before the elections. On June 13, Mousavi and the other reformist candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, refused to accept the results. Mousavi called the election a “charade” and called for the intervention of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenai. However, Khamenai accepted Ahmedinijad’s victory. The same day, initial protests broke out, and about 100 opposition leaders were arrested. Protest in Tehran, June 18, 2009

On June 14, the clashes between protesters and regime forces (Basij, police, etc), intensified. Large protests occurred in many cities around Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Karaj and more. During the night, regime forces attacked the dormitory of Tehran University, and using tear gas, motorcycles and brute force, left destruction and five students dead. Twitter users were able to follow this tragic event up close with the help of the student @Change_for_Iran who was at the scene.

On June 15, despite a ban by the regime, about million people marched in central Tehran, demanding a re-election. At the end of the rally, some protesters attacked a Basij headquarters with stones, and regime forces opened fire on the protesters, killing seven protesters. On June 16, 17 and 18 protests continued in Iran, including in Rasht, Tabriz, Zahedan, and huge non-violent rallies were carried out in Tehran. Agents of the regime  arreststed many reformist and opposition activists. Violent attacks on universities continued.

On June 19, Supreme Leader Khamenai lead the Friday prayer in the University of Tehran. In his speech he accused Western and Zionist elements, spies and media in fomenting unrest in Iran, vandalizing state property and attacking Basij members. The Leader threatened that if the protests were not stopped, the candidates (Mousavi and Karoobi) will be responsible for the consequences. Khamenai said that the election were fair, proved the success of the Islamic democracy and called everyone to unite behind the President elect, Ahmedinijad.

Mousavi enjoyed the support of many young people, who are tired of Ahmedinijad’s government and its ineptitude in many areas, and especially the high unemployment rate of university graduates and inflation. Other significant group supporting Mousavi are women, who have demanded more equality in grassroots campaign (like the One Million Signature Campaign) for years. The period prior to the elections allowed many people to express themselves more freely than in the past, and when they felt that injustice was done, because of this feeling and the momentum of the green movement, instead of accepting the results, the reformers chose confrontation with the regime (even if not violent one). Watching those protesters, many of them young women, I couldn’t help but think about the situation in my country, where voices demanding justice and more equality are rarely heard.

Looking at the region as a whole, many Arab leaders, including King Abdullah, haven’t congratulated Ahmedinijad for his victory yet. Those leaders are afraid of Iran’s ambitions in the region and the support Iran provides to extremists Shi’a networks in Arab countries. It seems to me that the main winner of this election isn’t Ahmedinijad, but Israel and hard-liners in the United States government. Ahmedinijad’s victory allows those people to portray Iran as aggressive and evil, not one seeking dialog, and maybe even justify an attack on Iran. I don’t think this movement will be able to change the whole system in Iran, but maybe, out of fear for the regime itself, the Mullahs will prefer to have a re-election, rather than continuing to face the wrath of the people. I hope this happens for the sake of the people in Iran and the stability of the region as a whole.