December 30, 2003
The Reform Movement
Looking at the list of the latest hopeful candidates in the simulation exercise of parliamentary elections in Iran, it is obvious to me at least that the so called "reform movement" is officially dead.
What was essentially fired up by election of an insider who smiled often, promised a lot and made positive gestures towards the world, has died down so badly even some of its most prominent members have decided to step aside. They include brother of supreme leader, former mayor of Tehran, former minister of interior as well as minister of culture and Islamic guidance, plus a barrage of known political figures, popular journalists, academia and experts.
Instead, many of the "hard-liner" bigwigs are back on the scene and will probably win their seats for their side. They include the original vigilante Hadi Ghaffari, hated former information minister Fallahian, plus Badamchian, Parvaresh and Asgaroladi, the head hard-liners of Moetalefeh gang with others who have joined the list along with a few "opposition" figures who will probably be disqualified before even making the ballot.
Over 8,000 people have put their names up, of which only 806 are women. In some provinces, only 1, 2 or 7 women are on the list and only one woman from a religious minority has registered. This is all before a large majority of registered applicants are vetted by the conservative body that overlooks the elections.
Why the "movement" died takes a much deeper review and analysis but the major weakness of its head can be summarized in the inability or unwillingness (depending on your point of view) to keep up with the demand of the masses behind them and essentially falling behind the general public.
In short, their solution and extend of expertise for a severely ailing system was some plastic surgery, while a major operation involving amputations, exchange of primary organs and a complete blood transfusion is the only factor that may have saved this patient. The smile was a good start, but hardly enough to amount to anything.
The roots of this so called movement go actually further back, although the new wave was officially born in 1997. Right after the revolution of 1979, Iranian Communist Party (Tudeh) took a very similar position and even as late as mid-80's, when mass arrests and executions were in full force, still advocated a pattern of supporting the system, in hope of making gradual changes towards a goal more suitable to their agenda. Interestingly enough, some key members of the new wave have strong Tudeh connections from that era.
I am still not advocating a "revolution" and believe a long and steady movement towards democracy is the only long term solution Iran has to achieve freedom. I just hope we don't repeatedly get side-tracked by any weasel claiming to deliver us to the moon, but is only equipped with a paper plane and some big words.
Sorry, what Reform Movement? It was always in your imagination.
Posted by: Mast at December 31, 2003 10:58 AMYou are wrong "Mast." There was a reform movement. It seems you have not been to Iran for a long time.
It is easy to say "All the Mullahs are the same" and simplify the Iranian politics. In reality what is happening in Iran is a very complicated process. It is not just a change in the government. It is a change in Shi'a theology. The results of what is happening right now in Shi'a will be huge. "All the Mullahs are the same" does not explain what is going on in Iranian " Howze and madrasas. Obviously there was (and there is) a movement that tries to interpret Islam in a different way, to save it from drowning. You can support it or be against it but you can not deny its existence. It is like being against Martin Luther and Pope both; claiming they both are the same shit, but you can not deny their importance in the history and the effect of their debate on the formation of modernity in Europe.
Oh that reform movement! The reform movement between the gangsters who are in power. The 'Howze and madrasas' that you refer to are the roots of evil. They are there to eradicate Iranian/Persian culture and replace it with Iraqi/Shia doctrine. And unfortunately, they have been very successful.
Posted by: Mast at January 3, 2004 06:58 AMThat which does not kill us makes us stranger.
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