On several bills (money) that people had left on the cradle of Ali Asghar(mythical-religious figure in Shiasim) during the Aashura ceremony, the following sentence was written: “We are here”. The “We are here” crowd announced that on Thursday (Jan 15th, 2009) will get together in a few locations of the country and will chant out “We are here”. They will especially gather at the intersection of the 6th Street in Gohardasht (a neighborhood in Karj, part of the greater Tehran area). I know that the number of those who are interested in participating in this event is increasing.

However, I do not know what is really behind this premise and I wonder where all of this anger and objection of the people is leaning toward. Is this only a simple objection? Are they trying to ask the authorities to do something about the inflation and the increasing tragedy of addiction of the youth so that people begin to like the government again? Or are they trying to later introduce someone(some leader) who will rescue us from all of this? Is this slogan of “We are here” supposed to function like “Death of Shah” of the days proceeding to the Revolution in 1979 and end with another revolution? Zeitoun (Olive) has many questions regarding this issue.

Comments
Hello Zietoun (Olive). Don’t even look at my IP. Just read my question. I wanted to know if the “We are here” crowd were there today or did you not go to see the crowd?
By: Some bodey (the original spelling of the commentator)

Based on my knowledge, this group is after the overthrow of the regime without violence and bloodshed. It is something like velvet revolution and not only change. These activities, too, are advocacy strategies so that this group makes itself known to the people and to gain more fans and supporters from all classes of the society.
By: Y.

Dear Zietoun(Olive); Wherever there are my beloved countrymen defend their own rights and defend their land, I am also there!
By: SH

I like their slogan a lot. It gives one a special sense of pride.
By: L.

Leila Alhaddad, journalist and a mother from Gaza(who keeps a blog), has written a very touching piece today. It is now a few days that the residents of Gaza have been receiving phone calls day and night that warn them against the attacks: “Warning to the residents of Gaza! Do not listen to Hamas’s words. Hamas forces have left you and have taken refuge in their shelters. Give in!” You could read the piece on your own: < http://a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot.com/2009/01/israeli-terrorizing-civlians-with.html>

And read Hossien Ghaazian’s blog and his pieces about Gaza called: “Our Painful Silence!” < http://www.daal.ir/2009/01/179.php>It is obvious that when the government prevents its opponents from expressing their ideas, it also disarms its supporters (translator’s note: this refers to the content of the suggested piece in which the author—a prominent reformist intellectual who was also detained and trialed during the past few years— talks about the hardship of Iranian intellectuals in not being able to explicitly support the Palestinian people and their cause. He explains that when the Islamic Republic of Iran makes supporting Palestine propaganda and punishes those who want to support Israel, it also oppresses the voice of intellectuals who wish to support Palestinians with their own literature and rhetoric.) This is an issue that unfortunately undemocratic governments cannot quite understand its complexities.

I sent the following letter to President Ahmadinjad. What could we do? We hope authorities read their citizens’ letters. I thank Ghasedak (another blog) for having edited it. Nazli (another blogger) says that I am too naïve; Ahmadinjad has no power. Maybe she is right, but if I don’t know what else to do.

Mr. President;
As an Iranian who has lived in the US at least for half of her age, I am certainly familiar with the social and economic inequalities in this country. As an Iranian woman I know well what it means to spread anti-Iranian propaganda in the society. I know what discrimination means. I left Iran when the voice of the youth was oppressed due to the needs of the war (Iran-Iraq War). Then, I had the dream of freedom in mind. However, the concept of freedom soon faded away in this industrial country. I know well the depth of the violent wishes of those who in this country want to have access to the natural resources of Iran and the country of the region under any condition. This is why I ask you to put assumptions aside and read this letter written by an Iranian who lives abroad.

Mr. President, since I left Iran, Iranian women have had many achievements in defending their rights. They considered the Islamic Republic a kind of government that is capable of undergoing reforms. These women have fought for their rights and for justice and not for overthrowing the government. These women are not even aligned with those who use the language of overthrowing the government. Instead, they have continued their journey within the boundaries of the government and have used their rights as citizens to lawfully object to their conditions.

Mr. President, during my field work in one of Iran’s neighboring countries I encountered a man who, for years, had smuggled dollars in Iran. After many years of damaging Iran’s economy, he had gotten arrested and in a short period of time he was released on bail and had escaped Iran. His colleague, too, was imprisoned for having stolen from the government’s budget and was quickly released. I do not know if these thieves are more of serious threats for Iran or women who simply seek legal ways to improve their conditions in the society. Do these thieves deserve to remain in prison or the women who defend their own rights?

Mr. President, the women who were detained with the accusation of having organized and participated in a “peaceful demonstration” (According to the Article 27 of the Islamic Constitution of Iran) on March 4th, 2007. These same women are considered “pro-regime” by opposition groups and fundamentalist secularists abroad. Why do women who were only participating in a peaceful demonstration and were trying to defend their own rights, have to face punishments of such? Why do women whose activities are within the boundaries of principles of Islam have to be deprived of freedom? Punishing and detaining them will result in whose advantage? The government’s strict behavior will only result in the departure of those who care for Iran. Many leave Iran because they feel unsafe or see no “future” for themselves. Do you not agree that such behavior only gives better incentives to planning attacks to Iran with the intention of so-called “liberation” of women and the people of Iran? These women sacrifice their own freedom and wealth in order to simply voice their objections and maybe make a small difference in the condition of women in Iran.

Mr. President, you object to the government of the US for discriminating against many of its citizens. But change begins from home! Prove that justice is at home, so that the youth do not escape home with the hope of finding it abroad. Free the women who were imprisoned on March 4th, 2007 in the aftermath of a peaceful demonstration!


Note to my blog readers: I have not returned to blog writing. I just wanted to post my letter so that if you agree, you can sign it here. Even if you have criticism to it, it is hard to object to the demand to release these women.

Comments
• Hi there,
I usually don't sign English petitions addressed to Iran. this one I want to sign, but I can't; it doesn't have a "sign" button?!
I like your letter, and I fully support your attitude as well. I was asked to visit your blog, and I am happy to have found it. Hope to see you back.


• Human rights are not recognized by Islam, period. Religious rights are the only rights women or men are entitled to.
Islam requires total submission to One God, including our sense of what is right and wrong to what God declared right and wrong. If you are not willing to accept that then you are not a muslim. It is not gauranteed that you will understand the wisdom behind each and every command and decree of God and this is the test for us in this life according to Islamic doctrines and true devotees. ergo, your letter in that context is irrelevant and meaningless...

• By: ?(originally in English)