Qalam news website reports that the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi will attend the Friday’s Prayer which will be led by Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani [Qalam, 15 July 2009].
Mousavi, in a letter published in Qalam, declared his readiness to join his supporters in attending the service, characterizing the move as the best way to protest the “unjust” suppression of the freedoms by the government.
It is expected that Mousavi supporters will also attend the gathering, potentially creating a protest atmosphere on Tehran streets after the service.
Countering the opposition, Hossein Shariatmadari, the influential editor of the ultra-conservative Kayhan, in an editorial to be published in Thursday's edition of the newspaper, has called on government supporters to attend the prayer services as well and has instructed them to chant pro-Khamenei slogans, such as “Khamenei, we are your soldiers; Khamenei, we are at your command!” [Kayhan, 16 July 2009].
"Reza Shah" has reappeared in Iran's modern politics. Let's see if another "Amir Kabir" also reappear?
ReplyDeleteIf so, is he going to have a fate like what Amir Kabir had???
"Reza shah" has reappeared in Iran's modern politics. Let's see if another "Amir Kabir" also reappear?
ReplyDeleteIf so, is he going to have a fate like what Amir Kabir had?
So Mousavi has apparently finally discovered a forum--public prayer--from which even the regime sees no way to exclude him. Therefore, to compete, the regime feels it must meet him on his own chosen ground and compete on his chosen terms.
ReplyDeleteDetails on typical atmosphere for such a meeting would be very interesting. Have they been politicized before? What typically happens on the street after prayers?
Then the next question is whether or not the Basij will be out in force on the street when prayers end.
"Prayer is Good" Then after Prayer then what? How about, just peacefully go Home!
ReplyDeleteThomas
That is a good sign, that Iran is becoming bi polar (politically)
ReplyDeleteThe USA is bipolar, (Reps & Dems)
maybe after all, these recent demonstrations will move Iran towards genuine democracy, without foreign interventions.
(The Pahlavis and Rajavis of this world are foreign bases and are history and shall never play a role in Iran anymore)
now all of a sudden alot of iranians who dont pray at all want to attend! as we say it is all " gher o atfal"
ReplyDelete