Will the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations denounce this “Islamophobia”? No? Why not?
“Iran Caught Off Guard by Surging Economic Protests,” by Potkin Azarmehr and Steven Emerson, IPT News, May 13, 2022:
Iran’s rulers are alarmed at the prospect of nationwide mass protests and unrest as the hot summer months approach. Prices of some basic goods like bread, dairy products and chicken skyrocketed as much as 300 percent overnight. Already there have been nightly protests against the price rises and mismanagement of the economy in the oil rich province of Khuzestan. Protests are spreading to neighboring provinces.
Earlier this week, a leaked audio file from a senior Iran state TV executive demonstrated the depth of the regime’s concern. “The country is going through an exceptional situation, the soaring prices, frustration with the officials and so on,” Alireza Habibi tells producers and presenters. “… But we should try to calm the public’s anxieties, not incite it further …. Don’t go and make programs highlighting these problems. This is not the time for making such programs. Wait till things calm down.”
To make sure his instructions are understood clearly, Habibi added “the slightest dissent in this regard will be unforgivable, because this is a national security issue. So make sure you yourself and your channel don’t suffer as a result of your actions.”
These concerns were also echoed on Tuesday by Khuzestan MP Qassem Sa’edi. “People are struggling to make ends meet,” he said. They want to be loyal to the regime, but there is a limit to how much they can take. There is a good likelihood we face a bigger danger than the previous nationwide unrests.”
Sensing the brewing tension and fears that large gatherings will trigger mass protests, Khuzestan’s Security Maintenance Council – a body that assesses current trends and takes preemptive actions to avert social unrest – announced the football match between Khuzestan Steel FC and Tehran’s Independence FC will be held without spectators.
Despite all the efforts to maintain order, protests erupted Wednesday night in several cities in Khuzestan province, which is in southwestern Iran. In Ahvaz, protesters called for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to resign: “Raisi, you liar,” they chanted. “What happened to all those things you promised?”
In Dezful, people chanted, “We don’t want an Islamic Republic,” and “We will fight, we will die, we will take back our Iran.” In Andimeshk, they chanted “Mullahs Get Lost!” In Izeh, the security forces fired tear gas as people chanted “Death to Khamenei” and fought back….
PMK says
This is a protest about economic conditions. Iranians may not like Khamenei’s government but that doesn’t mean they’re not still practicing Muslims. Skepticism is warranted.
As the MP said: “They want to be loyal to the regime, but there is a limit to how much they can take.” A far cry from revolution.
gravenimage says
Important point, PMK. This does *not* necessarily mean that they are rejecting Islam. Still good to see, though.
Infidel says
I think CAIR and SPLC will denounce this Iranian demonstration. Don’t bet they won’t
gravenimage says
Iranian protestors: ‘We don’t want an Islamic Republic’
………….
Brave people.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
I wonder whether the slogan “We will fight, we will die, we will take back our Iran” rhymes in Farsi. Anybody know?
Michael says
The Arabs of oil rich Khuzestan (Arabistan until 1925), get a bum deal from the Persian Ayatocracy, in terms of: water and oil income distribution. Sitting on the main source of Iran,’s wealth, they are very poor and very thirsty.
They were in the front line against Iraq.
Norman Gardner says
Many Iranians are not hard line Muslims and would like to be free of the Mullahs who have restricted the lifestyle of the Iranian people. Unfortunately they are under the gun by the authoritarian regime that imprisons them.