The bus is going to one of Qods' Day procession starting site. The Qods (Jerusalem) day ceremony established in 1979 by the Imam Khomeini in which people as a sympathizing gesture with the Palestinians rally in the streets every last Friday of Ramadan. It is the first time I come to this occasion alone, I used to come with my mother and it is some years now she can't walk undemanding. On the way a group of young people rode the bus and seconds later started chanting "Ya Hosein, Mirhosein", (one of the famed slogans pro-Musavi used during the June presidential campaign and its aftermath). The bus driver stopped the vehicle and warned if they continue chanting he will not move the bus. A man around 60, next to the chanting boys in scorning tone said "why you disturb people". The young boys gave up and bus continued its route.
Still far from destination the Boys got off the bus and one of them, while stepping down said, "Green Wave meets at 7th Tir square". The opposition supporters call their protesting movement, green wave. A voice in the bus said, "Why did not they wait for 7th Tir station? The same man who blamed them for disturbing the public explained, "They do not come for the ceremony, only they have Rendezvous with their girls". An even older man who was wearing a green wristband (a sign for opposition supporters) under his sleeve answered back politely, "what do you mean? People want their rights, why do not they (government) give any chance to Musavi to talk during past two months".
Hundreds meter far from the university due to police restrictions, bus was stopped, the passengers dropped. Before getting off, while paying my fare (which before was usually free), I asked the driver, on quieting the lads if he was doing some instructions or it was self-motivated. "Self-motivated", he said mockingly.
Just where bus stopped a man was distributing government sanctioned posters in 6 different designs fitting the occasion. I had no idea where people were going. I knew the University of Tehran's Platform where usually hosts the Friday prayer was to host customary Qods Day sermon. This was unprecedented, said to avoid losing mass control if there was a demonstration. But the crowd passed by the route to University facing Valiasr square, and I followed the crowd.
Near to the square from north came another flow of some thousands of demonstrators wearing mostly green objects. Joining others calmly marching in Boulevard. A shabby looking man got close to these green marchers and called on them, "Then go to the British Embassy and get your wage". No one cared. They also were indifferent to the man whom with a handy camera was shooting them. I guess this man was one of the so called plain cloths, since he moved like more of a professional wrestler rather than a mere photographer. He did his job quite unreservedly open. Despite knowing what can happen to the faces recognized in these videos none of protesters tried to stop him. Though I saw one or two facing back to camera, almost all behaved determined of what they were doing. I remembered Ebi's song "The Hunt". The music criticizes a deer hunter who assaults his hunt in an unequal war!
Few meters ahead military guards lined up in rows and stopped the protestors getting closer to the square. I moved on from the sidewalk to the square. A platform was organized to act as a stage for performing entertaining programs for participant of occasion. Some speakers and entertainers were performing programs like group reciting the Holy Koran and giving emotional speeches concerning the Palestine resistance.
Still far from destination the Boys got off the bus and one of them, while stepping down said, "Green Wave meets at 7th Tir square". The opposition supporters call their protesting movement, green wave. A voice in the bus said, "Why did not they wait for 7th Tir station? The same man who blamed them for disturbing the public explained, "They do not come for the ceremony, only they have Rendezvous with their girls". An even older man who was wearing a green wristband (a sign for opposition supporters) under his sleeve answered back politely, "what do you mean? People want their rights, why do not they (government) give any chance to Musavi to talk during past two months".
Hundreds meter far from the university due to police restrictions, bus was stopped, the passengers dropped. Before getting off, while paying my fare (which before was usually free), I asked the driver, on quieting the lads if he was doing some instructions or it was self-motivated. "Self-motivated", he said mockingly.
Just where bus stopped a man was distributing government sanctioned posters in 6 different designs fitting the occasion. I had no idea where people were going. I knew the University of Tehran's Platform where usually hosts the Friday prayer was to host customary Qods Day sermon. This was unprecedented, said to avoid losing mass control if there was a demonstration. But the crowd passed by the route to University facing Valiasr square, and I followed the crowd.
Near to the square from north came another flow of some thousands of demonstrators wearing mostly green objects. Joining others calmly marching in Boulevard. A shabby looking man got close to these green marchers and called on them, "Then go to the British Embassy and get your wage". No one cared. They also were indifferent to the man whom with a handy camera was shooting them. I guess this man was one of the so called plain cloths, since he moved like more of a professional wrestler rather than a mere photographer. He did his job quite unreservedly open. Despite knowing what can happen to the faces recognized in these videos none of protesters tried to stop him. Though I saw one or two facing back to camera, almost all behaved determined of what they were doing. I remembered Ebi's song "The Hunt". The music criticizes a deer hunter who assaults his hunt in an unequal war!
Few meters ahead military guards lined up in rows and stopped the protestors getting closer to the square. I moved on from the sidewalk to the square. A platform was organized to act as a stage for performing entertaining programs for participant of occasion. Some speakers and entertainers were performing programs like group reciting the Holy Koran and giving emotional speeches concerning the Palestine resistance.
I went down the square in southern direction. Another crowd of protesters was going down opposite the square. There were also scattered government supporters and some tens of uniformed anti-riot guards around. Walking down I heard loud speakers, this was the sign of government supporter groups. They were coming up in opposite direction. In sidewalk, near to a narrow alley I noticed people at my back were running; I started to run too. I never expected myself doing so at my fifty. But Kahrizak horrible tragedy has its psychological effects as Savak left scars on our father's conscience. When I was distanced enough I really needed something to drink. I got a bottle of water from a near by –surprisingly- open store. While drinking I found my hand was trembling.
I walked up to Zand Street; I again faced another huge mass of green protesters. I tried to cross them going to other side of the street. Amid thousands of young, old, women and men I felt cool. I no longer felt afraid. Voices were chanting: "Do not fear we are together"!
From east to west too, in Zand Avenue the mass getting closer to the square center where the Platform was. Here I witnessed an awful and tragic scene, which was indeed disgusting. I saw a young cleric who was overwhelmed by holding a walky-talky, discounting his much venerable outfit. Upon seeing the TV cameras people started to shout, Our TV, Our Disgrace". Loud speakers in the square would not permit one to hear their slogans clearly. There were slogans people chanting unconnectedly "Ya Hosein Mirhosein" and "death to dictator". But when a presenter at the stage shouted through a very loud amplifiers "Death to America and Israel", people in a harmonic tone with the speakers, in one voice replied chanting, "Down with Russia". I recalled Putin's recent tough circumstance elaborating to pass up an apology for the shameful atrocities committed by the Soviet Union towards Poland. I imagined the day in future, when other Russian leaders can not escape a history long apology to Iranian nation.
Around my two hours of roaming tour, though Kahrizak terrible accounts frightened people to death, and a big number of people who expected to join the procession went to their last summer vacation due to a 4 days holiday opportunity, all I saw were mostly opposition demonstrators. The pro-state marchers I encountered never outnumbered the opposition demonstrators. Despite IRIB's announcement that 190 foreign journalists will visit Tehran for the Qods' ceremony. I did not see even one foreign reporter. Meanwhile a reporter from Associated Press writes from Tehran, that; "Tens of thousands of Iranian government supporters and dozens of opposition activists poured out Friday onto the streets of Tehran for coinciding marches marking an annual pro-Palestinian commemoration". This may have been true in some demonstrating sites, including where this foreign correspondent has been barred. Obviously this narrow definition of observance may damage the press he works for and deceive the ordinary foreign readers as well. However, the accustomed follower of the issue can figure out the situation, where opposition demonstrators may get a harsh penalty for his or her presence in the streets. On the contrary, a franchised state supporter conveniently attends the meetings without any slightest threat.
From east to west too, in Zand Avenue the mass getting closer to the square center where the Platform was. Here I witnessed an awful and tragic scene, which was indeed disgusting. I saw a young cleric who was overwhelmed by holding a walky-talky, discounting his much venerable outfit. Upon seeing the TV cameras people started to shout, Our TV, Our Disgrace". Loud speakers in the square would not permit one to hear their slogans clearly. There were slogans people chanting unconnectedly "Ya Hosein Mirhosein" and "death to dictator". But when a presenter at the stage shouted through a very loud amplifiers "Death to America and Israel", people in a harmonic tone with the speakers, in one voice replied chanting, "Down with Russia". I recalled Putin's recent tough circumstance elaborating to pass up an apology for the shameful atrocities committed by the Soviet Union towards Poland. I imagined the day in future, when other Russian leaders can not escape a history long apology to Iranian nation.
Around my two hours of roaming tour, though Kahrizak terrible accounts frightened people to death, and a big number of people who expected to join the procession went to their last summer vacation due to a 4 days holiday opportunity, all I saw were mostly opposition demonstrators. The pro-state marchers I encountered never outnumbered the opposition demonstrators. Despite IRIB's announcement that 190 foreign journalists will visit Tehran for the Qods' ceremony. I did not see even one foreign reporter. Meanwhile a reporter from Associated Press writes from Tehran, that; "Tens of thousands of Iranian government supporters and dozens of opposition activists poured out Friday onto the streets of Tehran for coinciding marches marking an annual pro-Palestinian commemoration". This may have been true in some demonstrating sites, including where this foreign correspondent has been barred. Obviously this narrow definition of observance may damage the press he works for and deceive the ordinary foreign readers as well. However, the accustomed follower of the issue can figure out the situation, where opposition demonstrators may get a harsh penalty for his or her presence in the streets. On the contrary, a franchised state supporter conveniently attends the meetings without any slightest threat.
The incomparable risk of two opposite participants tells again the story of an old poetry:
Barefooted of squatters
And stripped people on the beach,
Where is their similarity?
Even if both are naked
Barefooted of squatters
And stripped people on the beach,
Where is their similarity?
Even if both are naked
1 comment:
Salam I would love to read what u know about the burial process in Iran.
Thank you
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