Bloody Valentine

The atmosphere of the city is totally changed. Although the weather is still cold but the sun shines to convey, the winter here in Tehran is over. Glittering spring is more colorful when the shops’ windows are filled with Valentine’s presents. Days earlier media announced there was an official memo commanding the shop owners and managers not to buy and sell any goods or elements remembering Valentine’s day. But the market did not considered the warnings seriously. There is another rumor circulating in the city mostly among youngsters about the possible demonstration by opposition on Bahman 25 which in Christian calendar is Feb. 14th. The day is approaching and I could not imagine how dare people come out and rally in the streets in despite of last years extremely brutal crackdown of the opposition dissatisfied with 10th presidential election result. I was busy preparing for a seminar in the office. However, frankly speaking even if I had enough time I did not have enough guts to join the protesters. Due to my last year’s personal experience during and aftermath of the unrest and also the tragedies quoted in media about misbehaving the dittanies. There was no exact data but some said 70 people were killed and many others tortured and some still kept in prisons. On the 25 fifth of Bahman, when going to office I tried to sniff something but nothing in particular. There were no mass uniformed police and no strict traffic controls and limitations in the streets. Some friends called me and informed me that the rally is planned to start at 3 o’clock. But the gift and the sweet shops were busy in extend that I could see some of them recruited additional sale’s persons. Every body here in Iran knew how harsh the protesters would be confronted with in case coming into streets. But the shop keepers knew this too. Yet they had presented the Valentine’s presents. So can we expect people to come to streets too? I was asking myself. Three o’clock passed. Colleagues in the office began to cal others whom they think know more about the probable demonstration. In my part relatives from provinces started to call but mainly through the office telephone, since they were sure my mobile like many others will be listened to. Last year I even received a sms warning me that: they know I am under the influence of foreign connections and if I join the protesters I will be pursued legally. Hence, I did want to check if I had received any sms but still checked them out awfully. No threatening message. In contrary I had received a charming note from a desirable friend which I think was just sent by mistake. But anyway, even a mistake it made my day! Other than what providently was planned for Sane Jale. From unofficial sources like friend who were there actually we heard more than 100 thousand people attended the rally. This was unbelievable. I personally mistrust the number. But then early evening all the seven channels of Iranian government TVs started to talk about the unremarkable presence of plotters. And the TV announced a Basiji named Sane Jale was killed by MKO agent in the riot! The organization which I think is dead in the mind of ordinary people here in Iran. I am sure the news has made the MKOs happy that the Iranian Government still counts on them. However, the announcements were filled with contradictions. For instance Radan the police authority said in an interview that the protesters were about 100-150. While Ahmad Khatami the clergy from Qom said the number was two thousands. The family of Late Sane too, said their son was not a Basiji. And most important to ponder is that since the 25th Bahman protest, all TV channels madly broadcast pictures of pro-state gatherings from archive. For people like me who were totally absent from the event the question will raise, what is importance of 150 unsatisfied people in a country that stays number one on the list countries losing its elites and intellectuals? The IMF ranked Iran highest in brain drain in 2006.