Iranian Alert -- March 16, 2004 [EST]-- IRAN LIVE THREAD -- Americans for Regime Change in Iran

Many anticipate next 12+ hours will prove highly significant in Iran (It is morning now in Iran).

March 16th is Chehar Shanbeh Suri in Iran. It is an ancient Zoroastrian holiday that is banned by the Islamic regime. Most anti regime events have taken place on major holidays such as this.

The US media almost entirely ignores news regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Tony Snow of the Fox News Network has put it, “this is probably the most under-reported news story of the year.” But most American’s are unaware that the Islamic Republic of Iran is NOT supported by the masses of Iranians today. Modern Iranians are among the most pro-American in the Middle East.

There is a popular revolt against the Iranian regime brewing in Iran today. Starting June 10th of this year, Iranians have begun taking to the streets to express their desire for a regime change. Most want to replace the regime with a secular democracy. Many even want the US to over throw their government.

The regime is working hard to keep the news about the protest movement in Iran from being reported. Unfortunately, the regime has successfully prohibited western news reporters from covering the demonstrations. The voices of discontent within Iran are sometime murdered, more often imprisoned. Still the people continue to take to the streets to demonstrate against the regime.

In support of this revolt, Iranians in America have been broadcasting news stories by satellite into Iran. This 21st century news link has greatly encouraged these protests. The regime has been attempting to jam the signals, and locate the satellite dishes. Still the people violate the law and listen to these broadcasts. Iranians also use the Internet and the regime attempts to block their access to news against the regime. In spite of this, many Iranians inside of Iran read these posts daily to keep informed of the events in their own country.

This daily thread contains nearly all of the English news reports on Iran. It is thorough. If you follow this thread you will witness, I believe, the transformation of a nation. This daily thread provides a central place where those interested in the events in Iran can find the best news and commentary. The news stories and commentary will from time to time include material from the regime itself. But if you read the post you will discover for yourself, the real story of what is occurring in Iran and its effects on the war on terror.

I am not of Iranian heritage. I am an American committed to supporting the efforts of those in Iran seeking to replace their government with a secular democracy. I am in contact with leaders of the Iranian community here in the United States and in Iran itself.

If you read the daily posts you will gain a better understanding of the US war on terrorism, the Middle East and why we need to support a change of regime in Iran. Feel free to ask your questions and post news stories you discover in the weeks to come.

If all goes well Iran will be free soon and I am convinced become a major ally in the war on terrorism. The regime will fall. Iran will be free. It is just a matter of time.

TEHRAN, March 16 (AFP) -- Tehran's conservative authorities have officially allowed the city's youth to celebrate the annual "pagan" fire festival, breaking a hard line going back years but at the same time ensuring better control.

"The Municipality has decided to make 40 city squares available for the celebrations," deputy mayor Mohammad Javad Mohammadizadeh, a member of the conservative council elected in February last year, was quoted Tuesday as saying.

"Firefighters will be fully mobilised and deployed in those squares to avoid any incidents," he added.

For centuries Iranians have jumped over bonfires to purify themselves and chase away evil spirits on the last Tuesday night before the New Year celebrations at around the spring equinox.

The rite marking the end of winter and including the setting off of fireworks dates back to pre-Islamic Zoroastrian times and Muslim clerics have tried in vain to prevent it each year.

But they are confronted by an expanding young generation eager for amusement and opportunities for meeting each other, and the Islamic republic's authorities have ended up tolerating the practice.

Even so, every year sees arrests and clashes with police out on the streets in force, as the celebrants compete with each other in the manufacture of bigger and louder fireworks.

These mini-bombs include gas canisters which are blown up at crossroads.

Last year, according to press reports, 28 people, mainly teenagers, were injured and around 100 arrested.

However Tehran police this year also took a conciliatory tone.

"We have nothing against celebrations and merry-making," police chief Morteza Talaie was quoted as saying, "as long as the limits are not exceeded."

Police have been told not to prevent the sale of fireworks as long as they are not dangerous.

The official attitude to the festival known as "chaharshanbeh suri" is in line with the image of pragmatism coupled with proper respect for Islamic values that the new conservative authorities have tried to foster since taking over from a reformist municipality that collapsed amid infighting.

This policy is also being pushed by conservatives who took control of parliament in controversial elections last month after hundreds of reformist candidates were disqualified by a conservative watchdog body.

But some hardliners are not happy.

Conservative cleric Ayatollah Safi Gholpayegani condemned the fire festival as "unworthy of the Iranian Muslim people".

"Those who take part are ignoramuses," he was quoted as saying in the press, accusing "pseudo-intellectuals, liberal journalists and foreign propaganda organs" of supporting the event in order to harm Islamic culture.

The ayatollah stormed at "attempts to make this feast official", particularly as this year it falls during the Shiite mourning month and coincides with Wednesday's commemoration of the martyrdom of Zeinolabedin, one of the 12 imams revered by Shiites.

Calling on his "brothers and sisters in belief", the ayatollah said, "Muslims and Shiites expect you to remember the martyrdom of this distinguished man, indicate your hatred for obscurantist culture and take part in magnificent ceremonies to destroy our enemies."

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.