Iran: A Changer From Within?

Insightful and informative piece by Iranian Plateau:

"...While I admire the initiatives of Women's Rights activists, I would like Ms Ebadi to do two things: (1) to provide proof of her “correct interpretation of Islam", which according to her gives equal rights to women, e.g. in the Koran or Hadiths, and (2) to convince the Mullah regime that her interpretation is both correct and valid.

In the history of Islam, there is little evidence for her claim. Furthermore, as far as I understand and based on Islamic Republic Constitution & Khomeini's Doctrine - the articles relevant to women, which have not been amended, suggest a different approach to women's rights. Or, do I misunderstand?

Others such as Azar Nafisi (director of the Dialogue Project at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced and International Studies and the author of Reading Lolita in Tehran) argue that “America’s best weapon is the Iranian People” and, in parts, suggest that Mullahs can and should be defeated, not by military war, but through internal “cultural change” - "And it is Iranian civil society that will ultimately prove to be the Achilles heel of the Islamic Regime."

While I agree with Nafisi regarding more support to Iranian People and particularly all legitimate dissident groups as well as her assertions that more international media exposure is necessary for the plight of Human rights and women’s rights activists in Iran, I would like someone to explain to me, in some detail, how these activists alone will be able to rid Iran of the Mullahs and Sharia Laws or even change the culture from within?

The comparison of Islamic Republic with Eastern Europe of the Communist era, as Nafisi outlines, has its flaws. One significant difference being that Islam is also a faith, which looks to control both people's personal lives as well as the society at large. Unlike Communism, it is not simply a political doctrine. Islamic Republic is a military religious dictatorship.

The reality staring us in the face is not only Mullahs are ruling Iran politically, but they are actively dictating the culture, social norms and values through various powerful channels, especially to the young and impressionable.

In other words, the Mullahs create, dominate, maintain and vehemently enforce their will and their desired culture by using a so-called religion. As we have more recently witnessed, any opposition, no matter how tame is brutally suppressed. Dissidents, ethnic and student groups have little means of effectively fighting off the Mullah regime.

Daily demonstrations may be shown on limited if any mainstream media, but are usually forgotten by the international community shortly afterwards and until the next one. Frankly, if the international community was genuinely interested in human rights issues of any country, it would have been much more vocal about atrocities in China decades ago.

IR's abominable human rights record is only second to China.The current Islamic Republic system is a closed one. There is an inner circle which is very much protected against outsiders (be it Iranians or otherwise). Any change, in my opinion, can hardly materialize from within the system, but should be brought about in spite of it.

Let me also say that at least 70% of people in Iran have been fed up with its "religious dictatorship" for many years. Even most religious ppl in Iran do not believe that these Mullahs and their cohorts are "true Muslims" - most are appalled by so many executions and killings starting as soon as Mullahs took over and still continue. The problems, however, are multi-faceted.

First, many who are against the mullahs do not have the guns or means to get rid of them. Mullahs are brutal. So, those who protest against the regime are crushed immediately. Mullahs have the full means of doing what they want. It isn't that most ppl want them in power.

Laughing at Mullahs will not achieve anything.The "reformists" in Iran, are very much misguided thinking that the Mullahs simply adhere to Islam. They don't. Therefore, Mullahs use it as well to dominate and rule. What the reformist don't understand or don't want to understand is that no dialogue or reform of Islam is possible, at least, not in Iran and not in relation to the Mullahs.

Mullahs know very well that if they went on a path of dialogue or gave the slightest liberty to ppl, they would not be in power. Mullahs rule because of their brutality and say that 10% of the population who "actively support" them in Iran such as the Bassij thugs.

Secondly, even if tomorrow, 90% or even 99% of people became agnostic or atheists, how do you suppose they could get rid of the Mullahs? When the Mullahs arrest your husband, father and brother and then threaten and often actually do rape and torture your sister, mother and daughter?...

Actually, unlike during Shah's regime, many say that since the mullahs' atrocities in Iran over the last 28 years, many Iranians are now disgusted not only with Islam, but any religion that imposes its will and is brutal towards people, especially the citizens of its own country. You may want to read my earlier post here. If you haven't read a previous article/post of mine, have a look human cost of Iran's Islamist rule ".