13/02/2009 / IRAN
I was in primary school. I remember that the Shiraz University campus (where I later studied) was closed for six months because of trouble caused by the revolution. I watched what happened on TV at home."
Yes. I feel free to express my opinions. Of course I can't talk about everything and I always take the economic and security interests of my country into consideration. But we do feel free to criticise the social and cultural initiatives taken by our government. We're not scared to do that."
I'm generally happy with my financial circumstances. I earn around 470 euros a month. We live well, me and my family. Those who are really suffering are the lowest classes. But those with a salary or who work for the state do ok."
The US needs to change its view of Iran. In 1950 they supported the Shah's coup against the national government of Mohamed Mossadegh (who five years later, died in prison). Then in 1979 the US supported the Islamic revolution's opponents. Personally, I stand by the ideas behind the revolution, because it supports equality while the Shah's regime only benefitted the upper classes. The Iranian people want professional and social progress, but they're not dreaming of leaving the country, like everyone thinks. I wouldn't mind spending a bit of time abroad to gain some experience and knowledge, but I love my country."
I hope there are more candidates so that we can really choose a president. Although personally I support Ahmadinejad because he's done a lot for the lower-middle classes."
30 years after the Islamic revolution: "In Iran, I feel free to express my opinions"
At a documentary film festival in Tehran, October 2008. Photo posted by Azad on his excellent photo-blog, "Life goes on in Tehran", along with the comment: "Iran is not the ‘evil' country you hear about in a John McCain stomp speech".
On February 11, Iran marked the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power. We put four questions before our Iranian Observers both inside and outside the country (read the others). Here, one of them defends the revolution and says he is happy in his country.
Seyed Vahid Aqili, 40, is a media researcher from Tehran.
What were you doing 30 years ago?
I was in primary school. I remember that the Shiraz University campus (where I later studied) was closed for six months because of trouble caused by the revolution. I watched what happened on TV at home." Do you feel free in Iran?
Yes. I feel free to express my opinions. Of course I can't talk about everything and I always take the economic and security interests of my country into consideration. But we do feel free to criticise the social and cultural initiatives taken by our government. We're not scared to do that." What financial situation are you in?
I'm generally happy with my financial circumstances. I earn around 470 euros a month. We live well, me and my family. Those who are really suffering are the lowest classes. But those with a salary or who work for the state do ok." What do you think of the United States?
The US needs to change its view of Iran. In 1950 they supported the Shah's coup against the national government of Mohamed Mossadegh (who five years later, died in prison). Then in 1979 the US supported the Islamic revolution's opponents. Personally, I stand by the ideas behind the revolution, because it supports equality while the Shah's regime only benefitted the upper classes. The Iranian people want professional and social progress, but they're not dreaming of leaving the country, like everyone thinks. I wouldn't mind spending a bit of time abroad to gain some experience and knowledge, but I love my country." What do you expect from the presidential election next June?
I hope there are more candidates so that we can really choose a president. Although personally I support Ahmadinejad because he's done a lot for the lower-middle classes." Contributors
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Comments
History!
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 28/02/2009 - 19:19.Mr. Aqili,
I dont know what is your exact occupation, but I suggest you go and study our history books carefully.
The American supported coup didnt happen in 1950, it was done in 1953. And as for our hero dr. Mosaddeq, he didnt pass away in prison, he passed away in exile in his own village and besides his death was not five years after the coup! Dr. Mosaddeq passed away more than 10 years afterwards!!!!!.
So sorry! But I feel responsible to correct you, such an interesting and funny person.
Try to learn more and see things much better.
Good luck
F.A
Tehran
Unregistered user
Hello Mr. Aqili!!!
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 23/02/2009 - 11:43.I wonder Mr. Aqili , in which school did you learn to be honest thismuch?! Perhaps you are afraid of losing your " FinancialCircumstances" ifyou tell the truth.You said WE feel free to criticize the government'ssocial and cultural initiatives,Right? I want to ask you what do you haveto say about the street children and the girls who are selling their bodiesto the gentlemen!! in Iran because of financial disaster? What do you haveto say about the avalanche of addiction in Iran, the execution of peopleand especially children under the age of 18 in our country?Do you feel freeto talk about all this to your loved government? Have you ever done so?Really? So you are a hero, and how could you survive after suchcriticisms?! Or you may never take such disasrets into consideration.Perhaps because you and your family are living WELL, others never matter toyou.And Please be careful ! You can only express your own feelings to the 4questions.You dont have the right to talk on behalf of the whole nation:Dont say WE , please just say I. Dont generalize "I" to"&WE"!Take care of your Fanancial Circumstance.
Kamran from Tehran
Unregistered user
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! STOP SUPPORTING THIS INHUMAN REGIME
Submitted by Hajar (not verified) on Thu, 26/02/2009 - 15:19.I am a university student from Tehran. I fully agree with Karman. bering in mind that whatever he has mentiones is only tip of the iceburg. Iran under the Mollahs is the worst dictatorial regime in the world/ I as a woman is not considered a human being. in iran we are discriminated in LAW and in Practice! this regime has paralysed the young generation by encouraging them to become drug addict or drag them to prostitution. In iran HEROINe is much cheaper than a pack of cigarets! many of my class mates were raped by our so-called spiritual corps at the university. they later turned to prostitution to meet their education expenditures! This is one aspect of this barbaric regime which commits all these crimes in the name Islam and allah!I don't want to talk about suppression and persecutions of all people especialyy the women and girls. I ask the Western counties especially PRESIDENT OBAMA TO BE MORE REALISTIC WITH THIS CRIMINAL REGIME IN MY BLEEDING COUNTRIES! MOLLAHS CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND ONE LANGUAGE AND THAT IS THE FORCE.UN AND UN COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN SWITHZERLAND MUST HELP US! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! STOP SUPPORTING THIS INHUMAN REGIME! HAJAR;SHIRAZ
Unregistered user
Amnesty International:Iran the world's largest prison for journa
Submitted by Dr.Susan Sepanloo (not verified) on Wed, 18/02/2009 - 12:41.I feel so pathetic for this Iranian journalist who is so ignorant about his own country and his fellow iranian compatriots. He claims that Iran is a free country to express freely the opinions! this a pure lie! According to the international non governmental organizarion such as Amnesty International, Human rights Watch, and more importantly the journalists without borders, Iran is the world's largest prison for the journalists. Iran stand second after China for executions and by considering its population, iran is number one violator of human rights especially the in terms of freedom of speech and opinion. Currently, there are hundreds of jounalists who are either in prison or their journals or weblogs are shut down by the same government that he supports!!! He claims that his finacial situation is well. I have no doubt that for a person like him who works for the state run media, high salary which is paid by the government is no problem! It is shameful for a journalist to say that only low class people are poor!!?? this low class consists more than 84 percents of iranian society. according to official statistics such as central bank of iran or the minstry of finance , more than 80 percents of iranians are below poverty line! More over he at the end of his interview clearly confesses that he is pro Ahmadinejad who is known in Iran as the man of 1000 coup de grace! as he has executed personally more than 1000 political prisoners! please bear in mind that this regime can not even tolerate slightest amount od opposition. when a woman such as madam Shirin Ebadi the winner of Nobel peace prize is not free to express her opinion, how would you expect that others can be free to freely express themselves! they have slosed down the office of Shrin Ebadi who even is not even considered as a stunt opposant of the regime!
Unregistered user