The Generation of Iranians Overseas

Today, 27 years after the Revolution, thousands of Iranians find themselves residing overseas, mainly in countries like the U.S., Germany, or Great Britain. This dynamic "resituation" and migration of Iranians, though often referred to as "brain drain" (and rightfully so), does possess its perks as well.

Unlike the Shah's era, where thousands of protesters could pour into the street, place flowers in soldiers' barrells, and scream death to the shah, such actions today would land you, your spouse, or you infant child, a quick ticket to Evin (if you're lucky) or more likely, the gallows (better known as construction cranes). Many people ask (mostly non-Iranians), "Why don't the Iranians just have another revolution like they did with the Shah? If they did it then why can't they do it now?" It is for this very reason, genuine fear. Fear of death, of torture, fear for your family. Iran has been held captive by the chains of fear and religious manipulation for almost three decades, and by this point, the people will do just about anything just to feed their families, let alone worry about politics.

This is where the we, the generation of Iranians overseas, come into play. We are supposed to be the voice that true Iranians within Iran cannot speak. We are looked upon by them to spread the word of truth to the world, and to fight the Islamic Republic in the ways they cannot. We cannot honestly expect the people of Iran to fight back when they have no assurances that their sacrifices won't be in vain. Unless they know that we are fighting for them, and we are fighting with them, where could they possibly derive any sense of hope from, especially after all these years?

We are the light. We are the blessed. It is a CRIME to enjoy the privileges and freedoms we do in such prosperous countries and not pay back our dues. We have an obligation beyond our riches and prosperities to realize that unless we contribute somehow to cause of freedom, we have singlehandedly worked to bring it down ourselves. "Evil prevails when good men do nothing." No quote could be truer. So when we sit by idly, maybe or maybe not watching the events in Iran, shopping and driving our BMW's, as 90% of Iranian Californians do (shame upon them), who is really to be held accountable? Us or the Mullahs? At least the Mullahs have made it clear they couldn't care less about Iran, we know that, and wouldn't expect anything good to come from them. But our own blood? The shame and defeat then lies with us, and in our apathy, we in turn become the sabotuers.

However, to those who are actually trying to make a difference, those of you who spend hours sucked into the web (in the seeming Iranian "e-movement") and who genuinely know you would die for Iran, and would do anything to do more, dorood bar shoma, I salute you, you are what the soul of Iran beats for. And by the same logic, I know most of the people who read this feel the way I do, and are genuine patriots, but those who this post is really about, wouldn't be here reading this anyway. And what a great shame it is.

Becoming Americanized can be a great thing if in doing so you learn from the fibers of this great political system and use such knowledge to aid your mothercountry. Otherwise, your just another tricked out L.A. Persian, who equivocates being an Iranian to eating polo-khoresht, sparingly speaking broken Farsi to his grandmother, and listening to the occasional Googoosh hit. If this is you, spend less time putting up pictures of your Mercedes on MySpace and more time reading about what's actually going on in the country that's sheltered and nurtured your ancestors for thousands of years.

Iranian Activist Seeks U.S. Support

A leading Iranian student activist is calling for the Bush administration to directly fund opposition groups seeking to topple the theocratic regime in Tehran.

Manucher Mohammadi escaped from Iran last month after his brother and fellow democratic activist, Akbar Mohammadi, died in Tehran’s Evin prison. Manucher Mohammadi says his brother was severely tortured during seven years in prison and ultimately died from his injuries.

Mohammadi arrived in the U.S. earlier this month and has taken a fellowship at Washington’s National Endowment for Democracy. He says he’s using his time in Washington to meet senior Congressional and administration officials, such as Elliot Abrams, the National Security Council’s point man on the Middle East.

“I’d like the U.S. government to lend spiritual support to the Iranian opposition…and to support it financially,” Mohammadi said at a news conference held at Freedom House today. “We need to develop a plan of action and put it to work.”

The U.S. Congress has allocated $75 million this year to promote democracy in Iran, much of which will go to radio stations beaming programming into Iran. It’s unclear if Mohammadi’s organization, which he’s calling the Anti-Dictatorial Front, could be eligible for U.S. government funding, which is distributed through the State Department.

The Mohammadi brothers achieved prominence in 1999 for helping to lead major student protests against the Iranian regime. They men were subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison.

-END ARTICLE-

I think we're beyond the point of pleading the help of foreign superpowers who's primary agenda is NEVER that of our own. This is our battle and it is apparent that the only people who truly care about democracy in Iran are Iranians themselves. There CANNOT be any other reason to support freedom and referendum other than simply wanting to see Iran free. Have we still not learned our lesson? America and Britain's historical presence in Iran, has done nothing but crush the democracy we once had, and pour salt on the wound left thereafter by CREATING the Islamic Republic! Enough is enough. Why are we still pulling at the pantlegs of countries who's deeds and actions are not even worthy of being classified as destructive, but in reality, saboteur?

We are in this mess because of foreign powers. Thanks to the CIA and MI6 in the 50's...our first chance at democracy was crushed when propaganda and false flag operations were launched against democratic and secular Mossedegh (falsely idenifying him as an anti-muslim, communist), to protect what of course, oil interests. Then again, when our next ruler, Shah Pahlavi, proved too progressive for American liking, once again they shot out the legs from beneath us and plundered us into the Islamic Dark Ages with their new found toy, Islam. And now AGAIN, they say they support regime change in Iran. We have gone through three different governments (Democratic Republic, Monarchy, and Islamic Rule) and still, they are not satisfied. And in each one they have played a pivotal role. Does all this foreign meddling not make you sick?

Iran is ours, and no one else's. Iran is our fight, not the West's. If they truly want to aid the cause of democracy in Iran, they can do so by preventing known terrorists like Khatami from getting a visa and safe passage into the United States to preach at Marriots about how he supports the west and disapproves of Islamic terrorism. The man who himself was responsible for the 1999 attacks of pro-democracy student activists in Iran! They can help us by not giving the IRI chances to succeed and get stronger by leaving buffers like Sadaam Hussein alone. They can help us, by making our plight known to the world and protecting Iranian interests and heritage here and in Europe.

The sooner we realize that this is our fight, and that this is our country, the sooner we can redirect our energies and resources toward a cause that we bled and cried for. Don't let the West have a hand in our revolution, they only want to the see their interests protected. They could care less about ensuring that the sun continues to set on the remains of great Perspolis or that our women can walk freely in public, displaying their world-renowned Persian beauty to the entire world. If their hearts are not with us, we don't want their support. Because even if they help us, and we do win our democracy, don't think that there part is over, they are going to stick around and protect their investment; exactly like how they did 27 years ago.

Be wise. This is a landmark moment in Iranian history. These are some of the darkest years we have been through as a nation, and though we have survived and maintained our heritage throughout the conquests of Alexander, Ghengis Khan, and even Islam, if we do not continue to throw wood on this fire, the flame of revolution will wither and die. We are known for our resilience to opposition, and it's time to live up to that title once again.

The only crime is apathy. A crime which keeps the good scared and the evil rich. Evil prevails when good men do nothing.

God Bless Iran!

PAYANDEH BAD KHAKE IRAN MA!
ZENDE BAD AZAD!

Call to All Iranians; Make Your Voice Heard

These last 25 years of Islamic Occupation of Iran have been some of the darkest hours in our history. The Mullahs are forcing our great nation of Iran back to the dark ages and not only do us Iranians in the U.S. not band together and create a mass politcal movement in congress to put pressure on the Jomuryee Eslami (Islamic Republic), but some don't even reconize the threat and absolute terror this government instills in the hearts of its people, as well as its threat to the rest of the world.

To all Iranians in Iran, America, and Europe: You are the children of our beloved motherland. The land that has sheltered us for thousands of years. We are one of the first and oldest peoples in the world and for too long has glory of the Persian Empire been spat upon. It is time for us to stand up and rise against our oppressors. For us in America, who are significantly more well-off and are not stricken by the grief of poverty, politcal oppresion and death, lobby in congress, make your voice heard. If not able to pass legal action, then at least make this country and the rest of the world aware of one thing: REGIME CHANGE. You'd be suprised how much of the world isn't aware of our problem. And the Mullahs are too strong to be combated within Iran at the moment, at least until we are able to create our own movement and/or para-military force within Iran.

Until then, make the world aware. Send out the message of 'Regime Change.' Send these Mullahs back into the dark, miserable holes that they crawled out from. Take action. Take it now. This is your country, these are your people, this is your duty as an Iranian. Don't let our sweet land of Iran fall to these barbarians. I myself and a few others and trying to get involved politically in American politics to aid the fate of our brothers in Iran, as the Jews in America do for Israel. (And they have been extremely successful) At least so they know they Iranians have a voice and are unwilling to be treaded over. Without a voice we are doomed. So lets rise once again.

Support your brothers in Iran, America, and Europe. The time for injustice and politcal persecution is over. Now is the time for Iran to once again to be it's majestic and noble self. We will rise once again.

Payandeh Bad Khake Iran Ma!

Your fellow brother,

Arian

Dorood Bar Shoma; Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to the United Iranian Front for Democracy in Iran. The main reason I have created this blog is in order to discuss the current events relating to and affecting Iran, tackle and try to bridge the division between the Iranian community worldwide, and most importantly to provide a basis for a fundamental solution to the greatest plight our glorious nation of Iran has faced over the course of the last 27 years, freedom.

My hope is that by confronting the issues at hand and discussing possible solutions to the wide range of problems the Iranian community faces (i.e. the disunion and division about how Iran should be handled, the great number of Iranian-Americans who do not uphold their duty to support their Iranian brethern overseas, the deception, suppression and confliction between Islam and Persian culture, our lack of presence in the American political system, our differences in political agenda, ect.) we can in time, arrive at a general agreement and unite as a people. Only then, do Iranians have any hope of winning Iran back from the medieval barbarians that have held it hostage for the last 27 years. We must unite.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and Persians are certaintly well-known for their stubborness in such matters, however, with a little understanding and open-mindedness I think much good can come. If we unite under a general principle, the democracy and freedom of Iran, I think it can be possible for us all to compromise our egos to some degree for the greater good. There really is no other way. So as the general activity of this blog is discussion and politics, my real intention is that we Persians can work together toward that common goal, and propose solutions to the crisis in the Iran. With hope, these solutions prove noteworthy and we will have the strength to execute them.

Payandeh Bad Iran
Zende Bad Azad

Your brother-in-arms,

Arian