Is the Green Revolution Underway in Iran? .... Reformists are Islamists, Too

[Better Believe It]

June 18, 2009

Is the Green Revolution Underway in Iran?
Reformists are Islamists, Too
By ALI JAWAD

The 'Green Revolution' is underway. Iranians have put aside their greatest fears, and now carry the destiny of the nation in their own hands. We are in 1979 all over again; only that now, it is the ‘mullahs’ who have become the fleeing Shah. Tensions on the Iranian streets have boiled over to a simple equation: “whose violence threshold is higher?”

The above characterizations capture, to a large degree, the essence of the sensationalized media reporting that has gripped Western capitals in the wake of the Iranian elections. As is the norm with Western coverage of Iran, much of any analysis specializes in the art of the demonization of President Ahmedinejad. Not far distant, as always, is a usual dosage of derisive language reserved for the Islamic Republic. Indeed, the latter enjoys a rich and arguably unparalleled heritage in contemporary Western media. The difference this time around however, has been the extent to which hysterical media outlets have lined up to champion the cause of presidential candidate, Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

Without need for truth or facts, media outlets from across the spectrum have at once become pro-Mousavi advocates in this kangaroo trial whose verdict had been determined even before the trial was underway. A question should be posed at this stage for objective readers: ‘what response should we have expected from these very media outlets had the election results registered a victory for opposition candidate, Mr. Mousavi?’

But even this unfailing pro-Mousavi advocacy shades (almost surreally) in comparison to a most flabbergasting marvel in Western reporting over the last few hours. Believe it or not, but the likes of the BBC now have nothing but words of praise for the “language of the Islamic Revolution” i.e. the slogans of 1979; that single event which gave the US one of its most painful drubbings. Not in my wildest dreams did I foresee a day in which, both the Right and Left would light up with glee on hearing cries of “Allahu Akbar” shouted out from Tehran’s rooftops. Regaining my composure (for having the great privilege of witnessing this historic milestone), I was led to question: ‘what has led to this sudden (and truly unexpected) spiritual awakening of the Western media?’

Novel fantasies aside and back to reality. To any impartial eye, there is something deeply out-of-sync in the dominating frameworks against which the sights and sounds of Tehran’s so-called 'Green Revolution' are analysed. On the one hand, there are fast-selling images of liberal Americanized youths who (as we are endlessly told) happen to be worshippers of all things Western, and impatiently seek to break away the shackles of the ‘despotic mullah regime’. Juxtaposed against these visuals are the traditional chants of the Islamic Revolution of “God is Great” and the newborn slogans of “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein”.

Let’s get things straight: Mousavi and his supporters are not calling for a counter-revolution against the Islamic Republic. Although the BBC is twisting and turning rumours in its attempt to depict the ongoing tensions as a life-or-death predicament for the Islamic Republic, the reality on the ground could not be further distant.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.counterpunch.org/jawad06182009.html

[AntiFascist]

1. Reforming the Islamic world would be a much greater accomplishment...

in addition to the upholding of democracy in Iran. Just because the activists choose to remain true to their Islamic beliefs does not mean that they have to be anti-Western. The one belief that they seem to hold in the highest esteem is that of PEACE.

We should keep in mind that the rise of the Islamic Revolution was the result of American and British intervention in Iranian affairs with the installation of the oppressive Shah of Iran. This was done primarilly for the purpose of maintaining access to Iranian oil and preventing oil trade with the Soviet Union.

The "green" revolution can have a truly green message in every sense of the word. No more wars for oil...human life is much more precious than fossil fuels.

[Better Believe It]

3. What is a "anti-Western" Iranian? He/she could be a progressive secular nationalist!

If you want the Iranian people to accept "western" economic and political ideology which one do you want them to adopt?! There are many, and some are in absolute conflict with each other.

What do you think Iranians must do in ofder to demonstrate their "pro-Western" loyalties?

[AntiFascist]

4. That's part of the problem....

the Iranians should not have to demonstrate pro-Western loyalties. They should be able to act as a sovereign nation for the good of their own people. What they are fighting, now, is the hardline Islamic Revolutionary stance of Ahmadinejad who would choose to place his own people in harm's way for the greater good of the Islamic world. The secular Iranians are opposed to this. It is the ruling Islamic regime which is taking a hardline anti-Western approach in order to stir up continuing support for their goals.

[bstender]

6. pro-Western

sad that you need to point out that Western Ideals are not necessarily the aspiration of all peoples everywhere. i think it's the disease of being an Empire since it is so ubiquitous in the USA. It's certainly the disease of supremicists and authoritarians wherever they reside. Why should anyone stand for the fact that the Iranian people are indeed in 'harm's way' by opposing the West?

But secular Iranians are a distinct minority and essentially the elite who oppose the populist policies of Ahmadenijad. They want more freedom to do what elites do best, make a lot of money off of the less endowed. The Green revolution was clearly an attempted coup facilitated by the West, it has no promises for the actual people of Iran, the 2/3 who voted for their incumbent leader. There is no need to "stir up" anti-Western feelings in the people of Iran, those feelings are ubiquitous, long-standing and well-earned in the people of Iran. (and the majority of the people of the world, who happen to be the grist for this Empire)

[AntiFascist]

8. Ahmadinejad and the Islamic Republic also stir up anti-Israel sentiments...

by repeating the same old anti-Zionist rhetoric. The greatest danger Iran may face is directly from Israel, not from the West.

[Aloha Spirit]

2. Wow, since the 13th when the news wasn't covering the story, I haven't watched

any of their coverage. To those who have, is this an accurate portrayal?
I guess I wouldn't be surprised.

[ProgressIn2008]

5. All across the political spectrum, people are fitting Iran into a frame that fits for them

And the framework fit is more important than the complexities of Iranian society and history. Hence the moral makeover of Mousavi, one or two bizarre analogies to American politics, and most strangely at all, the sanitizing of the protests of any religious context.

I imagine some are so understandably inspired by so many damn brave protesters that it's attractive to imagine this as a secular, liberal uprising. Clearly, some are calling for liberalization and are attacking specific religious figures, but the protests generally and their Islamic content specifically are more complex than that.

This is an interesting read, especially the slogan "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" as related to grandson of the prophet. I'll file this one away as a piece of the puzzle, as I struggle to understand all this.

[Better Believe It]

7. That's absolutely true