9:15 PM Tehran time - 5:45 PM GMT
Tabriz
Footage of protest earlier today at Tabriz University. 'The true Basijis were Hemmat and Bakeri' referring to two famous martyrs. Bakeri is a son of Tabriz. 'Liar, liar, where's your 63%?'
9:00 PM Tehran time - 5:30 PM GMT
Caller to BBC Persian: I noticed great solidarity among the people. As soon as someone was struck by the security forces, people would rush over to help, give some sweets or comfort. I did not see any fatigue among the protesters. I was in Karim Khan Zand from 10 AM. They would beat us, then we'd go to the next street. They'd beat us again and we'd go elsewhere again.
Mohammad in Tehran to BBC Persian: I got off at Mofatteh subway station. From there, all the way to Enghelab Square, the security forces wouldn't allow more than a dozen people to assemble. On a street leading to Karim Khan, I saw a painful spectacle. Motorcycle riders attacked about a hundred protesters and one young man was bludgeoned so brutally that he lost consciousness. The Basijis were so young. Some wielded electric batons. The police was brutal enough, but the Basijis knew no boundaries. I saw one Basiji lurch into a crowd with his motorcycle.
Mashhad
Footage of protest at Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, earlier today. 'The 63% are here' referring to Ahmadinejad's supposed vote count. 'As long as Ahmadinejad is around, every day will be like this.'
8:30 PM Tehran time - 5:00 PM GMT
Footage of protesters arriving for counter-rally earlier today. The subway stations near the protest meeting points -- Taleghani, Ferdowsi, and Hafteh Tir -- were closed and demonstrators were confronted with heavy security measures as they left stations near major squares.
8:15 PM Tehran time - 4:45 PM GMT
Footage of a massive number of protesters at what appears to be Tehran's Enghelab Square, chanting one of the special slogans prepared for November 4: 'Neither eastern, nor western, a green national government.' This slogan raises the hackles of regime supporters because it is a direct challenge to the old revolutionary phrase 'Neither eastern, nor western, an Islamic Republic.'
8:00 PM Tehran time - 4:30 PM GMT
The New York Times published an article on today's clashes in Iran. 'Iran's beleaguered opposition movement struggled to reassert itself on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters skirmished with the riot police amid clouds of tear gas on the sidelines of a major government-sponsored anti-American rally,' the paper reported.
BBC Persian reports that protests took place today across the country, including the following major squares in Tehran: Azadi, Enghelab, Hafteh Tir, Ferdowsi, and Vanak. Security forces exhibited much greater violence than on previous occasions. People tearing down Khamenei's picture and trampling it is a symbol of the Leader's lost position as an unbiased authority.
7:45 PM Tehran time - 4:15 PM GMT
President Barack Obama's statement on Iran, released earlier today, clearly differentiated between the Islamic regime and the people of Iran, and concluded with the following allusion to the Iranian nation's struggle for its rights:
Iran must choose. We have heard for thirty years what the Iranian government is against; the question, now, is what kind of future it is for. The American people have great respect for the people of Iran and their rich history. The world continues to bear witness to their powerful calls for justice, and their courageous pursuit of universal rights. It is time for the Iranian government to decide whether it wants to focus on the past, or whether it will make the choices that will open the door to greater opportunity, prosperity, and justice for its people.
7:30 PM Tehran time - 4:00 PM GMT
Tehran
'Brave Karroubi' painted on the side of a truck going down what appears to be Keshavarz Boulevard.
Footage from earlier in the day, as Karroubi briefly gets out of his car and waves to the people... 'Honorable Karroubi, come to the nation's aid!'
The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that '200 people' protested in front of its building today.
7:15 PM Tehran time - 3:45 PM GMT
Footage purportedly from earlier today. The brave warriors of the Islamic regime doing what they know best...
And again... This time filmed by intelligence suit for future viewing...
7:00 PM Tehran time - 3:30 PM GMT
More new footage coming in. Protesters help the wounded in what can only be described as a makeshift field hospital.
Mashhad
Footage purportedly from Ferdowsi University, Mashhad. 'Death to the dictator!' 'As long as Ahmadinejad is around, every day will be like this!''Hemmat and Bakeri were true Basijis!' referring to two famous martyrs.
6:50 PM Tehran time - 3:20 PM GMT
Tehran
A dozen plainclothesmen mingling among protesters suddenly rush two youngsters and arrest them in what appears to be Hafteh Tir Square.
6:40 PM Tehran time - 3:10 PM GMT
Protesters tear down a banner with Khamenei's picture... before trampling it in the next video:
Footage of the exalted Leader's picture getting trampled.
6:10 PM Tehran time - 2:40 PM GMT
Tehran
As night falls on the city, pockets of protest persist around Tehran: Enghelab Square, Tehran University, Vali Asr Street, 7th Tir Square, and Laleh Park.
Radio caller: I'm 21. I just got back 30 minutes ago. I've been protesting all day long. Four of us caught a Basiji who was beating a girl in some alley, we pummeled him so hard, he was close to tears and couldn't get up.
Preparing for a pitched battle in front of the Petroleum Industry health services.
5:30 PM Tehran time - 2:00 PM GMT
Caller to Radio Farda (elderly woman): I was in the demonstrations this morning. You can't imagine the number of security troops that had been deployed. It looked like there was one regime agent for every protester. And all this to confront people with nothing to defend themselves with. I finally understood today how scared they are. This regime is over.
Riot police hunt for protesters.
Tehran
The semi-official Fars news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported on today's events: 'While an unprecedented number of Tehran residents were present in today's November 4 rally, a number of rioters gathered in various parts of the capital and, while chanting slogans in favor of the policies of America and the Zionist regime (NB Israel), attacked the people, public property, and the police.'
5:00 PM Tehran time - 1:30 PM GMT
Tehran
Radio Farda reports that opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi is in state of house arrest. Mousavi had planned to attend today's rally in Tehran, but his house was surrounded by motorcycle-riding security forces this morning and he was prevented from leaving the premises.
Police brutality in a video that was purportedly filmed today in Tehran.
4:45 PM Tehran time - 1:15 PM GMT
Ahvaz
'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' shout the protesters, using a phrase that the regime employs to describe the American embassy. 'We are Neda, we are Neda, we are all one voice!' Neda, the name of the famous protester killed in the regime's post-election crackdown, also means voice in Farsi.
Tehran
Video allegedly from today: Protesters stand off against Basijis and shout, 'A green and flourishing Iran does not want the atom bomb!'
4:30 PM Tehran time - 1:00 PM GMT
Mashhad
Video allegedly from earlier today, Azad University, Mashhad.
Tehran
'Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership is canceled.' 'Cursed Jannati (Guardian Council chief), you're the enemy of the people.' 'Cannons, tanks, Kahrizak (detention center), no longer have any effect.'
4:15 PM Tehran time - 12:45 PM GMT
Shiraz
Footage purportedly from today in Mullah Sadra Street, Shiraz.
Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio turns out to be a regime goon. He says, 'The few thousand who came to the streets deserve respect, but what about the millions who didn't protest. They support the Islamic Republic regime. This is a democracy and the majority of millions who support this regime deserve respect.' The host of the program loudly berates him and says, 'If some people stay at home it's because you and your kind killed and raped their children. You come on this program and talk about democracy!? You don't know what democracy is. If you really mean what you say, let people come freely into the streets, without fear of a crackdown, and we'll see how many millions show up. You hide behind your telephone and give us lessons?'
'We don't want an atom bomb!'
4:00 PM Tehran time - 12:30 PM GMT
France has condemned the violence against protesters and the arbitrary arrests today, according to Le Figaro. Bernard Valero, spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry, made the declaration early in the afternoon. 'We condemn this new wave of violence and repression. We salute the courage of all those in Iran who fight peacefully for their fundamental rights,' said Valero.
3:40 PM Tehran time - 12:10 PM GMT
Tehran
Purportedly from earlier today, Karroubi arrives in one of the side streets leading to 7th Tir Square.
Protesters rushing towards Karroubi who can be seen at the start of the video.
Radio caller says that many friends have told him they will join protests once they leave their offices at the end of the work day.
3:30 PM Tehran time - 12:00 PM GMT
News channel France 24 is broadly reporting on the protests in Tehran today.
Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I'm a 60-year-old woman, almost 60. I joined the demonstration early today and moved towards 7th Tir Square. There were so many protesters. They must have bought security forces from around Iran and they were merciless. I've gone to all the demonstrations and I've never seen such violence. We started chanting and they chased us down a dead end. We were all crushed together and the anti-riot forces shot something like 5 tear gas canisters into the alley. I thought my time was over and I would suffocate. Then the anti-riot forces came into the alley started beating us with their batons. I was hit on the waist and the mouth. Protesters were all over the city today. They would get beaten in one place, then they'd go to another crossroads and start chanting again. This regime must go! It pained me to see the young people struck like that. I'm going to rest, then I'll go out again, because the protests are going to pick up again at 4 PM.
3:15 PM Tehran time - 11:45 AM GMT
Tehran
Purportedly earlier today, Keshavarz Boulevard, north of Tehran University. 'Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership has been canceled!'
3:00 PM Tehran time - 11:30 AM GMT
Isfahan
Roads leading to Isfahan University are blocked by the police in an attempt to stop several groups of protesters from joining each other. Chants of 'Death to dictator' can be heard.
Zahedan
Several thousand green supporters gathered in Azadi Square. Several thousand students are also protesting in Sistan University.
Tehran
Clashes are reported on Ghaem Magham Farahani Street, where large numbers of protesters are responding to attacks of the security forces with rocks.
Street battles are also taking place on Vozara and Takhteh Tavous streets, according to several radio callers.
Protesters taunt riot police farther up Ghaem Magham Farahani Street. 'For Mousavi, raise your hands!'
Revolutionary Guards special forces on motorcycles prepare to charge down an avenue.
2:50 PM Tehran time - 11:20 AM GMT
Tehran
One of Mehdi Karroubi's bodyguards has been taken to the hospital, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
Caller to ePersian radio: I'm on Azadi. This is hand-to-hand combat. We're at war with a filthy regime. Why don't our clerics say anything? The kids have decided to stay on the streets all day and tonight. Please tell people to bring water and food to the protesters.
2:40 PM Tehran time - 11:10 AM GMT
Tehran
'Obama, Obama, you're either with them or with us!'
2:30 PM Tehran time - 11:00 AM GMT
Various sources claim that security forces are resorting to even greater savagery than in the most violent days of the post-election crackdown.
Tehran
Habibollah Peyman, founder of the Combatant Muslims Movement and a leader of the Council of Nationalist Religious Forces, and his wife were so badly beaten by security forces that his head was broken during demonstrations today, per Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
Al Arabiya reports that Basij forces have surrounded the home of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.
2:20 PM Tehran time - 10:50 AM GMT
Tehran
Protesters build fire against the effects of pepper gas.
Shiraz
Protesters are engaged in a violent game of cat and mouse with security forces in the streets of Shiraz, according to a caller to ePersian radio. 'The police don't know which neighborhood to run to and how to control the city.'
2:00 PM Tehran time - 10:30 AM GMT
Translation of an article in Tagheer, the news site of Mehdi Karroubi's Etemad Melli Party:
Thousands of Iranians who had convened in Hafteh Tir Square and intended to march to the former American embassy were savagely attacked by plainclothesmen and the special forces of the Revolutionary Guards.
Plainclothesmen and the special forces of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) assaulted the defenseless people of Iran with batons, tear gas, pepper gas, and shots fired into the air.
According to witnesses, IRGC forces on foot and on motorcycles targeted the heads and faces of people who had only gathered to denounce domestic and foreign tyranny.
In other parts of the city, including Motahari Street, Shahid Beheshti Street, Karim Khan Zand Street, Mofatteh Street, Azadi Square, the corner of Taleghani and Palestine streets, Nejat Elahi Street, and GHaem Magham Farahani Street, the people of Iran are currently chanting against tyranny and dictatorship.
Although the state media have employed all their efforts to belittle the grandeur of the green nation of Iran, eyewitnesses understood the massive presence of green supporters of democracy against the club-wielding forces of dictatorship.
2:00 PM Tehran time - 10:30 AM GMT
Tehran
'Neither eastern, nor western, a green national government!' Purportedly earlier today, near Hafteh Tir Square.
1:45 PM Tehran time - 10:15 AM GMT
Tehran
Footage purportedly of earlier today, next to Hafteh Tir Square. Demonstrators are charged by riot police.
1:40 PM Tehran time - 10:10 AM GMT
Tehran
More footage purportedly from today. 'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' in reference to the Islamic regime's habit of calling the US embassy a den of spies.
'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' followed by the student protest anthem 'Yareh Dabestaniyeh Man' (My old schoolfriend)
1:30 PM Tehran time - 10:00 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I'm on Vali Asr Street. The security forces are beating people like animals, but the protesters are not backing down, especially the women. You should see how the women are raising a riot.
Female caller on ePersian radio: I was injured in demonstrations this morning, but I'm going out again in a few minutes.
Photo purportedly of today's protests in Tehran.
1:20 PM Tehran time - 9:50 AM GMT
News outlets in Sweden and France are allegedly only showing footage of the official ceremonies today with regime supporters chanting 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.'
Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio: Clashes are extremely violent on Vali Asr Street. Security forces and plainclothesmen are pitted against protesters who are defending themselves. Protesters are not afraid anymore.
1:15 PM Tehran time - 9:45 AM GMT
Shiraz
Over two dozen arrests so far. Protests are dispersed between two squares in the city, Alam and Pardis. Security forces and plainclothesmen savagely attacked protesters.
Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio: My sister was assaulted by plainclothesmen in Hafteh Tir Square. She came back home and rested, but now she's gone out again to protest.
1:00 PM Tehran time - 9:30 AM GMT
Tehran
Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi's son, spoke to Radio Farda: Mehdi Karroubi was present in Hafteh Tir Square. Police forces directly shot tear gas at him and his supporters. One of his bodyguards was injured on the head. Two other bodyguards were also wounded. Karroubi's face was slightly burned by the gas. He was not arrested. Karroubi and his family do not fear any outcome and are ready for the worst. The regime warned us that a suicide attack might take place against Karroubi and that he should not attend the rally. We declare that the regime will be held responsible for any assassination attempt against Karroubi.
12:45 PM Tehran time - 9:15 AM GMT
Tehran
Mehdi Karroubi was beaten by regime goons, but he was rescued by his bodyguards and taken away in his personal car, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
Caller on ePersian radio: (In tears) Please help the people of Iran. My sister was in Hafteh Tir Square and was beaten by the security forces. She's at home now and not well. My sister is pious and wears a chador. She saw plainclothesmen throw youngsters to the ground and jump on their legs to break them.
12:30 PM Tehran time - 9:00 AM GMT
Tehran
People take shelter in a private home near Roosevelt Street.
12:30 PM Tehran time - 9:00 AM GMT
Tehran
The number of protesters is growing at the entrance of Tehran University. Large crowds building at Enghelab (Revolution) Square and Amirabad (Kargar Shomali) Street, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
12:20 PM Tehran time - 8:50 AM GMT
Tehran
Security forces launch mass attack on protesters. Footage taken from pedestrian bridge in Karim Khan Zand Street, near 7th Tir Square.
12:12 AM Tehran time - 8:42 AM GMT
Tehran
First footage arriving from Hafteh Tir Square. Protesters chant 'Death to the dictator!' as they are harassed by security forces. 'Don't go into the side streets,' shouts one man.
12:10 PM Tehran time - 8:40 AM GMT
Shiraz
The crowd of protesters is growing by the minute in Daneshjou Square, per Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground.
12:05 PM Tehran time - 8:35 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on ePersian Radio: Paint is being sprayed on protesters. Hafteh Tir Square and all incoming streets are teeming with people. It's beautiful to see this. Karroubi was beaten and perhaps arrested.
Caller says he personally saw Karroubi beaten on Modarres and that he was perhaps arrested.
11:55 AM Tehran time - 8:25 AM GMT
Tehran
Protesters have been arrested in Ferdowsi Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground.
11:45 AM Tehran time - 8:15 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I've taken shelter in someone's home near 25 Shahrivar Square. Security forces savagely assaulted protesters. Massive crowds on Vali Asr Square. Karroubi had to be taken away in his car by his bodyguards after attack by plainclothesmen. The official regime ceremonies have ended. Despite use of tear gas and disproportionate violence by security forces, protesters managed to defend themselves against security forces and also beat up Basijis.
Security forces are using parking lots of private buildings as holding areas.
11:40 AM Tehran time - 8:10 AM GMT
Tehran
New protest front is building up on Vali Asr Street. Takhteh Tavous Street has been completely closed off, according to caller on ePersian Radio.
Isfahan
Protest at Isfahan University, according to Al Arabiya.
11:30 AM Tehran time - 8:00 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: Crowd being dispersed on Taleghani Street.
Security forces opened fire on protesters on Hafteh Tir Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground. People are taking shelter in homes near 7th Tir Square and Karim Khan Zand Street.
11:20 AM Tehran time - 7:50 AM GMT
Tehran
Mehdi Karroubi has arrived at 7th Tir Square, according to Iran Press News.
11:15 AM Tehran time - 7:45 AM GMT
Tehran
Side streets near 7th Tir are being used as temporary holding areas. Protesters are arrested, blindfolded, and taken off on motorcycles, one plainclothesman driving, one behind the detainee. They are taken to the side streets near 7th Tir Square. Al-Javad mosque is being used as an HQ and holding area by security forces.
Shots fired into the air in Iranshahr Street, per caller on ePersian Radio. Large green banner held by protesters at the end of Karim Khan Zand Street. They are faced with a line of security forces.
Shiraz
Large crowds on Zand Street. Security forces are showing restraint.
11:05 AM Tehran time - 7:35 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on ePersian Radio: Karroubi is moving down Ghoddousi, I think, towards Hafteh Tir Square with a very large number of supporters. Security forces are very savagely beating people in Hafteh Tir.
11:00 AM Tehran time - 7:30 AM GMT
Tehran
Caller on Radio Farda: Subway trains were not stopping at Hafteh Tir subway station. Passengers got off at Mofatteh St station, to go south from there. Passengers loudly chanted as they climbed the stairs to leave the station, but once outside they were confronted with very heavy security. However, crowd grew consistently and began moving south towards Hafteh Tir Sq. (In the background: Sounds of security officer shouting at protesters to leave.)
10:50 AM Tehran time - 7:20 AM GMT
Tehran
Karim Khan Zand Street, close to Hafteh Tir Square: Tear gas shot at people. Protesters attacked a group of a dozen Basijis, according to caller on ePersian Radio.
Security forces are beating protesters moving from Tehran University towards 7th Tir Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
10:40 AM Tehran time - 7:10 AM GMT
Tehran
South of Hafteh Tir Square: Ten to 15 individuals arrested, according to a caller on ePersian Radio. She said that a woman was being beaten and security forces took away the mobile phone of an individual filming the incident.
But another caller on ePersian said that the police was not exercising any violence towards the opposition protesters.
Security forces initially surrounded Tehran University to block students inside, but the students broke through the cordon about an hour ago.
10:30 AM Tehran time - 7:00 AM GMT
Tehran
Tear gas fired in Hafteh Tir Square.
Students amassed at the entrance of Tehran University chanted 'Death to the dictator' and have started making their way towards official cortege moving from Tehran University Mosque along Taleghani Street, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
On ePersian Radio: Official chant-master shouts 'Death to America' through his loudspeaker, but crowd responds 'Death to Russia!'
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Meeting points and routes for November 4 protests
The following are meeting points and demonstration routes announced by various local chapters of the Green Movement for November 4. They are not final and only represent the latest information gleaned from various sources. They are subject to change and will be updated as more information comes in. The Iranian regime is waiting until the last possible moment, Tuesday evening, to announce all official meeting points and routes. The opposition has announced it will be present on the same official routes.
However, the slogans that the opposition will employ appear to have been finalized:
'Obama, Obama, ya ba ouna, ya ba ma.' (Obama, Obama, you're either with them, or with us.)
'Na shahrghi, na gharbi, dolateh sabzeh melli.' (Neither eastern, nor western, a national green government.)
'Russiyeh faribkar, dast az sareh ma bardar.' (Deceitful Russia, leave us alone)
However, the slogans that the opposition will employ appear to have been finalized:
'Obama, Obama, ya ba ouna, ya ba ma.' (Obama, Obama, you're either with them, or with us.)
'Na shahrghi, na gharbi, dolateh sabzeh melli.' (Neither eastern, nor western, a national green government.)
'Russiyeh faribkar, dast az sareh ma bardar.' (Deceitful Russia, leave us alone)
- Tehran
Official route:
Tehran University Mosque, along Taleghani Street, to the former American Embassy compound on the corner of Taleghani Street and South Moffateh Street, south of 7th Tir (Hafteh Tir) Square.
Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami will march along Taleghani Street, according to Radio Farda.
Green routes:
10 AM
7th Tir Square, down South Mofatteh Street to the former American embassy compound on the corner of Taleghani Street.
Mehdi Karroubi has announced that he will be at 7th Tir Square (Hafteh Tir) at 10:30 AM
10 AM
Amir Kabir University, along Sommayeh Street, up South Moffateh Street, to the former American embassy compound on the corner of Taleghani Street.
View Tehran - 20091104 - Anniversary Takeover US Embassy Routes - Wednesday 4 November 2009 in a larger map
- Tabriz
(source: Enghelab Sabzeh Tabriz)
11 AM
Tabriz University to Falekeh Daneshgah (University Water Pump)
- Isfahan
(source: Mowjeh Sabz, Esfahan)
10 AM
Route 1: Shiraz Gate (Darvazeh Shiraz) to Enghelab Sq.
Route 2: Russian Consulate to Enghelab Sq.
- Shiraz
(source: Iran's Green Movement Supporters in Shiraz)
9 AM
Route 1: Pirouzi Crossroads to Shahcheragh Shrine
Route 2: Shahzadeh Ghassem Square to Shahcheragh Shrine
- Ahvaz
5 PM
Beginning of Naderi Street
View Ahvaz - 20091104 - Anniversary Takeover US Embassy Routes - Wednesday 4 November 2009 in a larger map
- Mashhad
(source: Rahe Sabz Omid)
10 AM
Northern gate of Ferdowsi University
- Bushehr
(source: Raheh Sabzeh Omid)
5 PM
Bagheh Zahra Street, in front of ? mosque
Video roundup
- 'If you build it, they will come...' Well, perhaps not. An anti-American film produced by the Basij students of Sharif University attracted something less than a crowd:
- Green fliers calling on protesters to join the November 4 rally flew out of a third-floor window at the northern Tehran branch of Azad University. 'It's a green wave,' says one young woman.
- Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri attacks Leader Ali Khamenei's legitimacy as a religious 'source of emulation' in this undated video. (translation follows)
Ayatollah Montazeri:
Let me say that getting four newspapers to launch attacks or rallying four kids in Ghom... the era of these things has passed. Even if they get the Friday prayer leaders to say something, everyone knows that these imams are in their pay. These things don't carry any weight anymore. The newspapers wrote so many things and the people just insulted them. These things must change. We have to tell Mr. Khamenei, 'Issuing religious decrees is not for you.' I've gathered 12 reasons here. We have to act on this, find a solution. What's this talk of marjaiyat? (NB The quality of being a source of emulation for Shiites) You're not on that level! I warned him about this. It was just before Ayatollah Araki's death (NB This senior cleric died in early 1994) and I sent this letter to him by way of Ayatollah Momen, and he received it. I'll just read point 7. I sent him this message and, well, he didn't want to listen.
I wrote, 'Shiite marjaiyat has been an independent spiritual power. May this independence not be broken by your hands and may the seminaries not be placed under the yoke of the government. This is harmful for the future of Islam and Shiism. And however much your supporters strive, you will not find the scientific knowledge of the late Imam [Khomeini]. Do not allow the sanctity and spirituality of the seminaries to be mixed up with the [political] activities of the state bodies.'
Who has the right to dispatch four kids to the seminaries to disrupt their work?!
'Do not allow the sanctity and spirituality of the seminaries to be mixed up with the [political] activities of the state bodies. In the interests of Islam, the seminaries, and yourself, your office should officially declare that because of your heavy workload in running the country, you cannot answer questions related to religious matters, and from now you will not respond to questions on religious matters. You should henceforth refer all such questions to the seminaries.'
The date of this letter is the 12th of Aban (NB November 3), when they'd just taken Ayatollah Araki to the hospital. I sent this message through Ayatollah Momen. There were seven points and this was just one of them. And Ayatollah Momen told me about several of these gentlemen who had gone to see Mr. Khamenei to ask some questions. So I said, But he doesn't have any resaleh (NB collection of fatwas or religious rulings issued by a Shiite source of emulation). He said, Well, he says they're fatwas, so they're fatwas of the Imam. Isn't this weakening Shiite marjaiyat? They rallied four kids and brought them to the Association of Teachers [and Researchers of Ghom's Seminaries]. Four kids, on the night of Ayatollah Araki's death. I was in Ghom. They got them to march in the streets, there were no more than seven kids they had brought over from Tehran. They were saying, he [Khamenei] is among the [sources of emulation]. Well, without beating around the bush, he isn't on the level of a source of emulation and he doesn't have the right to issue fatwas! They've weakened Shiite marjaiyat with four Intelligence Ministry kids. These are the tragedies that we see in this country. May God preserve this country's independence.
- The country's universities continue to simmer in the days leading up to the mass rallies of November 4. The south Tehran branch of Azad University was the scene of protests on Tuesday. Students chanted, 'The Russian embassy is the den of spies' using a term that was used against the American embassy after it was raided by revolutionaries in 1979.
- Mostafa Kavakebian, former reformist Majlis representative from Semnan and publisher of Mardom Salari (NB 'sovereignty of the people') newspaper, sat down for an interesting debate with conservative Majlis representative from Tehran, Assadollah Badamchian. Badamchian sternly attacked the green movement, but Kavakebian wasn't about to roll over. (translation follows)
Badamchian goes down memory lane and recounts some of the events surrounding the seizure of the American embassy in 1979, before chiding the green movement's planned slogan for November 4.
Assadollah Badamchian:
So what is the slogan? 'Neither eastern, nor western, a green national government.' No, a green Islamic government! Why national? [They say], because it is the day of the regime's nightmare of its own death; November 4 is a day of struggle against religious tyranny. They don't mention America or the den of spies. Why?
Badamchian then faulted Mir Hossein Mousavi for declaring victory too early during a press conference on the night of June 12. Kavakebia rejoined with his own persuasive arguments.
Mostafa Kavakebian:
...as for his [Badamchian's] comments about him [Mousavi] declaring that night that he was the winner... Well, Mr. Badamchian, go and look at the Islamic Republic News Agency's bulletin at 9:30 PM. It says that Mr. Ahmadinejad is the winner with 63% of the vote. (laughter) Before all the votes were counted! And that's exactly what the final count was: 63%. (applause) No, please, let's not allow this to become emotional. We want to have a debate. And when he [Mousavi] saw these announcements before the fact, he thought, I'm seeing the numbers for Tehran and the current situation, then I'm the winner. [...] Then he [Badamchian] says that the post-election demonstration was illegal. All right. What about Mr. Ahmadinejad's victory celebration in Vali Asr Square? Was that legal? He has the right to celebrate before the Guardian Council has made any announcements, but the people who have grievances should not come into the streets?
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