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Charshanbe Souri 2005/2009 - Free Iran Hot NEWS
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cyrus
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Joined: 24 Jun 2003
Posts: 4993

PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:13 pm    Post subject: New year party gets political on streets of Tehran Reply with quote

New year party gets political on streets of Tehran Mon. 21 Mar 2005

The Guardian

Robert Tait in Tehran

At first the ear-splitting explosions, blazing bonfires and choking stench of teargas could have been mistaken for the prelude to a new Iranian revolution.

In reality the occasion, Chahar Shanbeh Souri, was celebratory. Iranians young and old, male and female, were gathered in Mirdamad Street, in one of Tehran's most affluent neighbourhoods, to mark the opening of festivities for Norouz, the new year in the ancient Zoroastrian calendar.

Nevertheless, subversion - along with noise and smoke - hung heavy in the air as fashionably dressed young men lobbed firecrackers and set flame to piles of rubbish at the kerbside. No one present seemed in any doubt about the political undercurrents.

"This is a way for people to use their national traditions to show their opposition to the regime," said a man called Reza, before hurrying away, saying that the security forces were lurking nearby.

Stretching back 2,500 years, the significance of Chahar Shanbeh Souri for Iranians is comparable to Christmas in the west. But its pre-Islamic roots have rendered it an object of hostility to the country's hardline clerical establishment. After the 1979 revolution, the authorities tried to ban the celebration, deeming it an affront to Islamic mores.

But with many Iranians chafing against the regime's austere brand of Shia Islam, the festival has increasingly been used to express displeasure with the government.

In previous years, pro-regime vigilantes have been deployed to break up such gatherings by force. This time, however, the regime has tacitly permitted the festivals.

But tolerance has its limits. As people gathered, squads of baton-wielding police officers sealed off the nearby Mohseni Square, lest it become a magnet for unmanageably large crowds. Several times they attacked, using their batons and firing teargas canisters.

Muhammad Ghodzi, 28, a student, bristled with anger as he criticised the regime. "We hate their brand of Islam because it spills blood," he said. "This is a sort of Islam that keeps people backward. But young people nowadays think."

Asked what kind of political system he wanted, he replied: "Democratic, with a separation between religion and politics ... We will sacrifice our lives for democracy and freedom."

But Nader's fast food restaurant nearby provided a poignant counterweight to the prevailing mood of rebellion. Young women sat, challenging the Islamic dress code with their gaudy headscarves pushed far back to emphasise an array of glamorous hairdos. A tannoy announcement exhorted them to "observe the regulations". They duly pulled their headscarves forward.

Source : http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1724
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Iranian Boy



Joined: 13 May 2004
Posts: 379

PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

George W Bush has done nothing during his 4,5 years at power that would help the Iranian people. Only a supportive talk once a month is not enough. To start with they could support iranian media and opposition groups.
_________________
Long live the memory of Shahanshah Aryamehr.
Long live Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi
Long live Reza Shah II
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blank



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PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IB: I believe everybody should write to Bush... I have written to him several times regarding the situation in Iran and how important it is for him to help with Iranian freedom cause. I have also forwarded different articles, especially the ones from Michael Ledeen to him.
EVeryone should try regardless of the outcome...
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Omidvaur



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PostPosted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:31 pm    Post subject: Bush Reply with quote

Bush's approval rating is at an all time low, is he beginning to sound like Kerry more and more, or is that my imagination....
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cyrus
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:50 pm    Post subject: Islamic regime enforces Cultural and Nationalistic Symbols Reply with quote



blank wrote:
Islamic regime enforces Cultural and Nationalistic Symbols'
Cleansing Policy

SMCCDI (Information Service)
March 7, 2006

The Islamic regime has enforced its Cultural and
Nationalistic Symbols' Cleansing Policy and is increasing
its repressive actions against Iranians who are intending
to celebrate some of Iran's cultural heritage and
nationalistic symbols in the days ahead. The main targets
are the "Tchahr-Shanbe Souri" (Fire Fiest), on March 14th,
the "Nowrooz" (meaning New day and which is the start of
Persian New Year and the official beginning of Spring), on
March 20th, and the "Sizdeh-Bedar" (Traditional Persian
picnic marking the end of the Persian New Year's
celebration ceremonies) on April 1st.

The theocratic leadership is worried of the increasing
expression of Iranians attachment to the symbols of
"Iranism" and is considering them as direct threats to the
survival of its backwarded and imported Islamist ideology.
The clerics have also understood that millions of Iranians
have chosen these dates in order to show their rejection of
the regime.
http://daneshjoo.org/publishers/smccdinews/article_4516.shtml

These Persian Cultural symbols, which were already
considered as "Pagan ritual" by most clerics, are now
qualified as "Haram" (an Arabic term used to label things
as against God's will or agreement) by senior clerics, such
as, Golpayegani. The use of such label officializes and
even 'legitimizes' any use of brutality against Iranians
who would celebrate their ancestral traditions.

The regime's Ministry of Interior, Poor-Mohamadi who has
been qualified as the "Minister of Murder" by the Human
Rights Watch, and several Islamist Militia Commanders are
openly formulating threats against Iranians and those who
intend to use these celebrations in order to undermine the
regime and Islam.
Already reports are stating about increasing brutalities
used against Iranian youth - sometimes leading to death -
and the number of arrests, made among Iranians suspected of
intending to organize mass celebrations, have increased.
Several of them are expected to be shown as 'elements
working for foreign powers' or 'trouble making circles' in
Kangaroo trials.

Official Islamist programs have been increased in order to
qualify the Persian events as meaningless and as parts of a
'barbarian' tradition while everyone know that Persian
Cultural Heritage speaks about peace, love and friendship.

But despite all these desperate measures, millions of
Iranians will defy the Islamist regime, especially on
Tuesday March 14th, by renewing with their ancestral
Persian tradition. They will gather in all cities and
villages of Iran and across main World's cities in order to
celebrate the famous "Tchahr Shanbe Soori" (Fire Fiest),
and will jump over bushes, set on fire, while cracking
fire crackers and other hand made explosive devices. They
will, again, break all backwarded official and religious
taboos by dancing and chanting while expressing their love
of life, joy and peace.

This year's celebration will become, again, as not only
another act of renewing with the Persian Cultural Heritage,
but also, as an act of Civil Disobedience .
http://daneshjoo.org/article/publish/article_3326.shtml

In that line, groups of young have created underground
networks, in order to use the occasion offered by the
massive presence of millions of Iranians in the streets,
for carrying actions and strikes against the symbols of the
theocratic power.
Hand made grenades and incendiary devices are made and
stored in safe places. Action plans for closing avenues and
streets in order to slow the security forces' reaction have
been discussed. Web logs have been created, for a better
coordination, and calls have been made, by maverick young
Iranians, to abroad based Iranian satellite TV and radio
networks asking for the popular preparation.

While some might exaggerate the impact of the
celebration/defiance of March 14th, by qualifying it as the
last night of the Islamic republic regime, the reality is
that the occasion will consolidate more the increasing
nationalistic and anti-Islamist feelings of Iranians and
will create more hardships for an unpopular and shaky
regime.

http://daneshjoo.org/publishers/smccdinews/article_4521.shtml

----------------------------------

Comments / Nazariat:
Tel: +1 (972) 504-6864
E.mail: smccdi@daneshjoo.org

www.daneshjoo.org www.iranstudents.org

The "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy
in Iran" (SMCCDI) / "Komite e Hamahangui e Jonbesh e
Daneshjoo i Baraye Democracy dar Iran"


Last edited by cyrus on Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:23 pm; edited 4 times in total
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:00 pm    Post subject: Ten arrested in Iran capital ahead of fire festival Reply with quote



Ten arrested in Iran capital ahead of fire festival
Sat. 11 Mar 2006
Iran Focus
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6197

Tehran, Iran, Mar. 11 – Iran’s State Security Forces have arrested ten people in Tehran for distribution of fireworks days before Iranians celebrate a traditional “fire” festival which dates back to 500 B.C. Persia. The festival is barely tolerated by the authorities in the Islamic Republic, who object to it on the grounds that it is “un-Islamic”.

Greater Tehran’s police chief, confirming the arrests, announced that people caught distributing fireworks and sonic-booms would be identified and dealt with severely, the hard-line daily Kayhan reported on Saturday.

Brigadier General Morteza Talai said that quantities of fireworks were discovered and confiscated.

During the festival, known as ‘chaharshanbeh souri’ – literally, Feast of Wednesday – people jump over bonfires to “drive away evil”. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, however, Iran’s theocratic leaders have made strenuous efforts to stamp out the festivities, but to no avail. In recent years, there have been extensive clashes between festive crowds and the security forces deployed to prevent street celebrations. This year the event falls on March 14.

Meanwhile, Iran’s main opposition group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK), has issued an appeal to people across the country to take part in the celebrations on the night and turn it into an anti-government protest.

Last year, despite the general ban Iranians across the country came out into the streets using the celebration as a pretext to express their anger towards the ruling theocracy. In several districts of Tehran effigies of Iran’s leaders such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were burnt.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.radiofarda.com/weekly_article/2006/3/7eb4040e-e97c-4bfd-bd57-554d4e2f1cf4.html



مراسم چهارشنبه سوری در ایران و جهان
در شهرک غرب، پس‌کوچه‌های جردن، تا آریاشهر و نارمک و پونک و جاهای دیگر، چهارشنبه سوری در تهران حال و هوای دیگری دارد. احسان می‌گوید هرچند جشن‌های چهارشنبه سوری را نشانگر رسوم قشنگ ایرانی‌‌ها می‌داند، ولی معتقد است انسان نباید خود را به خاطر آن به خطر دستگیر شدن توسط عناصر لباس‌شخصی‌ بیاندازد. وی می‌افزاید امیدوار است روزی مردم ایران این مراسم را بدون ترس به قشنگی اجرا کنند. امید می‌گوید در نجف آباد 90 درصد جوانان معتاد هستند و حال و حوصله برگزاری مراسم چهارشنبه سوری را ندارند. فریبرز می‌گوید در سیدنی هزار نفر جمع می‌شوند. نیما می‌گوید اما در مسکو پلیس روسیه جوانان ایرانی را متفرق کرد. ژامک می‌گوید در پونای هند مراسم عین ایران برگزار می‌شود.
نيما تمدن (rm) صدا | (wma) صدا [ 14:42 mins ]


اصفهان
به گفته احسان، اصفهان نسبت به تهران آن شور و شوق را ندارد به این دلیل که شهری مذهبی‌تر است و سخت‌گیری‌ها خیلی بیشتر اعمال می‌شود و بچه‌های اصفهان هم کاری نمی‌کنند که نیروهای ضدشورش لازم داشته باشد و جشن ساده‌ای می‌گیرند، ولی بعضی لباس‌شخصی‌ها که کارت هم نشان نمی‌دهند، نمی‌توانند این جشن ساده را ببینند. امید از نجف آباد می‌گوید مقامات حکومت که از تلویزیون جوان‌ها را از شرکت در مراسم چهارشنبه سوری منع می‌کنند، به فکر خودشان هستند.

وی می‌افزاید به بچه‌های همراه خود توصیه می‌کند که به دستجات لباس‌شخصی و محافظه‌کار نزدیک نشود که برایشان خیلی سخت می‌شود. کسی حرف را گوش نکرد و چند تا از بچه‌ها را در اصفهان پارسال دستگیر کردند. احسان می‌افزاید با اینکه این مراسم را دوست دارد و معتقد است که حتما باید برگزار شود و نشان‌گر رسوم قشنگ ایرانی‌هاست، ولی عقیده دارد که انسان نباید خود را به خطر بیاندازد.

نجف آباد

امید، از نجف‌آباد، می‌گوید جوان‌های نجف‌آباد را به خاطر مسائل سیاسی که از قبل وجود داشته است و ادامه دارد، اخته کرده‌اند و 90 درصد از جوان‌های شهر معتاد هستند و کسی حس و حال ترقه‌درکردن ندارد، و شور و حال در شهر مرده است. وی می‌افزاید در تلویزیون مدام تبلیغات سوء می‌کنند که مردم به بچه‌های خود اجازه ندهند شب چهارشنبه سوری از منزل خارج شوند. وی می‌افزاید آنها به فکر خودشان هستند زیرا فکر می‌کنند چهارتاجوان که از روی آتش بپرند، به نظام ضربه می‌زنند یا برعلیه نظام کاری می‌کنند، وگرنه به فکر سوختن جوان‌های مردم نیستند.

وی می‌افزاید در ویلاشهر، که کمی از شهر پرت است، نظارت کمتر وجود دارد، و بچه‌های نجف‌آباد می‌توانند آنجا جمع شوند. وی می‌افزاید اگر بخواهیم سروصدائی و ترقه‌ای در کنیم به اصفهان می‌رویم که 15 کیلومتر با نجف آباد فاصله دارد.

احسان می‌گوید در اصفهان پارک کوهستانی هست که زمان خاتمی قرار شد محل چهارشنبه سوری باشد، ولی با دخالت نیروهائی که به آنها مربوط نبود، به هم ریخته شد. وی می‌افزاید امسال حکومت تهدید کرده است که اگر کسی را هنگام مراسم چهارشنبه سوری دستگیرکنند، از سه ماه تا یک سال حبس می‌کنند. وی می‌افزاید آرزو دارد روزی همه بتوانند بدون اینکه از کسی بترسند این مراسم را به قشنگی اجرا کنند و در دنیا پخش بشود این مراسم، البته نه با خشونت.

* * *

نیما می‌گوید در سوئد یا کالیفرنیا که شمار ایرانی‌ها بیشتر است مراسم چهارشنبه سوری با شورو حال برپا می‌شود اما از یک همکار در مسکو شنید که وقتی سال گذشته گروهی از جوانان ایرانی مقیم مسکو خواستند برای چهارشنبه سوری گرد هم آیند، پلیس روسیه همه آنها را متفرق کرد.

سیدنی

فریبرز از سیدنی استرالیا می‌گوید مراسم چهارشنبه سوری از آنجا که بسیار اهمیت دارد برای جامعه ایرانی، چندین سال است که با شکوه برگزار می‌شود و هرساله بهتر شده است و جمعیت بیشتری استقبال می‌کنند و رسانه‌های محلی نیز به آنها پوشش می‌دهندو آن را به جامعه استرالیائی معرفی می‌کنند. وی می‌افزاید حدود 800 تا یکهزار نفر در سیدنی برای چهارشنبه سوری دور هم جمع می‌شوند.

وی می‌افزاید: در داخل کشور جوان‌ها با مراسم چهارشنبه‌سوری پیام‌های خودشان را می‌دهند، ولی در استرالیا جامعه ایرانی چهارشنبه‌سوری را به رسم قدیم اجرا می‌کنند.

قبرس

علیرضا که در قبرس تحصیل می‌کند گفت تحت هر شرایطی این مراسم را در پایتخت قبرس اجرا می‌کنند و خود او یکی از ترتیب دهندگان این مراسم است. وی می‌گوید ما ایرانی هستیم و رسم ایرانی را سعی می‌کنیم به جای خود نگه داریم.

وی می‌افزاید در ایران مفهوم چهارشنبه سوری عوض شده، ولی در قبرس، برخی از مراسم را خود قبرسی‌ها هم دارند، مثلا مراسم قاشق‌زنی، که سال نو برای مردم فقیر پول جمع می‌کنند، شبیه قاشق زنی است.

پونا، هند

در هند، در شهر پونا، شمار کثیری دانشجوی ایرانی هست. مهیار و ژامک، دو بچه درس‌خوان دانشگاه پویا هستند. مهیار می‌گوید فرهنگ ایرانی را حفظ کرده‌ایم و برای کسانی که در هند هستند نمایش می‌دهیم. وی می‌افزاید در محله ایرانی ‌ها در پونا مراسم چهارشنبه سوری هر سال با شکوه برگزار می‌شود و سال گذشته مواد محترقه بسیار امن است و مراسم را کاملا مثل ایران برگزار می‌کنند. وی می‌افزاید امسال هم مانند سال های پیش برنامه مشابهی برگزار خواهد شد.

وی می‌افزاید اینجا مراسم مثل تهران برگزار می‌شود.

ژامک می‌گوید بیشتر دانشجویان ایرانی سعی می‌کنند مراسم چهارشنبه سوری را برگزار کنند. وی می‌افزاید دور از وطن مراسم آجیل‌خوری نداریم اما آتش‌بازی اجرا می‌شود و شعرها و آهنگهای قشنگ‌های ایرانی را می‌خوانند و اگر قبلا از پلیس اجازه گرفته شده باشد، مشکلی با مقامات و پلیس محلی و هندی‌ها و خارجی‌های دیگر نداشتند. وی می‌افزاید هندی‌ها مراسمی شبیه مراسم ایرانی‌ها دارند، شامل فشفشه بازی و ترقه‌بازی، زیاد چهارشنبه سوزی را متقاوت با فرهنگ خود نمی‌بینند.

نیویورک

شبنم‌ رضازاده، از برنامه‌ریزان چهارشنبه سوری در نیویورک، می‌گوید امسال از صد جوان ایرانی که همه زیبارو و همه فرهنگ دوست هستند، قول گرفته‌ایم که چهارشنبه سوری جمع شوند. وی می‌افزاید چهارشنبه سوری را در مرکز زرتشتیان خواهیم بود و روز یکشنبه در خیابان مدیسون نیویورک راهپیمائی مخصوص نوروزی برپا می‌شود. حدود 200 گروه سرود ای ایران را اجرا می‌کنند و گروه‌های رقص از دانشگاه جرج میسن در حدود 20 الی 30 دانشجو می‌ایند که در خیابان برقصند و ده DJ موسیقی پخش خواهند کرد.

وی می‌افزاید سعی می‌کنیم جنبه فرهنگی مراسم چهارشنبه‌سوری را حتما یادآوری کنیم و از این موقعیت می‌خواهیم استفاده کنیم که با آمدن بچه‌ها به خاطر آتش‌بازی، چیزهای دیگر فرهنگ ایرانی مثل موسیقی ایرانی و غذای ایرانی و داستان‌های چهارشنبه سوری و آجیل و غیره را به آنها یاد بدهیم.

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:00 pm    Post subject: Iran steps up repression as defiant youths take to streets Reply with quote

Iran steps up repression as defiant youths take to streets
Tue. 14 Mar 2006
Iran Focus



http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6253

Tehran, Iran, Mar. 14 – Despite a massive crackdown to prevent this year’s “fire festival” from turning into scenes of anti-governments protests, young people are taking to streets across Iran to defy the government ban and celebrate the last Tuesday of the Persian year with a big bang, Iran Focus has learnt.

Already steps have been taken to prevent widespread protests from flaring during the traditional Persian festival celebrated by Iranians for over 2,500 years.

Mobile phone communication lines have been suspended in several parts of key Iranian provinces and an order has been issued in the Iranian capital banning motorbike riding on Tuesday.

Iran’s State Security Forces (SSF) have also stepped up arrests of people for distribution of fireworks in the past several days. The festival is barely tolerated by the authorities in the Islamic Republic, who object to it on the grounds that it is “un-Islamic”.

SSF chief Ismaeil Ahmadi-Moqaddam announced that large quantities of fireworks have been discovered and confiscated by his forces which have been placed on high alert.

The Tehran Public Prosecution Office has issued a statement, announcing that individuals caught creating “disruption in public order” will receive jail sentences of between three months to one year and up to 74 lashes on their backs in accordance with Iran’s Islamic laws.

Individuals caught distributing fireworks will receive between three and ten years in prison, the statement said.

During the festival, known as ‘chaharshanbeh souri’ – literally, Feast of Wednesday – people jump over bonfires to “drive away evil”. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, however, Iran’s theocratic leaders have made strenuous efforts to stamp out the festivities, but to no avail. In recent years, there have been extensive clashes between festive crowds and the security forces deployed to prevent street celebrations. This year the event falls on March 14.

Iran’s main opposition group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK), has issued an appeal to people across the country to take part in the celebrations on the night and turn it into an anti-government protest.

Iran’s official state news agency has announced that in the nights leading to the festivities, fireworks and loud sounds of explosions have been heard across Tehran.

Last year, despite the general ban Iranians across the country came out into the streets using the celebration as a pretext to express their anger towards the ruling theocracy. In several districts of Tehran effigies of Iran’s leaders such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were burnt.

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:49 pm    Post subject: Urgent: Martial law imposed in volatile Iran cities Reply with quote

Urgent: Martial law imposed in volatile Iran cities
Tue. 14 Mar 2006
Iran Focus

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6256

London, Mar. 14 – Iranian authorities have imposed a de facto martial law in several volatile cities in the north-western province of Kurdistan as restive youths used the occasion of Iran’s traditional “fire festival” to hold anti-government protests, residents told Iran Focus by telephone on Tuesday.

Agents of the paramilitary police, the Revolutionary Guards, and plainclothes agents of the secret police, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, moved in to take control of the cities to limit unrest as people took to the streets.

There is a heavy police presence at every major junction, square, and highway in and around the cities of Sanandaj, Piranshahr, and Mahabad and security forces are attempting to arrest any individual seeking to take part in protests.

During the festival, known as ‘chaharshanbeh souri’ – literally, Feast of Wednesday – people jump over bonfires to “drive away evil”. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, however, Iran’s theocratic leaders have made strenuous efforts to stamp out the festivities, but to no avail. In recent years, there have been extensive clashes between festive crowds and the security forces deployed to prevent street celebrations. This year the event falls on March 14.

In Piranshahr, banks, police cars, and government buildings were set on fire as violent clashes erupted on Saturday between security forces and angry residents.

Protests began after agents of the State Security Forces (SSF) shot and killed a young man in his car at a stop-and-search point.

At least five police vehicles were set on fire during the clashes between young protesters and security agents.

Reports from the Kurdish city of Mahabad in north-western Iran said that widespread clashes had broken out on Friday between residents and security forces after a detained man was shot at point blank by security agents.
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:23 pm    Post subject: Urgent: Youths set fire to posters of Khamenei in Iran Reply with quote

Urgent: Youths set fire to posters of Khamenei in Iran capital
Tue. 14 Mar 2006
Iran Focus

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6260



Tehran, Iran, Mar. 14 – Young people set fire to pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and former leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran, according to dissidents in the Iranian capital who sent a photo of their activities to Iran Focus.

Protestors gathered and burned down posters of Iranian leaders hung on lampposts in Mirdamad Street in Tehran.

Despite a massive crackdown to prevent this year’s “fire festival” from turning into scenes of anti-governments protests, young people have taken to the streets across Iran to defy the government ban and celebrate the last Tuesday of the Persian year with a big bang.

During the festival, known as ‘chaharshanbeh souri’ – literally, Feast of Wednesday – people jump over bonfires to “drive away evil”. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, however, Iran’s theocratic leaders have made strenuous efforts to stamp out the festivities, but to no avail. In recent years, there have been extensive clashes between festive crowds and the security forces deployed to prevent street celebrations. This year the event falls on March 14.

Iran’s main opposition group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK), has issued an appeal to people across the country to take part in the celebrations on the night and turn it into an anti-government protest.

Already steps have been taken to prevent widespread protests from flaring during the traditional Persian festival celebrated by Iranians for over 2,500 years.


Last edited by cyrus on Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:47 pm    Post subject: Iran Press News EXTRA: Mullah regime fails to stop ancient Reply with quote

Iran Press News EXTRA: Mullah regime fails to stop ancient Persian festival & New Year celebrations



http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/011501.htm
Regime's brutal forces attack Iranian celebrating the Festival of Fire

Received reports indicate that the regime's brutal forces have attacked Iranians celebrating the Festival of Fire (Chaharshanbeh Souri). This is an ancient Persian celebration, predating Islam by a couple of thousand years; it marks the approaching of the Iranian new year (which is also pre-Islamic), celebrated on March 21, the vernal equinox. People build small bonfires and jump over the flames to purify and purge themselves of all the negativity and pain of the passing year so that they can begin the new year with a clean spirit and fresh outlook. During this celebration, it is also customary to light sparklers and throw fireworks. Since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, the mullahs have done everything they could to dissuade the people of Iran from continuing these Persian celebrations, calling them pagan in an attempt to eradicate the Persian heritage from Iran.
Over the past few weeks, there were threats of major March 14 clashes, as the mullahs continued to force the issue of this celebration being haraam — religiously prohibited or unclean — because it occurs during the religious month of Mohharram, which is fraught with mourning for Shiite martyrs. Fatwahs were issued by various major and minor clerics. The regime also warned against sparklers and fireworks, insisting that they are banned; shops that sold these items were closed and padlocked by the regime's security forces from weeks before.

Last week, KAYHAN, the mouthpiece newspaper belonging to the Fuehrer Mullah Khamnei, in yet another shameless and fascistic attempt at destroying all things Persian, pronounced the observance of the ancient Persian New Year and the pre-New Year celebration of the Festival of Fire to be Haraam (forbidden by Islam or religiously unclean).

Mullah Golpaigani who wrote the edict indicated: "The use of fireworks, sparklers and fire crackers which will lead to fun, conviviality and frolic is haraam and any further references to all Persian traditions and culture before Islam is directly anti-Islamic and immoral."



Ahmadinejad and members of the Mullah hierarchy who knew that all of the regime's measures against this festival may fail, left Tehran leaving the majority non-Iranian security forces to savagely attack the Iranian people who have refused to give up their ancient Persian celebrations.



The guards have launched tear gas and have begun viciously attacking people, especially women, children and student activists. The regime's paddy wagons are installed all around the cities of Iran and the security guards beating celebrants have begun beating and arresting them. The streets of cities all around Iran from Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Ardebil, Kermanshah, Mahabad, Baaneh, Mash'had, etc. are filled with people and in places such as the Gowhardasht neighborhood of the Tehran-suburb of Karadj have taken over the regime's police headquarters in that area and have set that building on fire. In Tehran alone, the 600 mobilized 18-wheeler paddy wagons that were put in place for the March 8th commemoration of International Women's Day have been kept in place in order to facilitate arrests and detentions. It is reported that the regime has mobilized Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinians Basijis against the people in the streets.

According to ILNA, the regime-run news agency, the regime fearing the celebrations, has covered the skies of Tehran and all other big cities in Iran with helicopters, making traffic an excuse.


Revolutionary Guard Sojedi-Nia the director of the Motor Vehicles department of the regime expressed alarm and fear that the traffic jams and gridlock stemming from the Chaharshanbeh Souri celebrations will require constant helicopter surveillance. Also 30 "secret" bases will be controlling the situation from their posts. Also, the Ministry of Education and Training received orders to close all schools in Tehran. The director of public relations in this ministry also announced that the disciplinary and security forces of the regime handed down these specific orders.



The regime fearing the worst and attempting to maximize control and oppression, has ordered that all cellular telephones and internet connections in several provinces and all major cities be completely shut down and blocked.


The regime organized it's agents and elements around the world to call into the Iranian opposition radios and TV stations [broadcast from L.A. and other places] in order to insult, invective and demoralize the Iranian people as well as offer up false reports on the reality of the events occuring inside Iran; this is in order to quash the voices of the people who call in from Iran in order to report inside Iran on the situations in their respective neighborhoods and cities.
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:40 pm    Post subject: Evin prisoners defy the regime Reply with quote

Evin prisoners defy the regime

SMCCDI (Information Service)
March 14, 2006

Tens of inmates, held at the infamous Evin Political jail,
defied the Islamic regime, by breaking chairs and beds and
by setting then on fire in order to commemorate the banned
"Tchahr-Shanbe Soori" (Fire Fiest).


The inmates chose to resort to such an expressive way,
following the refusal of the authorities to grant them
access to the prison's outdoor space for celebrating what
was told to them as being "pagan".

Authorities have transferred several of them to solitary
confinement and others have been warned to expect harsher
disciplinary measures.

http://daneshjoo.org/publishers/currentnews/article_4546.shtml

----------------------------------

Comments / Nazariat:
Tel: +1 (972) 504-6864
E.mail: smccdi@daneshjoo.org

www.daneshjoo.org www.iranstudents.org

The "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy
in Iran" (SMCCDI) / "Komite e Hamahangui e Jonbesh e
Daneshjoo i Baraye Democracy dar Iran"
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:43 pm    Post subject: Iranians defy the regime by massive participation in banned Reply with quote

Iranians defy the regime by massive participation in banned event

SMCCDI (Information Service)
March 14, 2006

An increasing number of Iranians are coming, at this time
(19:15 Iran Local Time), into most Iranian avenues and
streets in a flagrant sign of defiance to the Islamic
regime. Most cities, such as, Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz,
Hamedan, Kermanshah or Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) are
affected by the move.

In many places, security forces are just contenting to
watch the crowd as knowing that an incident put turn the
page. In some places and already at the start of a long
evening, several security patrol cars have been damaged due
to hand made explosive devices.
Even some isolated security posts, such as, the one located
isnide Tehran University has been damaged by masked young
Iranians who threw explosive devices inside the facility by
forcing the usually feared Bassij Para-Military agents to
run out.

Noise of fire crackers and hand made explosive devises are
echoing in the cities, where, in most areas any car or
motorbike circulation has been forbidden.

Public buildings have been placed under intense
surveillance by fear of a sudden popular take over. Gas
stations have been closed and most cities look likes war
zone.

The Islamic regime and its leadership made the most
tactical mistake ever, this year, by qualifying the Iranian
Cultural Heritage events as "haram" and created de facto a
clear line up from which it's coming as the end looser.

The night would be a very long one and in few hours bushes
will be set on fire all across Iranian cities.

http://daneshjoo.org/publishers/smccdinews/article_4531.shtml

----------------------------------

Comments / Nazariat:
Tel: +1 (972) 504-6864
Fax: +1 (972) 491-9866
E.mail: smccdi@daneshjoo.org

www.daneshjoo.org www.iranstudents.org

The "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy
in Iran" (SMCCDI) / "Komite e Hamahangui e Jonbesh e
Daneshjoo i Baraye Democracy dar Iran"
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:12 pm    Post subject: Iran’s security forces detain youths during “fire” demos Reply with quote

Iran’s security forces detain youths during “fire” demos
Tue. 14 Mar 2006
Iran Focus
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6262

Tehran, Iran, Mar. 14 – Iran’s paramilitary police have launched a massive crackdown in Iranian towns and cities to prevent people from turning Tuesday evening’s annual “fire festival” into organised anti-government protests.

The following is a photo of a young man who was detained by Iran’s State Security Forces (SSF) for taking part in a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the western city of Khorramabad earlier in the day.

The photo was sent to Iran Focus by activists inside Iran.

During the festival, known as ‘chaharshanbeh souri’ – literally, Feast of Wednesday – people jump over bonfires to “drive away evil”. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, however, Iran’s theocratic leaders have made strenuous efforts to stamp out the festivities, but to no avail. In recent years, there have been extensive clashes between festive crowds and the security forces deployed to prevent street celebrations.

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:48 pm    Post subject: Congratulation to Iranian People Defiance and Unity Reply with quote

Congratulation to Iranian People Defiance and Unity For Regime Change

United Iranian People Defiant Stand In Fire Festival and setting fire to Pictures of Iran’s Evil Mullahs the Virus of Iranian society in Chaharshanbeh Souri Re-energize Iranian Shock & Awe For Islamist Regime Change. The Unity of Iranian people from all cities and all ethnic groups are strong and has a clear message for the Mullahs to surrender peacefully and step down or wait for day Iranian youth being armed and instead of burning down posters of Mullah’s leaders, they may ……. The choice will be decided by Mullahs ruling class.

Iranian message to Security Forces (Police, Pasdaran and Military) was clear that they must support regime change now before it becomes too late and must help Iranian people to replace this regime with Free society and Secular Democracy. The Iranian people have already spoken by boycotting Elections and their defiance in Chaharshanbeh Souri . Now the Armed forces must choose between defending and serving the people or serving Mullahs. This is up to armed and security forces to choose between SHAME and HONOR, serving Mullahs or their Sisters, Brothers, Fathers & Mothers who pay their salary.

Now the U.N. Security Council is in the position to declare the Islamist regime as illegitimate, unwanted by the people and they must send strong clear message to Mullahs to release all political prisoners, to step down peacefully and surrender to International Criminal Court (ICC) for crime against humanity before it is too late or else wait for ultimate justice by Iranian people and Free World community.

Hope this time Free world leaders hear Iranian people message clearly and support Iranian people for free society and secular democracy.
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