For Neda, Iran
21 June 2009 4:56 pm by Taylor Marsh
In the name of God
We all come from Him and will go back to Him
The great and dignified Iranian nation:
With much sorrow I was informed that, during peaceful rallies to defend their lawful rights, the great Iranian people have been attacked [by the security forces], beaten, and bloodied, and killed. While expressing my condolences for this painful event and the losses, and feeling the pain of the nation, I declare Wednesday [June 24], Thursday and Friday days of national mourning. I express my strongest support for the Muslim nation [of Iran] in their defense of their rights in the framework of the Constitution that recognizes republicanism [direct and free elections, and respect for the votes] as one of the pillars of the [political] establishment, and declare that any action that would harm the republicanism of the system is not permitted [is against religion]. Every one of our religious brothers and sisters must help the nation in defending its lawful rights. Based on this principle, any resistance in this direction [against people who are defending their right], particularly use of violence, beating, and killing of [the people of] the nation is acting against the Islamic principle that the nation must decide its own fate and path and, therefore, I declare it to be religiously haraam [the worst sin].
Hossein Ali Montazeri – Tehran Bureau
Watching the video you can’t help but lose your own breath watching her die.
via The Lede: A screengrab from a video uploaded to YouTube of a woman, referred to as Neda, dying after an apparent gunshot wound to her chest.
Shiite mourning is not simply a time to react with sadness. Particularly in times of conflict, it is also an opportunity for renewal. The commemorations for “Neda” and the others killed this weekend are still to come. And the 40th day events are usually the largest and most important.
“Neda” is already being hailed as a martyr, a second important concept in Shiism. With the reported deaths of 19 people Saturday, martyrdom also provides a potent force that could further deepen public anger at Iran’s regime.
With the passing of Neda, Ahmadinejad’s power diminishes to a whimper, but the one truly impacted is Supreme Leader Khamenei. Because Neda not only symbolizes the fight; she represents the real impact Iranian women have had in the elections, but also the post election rising up that continues, regardless of the ruthless brutality being unleashed, especially at night.
Neda. Her name now said as a prayer unto itself, an anthem for Iran.
Via Twitter, Ann Curry is trying to reach out to her family, her friends.
How I felt yesterday after seeing it.
A statement from Mir-Hussein Mousavi.
Journalists are now being hunted in Iran, including one of Newsweek’s:
Maziar Bahari has not been heard from since Sunday morning, Newsweek said. A journalist and filmmaker, Bahari has been living in Iran and covering the country for the past decade, according to the statement.
… .. A good aggregate for Iranian news.
As the Iranian parliament makes a mockery of the fight with their statement today:
Iran’s Parliament warned US and some European countries on Sunday not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs otherwise Iran will respond them in other fields. The Islamic Iran has borne heavy pressures imposed by foreign states against the nation’s will in order to keep its political independence, said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
Stances adopted by US President, Britain’s Prime Minister, Germany’s Chancellor and France’s President over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said. It is embarrassing that the US which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Larijani added and directed the US, “you showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well, there is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he asserted. Larijani then emphasized Iran’s Parliament warns the US President, Britain’s Prime Minister, Germany’s Chancellor and France’s President to avoid meddling with Iran’s domestic affairs and doing things that makes Iran respond in other fields. He also called for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliament to revise relations with these countries.
David Miliband responds:
“I reject categorically the idea that the protesters in Iran are manipulated or motivated by foreign countries.” – David Miliband, British Foreign Minister
Mousavi now being branded a “criminal.”
Iranian government media Sunday launched a campaign against Mir Hussein Mousavi and his supporters, calling the leader of the protests over Iran’s disputed election a “criminal” and comparing demonstrators to members of a hated terrorist group.
Faces of the Basiji, via Demotex.
Update | 9:32 a.m. The BBC reports that Iranian authorities have asked its Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne, to leave the country within 24 hours. The BBC said its Tehran office would remain open despite the departure of Mr. Leyne, the broadcaster’s permanent correspondent there.
The BBC adds: “Iran has singled out Britain and the BBC in its widespread condemnation of what it calls meddling by foreign powers in its affairs. In the days following the 12 June election, BBC Persian TV was disrupted by “deliberate interference” from inside Iran, the corporation said. In response, the BBC increased the number of satellites that carry its BBC Persian television service for Farsi-speakers in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.”
What happens next?
This post has been updated.
