#IranProtests: Hundreds of thousands across #Iran chant “We don’t want Islamic Republic!” & “Clerics shame on you, let go of our country!” Woman in video took off her #Hijab to protest Islamic dress code imposed on Iranian women since 1979. #IStandWithHer pic.twitter.com/CHNwrTsWPA
— Mark Vallen (@mark_vallen) December 29, 2017
This is extraordinary, and could presage the return of some freedom to Iran, and its standing-down as one of the world’s foremost enemies of freedom. The protesters deserve all the support they can get. We can only hope that President Trump will quickly throw his support behind them.
Richard says
Don’t worry…Obama, Hillary, Pelosi and Schumer will support the Islamic Republic and along with every Democrat in Congress especially Imam Ellison and will oppose any freedom in Iran. The Iranian government hates the Jews exactly like the Democrats.
JW_Reader says
Yeah… bunch of Islamophobes protesting!!! None of the Democrats care what the Islamophobes are protesting about and where they are!
mortimer says
Agree with JWR: What a bunch of intolerant Islamophobes those Persians are! Hey! Wait a minute! They ARE Muslims… so why do they hate POLITICAL ISLAM so much???
(sarc/off)
Truly, Islam is totally dysfunctional as a political system.
J D S says
Always has been always will be…. till God says….That’s enough! When will that be…Only God knows.
J D S says
Always has been always will be…. till God says….That’s enough! When will that be…Only God knows.
MM says
Just that this time there is Trump. Unlike in 2009 when Iranians were protesting as well but didn’t get any support from Obama. Let’s see if Trump will make a difference.
Z says
Down with Islam! Up with freedom for all. Men, women, children, of all religions
CT says
If Islam can’t allow freedom to genuinely choose Islam, it’s a prison of the worst kind instead of a religion.
Terry Gain says
Islam obviously isn’t a religion. It’s an evil death cult.
Gray says
Apostasy is Death in Islam. Always has been. The Mohammedan Death Cult would never have survived otherwise.
Moa says
Islam was invented by Caliph Abd Al Malik to advance Arab Imperialism. Mohammed is the mythological figure invented to justify the imperialism and counter-balance the Christianity of the Byzantines (Romans) and Zoroastrianism of the Persians.
“An Historical Critique of Islam’s Beginnings”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd9lIuUjPs0
Aussie Infidel says
Terry, Unfortunately Islam IS a religion. It has all the trappings: Belief in the supernatural – God, angels, prophets, revelation, prayers (arses in the air, banging heads on the ground), etc. But as you say, it’s also “an evil death cult.” Islam preaches ‘death to the infidels’, and seeks to conquer their lands for Allah. That also makes it a criminal enterprise which is a threat to our national security.
We don’t have to ban Islam and run the risk of litigation for breaching our Constitutions. All we have to do, is to declare Islam a criminal organization whose followers are a fifth column attempting to destroy our countries from within. The President already has the legislative power to ban groups from entry to the country, if he deems that they pose a national security risk.
That would change the legality of Islam overnight, and open the way to close mosques, and Islamic schools, and Saudi or Qatar funded ‘Schools of Middle Eastern Studies’ at our universities.
These bastards have to be beaten with ‘lawfare’, or we will be obeying the Sharia.
gravenimage says
Unfortunately, there have been evil religions. Islam is the only major one left today.
PaulM says
Wow, is this fake news? Please say that this is for real. That would be so wonderful. And so long overdue. I pray for this woman who took off her black tent. I hope she is well hidden and safe. As well as the protesters. Get rid of theocracy is exactly what is needed. Considering particularly that this is not a theocracy but a dictatorial, fascist scumbag regime. Good luck and may God Bless.
Nigel GFF says
Yep, God bless the women, but coming to town near you, forced segregation for safety.
http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/29/women-safe-zones-introduced-new-years-eve-berlin-7190899/
Loison Helmer says
It’s time to over throw this repressive regime and enter the 21st century. Persia was a progressive society pre revolution. Like a lot of counties they choose the devil they don’t know instead of the devil they do know. Shah deposed chose restricted Islam instead.
Carolyne says
Shah deposed thanks to Jimmy Carter. It is forever a stain on his name.
gravenimage says
Iran was not exactly progressive pre revolution. Not nearly as bad as now, though.
Ashley says
What a refreshing post!!!
clap says
Good, they’re finally standing up for themselves. However, I do not think that the U.S. should provide them with any financial or material support. We have wasted enough time, money, and American lives on that region of the world. This is something that the Iranian people need to do on their own.
Older Canadian says
Absolutely
nicu says
@ clap : Don’t forget Iran – Persia had an elected president – and he was replaced by the US with the Shah !
Twvolck says
nicu! The Shah was Shah from about 1942. The Prime Minister he had appointed nationalized British oil interests. There was a long kerfuffle about compensation. The Shah tried to replace his Prime Minister, which he had a right to do under the constitution, but the Prime Minister refused to accept his letter of dismissal. The Shah then fled to Italy. Mobs supporting the Prime Minister were succeeded larger mobs supporting the Prime Minister The Army stepped in, and the Shah was reinstated. The United States was involved periferally. Iranian public opinion was more significant..
mortimer says
Thanks for the history, Twvolck. The bottom line is Islam, which does not require elections to impose itself by Divine Command. That was 38 years of theocratic fascism!
Terry Gain says
He was a commie. Once you elect a commie, that’s the last free election.
gravenimage says
Yep.
Westman says
Did anyone notice that few of the protesting Iranians had a full beard? They are obviously not admirers of Rouhani or the Ayatollah.
gravenimage says
Good point, Westman. My understanding is that men just wearing a mustache in Iran is often a low-key protest against the full-on Islamic bearded look. It is the same with women who wear a full-length coat, baggy pants, and Hijab rather than a full Chador.
mortimer says
Westman, Persians have REBELIOUSNESS in their blood. They are fiercely independent. Islam is not a suitable religion for the Persian temperament.
gravenimage says
Mortimer, this may be so–but the Persians have languished under Islam for over 1300 years. That is quite a period of time.
Monty says
Iran is not Arab and not “naturally” Muslim. There is much to admire about the people, if you leave the oppressive leadership out. I hope and pray that Iran will have a counter revolution and walk away from Islam. It could spark something in Turkey also. Islam does no one any favours. The Iranians can see that for sure!
DFD says
I often wondered who will go first, the Berbers or the Persians. I still think it’ll be the Berbers, could be wrong though…
Whichever one, may God help ’em. Well, both of them!
roberta says
Doors will be getting kicked in after dark shortly. Disappearances after that. I admire their bravery. They know whats coming.
gravenimage says
This is what happened with the protests in 2009, Roberta. I hope this is widespread enough that things go differently this time.
S Kevin Wojtaszek says
The Islamic Republic should be afraid . It should be very afraid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=9selhGBPdek
Older Canadian says
There has been an underground protest for about a decade.
Do hope they can achieve their freedom and return to a secular society that they had prior to 1979, and then improve upon it.
But… they have to do it on their own otherwise it will not stick.
Stacy Girl says
Remember what happened in 2012.
gravenimage says
What happened in 2012, StacyGirl? I remember the protests of 2009.
No Fear says
I was working my first job when the “glorious Islamic revolution” of Iran occurred in the late 1970s. It was a tragedy for Iran. Khomeini’s gangsters took power and they shot their leftist supporters who had helped them into power. One of my strongest memories of that time is reading about the revolution in the newspapers and Time magazine. I would love to see the “glorious revolution” booted out.
eduardo odraude says
Iranian freedom, come! Perverted tyrants, fall!
Thomas Kimball says
If I was trump id definitely send weapons if for nothing else but to cause some destabilization and give obama a stroke! No troops no boots on the ground!
gravenimage says
Agreed, No Fear.
nicu says
Iran never attacked any country ! Dear people of Iran : We don’t an Islamic republic in Germany , too ☺
Iran was always more western ….
Terry Gain says
Hussein Obama’s unconscionable attempt to prop up the evil theocracy appears to be a failure. When the last uprising took place in 2009 Big Mouth Obama would not utter one word of support for the rebels.
Karen says
Yes. The Islamists always have a good friend in Obama. If there is a choice between American values and big Islam, president Obama has made his preference very clear. He seemed quite proud of his position on the Iranian protesters.
Lakshmanan says
Iran is the next East Germany/USSR waiting to happen. I mean democratic system
eduardo odraude says
If you pray, pray for freedom in Iran. The demonstrators are probably thinking that now that Obama is gone, opposition to the regime might get support from the US government. Perhaps Trump’s admin has even fomented some of this, though we can be sure that the sentiments among the demonstrators are absolutely genuine, since any regime so tyrannical necessarily produces a huge opposition, even if that opposition is normally silenced with terror.
DFD says
Islam:
Women Afghanistan & Iran
tinyurl.com/yawuymv9
tinyurl.com/yb88u9do
Point taken
DFD says
PS: Omission error, that should have been:
Point taken **?**
LeftisruiningCanada says
Yeah, point taken.
Girls in the top photo look happy and carefree.
This is obviously haram.
Peter Buckley says
Hate to say “I told you so”, but I have been saying on JW for some time that I don’t believe Iran is even a “muslim country” anymore……….
https://en.qantara.de/content/turning-away-from-shia-in-iran-a-tsunami-of-atheism
Three signs that will prove Islam’s terminal decline:
1.Huge numbers of apostates worldwide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbFc8zhLwyw&t=934s
2. A respected muslim figure to publicly announce his apostasy :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g872fwpSqm4
3. A whole theocracy to collapse, thereby freeing millions of apostates to speak about their deep hatred of Islam, which is precisely what Iran is now producing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3FOz6M4l_c
Islam cannot be saved now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igwaOrv7WGs&t=2s
gravenimage says
And yet, Iran is one of the most oppressive Shari’ah states, and a state exporter of Jihad terror. I hope this changes, but this is the case as it stands right now.
eduardo odraude says
I have heard self-contradictory info about the degree of support for Islam in Iran…One hopes that a majority are freedom-minded apostates, but it seems rather unlikely…
gravenimage says
Sadly, this has been my impression as well, Eduardo.
LeftisruiningCanada says
Interesting video there.
This man’s views will likely never gain influence. It’s hard to believe that muslims are going to ban Bukhari.
Champ says
Wish I could be more excited over this headline. For decades the Iranians have not wanted an Islamic Republic, so I’m afraid that this current protest will only fall on deaf ears. That said, it is a move in the right direction.
gravenimage says
Thant’s how I feel, as well, Champ.
eduardo odraude says
Probably right, Champ and gravenimage, but on the other hand, look at all the revolutions in the Islamic world in the last few years. And there was “almost” a revolution in Iran while Obama was in office, but Obama chose not to support the Iranian demonstrations back then. Trump is more likely to support, of course. The Iranian government might fall sooner than anyone would have believed.
gravenimage says
True, Eduardo–but all those other “revolutions” were to make already Muslim societies *more* Islamic. This is very different.
Kiki says
God bless the moderate people of Iran, God bless the protestors! I really hope they’ll be able to make a difference, free their country from jihad and oppression. I can only imagine how many women and non-Muslims must feel trapped with the way things are.
Hopefully, even if this movement doesn’t work, it’ll sow the seeds of freedom.
Once freedom is felt, one never forgets it. And they’ll keep trying to get back to it.
Earl ganski says
The last time these folks protested POTUS and SOS sat on their skinny and large respective butts. Let’s feed the protestors. The devil we don’t know can’t be any worse than the moslem idiots running Iran. Moslem is a dark and violent tribe of folks with goofy hats.
Cheer Bear Girl says
I hope this protest is genuine. I hope there are enough Iranians who want freedom.
gravenimage says
Iran: Hundreds of thousands of protesters shout “We don’t want an Islamic Republic”
……………………
Wow! This is *excellent* news.
We often hear that the Persian people are opposed to the Mullahs, and generally I have seen little to back that up. But I would *love* to be wrong, and hope this presages at least some freedom there, and a lessening of the Jihad terror threat Iran represents to Israel and the rest of the world.
Georg says
Here was a most recent movement I think the US wisely didn’t get itself behind as it wasn’t “time,” if that makes sense. Due to our involvement pre-1979 we’ll have to really pick our spot and not get it wrong. With any luck, the Mullahs’ days are numbered, but we’ve all learned not to underestimate the insidious potential of Islamic theocracy. Basically, young and urban Iranians are where to leverage the hope.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Green_Movement
gravenimage says
Yeah–one problem with the moderate “Green Movement” was that it was not really all that moderate. I hope this is different, but am cautious.
Georg says
Wasn’t overly familiar but not surprised. It’s basically the case that where there’s Islam there is trouble. Broad resistance is the only rational response.
gravenimage says
The figure they followed was not all that moderate, and one of their cries was–no sh*t–“Allahu Akbar!.
Even so,, they were mercilessly crushed by the Mullahs.
gravenimage says
Despite their being far less than perfect, Obama still should have supported the protests in Iran in 2009 in Iran–but of course, he did not.
Georg says
This is some rare great news.
RCCA says
I made a point of linking this story to my Facebook page, pointing out to my liberal friends that they are not seeing anything reported about this major event in their usual news sources: MSNBC, NY Times, Huffington Post, etc., as opposed to so called “right wing” sites I visit. The left wing media can only attack Trump and refuses to do anything to cast doubt on Saint Obama, namely that any criticism of Islam is taboo, even when the criticism comes from Muslims.
I am waiting for Trump to give this a few days to develop, first to demonstrate how untrustworthy and unprofessional the fake US news media is. The story if being reported by BBC, and elsewhere here, so it’s no secret for those who are willing to look and see the truth. Second, I suspect that if Trump speaks out too quickly he will be blamed for the chaos in Iran and for dragging the US into the conflict. However I wouldn’t be surprised if he has back channel communications fully engaged in Iran and he’s not going to let them down if there is anything he can do to help.
Brent Garner says
While I applaud these folks for standing up their cause is doomed. Most of Iran’s population resides in rural villages and are completely convinced of the value of the Islamic Republic. From this rural population are recruited the Basiji which are basically illiterate peasants who are more than willing to be paid to attack these apostates. That is exactly what happened the last time and will happen again this time.
gravenimage says
Exactly, Jay Boo.
TheBuffster says
Who is Mark Vallen and what is the source of his information?
I found some recent articles on the topic. It seems that it started as a protest against the high cost of living and Iran’s adventures in foreign countries instead of attending to the economic problems at home, but those who oppose the theocratic regime have also chimed in.
Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/29/iran-is-being-rocked-by-anti-government-protests-heres-why-demonstrators-deserve-trumps-support.html
The BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42512946
Forbes commentary: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenrwald/2017/12/29/is-anyone-listening-to-protests-in-iran/#75791de166e4
jewdog says
What is the world coming to: Islamophobia running rampant in the Islamic Republic, women shamelessly discarding their headgear, surely a symbol of female pride, as Linda Sarsour tells us? And our President may even provoke things by openly supporting the demonstrators. Things are eerily quiet on our campuses, and that’s always a bad sign.
sheik yer'mami says
What is absolutely phenomenal about these protests is that they started in places like Mashad & Ghom, notorious lairs of Islamic zealots.
Its too early to predict if this will bring down the regime or if the regime can muster enough support to protect itself; but it would be a great relief if the Islamic Republic could be become a modern, civilized nation again.
gravenimage says
We’ll see.
In any case, great to see you posting here, Sheik Yer’mami. Hope you are well, and Happy New Year to you!
abad says
Actually there has been an underground movement for some time, in both Iran, and among Iranian Americans who have a problem with Invading Islam which pretty much destroyed the Persian Empire during its Sassanian era. And before Islam, Persian actually has an incredibly rich historical culture, one that truly captivates, once again, without the trappings of Islam. Having spoken to many an Iranian about the place of Islam in Iran, most of them claim there should be no official place, not in the sense of a state religion, certainly not Sharia which conflicts with pre-Islam Persian values. Not everyone is a Reza Aslan.
And that is another thing about Iranians.
They are highly individualistic, maybe even more so than Americans.
But.
Try telling that to the Looney Academic Liberal Elite in America in Favor of Islam (TM Pending) who have this uber-romantic view of Islam which is on a par with Barbara Eden’s “I Dream of Jeannie” television series.
Lydia Church says
I wish them a good democracy, like we had here once.
Before ‘right-speak,’ and ‘right-think’ began to be regulated by Orwell.
I disobey, but that’s another matter.
David M says
Sounds like they are saying they don’t want a backward seventh century religion in the twenty first century. No surprises there.
Matthieu Baudin says
President Trump, for all his shortcomings, has been a significant beacon of hope for a very large proportion of Iran’s young at home and abroad. This support for the Trump Administration’s fresh no nonsense diplomacy towards the Ruling Revolutionary Theocracy stands in stark contrast to the vicious ongoing attacks on the U.S. President by his critics at home who have not demonstrated the slightest interest in helping to advance the welfare of the captive and oppressed younger generation of Iran who seek normal lives and freedom from tyranny.
gravenimage says
Good post.
Matthieu Baudin says
Thanks Graven. The generational element in this uprising is significant and this should provide momentum and youthful resilience. Thankyou also for your enormous output this year and the many fresh thoughtful ideas and comments. The very best for the New Year.
gravenimage says
Thank you for your kind words, Matthieu.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Linnte says
Yes indeed Gravenimage! I am still grateful for your knowledge and wit. I may not comment much, but I read and look forward to your posts. Happy New Year!
gravenimage says
Happy New Year, Linnte! Great to see you posting.
Linnte says
Thanks GI. And your comment about Romania is right on!
mortimer says
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/tehran-women-dress-code_us_5a450ae9e4b0b0e5a7a50adb
WORLD NEWS
Tehran Police Say Women Will No Longer Be Arrested For Violating ‘Islamic’ Dress Code
“They should understand that in this day and age, how women dress is none of their business,” an Iranian activist said.
12/28/2017 14:26 EST | Updated 12/28/2017 14:51 EST
Police in Iran’s capital are loosening up restrictions regarding dress code after decades of pushback from women in the country.
On Wednesday, Tehran police announced that women will no longer risk arrest for breaching the country’s conservative interpretation of Islamic dress code, which includes a ban on wearing nail polish, heavy makeup or loose headscarves. Instead, violators will be ordered to take police-instructed classes on “Islamic values,” while repeat offenders could still be subject to legal action, reported the Wall Street Journal.
“Based on a society-oriented, educational approach, the police will not arrest those who don’t respect Islamic values,” said Brig. Gen. Hossein Rahimi, according to the country’s official Islamic Republic News Agency. “It will instead educate them.”
mortimer says
Iran’s anti-government protests spread to major cities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo2ehdnL1UY
CRUSADER says
Perhaps with the Saudis / Sunnis, the POTUS has backed the correct side of the schism?
Be that as it may, for now, the Iranian Khomeini-ites have to die off first, before next generations have real chance at leading the country, even though Iran has an enormously youthful population burgeoning for jobs and opportunities….
Hoping this Rebellion can spill over into totalitarian Turkey….
krishna says
freedom for persia
#persian spirit
R Russell says
Brave brave people. Many will disappear without a trace and others will be incarcerated in filthy conditions for years.
CRUSADER says
Yeah….have you seen the movie, “Rosewater” ?
R Russell says
CRUSADER
No I haven’t
pat mott says
Can’t we help them revolt? Their ‘leaders must be ‘taken out’ & the ignorant peasants that support Islam be controlled in some way! & this country & others like it ,eg. Turkey better managed with the West’s ‘help’!
DejaVu Again says
We see these protests against the Iranian Islamic totalitarian government every 10-15 years as the younger generation starts coming of age – and they fail each and every time. We in the West get all excited that Islam is reforming itself through the you but it never does and never will.
Like their parents protested before them and failed, these poor misguided young Iranian Islamists are not protesting the Islamic doctrine and theology that led them to be protesting in the first place. These Iranian young adults are protesting for a more Western style Islam where one can wear jeans, listen to music, dance, maybe ditch the Hijab.
The Iranian Mullahs understand this perfectly. After the protests are over a few of the higher profile malcontents will disappear. The NAJA will again threaten the protestors parents to get their children in line or they to will disappear in the middle of the night, and spend eternity in hellfire for crimes against Islam.
Everyone will know, by force and fear, the Mullah’s are in control and all is right in the Iranian Islamic State.
This most promising and capable of the malcontents will be brought into the Iranian Islamic state mid level leadership positions, reeducated, rat out their dissident networks, and the Iranian way of life will go on for another generation and the process begins again.
And so it goes……….
God Bless America, God Bless Our Troops, and God Bless Our Representative Republic form of government.
One Team One Fight.
Gunther Leonhardt says
As I wrote repeatedly on this forum: The US should leave Iran alone. The people in Iran know what they want and even better what they don’t want. I wish ’em good luck.
Felix Quigley says
The US should leave Iran alone
you bravely say
You are signing the death warrant to many freedom fighters
Roderick MacUalraig says
I agree. The West should be involved with Muslim countries as little as possible. Let Muzz sort out Muzz business, which is generally massacring each other. I am concerned, however, with assisting the Christians, Jews, Free Thinkers, etc. that are unfortunate enough to be living in Muzz dominated areas as they are horribly abused and brutalized constantly. I’d like to see my tax-payer dollars to go towards helping these people as much as possible.
David King says
Women should take off the hijab and bare their breasts, that would shake them up.
Ibrahim itace muhammed says
David, you want them to appear líke your ugly filthy Christian ladies Who look líke female monkeys ?
LeftisruiningCanada says
You like white girls. It’s obvious.
Ibrahim itace muhammed says
David, you them to appear líke your ugly filthy Christian ladies Who look líke female monkeys ? hilarious !!
gravenimage says
Interesting that Ibrahim itace muhammed thinks that female breasts look like monkeys.
He is also obsessed with men’s foreskins. Hmmm…draw your own conclusions…
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
Irrelevant. All countries that have a population that is majority Mohammadan will always be a hell hole no matter what they call themselves.
Linnte says
Islam needs eradication period. Prayers for lovers of freedom in Iran!
FYI says
No nation should ever be run by “holy” men.That is why there is separation between church and state in the western world.
muslims need to seriously UPGRADE to the True Biblical God(the God of Moses and those important commandments)from their koranic allah.
To go from allah to GOD:it requires wisdom and effort to do this but many muslims are finding this path.
{What converts to islam do is to go the WRONG way:They go from God to allah,and it never ends well for them.You cannot fool God!}
“If the Lord is God,
follow Him.
but if baal be your god,
follow him”
I kings 18 v 21
It is the Lord {the Biblical version} that must be chosen.
the koranic allah is NOT THE SAME as the Biblical God of Moses.
If they were the same..
1.there would be no dispute over Jerusalem.
2 the role of the Jews as being central to God’s Plans would be understood.
3Israel would not be the enemy
4.the 2 chief commandments would be found and emphasised in islam(they are completely missing;the absence of these supreme laws of God explains the hatred in the islamic world for “infidels” and for their fellow muslims)
The key to it all is to understand that the..
islamic koranic allah is NOT the Judeo-Christian Biblical God.
allah is not in agreement with God but in disagreement.
You often hear Iranians talk about annihilating Israel.. but Israel IS the Holy Land!
And the Biblical God has given numerous prophecies concerning the fate of those who are enemies of Israel{in the Book of Joel Chapter 3,He calls it “My Land”}
So you see,when the Iranians invoke allah to destroy Israel they are completely against the Biblical God of Moses.
That shows that allah is NOT the same God.
God blesses Israel!
See the Book of Joel Chapter 3 ..God’s plan for Israel and Jerusalem.
{I wouldn’t pick a fight with the God of Israel:it WILL end badly…}
Joe says
There’s just one solution for Islam: Complete eradication.
LeftisruiningCanada says
“We don’t want an Islamic Republic”
Do we have to wait until after we have one before we chant this?
Or is it ok to oppose islam before it takes over?