The Islamic Republic of Iran Today
The outstanding victory of Mohammad Khatami in the presidential election, with thirty million votes, came astonishing to the whole world. The votes indicated that some 86% of the people had participated in the election. This is considered as a new record in the majority of the world prominent democratic systems. Khatami prospered to win the all-out support of the youth, women and the educated people in the country, which introduced a new wave of optimism and felicity.
Mainly addressing political and cultural issues in his election campaign, Khatami promised to establish peaceful relationship with the world states, and introduced political development in a civilized society. Thus, he managed to win a massive popularity among the nation. In his approach, Khatami placed stress on the need to develop politics and culture in the society once the Islamic Republic had succeeded to gain stability and had hit its long-run economic development targets. With the swift developments witnessed in the communication industries and the dynamic mechanism of the social changes; especially the generation of the Revolution, the need to pay much more attention to the political development looked entirely out of question.
Due to the new policy taken by Khatami, creation of efficient opportunities for reading books and papers and establishment of a safe ground for political criticism, all the foreign observers have come to admit that Iran has changed into the most attractive and the most stable democratic country in the Middle-East.
Understandably, the changes inside the country confused all the opposition forces and the enemies of the Islamic Republic. The opposition front in abroad which had sanctioned the presidential election tasted their most unfortunate experience in their political lives. The comprehensive participation of the people in election- even the people who were voting for the first time -principally questioned all their analyses. Highly pleased with the result of" Mikonus Trial "in Germany one month before the election, the opposition front, perceived the return of the ambassadors as the bald symbol of death for the Islamic Republic. Yet, the Islamic Republic could boost its entity just after the election. This made all the analysts to admit they had made a big mistake as regards their prediction on the election. It was not so easy; however, for the MKO to admit its mistake, since it is based in Iraq. MKO claimed that the election in Iran had been fabricated. They can now understand Khatamis profound and philosophical understanding of freedom in the society will provide the country with such an expanded ground for political activities that they can no longer resist through their loud spoken slogans. This ended in disunion in MKO. Some of the high ranking members of National Resistance Council left the group. One of the important magazines run by MKO was closed down as well. This was true for most of the opposition groups.
Following Khatamis trip to New York, many of the Iranians residing abroad, long for increasing their relation with their mother country. Internationally Khatami introduced the basis of "Dialogue of Civilizations" instead of the. "Confrontation of the Civilizations" It was the brainchild of Samuel Hantikon who emphasized the approach for the first time. Since the early days in office, Khatami stressed that the " Confrontation of Civilizations" belonged to the era of cold war, therefore, he called for dialogues on the misunderstandings which have been created on common issues.
The participation of the majority of the Islamic Countries in the summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference Countries, held in Tehran this year, despite American secretary of states attempts made at sanctioning the conference, was a clear indicative of the fact that the world of Islam gives Iran a special. position. The conference, in addition, remarkably improved the different countries relation with Iran. Following the summit of Tehran Iran and Saudi Arabia have made basic changes in the course of their bilateral relationship
Following the summit of Tehran, in his interview with CNN, Khatami elaborated the complex issues prevalent between Iran and the US Khatami prospered to win the attention of the intellectuals and statesmen in the US, through his logical approach aimed at lessening the tension.
Placing stress upon the philosophy and culture, Khatami elaborated the parallel values existed between the Islamic Revolution and the US Independence Revolution. Moreover, Khatami asserted that the American people should exchange their culture and have dialogues with the people worldwide. Khatamis strategy could certainty mean that he has called for efforts made at lessening the dangerous tensions prevalent among rather than establishing political relationship with the US. The interview brought a widespread reaction in the world. The American Secretary of States, Albnight, then, started to appease the presidential election which had been held in Iran with the majority participation. She also remarked that civilization of Iran has had a very important role in improving the Middle-East.
Elaborating the viewpoint of the Islamic thought in the UN General Assembly, Khatami suggested to name the year 2000 as the year of the "Dialogue of the Civilizations". The acceptance that his suggestion won in the Assembly indicated the extent of the influence that
his speech and personality had placed in the public opinion worldwide. The policy of lessening the tension among the nations pursued by Khatamis government has today uplifted the Islamic countrys position everywhere in the world. Iran is strategically considered as an important country because it enjoys enriched economic resources, extensive human force and a valuable record for its civilization.
Geographically, too, Iran is located in a point which relates the countries in Middle Asia to the rest of the world. That is why the U S needs to establish closer ties with this country. Islamic Republic; however, has stressed repeatedly that the us, in practice , takes trustworthy policies and is still maintains its policy of "the theoretical dialogue but practical animosity".
Despite the acute drop in the oil price, Khatami has made policies at home in which social justice is considered more important than economic development. He believes that the government should try to improve the peoples living standard and follow justice inside the country. He has also revived a principle for the first time in Iran after the victory of the Revolution which had up to now been postponed for war and many other problems. Khatami has given the legislation of the cities and villages councils a second chance. The election for Councils will be hold in February 1999.
The councils can certainly in crease the proportion of peoples participation in politics more than ever before. Iran can also be introduced as the pioneer of the democratic changes in the Middle-East. The us is now concerned about the democratic government which works on the framework of the Islamic regulations.
Since, this sort of government can not be vulnerable against the western media. The Americans prefers the strategies of Taliban since they can easily overcome Taliban when ever they wish. On the other hand the US can portray Taliban as a horrific dragon which typifies the future of Islam before the public opinion.
Today, after twenty years, we can assess the performance of the Revolution in a proper way. There a lot of questions unanswered. Has Islamic Revolution, as PM received by its temporary analysts been able to change the old monotony prevalent in world and has it really been an extra ordinary phenomenon?
For the events which have brought vast changes, one needs a longer
time in order to evaluate them yet, Today, we have stood on a position, not too close to the stating point of the Revolution to be influence by the course of changes and not too far from the event to fail to understand the real general atmosphere of the phenomenon.
A look at the Revolution clarifies that it has had quite a few ups and downs. It was within this same highs and lows when some of the revolutionary figures have failed to continue resistance and have even turned into the dissidents. It is taken for granted, when evaluating, that a period of time lasted for 20 years will certainly contain problems and mistakes as well. The leaders have also admitted that in certain circumstances they could take a different policy. In General; however, we should remark that the Islamic Revolution has, in effect, succeeded to create and revive some ethical commitment and values in the political and social lives of the people. On the viewpoint of the Islamic Revolution, no regulation can ever be enforced, no democratic government can led to success and no economy and control the market if the society fails to abide by these values.
The bitter struggle between good and evil will continue to exist as long as human lives on the earth; that was why the Revolution never tried to seek for utopia with its real concept.
Living on the earth is not considered as the only way of life and as last straw for the Muslims.
Human, too, will certainly have a lot of problems to entangle with. This is an idea that the Holy
Quran stresses as well:
Although politics usually attracts some adventures and irresponsible people, the Islamic Revolution proved that Muslims can lead the society to gain their "objectives", through proper programming in which "performing duty" conies first. That is why working in politics and efforts to bring changes in the Islamic society, gain a spiritual meaning. When making changes in the society, human can gain access to spiritual devotion. You can enjoy performing your duty when you gain favorable outcomes, yet this can never change the know-how of your job very dramatically.
The Islamic Revolution in its bid to bring social and political freedom generally enjoys a rising trend despite all the problems that it entangled with in the early days. The number of the books, magazines and papers published after the Revolution can never compare to that of the past regime. Inspired by the spiritual and human viewpoint of the Revolution, the Cinema now enjoys a special style which is welcomed internationally.
It is taken for granted that the people - who have lived in oppression for a period of 2500 years - would certainly make their best to gain freedom. For the people who have lived in it doesnt look so easy to adapt themselves to the government which tries to base its principles upon regulation and freedom-seeking efforts. A careful glance at the all-out aspects of the Revolution; however, typifies that it has prospered to develop freedman in the society.
Today, the Islamic society faces various criticisms on behalf of the different stomata. This is , of course, described as "domestic conflict" and "war for power" by the analysts outside the country. Yet, the criticisms originate from the very dynamic nature of the Revolution. The criticisms on the other hand can never be organized in an institutional way if we deprive the proper ground for them. During the past 20 years Iran has successfully held 20 elections. The number of elections and the way they were carried out in the country indicates that the Islamic Republic places a massive stress upon public opinion. As regards the motto of "independence", the Revolution has proved in all the crises and pressures inflicted up on it, that it counted among the very few countries which have looked upon their values as their standards and have never surrendered the illogical viewpoints of the superpowers.
Today, with the world so in interrelated which is urn by the superpowers, the strategies taken by Iran should gain no success, because it can change into an inspiration for the other Muslim countries. During the past 20 years, the enemies have made their best to overturn the political independence of the Revolution, though they have all failed. Despite the political and economic pressures imposed upon Iran which inflicted huge economic crises on the country, the economic potential of the Islamic Republic has the capacity to cope with all these crises. It is necessary to bear in mind that it is not so easy to establish a government through ordinary methods the principles of which are based upon ethic and spirituality. In order to hit this target one needs to make extended and unending efforts, resistance and observing the Revolutionary principles. Today, as regards understanding their status, the Muslims are located in a different position. The Revolution in Iran was shaped through a comprehensive understanding of the religious beliefs as regards Shahs ethical, materialistic and spiritual problems. Similarly, through the practical analysis of the Muslims position , we can discover a better method for their future lives.
Notes :
1. King of Finance (1643-1715)
2. In some military schools in Iran both Russian and American instnucmons were busy teaching the seediness.
2. Being immensely ignorant of the issue, as a response to a minister of his government advising that they could please the dissident and satisfy the hungry people if they pretended that they showed consideration of them, Shah remarked, "we do not have enough spent facilities, we lack budget needed to improve them, we do not have instructors either ".
3. According to the Muslims holy book, Ashab-Al-Fil a group of unbelievers using some elephants had decided to attack the holy city of Mecca. yet, on their way some birds carrying small pieces of stone killed them all.
4. The Arabs believe that three islands, now ruled by Iran, belong to the Arab states and should be returned to them.
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