Political Analyst: Iran’s Islamic Identity Rejects Oppression and Supports the Oppressed
A liberated Palestine After All
On Saint Patrick's Day, the search engine Google's logo turns into fancy green. When it is US Independence Day, Google doodles commemorating it appear on the screen as you try to surf the internet through the engine. Earth day and Women's day and other days are all days to celebrate, but Quds day is nonexistent on Google's calendar, just like it does not exist in the Western mainstream media and in the Western-controlled version of history.
On Friday, the 8th of May, millions across the globe will pour down the streets to remind the world of a right never to be forgotten: the right of return and the right to liberate Palestine. Muslim communities have become more and more involved in this day, which resembles a reality that will be fulfilled sooner or later, as it is in the belief of Muslims and Islamic teachings that good will always prevail in time.
Quds day: Palestine central cause of Muslim Nation
Reminding of the significance of Quds day, assistant professor of Palestine Studies at the University of Tehran and political analyst Dr. Sayyed Hadi Borhani told al-Ahed news that Quds day has several goals two of which are most important.
"The first goal is to remind of Palestine as an independent state especially as "Israel" and its allies try their best to make it a forgotten cause and pave the way for more "Israeli" action inside the occupied lands."
He pointed out that as long as the Muslims do not forget the Palestinian cause and al-Quds this means that the "Israeli" regime and its schemes in Palestine and the region are doomed to fail and as long as Palestine remains the central cause of Muslims, "Israel" will remain to feel insecure.
The second goal, according to the analyst, is to "create a sense of unity and accord across the Muslim world and gather the peoples of the region in particular around the theme of Quds day. The ceremonies held on Quds day are on the rise and the number of participants in the different countries is increasing every year, and this is evidence that the protests are successful and in fact fulfill the goals."
Essence of Islam: supporting the oppressed
The Islamic revolution and the call to support Palestine first made by founder of the revolution Imam Khomeini has had its direct and indirect effects on the Palestinian cause, and up to this day, the waves of supporters has increased in the region and across the world as well.
Dr. Borhani recalled that after the Islamic Revolution, Iran had changed its status from a US and "Israeli" ally during the Shah reign into a state with Islam as the main source of its constitution that strongly supports Palestine and the Palestinian people. "In addition, the Islamic Republic quickly cut relations with the "Israeli" apartheid regime and its allies and setup relations with countries that supported resistance movements in the region. The Islamic Republic also established different Islamic organizations and associations with the goal of supporting movements like the Intifadas (uprisings) in Palestine, the liberation of South Lebanon and backing movements like the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance movements. This is because it is in the essence of Islam to help and support the oppressed, and this is what Iran has been doing since its identity changed in 1979."
Touching on accusations that Iran seeks a hegemonic role in the region, Dr. Borhani further pointed out that "some claim that Iran is exploiting the Palestinian cause to spread its hegemony over the region; however these are lies and fabrications. These lies are made up by Iran's enemies who have claimed other lies too. Iran's enemies try through propaganda; especially after Iran succeeded in helping its neighboring countries in the fight against terrorism and in helping resistance movements suppress "Israeli" aggressions to force Iran into concessions to distort its image."
However, the analyst assured "if we observe the literature of the Iranian leaders since the Islamic Revolution, we see that since the very beginning, Iran has declared its support to Palestine; it did not just happen overnight. This is not a temporary policy; supporting Palestine is one of the main pillars of the Islamic Revolution's identity."
He further noted "Also it is important to keep in mind that every time the West tries to negotiate a certain file with Iran, including the nuclear file, the Palestinian file and Iran's policies towards Palestine are brought up and put on the table by the West with an attempt to change Iran's position in return for concessions or recompenses, however it will not."
A forever-standing belief: oppression will end
Every year, Ayatollah Khamenei calls on people to participate in Quds day, and the turnout is always great. He, like his predecessor Imam Khomieni with certainty declare time and again that the world will see a liberated Palestine.
On this note, the political analyst underlined that the stance of Iranian leaders has been stable since the victory of the Islamic revolution, "they are loyal to the Palestinian cause and its liberation," he described.
"The leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei has certain faith that we will witness the liberation of Palestine based on previous experiences; mainly the two historic victories of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and that of the resistance movement in South of Lebanon (in 2000 and 2006). Both were a victory of popular will over hegemonic and oppressive regimes," he explained adding "It is not easy to believe that such oppressive and powerful regimes could be defeated by popular will but it happened indeed."
Once more, Dr. Borhani reiterated how important it is to keep in mind that the Islamic identity of Iran is based on teachings that assure that injustice and oppression are destined to come to an end eventually. "The "Israeli" regime is an oppressive regime, and the fate of it is not different from any other perpetrator of oppression and injustice; it will come to an end."
Violation of human rights and media black out
"Israel" stands as number one violator of human rights, with its excessive and nonstop violence of all forms and shapes against the Palestinians. This, however, takes place as the major world media outlets set a blind eye to these aggressions and rights violations.
According to Dr. Borhani, "The Palestinian cause and the "Israeli" occupation of Palestine is a live example to one of the most extreme versions of abuse of human rights, which is also a matter of concern for Muslims. Violation of human rights is a matter of concern for all those who enjoy humane values, however the discourse imposed by the West and western media in terms of human rights falls into the context of language manipulation."
The analyst also believed that "The "Israeli" regime is the number one violator of human rights with all the abuses and perpetrations it carries out against civilians in occupied Palestine. Of course the "Israeli" lobby and the governments in the West, to a big degree, control the mainstream media and impose a media blackout as part of its media warfare to prevent "Israeli" crimes and human rights violations from being in the limelight. However voices that sound concern over "Israeli" actions in Palestine can be heard here and there. There are free people among the Western activists and journalists who are trying to reflect the true events taking place in Occupied Palestine."
The Tehran University Professor underscored that "efforts should be made to expose "Israeli" aggressions and violations so that the public opinion in the West and across the world would become more aware of the bitter reality of "Israeli" aggressions and human rights violations in the occupied territories."
Protesters in different countries across the world take part in the annual display of support for the Palestinian territories on the last Friday of the Holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims perform their fasting. The turnout of the day is greater every year, with protests also observed in many countries across Europe and in some of the US states where Muslim communities reside.
Source: Al-Ahed
