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After the Iranian presidential election results were announced, I wrote on my FriendFeed and Facebook profiles that this was the most unique election in Iran’s history and that it still goes on. Yet, 16 days after the election day, the consequences are still in the news with headlines all over the world. It is clear that the unprecedented events in the past two weeks have created a turning-point in contemporary history of Iran.
Furthermore, although the city of Qom has relatively remained calm, limited demonstrations occurred in reaction to the election results which were all suppressed by the police forces. So the election results didn’t really create a positive nor negative reaction among the people of Qom.
But in recent days, there are confidential discussions on a wide level between Qom Marjas [grand ayatollahs] going on to resolve the current unprecedented crisis in a fair and intelligent way. Qom Marjas have not congratulated Ahmadinejad’s victory except Ayatollah Nuri Hamadani and that is a unique and important matter. Marjas ’statements have been limited to concepts such as national reconciliation, calling for peace, law and order, avoiding violence against protesters and thanking people for the high rate of participation in the election.
After the return of Ayatollah Seyed Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardebili from a pilgrimage to Mecca, he has started extensive activities through counseling to resolve the current crisis. Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili’s recent position is important because he was one of the leaders of Islamic Revolution and he was appointed by Imam Khomeini as a member of the Council of the Islamic Revolution. The Council of the Islamic Revolution consisted of the revolution’s prominent and influential individuals who were responsible to manage the country in high management levels from 23rd December 1979 to 1981. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Rafsanjani were also members of the council. Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili is also one of the founders of the Islamic Republic Party and the second President of the Islamic judicial system after the martyrdom of Ayatollah Beheshti. He retained this position until Imam Khomeini passed away.
Since Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili has returned to the country, not only he has visited several members of the Guardian Council, which was reflected widely in the media, but he has provided important hints to Khamenei’s chief secretary on resolving the recent crisis and asked for a wise solution for the current intricate situation.
Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Musa Shabiry Zanjani has come into action as well and started confidential negotiations with Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpayegani. Ayatollah Zanjani has an important scientific role in Qom and rarely interferes in political conflicts. His role in the removal of Ayatollah Montazeri’s house arrest of 2003 was of importance and he also had good relations with the former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami.
On Sunday afternoon, the 28th of June, the 28th martyrdom anniversary of Ayatollah Dr. Beheshti and members of the Islamic Republic party, was held in Ghoba mosque by his family. The ceremony was welcomed by Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters and thousands joined despite all military restrictions and suppressions. Beheshti’s family, including two sons who are the closest companions and advisors to Mir Hossein Mousavi, were also present and Mousavi was also one of Beheshti’s closest friends. However, the police and plainclothesmen tried their best to disperse the crowd by surrounding the Ghoba mosque, Hosseiniyeh Ershad, and the neighboring highways. In some cases, police beat protesters and it led to scattered clashes. Among the thousands of participants in today’s ceremony, there were Effat Marashi and Faezah Hashemi (Rafsanjani’s wife and daughter), Zahra Eshraghi (Imam Khomeini’s granddaughter), Neda Mousavi Bojnurd and her ten year old son, Ahmad Mostafavi (Haj Hassan Khomeini’s wife and son). Karroubi also joined the protestors but due to heavy traffic, Mir Hossein Mousavi couldn’t participate but managed to talk to people through his mobile phone. His speech was broadcasted after Beheshti’s son’s speech ended.
Perhaps one of the most important people arrested today was Reza Attaran, the famous Iranian actor. He was arrested by riot police and plainclothesmen near the mosque and was taken to the Special Operation Force car en route to detention. Attaran, who had a green T-shirt on when arrested, was the third famous actor arrested for participating in Mir Hossein Mousavi’s supporters’ demonstrations. Homa Rousta and Mahtab Karimpour, two famous actresses, were also arrested recently.
Thousands of protestors continued to demonstrate in the neighboring streets after they were dispersed apart from Ghoba mosque and Hosseiniyeh Ershad. A group continued towards the southern side of Shariati Avenue and down to North Sohrevardi Street. It was interesting that a middle aged mullah was marching at the front because protestors demanded him to take their lead. Protestors were obedient enough to the mullah that when he called for separation at North Sohrevardi Street in front of Hojaat Ibn Elhasan mosque, they separated and the demonstration ended.
People with the slogan “Haj Agha, we love you" thanked the mullah and dispersed home. It is an injustice and imprudence to see such beauties and ignore them. Despite all the bitterness and fratricide of the incidents in the recent weeks, there were majestic scenes like this to be seen. This was expedient both to the country and the system.
