Iran protests in Dublin

The above photo was take outside the GPO on O'Connell Street

I took the following photos of anti regime demonstrations in Dublin. Several hundred Iranians living here along with concerned and angry Irish such as myself took to the streets to condemn the regime and to call on the department of foreign affairs to expel the Iranian ambassador.

Ahmadinejad as the joker, love it.

Outside the GPO

On another day a crowd gathers outside the Dail (Irish Parliament)

Two Iranians display the real Persian flag outside the Dail

Iran, a Truly Orwellian State

I have blogged before on Gubu World that if there is ever to be an Islamic reformation or a similar event that successfully brings Islamic values and democratic values into line with each other, Iran will be the country where this happens. I still believe this because Iran unlike other Middle Eastern nations is a politically vibrant country where intense debate on this issue exists. Iran has a strong civil society and a democratic tradition going back to the constitutional revolution of 1906 leading me to conclude that Iranians not only hold genuine democratic ambitions but that their society could handle the stress involved in a transition to democracy. That being said one should be under no illusion as to the true nature of the current regime. Many commentators on Iranian events, myself included are occasionally tempted to lessen the brutality of the regime because of the division of power that exists in the Islamic Republic which is so rare for a dictatorship. Make no mistake though, Iran is a class A dictatorship.

During my time in Iran in 2004 I was exposed to the tremendous energy and enthusiasm of the "students for democratic change" movement. It was inspiring to be among them. However there was another more sinister side to this movement which I became regrettably familiar with. I am referring to the feeling that you are being watched. I was told by many Iranians that I shouldn't trust anyone. My immediate reaction in my naivety was "why, everybody is so nice". Iran is a country where people spy on each other. Many people who say they are hostile to the government may only be telling you what you want to hear. Just like behind the Iron Curtain people are always listening. Sometime its because an informer is secretly loyal to the regime. Other times its because the security services have gotten to a dissident and have threatened them and their family. Amazingly this even goes on outside Iran. Iranian embassies in Europe often threaten their compatriots with severe consequences for their incarcerated family member back in Iran unless they cease engaging in anti regime politics in their adopted country. It must be remembered that the Iranian regime is exceptionally clever. It is also worth noting that they themselves came to power in a popular uprising so they understand exactly what needs to be done to prevent one in the future. Below is a very disturbing clip from an Iranian television programme that encourages people to spy on each other. This does not happen in a quasi democracy. It only happens in a truly Orwellian state.

Iran Tribute

We have seen plenty more Persian Pride this week despite the regime's efforts to crush the reform/revolutionary movement. Below is a powerful tribute to the demonstrators containing the most iconic images of the past two weeks where we have seen the best and worst of the Iranian nation.

I Love Iran

Iran is a wonderful country. Iranians are an amazing people. The events of the last twelve days have affected me deeply. To see a people who desperately want to live in a free country openly confront their oppressive rulers is truly inspiring. They say complaining about the government is a national past time in Ireland. That's true, and I'm as guilty as any but when you see young men and women being gunned down on the streets for daring to oppose their government, it really puts things in perspective. I attended a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in Dublin on Saturday last. There is another happening outside the GPO on O'Connell street tomorrow. There is a big turn out expected from Ireland's Iranian community despite threats from the embassy that Iranians who get involved in anti regime activity could find themselves unable to return to the homeland or worse, it could be taken out on their relatives back home. What bastards. I for one, and my many Iranian friends plan on making a lot of noise.

During my time in Dubai I made friends with lots of Iranians. In the summer of 2006 I flew to Germany for the world cup. Ireland had not qualified (thanks largely to the Israelis) so I was looking for another team to support. I chose Iran because, well I just love Iran. So along with some friends I headed for Leipzig to watch the Iranians take on Angola. Here are some interesting pictures I took.

A group of Iranians unveiled this giant flag before the game. Note the symbol of the Lion with the sword in the middle. This is the pre 1979 flag as the symbol since the revolution contains the Islamic crest. Most fans had this flag indicating their opposition to the Islamic republic.

Myself, complete with Iran jersey and some of the lads

I snapped one guy at the game with an Israeli flag. I wonder who he was supporting ?

Iranian and Angolan fans celebrate a 1:1 draw outside the stadium.

Round up Iran

The Iranian authorities are admitting that ten people were killed and over 100 injured in Saturdays violence. It is safe to assume that the real toll is higher. Hundreds of prominent reformers have been arrested including the daughter of former President Rafsanjani. All foreign media, that had been forced off the streets into their hotels have now been banned from the country altogether. As international opinion really begins to come down hard on the regime they are beginning to look increasingly pathetic as they start trying to blame the unrest on the west. Its clear to me that anti American rhetoric is all they have. Its a card that they always play in order to throw sand in every ones eyes and confuse the issue. I for one am not confused. I know who is to blame and who the cruel ones are.


I took these photos yesterday of a small but vocal and passionate group of protesters who had gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Blackrock Dublin

There was another quite bizarre development that I want to mention. Saturday saw a suicide bomb at the site of Ayatollah Khomeini's tomb. Three people were injured by the blast. I was at this tomb in 2004 and I remember security being very tight. This perhaps explains why only the bomber was killed.I am very curious to know who carried out this attack. Although there are occasional bomb blasts in south west Iran where the disaffected Arab minority reside it is extremely rare for such things to happen in Tehran, and at such a revered site. It may have been the work of the MKO, who are basically the left overs of the Marxist wing of the 1979 revolution who were routed in the post revolutionary power struggle. I however thought that this group had no capability inside Iran having literally all been captured killed or exiled. The only thing I know for sure is that this suicide bombing introduces another unstable element into an increasingly unpredictable situation.

More photos of the Dublin demonstration organised by the "Hands off the People of Iran" organisation.

All Hell Breaks Out

As far as I can tell, all hell has broken out on the streets of Tehran. Khameini put it up to Mousavi and the protesters yesterday at Friday prayers and they both have responded with an emphatic "bring it on". The security forces tried to stop today's demonstrations from forming by blockading the city centre. As a result there was no centralized meeting place and sporadic clashes appear to have broken out throughout the city. People have been killed. There are even reports of tanks on the streets. I don't know how serious this is. I don't know if its the regime cracking down Tianeman style. But I refuse to believe that this is simply a power struggle within the leadership of the Islamic republic with the protesters being used as pawns as some analysts still maintain. This is not a conflict within the confines of the system. This is bigger. Tonight is pivotal. If too many die tonight it will be unstoppable. The bravery, passion and determination of the Iranians out on the streets tonight inspire and humble me. What a truly great people the Persians are. Below is the horrific moment a young woman is shot dead by Khameni's murderous gangs. Not for the faint hearted.



The brave Basij, protectors of the revolution and murdering butchering bastards

Mourning for Reform

This was the scene at yesterdays demonstration in Tehran. Demonstrators wore green to represent the colour of reform and black to mourn the seven demonstrators killed on Monday at the hands of the murderous Basij. It was dignified non violent protest. I gather it was bigger than Wednesdays but not as large as Mondays. The next big Demo is set for Saturday. I am curious to see how the demonstrators react to Khameini's outburst today at Friday prayers where he rejected claims of fraud in the election, blamed everything on the west and blamed the protesters for the blood spilt.

Another image from yesterdays green and black marches