Mousavi’s Latest Statement: On the Formation of the Basij
Nov 26th, 2009 by pedestrian
5th of Azar (November 26) is the anniversary of the creation of ‘Basij[1] of the Oppressed’ by Imam Khomeini. This anniversary is an opportunity to have a second look at this influential institution in the history of the Islamic Revolution: What was the Basij? What is it now? and what should it be? What force created the Basij, and gave it a name and recognition? What made it a hero to all [of different classes] in a period of the modern history of this land? That glorious history and great success known as the Basij was not achieved through extensive budgets, and expensive weapons. It was not excellent institutionalized organization techniques that made the Basij as glorious as a tale of magnificent proportions. It was not military power that formed the Basij. Instead, it was deep and pure intentions that created this high tower and nurtured role models whose names are remembered as if they were loyal friends of the prophet.
….
[1] The Basij (Persian: بسيج) (literally “Mobilization”; also Basij-e Mostaz’afin, literally “Mobilization of the Oppressed”); is a paramilitary volunteer militia founded by the order of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979
Continued at Khordaad88.
Dear Pedestrian,
Obviously [and laudably] the movement for more democracy tries to point out and spell out contradictions and dissent between official Iranian revolution ideology, personal beliefs and objective deeds of the official, armed branches of Iranian power, between the current orders given and the personal, religious-political original motives of the rank and file of the armed branches of Iranian power for joining e.g. the basijis – in support of the aims of more democracy.
For similar reasons You every now and then publish statements by religious figures, so that the reader might get a picture of growing possible rifts, of existing contradictions and contrasting views within the clergy – a clergy the moral-ethical-political influence of which in Iran cannot possibly be overlooked – .
The statements by these clerics again, quoted by You – thus my firm assumption and conviction – have not got to do with one’s personal religious beliefs and creeds, but are quoted in support of the aims of more democracy.
As to the last item mentioned, I would like to draw your attention to the link:
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2009/11/iranian-cleric-resigns-hi.html
German
German, that was a really surprising bit of news. I hadn’t seen it in English, thank you for the link.