The clerical leaders, who have long claimed their authority by citing the Quran and emulating the Prophet Mohammad, found themselves in a precarious situation as their people rebelled against their misused religious authority.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is of significant religious importance to Shiite Muslims, marking the Battle of Karbala where Imam Hussein ibn Ali and his companions chose martyrdom over submitting to an unjust ruler. However, the current Iranian regime has long exploited these ceremonies to maintain its religious legitimacy.
The 2023 Muharram observances witnessed a potent display of resistance. The Iranian people gathered in various cities, paying tribute to the recent martyrs of uprisings and protests. What was remarkable was the fervent opposition to the regime voiced by state-affiliated eulogists and event organizers during these ceremonies.
In the cities of Arak, Amol, Qazvin, Izeh, and Behshahr, ceremonies and protests were held to honor the memory of the martyrs and criticize the oppressive rule.
Social media platforms were filled with protest posts, images, and videos of loved ones who had fallen in the struggle for freedom. The real spirit of Ashura was revitalized by the Iranian people, making a clear distinction between their genuine religious beliefs and the hypocritical use of religion by the extremist regime.
The regime, caught off guard, found itself on the defensive. State officials and media cautioned their leadership, reflecting their fear of the widespread unrest. There were attempts to suppress the people’s voices with denial of permissions, detentions, and attempts to disrupt the ceremonies, but the indomitable spirit of resistance prevailed.
Critics, including those within Iran and abroad, have often claimed that Iranians are disillusioned with religion and that any group with religious inclinations would face hostility. However, the Muharram 2023 demonstrations showed that the Iranian people were not against religion but against its manipulation for the political ends of the extremist regime.
They showcased their capacity to distinguish between true Islam and hypocrisy, thereby undermining the regime’s hold over them and further discrediting their so-called allies abroad.
In the end, Muharram 2023 was not just another religious observance but a significant turning point where the Iranian people exposed the regime’s lies, refusing to allow their faith to be hijacked by political extremism. As the veil of deceit lifts, Iran’s extremist rulers face an unprecedented challenge: an awakened population ready to reclaim their faith and freedom.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
