Gaining Momentum

Events have again gained momentum in Iran. Following the tragic events of Ashura, in Tehran and other cities, I spoke in the Tehran City Council. The Government media had embarked on a campaign to accuse people who were protesting on Ashura of inciting unrest and insecurity and insulting religious values in the capital.  I noted in my speech that the people of Tehran had not insulted religious values and had nothing to do with any attack on public property. They were however brutally attacked that day and the day before in Jamaran the home of the Founder of the Revolution, Imam Khomeini , I pointed out. Mir Hossein Mousavi , whose nephew had been killed that day , issued his 17th  statement presenting a road map that would bring an end to the current stalemate. This statement has been  taken very seriously by moderate politicians in the current government as well as others. Many groups announced their readiness to follow his policy guidelines to prevent further violence and bloodshed and to hold those responsible for these events accountable. The state -run radio and television which holds a bad reputation for presenting a distorted and  one-sided approach of the events during these months, is attempting to open the atmosphere to more criticism by inviting moderate or pro-reformist figures to speak out on these issues and present the realities to the people.
The assassination of a prominent academician and physicist , in Tehran on Tuesday , has however prompted serious concern due to the sophisticated nature of the bombing plot and the implications this event could have for the political and social scene in Iran. Many analysts believe that the killing of Dr. Alimohammadi  , who was according to colleagues and students a practicing Muslim and Green by all means, is an indication of a new trend of violence in Iran. Whether rooted in the plots of foreign and Zionist intelligence agencies or rooted in internal strife, the event is to be condemned and lessons must be learnt.
We are a multi-ethnic and diverse society in Iran, extreme religious principalists and moderate reformists must live together in Iran and learn to share power and to respect each other within the  social economic and political rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The widening gaps in Iranian society are a threat to peace, prosperity and development in Iran. Generational gaps, ideological gaps, political gaps and economic gaps can be envisioned as both threat and opportunity for our society. The reformist movement was created with the hope of respecting this  diversity in the Iranian society and providing equal opportunity for all to realize their God given potentials.