Progressive Iranian youth movements and social change

¶ … Iranian Youth

The emergence of progressive Iranian youth

Approximately sixty percent of the Iranian population is under 30 years of age. The simple demographic has enormous implications for the theocratic and orthodox leadership in that country. According to many commentators this demographic also implies a possible future change in the conservative policies of the present regime and an introduction of a new progressive outlook that may originate with the youth. As one commentator states: "Nearly three quarters of Iran's population is under the age of 30 and this new generation has a new way of doing things." (Youth shapes Iran's economy)

Coupled with this is the fact that there are indications of an increasing Western influence among the young people of Iran, which is also leading to an increase in the questioning of social norms and dissent, leading to a more progressive and urbanized youth.

Factors such as the Internet are introducing concepts, fashions and lifestyle images which are often diametrically opposed to the conservative ideology of the Iranian government and aspects of the traditional culture. "Increased use of the internet is helping many young Iranians to connect to the outside world." (Youth shapes Iran's economy)

As a result many political and social commentators state that the urban youth in the country are creating a challenge for the government and Islamic traditionalists in the country as "urban youth in particular calls for greater economic and political reform." (Youth shapes Iran's economy)

These views are supported by increased signs of rebellion and dissent among Iranian youth in recent year. In 2006 "....Iranian young people staged anti-government protests in Tehran and other cities across the country today, using the annual Persian "fire festival" celebration to burn effigies and pictures of the country's leaders and set cars ablaze belonging to the State Security Forces..." (Report: Iranian youth defy ayatollah (www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49265")

There are also many studies and report that indicates that Iran is undergoing a "new revolution" and that there is a significant and growing reaction to the conservative and theocratic leadership in the country. This incipient and often tangible rebellion against the rule of various shades of Islamic fundamentalism is clearly expressed in the following report.

It is Friday prayers at Tehran University. A wizened, elderly mullah is preaching to thousands about the need for Muslim unity. Beside him is a Kalashnikov rifle and in front, in Farsi and English, are the slogans of the revolution,, Then in unison the faithful begin to chant: 'Death to America! Death to America!' But these are the slogans of a bygone age, of an ossified revolution that is almost a quarter of a century old. Now, almost unnoticed by the rest of the world, Iran has lurched into the throes of a new revolution.

Judah T.)

There are many commentaries and studies in agreement with the above views. However at the same time care must be taken not to paint on overlay simplistic picture of the situation in Iran. There are many conflicting views and numerous variables influencing this complex society that have to be taken into consideration before accepting these reports at fact value. The following sections will therefore attempt to explore the "new revolution" among the youth of Iran in order to come to a comprehensive understanding of the reality of the Iranian situation.

2. The evolution of revolt.

The battle between orthodoxy and the progressives has a long and convoluted history in Iran. The Iranian revolution which installed Islamic orthodoxy was the result of a number of political factors, including the defeat by Israel in the 1968 war. This defeat had "...shaken the ruling classes in the Arab world. More importantly, this defeat greatly discredited the ideology of Arab nationalism promoted by Jamal Abdel Nasser. "(Asghar a.)

Nasser had achieved a position of standing in Arab culture due to his opposition to what as seen as Western imperialism. However the defeat in the 1968 war eradicated the gains made in terms of cultural and political prestige in Arab culture by Nasser and opened the way for the more hardline and conservative figures, such as the Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran.

As a consequence of these events the "...ideology of Arab nationalism gave way to Islamic revival. " (Asghar a.) There were various events which strengthened the conservative and theocratic Islamic revival in Iran and the Middle East in general. One do these was partial victory against Israel in the 1973 war. These events and the increase in opposition to the Western influence in the area, and particularly the West's support for Israel, resulted in the use of oil as a weapon. This led to the word oil crisis when "...Arab nations decided to use the oil weapon for the first time to challenge the domination of the west." (Asghar a.) Many of the Arab leaders and governments in the region were discredited and Anwar Sadat, the then President of Egypt, was assassinated by those who wish to restore a more conservative and revivalist form of Islam.

These events obviously had a negative effect on the status and position of the Shah of Iran who was both pro-Western and a supporter of Israel. "The Shah, in his enthusiasm to follow pro-Western policy, not only ignored the sensibilities of Iranian people but also antagonized the powerful class of Shi'ah 'ulama." (Asghar a.) the Shi'ah class in Iran is extremely powerful and their "....beliefs, leadership, and institutions have played an important role in Iranian politics and society. Shiism has been interpreted and utilized to safeguard national identity and independence and to mobilize popular support." (Asghar a.)

Therefore the Ayatollah Khomeini became the centre of popular support and national authenticity in Iran. "Khomeini could mobilize Iranian masses which no leader of the Muslim world could. He appealed not only to Shi'as but also to Sunnis in the Islamic world as he made Muslims proud of their Islamic identity." (Asghar a.) the regime that followed was theocratically based and religiously conservative.

However the changing tone and direction of Iranian politics was evident in the election of Mohammad Khatami on May 23, 1997.

He was also reelected in 2001 and "...captured almost 70% of the vote, humiliating the conservative candidate." (Profile: Mohammad Khatami) His presidency is seen as a start of the reform movement in the country and it is noteworthy that his election was mainly due to the youth and the female vote - two sections of the society that have suffered under the rule of hardliner Islamic orthodoxy. "Mr. Khatami promised Iranians change, and women and the young came to vote for him with an enthusiasm that has not been seen in previous elections. Unlike the dour, unsmiling ayatollahs Iranians had become accustomed to, here was an Islamic leader of a very different kind. "(Profile: Mohammad Khatami)

Khatami's popular success did not go down well with the conservatives and this resulted in opposition from the orthodox elements in Iranian society who were and are still in control of many of the most important institutions. (Asghar a.) conservatives recaptured two thirds of the parliament in February 2004. "Victory" for the conservatives was achieved, in large part, by the intervention of the unelected Guardian Council, which succeeded in rejecting the candidacy of 2,400 reformist candidates. The "Tehran spring" -- when Iranians and international observers hoped that reformists could bring about peaceful, democratic transformation of the Islamic Republic -- has faded.

Saghafi M.)

This is roughly the position that the youth in Iran find themselves in at present. The progressive element in the county is blocked on many fronts and there is a repression of those who would voice dissent at the conservative polices of the country. The leaders of conservative orthodoxy in the country include the supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini.

3. The new revolution and the progressive youth

It is somewhat ironic that that the initial Iranian revolution, which was strongly supported by the youth at that time, has now resulted in a second and counter social revolution that is also mainly the result of youthful ideals and aspirations. As one commentator states, "The hardliners can always launch another temporary crackdown. But in the end, the 1970s Islamic revolution seems certain to be undone by its own children." (Iran's Youth Push Islamic Limits) an important political aspect to the new social revolt that is underway in the country is the position and power of the Shi'ite elite. However, "....This empowerment of 'ulama is under challenge today in Iran. The challenge has come both from moderate 'ulama and from liberal middle classes. The youth and students are also in the forefront of the battle for reforms." (Asghar a.)

The reason for the present progressive stance among the younger people in Iranian society is basically the same reason that was given for the revolt against the Shah - the freedom from a repressive regime. The youth is again "...fighting repressive measures of conservative clergy in Iran today. "(Asghar a.) in a sense the majority of young people feel "suffocated" by the authoritarian and conservative approach of the conservative clergy in the country.

Subsequently there is a "...hunger for reforms, for more freedom and accommodation with the west." (Asghar a.)

This movement of the progressive youth as well other sectors of the population, such as women, was clearly seen in the 1999 unrest in Iran where mainly university students took to the streets of Tehran in order to express their dissatisfaction with the orthodox regime. There were more than 20,000 students who took part in this protest and the result was a slight reduction on conservatism form the regime.

The present state of affairs Iran shows that there are a number of issues that are in the forefront of the desire for progressive reforms. These include the need for freedom of thought and expression and a reduction of the strict censorship that characterizes government policy. Another issue that is central to the progressive agenda is international relationships. There is a consensus among the progressive youth that the present hard-line and confrontational attitudes adopted by the Iranian authorities are not conducive to future peace. Another pressing issue is women's rights. This is an issue that has come to the forefront of debate in the society in recent years.

All of these issues have been accentuated and exacerbated by the examples set by more liberal and modernized Islamic countries in the region. Comparisons with other countries and regions have also been made more accessible due to the prevalence of the Internet." Today there are 1.75 million Iranians with access to the internet, and in five years that figure is expected to be five million. While the internet is a window on the world, it is also Iran's leap into free speech. Recently newspapers which the government has closed have continued to publish online." (Judah T.)