By: 
Jila Kazerounian
Source: American Chronicle
On June 28th, 2008 in an unprecedented and historic rally in Paris, 70,000 Iranians from around the world gathered to strongly oppose the theocratic regime in Iran and to express their support for the Iranian Resistance. The rally was exceptional because never in history have we witnessed such an organized and massive crowd of dissidents congregate in exile to lend support to the opposition leaders. The convention was comparable to ones launched by governments with resources and power in their own countries. Any unbiased observer will testify to this fact. This event, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), demonstrated the strength and determination of the organizers and the unparalleled support they enjoy among the Iranian people.
By: Jila Kazerounian
Source: American Chronicle
On June 28th, 2008 in an unprecedented and historic rally in Paris, 70,000 Iranians from around the world gathered to strongly oppose the theocratic regime in Iran and to express their support for the Iranian Resistance. The rally was exceptional because never in history have we witnessed such an organized and massive crowd of dissidents congregate in exile to lend support to the opposition leaders. The convention was comparable to ones launched by governments with resources and power in their own countries. Any unbiased observer will testify to this fact. This event, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), demonstrated the strength and determination of the organizers and the unparalleled support they enjoy among the Iranian people.
This remarkable backing has caused much fear among the ruling mullahs in Iran. It is for this reason that they ask for the suppression and limitation of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), a member of the NCRI coalition, at every negotiating session with the West. The western governments´ favorable response of appeasing the mullahs has resulted in the MEK being labeled as terrorists. Better than anyone else, the regime realizes who the main threat to its existence is. The vicious mullahs know all too well about the widespread support the Iranian resistance enjoys inside the country. Last year alone, there were about 5,000 protests and uprisings throughout Iran. The people are fed up. The dismal human rights record and suppressive measures of the clerics show their desperation and anxiety. Since the west has set course in bending backwards and giving in to the mullahs´ demands, the fundamentalist rulers of Iran get more emboldened in their terrorism and expansionism.
One impressive aspect of the Paris event for Democracy in Iran was the extensive participation of Iranian women. Young and old, 3 generations of women were present in the gathering. Women have been the prime victims of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran. Considering women as sexual objects and sub-humans has been a clear characteristic of mullahs´ ideology. For them, women are created to serve men and submit to them! As a natural outcome, thousands of women were in Paris to dismiss the mullahs´ ideology and extend their support to the women-led MEK and the charismatic President-elect of NCRI, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. The MEK in practice and not just in theory has proven their profound commitment to political leadership of women. Iranian women, who have been historically suppressed and kept back, now see hope and a bright future that comes with the inevitable downfall of the mullahs. Let me assure those in power in Iran that soon their house of cards will collapse and their rotten regime will be dumped into the trash can of history by these brave women.
I would like to end this article by quoting from Mrs. Rajavi´s speech in Paris: "The day will come when cranes, from which people are hung, torture chambers and torture acts are all but frightening tales of the past. The day will come when the horrific abyss of bigotry will give way to tolerance and understanding. No religion will be privileged. No one will be denied his/her right because of the belief or non-belief in a religion; and there is the separation of church and state. The day will come when the world of suppression and discrimination against Iranian women will crumble and gender equality will steer the Iranian society towards a new world. And that day is very close."
* Jila Kazerounian is the Executive Director of Women's Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran (WFAFI)
