Iran: Mourning Hikers, Hoping for Wisdom

Arseh Sevom — So many people were touched by the story of the three Iranian climbers who successfully opened a new way to the summit of Broad Peak, yet were lost on the way down. Social networks buzzed with news, prayers, and remembrances of the climbers. Trees on Tehran’s longest street were cut without permission. Stumps were left where once mighty trees stood. A member of the Darvish minority set himself on fire in front of Iran’s parliament. Iran’s mobile phone operator took the rare step of apologizing for insulting the country’s Sunni minority. Finally, we ask if Rouhani’s government can fulfill its promise of hope and wisdom.

By Peyman Majidzadeh

Iranian Climbers: Rested in Absolute Peace

The plight of three Iranian mountain climbers captured the imagination of people all over the world. They became lost after opening a new path to the 8051-meter summit of Broad Peak, the world’s 12^th highest mountain in the Karakoram mountain range. The climbers, Aidin Bozorgi, 24, Pouya Keivan, 24 and Mojtaba Jarahi, 27, sent a call for help on Tuesday, the 16^th of July stating that they were exhausted and had run out of food.

After the call, Pakistani rescue teams were dispatched to find them, but failed. Last week, Pakistan Defense and Strategic Affairs [en] released a report on the final situation. According to the report, an international rescue team led by Mr. Thomas from Germany told the media that survival of human being at the height of above seven thousand meters after three to four days was impossible. He added: “The death of the Iranian climbers is confirmed.” The families of the climbers families have accepted the fact and the search has been called off. Now, after a successful ascent, the three climbers can rest in absolute peace.

Another climber, Scott Powrie, wrote of the climbers:

I was in Skardu when I heard the news. With a heavy heart, I leave behind three very good friends. On this trip I didn’t think I was going to meet new friends, just someone to share the rope with. But friendships evolve in strange places and in strange circumstances.  The Iranian team was made up of the highest quality individuals you could ask to spend time with. I spent my weeks in the Karokorom in the shadows of the giants- both the mountains and the men.  

Ramin and Mujtaba by Scott Powrie

Member of Darvish Set on Fire

ISNA [fa] reported on Saturday that a member of a small religious minority set himself on fire in front of the country’s parliament building. The report said that the man, apparently a member of Darvish community, suddenly poured a bottle of fuel on his body and lit it. According to the report, people and officials put our the fire and took the man to hospital.

The man had reportedly arrived from the city Ghazvin by bus on Saturday morning. According to the unofficial Kurdistan Press Agency [fa], Mohammad Ghanbari, 25, set himself on fire to object “national-religious discriminations” against Kurd citizens. Mohammad Ghanbari died a few hours after being taken to hospital.

More than one month ago, two other Kurd citizens, namely Hassan Razavi and Nikmard Taheri had also set themselves on fire in the city Hamedan to show their objection to insults from Iran’s security agents.

Trees Killed Standing

Radiozamaneh [en] reported that Tehran city officials are cutting down 70-year-old trees at night on one of the city’s main arteries, Vali Asr Avenue. The reason is not clear yet. Officials stated that the trees were attacked by pests and insects and needed to be cut. Some others believe that security forces need more open spaces for surveillance cameras.

According to Mehr News Agency’s [fa] report, Vali Asr Avenue was registered in the database of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization on 28 December 2011. Since then, any modification in the avenue should be performed after obtaining permission from the organization. However, no permission was obtained for cutting the trees. Vali Asr Avenue was also planned to be registered at UNESCO, since it is the longest street both in Tehran and the Middle East, with 8000 trees planted every 1.5 meters all along the avenue.

Let them live with dignity and die standing when the time comes…

Mobile Operator Apologizes for Insulting Religious Minority

Religious minorities have always been under a lot of pressure in Iran. The pressure has taken different forms in recent years. The most recent case is the Iranian second largest mobile operator, MTN Irancell, which sent a controversial message to a wide audience, Roozonline [fa] reported. The message raised objections among Sunni Muslims.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty [en], subscribers were asked in a text message: “Which judge was deceived by the devil during the time of [the first imam of Shi’a] Imam Ali?” the audience could choose from two possible answers. And here raises the problem: one of the answers was Omar, a Sunni caliph deeply respected by the community. The event caused a prosecutor from Sistan and Baluchistan Province to file charges against Irancell. The operator officially apologized for its act. As unacceptable as Irancell’s act is, this is a rare occasion in which an organization apologized for its wrongdoings. Admitting to wrongdoings and respecting other parts of society in which we live in is a huge step towards a healthy civil society.

Rouhani’s Inauguration Ceremony: No US, No Israel

Hassan Rouhani won a great victory in Iran’s presidential race more than a month ago, and now is the time for his inauguration. According to Tabnak [fa], the ceremony will be arranged based on the promise Rouhani made in his presidential campaign: improving relationship with the world. So, this will be the first time in post-revolution Iran that heads of almost all states have been invited to attend. It seems quite promising. And no, the United States and Israel are not invited. The Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Araqchi, explained:

“Our invitation includes all the countries (of the world), with the exception of the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel), which we do not formally recognize as a country.”

However, good news is that even the UK got an invite, despite severing diplomatic ties after mobs of Islamist vigilantes ransacked the British embassy and its residential compound in 2011, Wall Street Journal [en] reported. So far, the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Lebanon, and Syria have confirmed their attendance. After the ceremony, Rouhani’s first challenge will be to appoint the new cabinet. Who is in? Who is out? It is close, time will tell. Let’s see how committed the government of wisdom and hope is to its slogans and promises.