Political firestorm in Iran

The political condition in the land of the Mullahs is unsettling. Wire reports claimed the situation is fast degenerating from bad to worse. Nationwide protests have escalated. International media reported hundreds of deaths and maims. It is the most challenging public unrest in the theocratic state unprecedented since the 1979 Islamic Revolution which caused the downfall of the Shah and the takeover of the Mullahs.

This column reported earlier about the death of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian student Mahsa Amini who, protesters claimed, was arrested by Teheran morality police and subjected to physical abuse leading to her death. Her crime? A misdemeanor of violating the modesty code by wearing improperly the hijab, or the thin cloth that covers the head, hair, neck and shoulder of Muslim women.

I then wrote, "She has become the face of Muslim women's resistance to oppressive modesty laws in Iran and has ramified Muslim women in other parts of the world. Her tragic tale has become viral among Muslim citizens and netizens and ignited a tsunami of protest in major cities of Iran and elsewhere. It has shaken the ruling Mullahs and ruffled feathers in Muslim society worldwide." Little did we expect that it became the firebrand for the massive and pervasive demonstrations against the regime of the former Persian Empire. Lately, a huge demonstration was staged on the 40th day morning ceremony of her death, a day celebrated among Muslims in remembrance of the deceased. It has electrified not only Muslims but others.

The regime is definitely caught in a bind.

So far its response is the default action of other regimes in a similar situation — crackdown and imposing draconian measures to scare the shit out of the protesters. According to the Iran Human Rights group, "160 people have been killed in the crackdown. . . . and another 93 in a district protest wave in Zabedan in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province." And still counting. Media reported thousands of arrests and two public beheadings already of protesters for the alleged death of state officers during "riots." And a thousand have been charged and jailed waiting for a verdict which critics anticipate will lead to more public beheadings. Apparently, the scare tactic is backfiring. Protests are not showing any sign of de-escalating or relenting. In fact, there are now more mass rallies. And the West saw the opportunity to hit back at a pariah state by supporting, at least in rhetoric the outcry to help destabilize, if not topple down the alleged repressive regime.

The regime is playing a game that might cause its undoing. Too stringent interpretation, beyond the noble purpose and soul of the Holy Qur'an, could be counter-productive. Right now, there is a glaring schism among Muslim women about modesty protocol that should be observed in dressing publicly. In the protests, social media features Iranian Muslim women in a challenging and defiant mood standing with a raised fist and without the regular abaya or hijab, a signature raiment for Muslims.

But it has captivated the attention of the world. And with all the propaganda arsenals of the West, it might give in to reforms, if not a regime change, although the latter is a long shot.

What is it for Filipino Muslims? The Muslim community is bonded by the concept of Ummah Islamiya or the brotherhood of Muslims, a special tie that transcends beyond being a Sunni or Shia. The drama is didactic on how Muslim countries should treat reforming, forward-looking and progressive Muslims. Should it be uncompromising on imposing strictly the literal teaching of Islam, or give in to tolerance without compromising the spirit of the teachings?

How will this political drama end? It's still too early to tell. The regime is resilient and the advocacy of its kind of political Islam has the support of ultra-conservative Muslims. The protest movement though has the encouragement of the West, especially the United States and the United Nation.

Is it good for Islam? It depends upon several factors. What is apparent is that the religion is on the cusp of either growing strong or weakening with the turmoil in Iran.

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