Protests against the death of a young woman in police custody in Iran are ongoing across the country. The government has taken a strict stand to suppress the protests. 41 people have already been killed in the week-long protest-violence. Internet connectivity has been cut off in some parts of the country. The government has also stopped services like WhatsApp and Instagram.
The protests in the Middle Eastern country, which is under strict Islamic rule, began on September 16, following the death of Kurdish teenager Masa Amini, 22. She was arrested three days ago by Tehran's 'Morality Police' for not wearing hijab 'according to proper rules'.
Masa Amini traveled to Tehran with his family from Kurdistan, Iran. After being detained, he fell ill and was admitted to a hospital in Tehran. He died while undergoing treatment there. Protests started in Iran's Kurdish-dominated northwest, but later spread to other cities in the country.
The experience of five Iranian citizens with the 9-day protest, why they joined the protest, has emerged in a report by the British media Guardian.
'Women and men protesting together'
Farah, 37, from Siraj region in southern Iran, said, 'I don't dare to go out and join the protests. Because they are killing people. But my friends are joining the protest and they told me all about it. Whether this is the best way to achieve freedom and peace, I do not know. But I think, through this they can bring a safe system for women. Earlier all the protests were mainly done by men. But this time the incident is very different. Women started it and men stood by them. While the police are forcing women to wear hijab, men are fighting them. Most of the protesters are young, but the elderly are also supporting them.'
Farah said, 'Women and girls have no rights in Iran. This protest is about that. Here in court the testimony of two women is considered equal to the testimony of one man. If a woman visits her parents without her husband's permission, the husband can take legal action against her. I can't take my son to another city without my ex-husband's permission. Earlier in school I was beaten for not covering my hair completely or for laughing too loud. This protest is a protest against the deprivation of the past years. I think, the young generation will not tolerate this oppression anymore.'
'Mother sent message on mobile phone to join the protest'
A 19-year-old student named Sobhan from Tehran said, 'I participated in the university protest. Today (Saturday) about 100 Basijis (volunteer paramilitary force members) entered the university and detained some students. A friend of mine has been arrested and taken to court. He said he would continue to protest, even if it cost him his life. This is how we survive. We don't know if we will see our friends alive again. I can get lost myself, I am in that fear.'
Sobhan said, 'Now that social media has been shut down, people are gathering to see what happens. All men and women have come down the street. But I think women are more brave. They are protesting by removing hijab. I joined the protest without informing my family. Meanwhile, my mother sent me a message on my mobile asking me to participate in the protest. Since last night, many people are afraid to go out of the house. The roads are dangerous now and you never know what will happen. Along with the youth, the elders are also protesting. Many have come to the protest with their mothers.'
'Previous generations also want change'
"I am very disappointed and angry," said Farbod, 44, who works at an advertising agency in Tehran. I am a simple man, just want to keep family safe and happy. But the government has made it impossible. They destroyed everything. Economy, export, import, culture destroyed everything. I have a teenage son. He wants to live free. Want to use social media. He wants to wear the clothes he likes. But he can't.'
Farbod said, 'mobile network and internet are off. I have seen police brutality during peaceful processions for several days. They are using tear gas shells and electric shocks. They are killing people. Among them are young, old, women and men. People want freedom of information. They want the freedom to choose their destiny.'
'Many are fighting on the streets'
"Yazd is a small religious city," said Amin, 29, from Yazd in central Iran. Security forces have outnumbered protesters here in the past few days. The government is using force to disperse the people. Protesters are being beaten and even shot. I have not yet joined the protest out of fear. But I will be protesting in the coming days. Many people are fighting in the streets. Especially brave women and young women are fighting. Decades after decades of rigid Islamic rule have suppressed them. They are now coming out and fighting for their rights. I know many women want to throw away their hijab. Many of my sisters and girlfriends think so. It's a women's revolt. My parents are also in favor of this protest. But like many others, they are afraid to talk about it.'
Farbod also said, 'Iran's leaders are using any force to maintain their authority. They are using Islam as a weapon. I work in advertising. Know my work, my people and society. I think the people of Iran (the supreme religious leader of Iran) don't want Khamenei, mullahs and forced religious discipline. Iran's youth have been trying to convey this message to the government peacefully for years. But they are being jailed, tortured and even killed for it. The older generation also wants change. But they are worried about their children. Besides, they have also seen failures in the past. People of my country are tired now. They are sick of the Islamic Republic. Whether they are residents of Tehran, Khasan or Qoum.'
'This protest has brought all people together'
Shami, a 38-year-old resident of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, who is currently living in Australia, said, 'I am a resident of Kurdistan. Masha Amini was also a resident of that province. This year's protest is different than before. The new generation is fearless. They are fighting back with bare hands. They know it could cost them their lives. The older generation is also proud of the courage of the youth. It has created unity among different ethnic groups.'
Shami also said, 'There was no unity between Arabs, Turks and Kurds during the 2019 protests. But now from Tabriz to Sanandaz, Tehran to Mashad—everywhere is the same slogan. People in my province are Sunni. People of my area are happy with this protest. During the protest last Monday, everyone closed the shops to pay respect to Masha Amini.
Shami also said that the number of young atheists in Iran has increased dramatically. Today's conservatives in Iran are not the same as they were 10 years ago. Iranians, battered by the 8-year war against Iraq, wanted to preserve internal stability at any cost. But that sentiment has now changed. Prostitution also flourished in cities like the holy Mashhad. The economic situation is largely responsible for this.
Shami said, now stars have also joined the protest. Earlier they supported the government but now they understand that something big is going to happen. So they changed their tune. This protest has a big meaning. It is now spreading to conservative areas as well. People's trust in the government has been lost.
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