Siyavash Shahabi
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Voices from the Shadows:
Inside Sweden’s Deportation Camps•
Berham Mohammad, a Kurdish refugee in Gothenburg, recounts the harrowing conditions in a Swedish camp that resembles a prison-like environment with psychological warfare, inhumane treatment, and repeated violations of human rights. Incarcerated with other refugees, some long-term residents face forced returns, while harsh daily living conditions provoke hunger strikes and…
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Dawn of the Iranian Renaissance:
Critiquing the Religion•
Reza Alijani’s book “The Future of Islam in Iran” explores the social evolution and religious criticism in Iran since the Qajar era, focusing on the post-1979 authoritarian turn and economic corruption of the Islamic Republic. Analyzing society’s move towards modernity and individual rights, Alijani underscores the widespread challenge to traditional…
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How Healthcare Costs Push Iranians to the Brink
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Healthcare expenses, particularly medication, consume a significant portion of Iranian household incomes, with many forgoing treatments due to high costs. Iran’s rate of direct health payments is above global averages, indicating a widespread occurrence of catastrophic health expenditures. This trend results in increased poverty and reduced living standards, despite national…
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Iran: Minimum Wage and State Manipulated Food Baskets
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The state in favor employers manipulate the basket food to suppress wages. The Ministry of Health has reduced nutritional needs in the food basket, sparking worker protests. Amid inflation and unemployment threats, the true cost of living is ignored, leaving workers underpaid and increasing hunger, while employers oppose wage hikes…
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Four Essential Books on Palestine:
Navigating Beyond Propaganda•
In the heart of the Middle East lies a land considered holy by millions, yet the battleground for one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This blog post delves into the narratives, pain, and perspectives of both Israelis and Palestinians through the lens…
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Forgotten Refugees of the Balkan Route
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Trieste’s Piazza della Libertà and the nearby Silos warehouses have become a hub for migrants, mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, fleeing violence and seeking asylum. They endure harsh living conditions, with inadequate shelter, facing winter cold and illness. Volunteers provide some aid, while local organizations struggle to house the 420…
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Islamism, Pseudo-Marxism and Ali Shariati
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The phrase “camel, cow, leopard” symbolizes a confusing mixture, something Iranians use to describe Ali Shariati’s complex blend of Islam and social science, reshaping young Iranians’ views. Asef Bayat’s book details Shariati’s role in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, portraying him as a thinker who challenged Western ideologies and traditional religion…
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Voices Unheard: Afghan Women’s Fight Against Marginalization
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The UN meeting on Afghanistan in Doha coincides with protests by Afghan women against Taliban rule. Parwana Ibrahim Khail, a known journalist and women’s rights activist, shared her experiences of imprisonment and torture under the Taliban, including a stoning sentence for alleged apostasy. Despite international outcry and support for these…
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Disqualification Mechanism in Iran Elections
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Iran is set to hold its twelfth parliamentary elections and sixth Assembly of Experts elections on March 1, 2024. With prevalent disqualifications of candidates, 7 provinces face uncontested seats in the Assembly of Experts, indicating a lack of genuine competition, a trend mirroring Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s preference for compliant…
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Untold Story of Binke:
The 1979 Resistance of Sanandaj’s City Council•
In a bold and unapologetic exploration, Zaniar Omrani’s documentary “Binke” (The Base) tears into the fabric of Sanandaj’s contemporary political landscape. Omrani doesn’t just depict history; he thrusts viewers into the heart of the furnace. From the explosive liberation of political prisoners in 1979 to the tumultuous birth of Rojhelat’s…
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Hidden Histories:
Insights into Bahman Uprising•
On February 11, 1979, Tehran saw an organized, well-armed uprising against state forces, leading to the fall of the Shah’s regime. Guerrilla groups, alongside a determined public, captured key locations including police stations, military barracks, and the radio-television center. Despite resistance, the insurgents secured arms, released prisoners, and occupied government…
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Iran: A Movement for Life Against Execution
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Recent reports from Iran show a troubling increase in executions, with political dissidents like Worishe Moradi and Shahab Nad-Ali charged with “Baghy,” equating to rebellion. January 2024 saw 86 executions, outpacing new death sentences. This reflects an apparent policy shift or “cleansing” effort, with the death penalty used to suppress…
