Fighting extremism in the wake of revolution

Nadine MelamedStaff WriterMy mother was 18 years old the year she, her two younger siblings and my grandmother were forced to flee their home country of Iran. It was 1978; her family foresaw the downfall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Persian King, and knew they had no choice but to leave.In a span of just 24 hours, she was forced to abandon her house, her possessions, her family and friends. She left behind her streets, her old school, her beloved orange bike with pink streamers and every other memory she had of her Iran. She closed her eyes and forever turned her back on the only home she had ever known.The Iranian Revolution was the result of citizen protests against the King’s attempts to secularize, modernize and westernize the traditional Islamic state of Iran — protests which threatened the power of the nation’s religious leaders. Furious Islamists, Communists and Marxists filled the streets in protest, calling for the “death of the dictator Shah.” It was an accurate label: the Shah was a dictator; he had a strong secret service and didn’t allow anyone to speak against him. But he also strove to bring education and medical advancements to small towns and villages and worked for the overall betterment of the country.The months of violent street protests, coupled with the Carter administration’s lack of support for the Shah and the comprehensive withdrawal of American support from a once-crucial ally, led to the complete overthrow of the Shah. This gave way for outspoken rebel Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to re-enter and radicalize the fragile country. It was time to say goodbye to the Iran of my parents’ childhood.“When we revolted, we revolted for the sake of Islam ...our constitution must be in accordance with the Islamic law and in the framework of Islamic law,” Ayatollah Khomeini preached. “There is nothing in the West but villainy ... . We are not scared of Western invasion. What frightens us is invasion by Western immorality.”Life under the Ayatollah was a hoax. Although he made many promises to the Iranian people, including enabling an elected and representative government, free telephone use, free electricity and other amenities, he never followed through.Still, Iranian citizens loved him and worshiped him like a God. Khomeini was the main author of the Islamic constitution which is still used in Iran today. He was the first leader to mandate Sharia (Islamic law). He enforced a dress code for women and banned “immoral” substances and activities — such as alcoholic drinks and men and women swimming together.Khomeini also implemented the Islamic Cultural Revolution, the time period that began the Islamization of all level educational curricula. For entertainment, only religious or Iranian radio and television was acceptable.In the Middle East, religion has long been the key to bringing people together or pulling them apart. It’s a polarizing factor in Muslim countries — and if religious power falls into the wrong hands, it can be manipulated sinfully.Iran was once a strong American ally, like Egypt is currently. Without America’s continual support, Egypt doesn’t stand a change against radicalism. The already fragile country will topple, and like Iran, another country could be lost to radicalism.People around the world have a false perception of change, that it’s strictly positive. They don’t realize that change isn’t always good. Change could mean dictator gives way to another dictator who may further corrupt the country, reversing any sort of progress they’ve made towards a democracy inherent in a protest movement. Iran was a country lost to radicalism because of a change in leadership, something I hope will not happen in Egypt.The future cannot be predicted; there is no science to guarantee the intended outcome of protest. I worry that people around the world view the predicament in Egypt too optimistically, and refuse to heed caution from Iran’s revolutionary experience. It’s not that I don’t support the Egyptian people’s desire for freedom, but I fear the possibility that the country could be lost to extremism in the process.I have confidence that the Egyptian students, the main contenders for the revolution, will not lead their country down the path of extremism but into the way of true democracy.Students- the power is in your hands. Stand up for what you believe in. Students started both the Iranian and Egyptian revolutions and although adults condemn your abilities, students have the most power. Historically, large groups have realized this and utilized this to their benefit. Us students, we decide when and what to protest. It’s our call and we can do it whatever we want.nmelamed@thesamohi.com