PLEA FOR A ‘FREE IRAN’
Eghbal Kayadan, editor of a local Farsi magazine, says many Calgary-Iranians are fearful for the safety of family members amid violent protests in the Mideast nation.
Eghbal Kayadan has lived in Canada for 27 years but, right now, his thoughts are 10,000 kilometres away.
As anti-government protests in Iran have left more than 20 dead and hundreds arrested, day-to-day news has brought a sense of worry to Calgary’s Iranian community.
“Everybody 24/7 is following the social media,” said Kayadan, who has published Iran Khabar, a Calgary Farsi magazine, since 2004. “People in Calgary are worried about their family back home because everybody here, they have a member of their family that are probably in the street protesting. They are worried about their lives.”
Getting updates from relatives in Iran hasn’t been easy. In addition to navigating a 10.5-hour time difference, things were made more complicated on the weekend when the government blocked access to Telegram, a popular messaging app used by many in Iran.
“The internet is really slow for them, so when we talk to them or if they send a clip or any voice, it’s going to take time for them to download it or upload it,” Kayadan said. “They have a tough time right now.”
The anti-government demonstrations, the largest in the country since 2009, broke out Dec. 28 in response to rising food prices and a weak economy. They have since escalated, targeting Iran’s theocratic government and the lack of freedoms under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement and also a lot of worry,” said Fariborz Birjandian, CEO of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. “This movement that people have started is quite unique because it is spread across the country.”
Birjandian, who came to Canada from Iran 30 years ago, said the clashes are surprising but not unexpected.
“This is basically something that was sitting to be ignited,” he said. “As a religious minority in Iran that basically became a refugee because I lost all my freedom, all my individual rights … we always wish for the country to go through a revolution. I really hope that people push the government to at least accept the basic human rights, basic transparency. People need to be heard.”
‘ I CAN’T SLEEP’
Mehdi Rashidian, owner of Persian restaurant Shiraz, said what keeps him up at night is what comes after the current round of clashes.
“This is what scares me. If tomorrow they bring somebody (new) and do the same thing,” said Rashidian, a former political prisoner in Iran. “I can’t sleep because I know what’s going on over there. These people, they don’t care. They kill anybody.”
With youth unemployment high, the protests have seen many younger members of the population playing a prominent role. But Kayadan said there are many misconceptions in North America about what these demonstrators hope to achieve.
“They always think the Iranian people are part of the terrorists. No, we are part of the humans who love freedoms and who love to live in a free country,” he said, adding he has young relatives protesting who simply want the same rights as “everyone else in the 21st century.”
“They are going to the street to protest and (my relatives) are worried if their son or daughter are coming back safe,” Kayadan said.
Local members of the Iranian community plan to hold a rally at Calgary City Hall on Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. in solidarity with demonstrators.
“I feel my heart is always there,” said Kayadan, who has never been back to Iran since coming to Canada. “We are asking for the government of Canada, Mr. (Justin) Trudeau to help us and send us his voice to support Iranians for human rights. Women and men and the young generation right now, they’re asking for freedom, to free Iran.”
Rashidian said he remains optimistic that these protests can lead to change.
“People are really devastated but the world has to stand up and support them and say, ‘Listen, we are behind you, what do you need?’” he said. “I’m praying for it every day.”