2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt
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2017-2018 Iranian protests | |||
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The 2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt was a pro-monarchy Iranian protest that took place at the Tomb of Cyrus the Great on Cyrus the Great Day,[1][2] that inaugurated a series of protests with increasing calls for regime change.
The protest was triggered by rising
The event fell on a Friday, which is a weekend in Iran, allowing for more people than usual to gather, and also coincided with the birthday of former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has remained a vocal figure of opposition to the Iranian government, and a symbol of support for monarchism in Iran.[6] As such, many monarchist supporters than before were inspired to turn out to the march, with people learning of the upcoming march on internet platforms such as Telegram, and reports stated that people started gathering in the Pasargadae area, especially around the Tomb of Cyrus, from as early as the evening of 27 October 2016, resulting in heavy traffic on roads to the site. In response to the large amounts of people descending on Pasargadae, the main entrance to Pasargadae was closed the night before, with no more cars allowed to enter.[7]
Despite this, on 28 October 2016, the
The sheer number of people who showed up at Pasargadae has been described as "surprising"[7] with those who had witnessed similar get-togethers saying they had never seen such a large gathering. An unofficial 2017 estimate put the attendance figure at between 15,000 and 20,000 people, which was described as "unprecedented" according to spectators. The locals, including those living in Pasargadae village, were also "amazed" by the sheer number of visitors.[6]
As the slogans began to quickly escalate into full-scale demonstrations at Pasargadae against the Iranian government, the largest in Iran since the
The
Background
The protests were caused by pre-Islamic nationalism and admiration for the fallen monarchy that previously ruled Iran and discontent for Iran's Islamic rule.[11][12]
Slogan and tactics
Iranian protesters chanted slogans such as "Iran is our country, Cyrus is our father. The clerical rule is synonymous with only tyranny, only war", and "Freedom of thought cannot take place with beards. No Gaza, no Palestine, we will only sacrifice ourselves for Iran!"[13][14][12] Many chants praised the former Pahlavi dynasty with many protesting in support of Iran's past monarchy of former Shah that was overthrown by the 1979 Revolution. Another chant was "Happy Birthday, O Prince!" referencing the Shah of Iran's son whose birthday was on October 31.[15][16]
Other slogans praised the late
Government response
Protest organizers were arrested by the order of the government.[12] Iranians have been banned ever since the protest from celebrating Cyrus the Great Day at Pasargadae, the site of Cyrus the Great's tomb, despite thousands of Iranians returning in following years.[14]
In years after the 2016 event crowds of Iranians have attempted to go back to rally at the
Prominent Shia Cleric Hossein Nouri-Hamedani criticized the praise of Cyrus the Great, quoting late supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini by saying "Those with tendencies toward Cyrus are anti-revolutionary." Mohammad-Reza Ali Payam was arrested for participating in the protesting according to his son.[18]
See also
- 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire
- 2017–18 Iranian protests
References
- ^ "MP Calls For Celebrating International Day Of Cyrus The Great". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
- ^ a b "Iranians Barred From Marking Cyrus Day By Visiting His Tomb".
- ^ "Iranians arrested after celebrating ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". Reuters. 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
- ^ "ACIS - Alliance Center for Iranian Studies". en-humanities.tau.ac.il. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "Why Iranians circumambulate Cyrus' tomb". Al Arabiya English. 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Arrests Follow Clash Over Cyrus the Great". iranwire.com. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ a b "'Cyrus the Great' enters Iranian politics - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ Haghirian, Mehran (2016-11-01). "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ Samimi, Mehraz (November 2016). "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".
- ^ "The rise of nationalist fervour in Iran". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ Zamaneh (2 November 2016). "Iran: Authorities Prosecute Tomb Of Cyrus Protesters". Eurasia Review.
- ^ a b c d "Iranians arrested after celebrating ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". Reuters. 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Thousands in Iran use king's anniversary to protest against ruling regime". The Observers. 3 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Iran Security Forces Blocking Roads To Prevent Cyrus Day Gathering". Rfe/Rl.
- ^ Samimi, Mehraz (November 2016). "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".
- ^ Samimi, Mehrnaz (November 2016). "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".
- ^ "Iran blocks gathering at tomb of ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". October 29, 2018.
- ^ Samimi, Mehrnaz (November 2016). "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".