In her speech headlining the event, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi highlighted the harmful role that Iran plays not just in domestic affairs but in the spread of extremism, sectarian conflict, and warfare throughout the Middle East and beyond. As specific examples she cited the destructive role of Iran in the Palestinian issue and the massacres of civilians carried out by other regimes in the region that receive support from Iran and its Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Mrs. Rajavi emphasized that the necessary first step in creating broad-based peace in the Middle East will be to replace the authoritarian, theocratic government in Iran with a democratic and pluralistic system. The NCRI’s respect for pluralism was on display at the “All for Freedom” rally at the Villipinte Exhibition Center outside of Paris on Friday, which drew an estimated crowd of 100,000, including Muslims and non-Muslims, and residents of nearly 70 different countries. The participants listened to speeches representing a broad range of political viewpoints from the world over.
Sunday’s group of speakers was equally diverse, being drawn from throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Addressing the gathering in Arabic, Farsi, and English, political figures and social activists repeatedly reiterated their agreement with Rajavi’s assessment of the importance of Iran to prospects for global peace and stability. Some turned their focus on specific abuses of the clerical regime, such as its suppression of women and ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, speakers looked forward to the collapse of the Iranian regime in light of mass public outcry, and the rectification of the country’s current domestic and foreign policies.
“The future Iran will be a source of friendship, fraternity and peace in the region,” Rajavi said in her speech. “The interests of the Iranian people lie in their solidarity with their neighbors and Muslim and Arab brothers.”
At the same time, Rajavi delivered unequivocal recommendations to those fellow nations, some of which were represented in person. “It is time for you to completely isolate this regime,” she said. “Cut your political and economic ties with it, expel it, its agents and its affiliates from your countries and remove its bases of intelligence and terrorism.”
Despite her emphasis on the need for these and other efforts to confront the regime directly, Rajavi also expressed faith that the Iranian mullahs are facing a crisis from which they cannot recover. In comments that paralleled those she delivered to Friday’s rally, Rajavi told the participants from the Arab and Muslim world that the legacy of the Arab Spring and popular uprisings against the Maliki and Assad government signal the imminent end of extremist rule in Iran.
“With no way forward or backward, the regime is at a deadly impasse with no other prospect than complete defeat,” she declared.
Several speakers who followed Mrs. Rajavi offered words of praise for her role as the head of a resistance movement that will soon redefine Iran. The Pakistan-born social activist and gender expert Dr. Fouzia Saeed used her time to emphasize the important step forward that Rajavi represents for women in the Middle East.
“In this region, the way forward is for women to lead and for everyone else to join in on the struggle for freedom.” Saeed went on to reiterate Rajavi’s belief that that is a struggle that will be won. “We will regain the space that was taken away from us. And we will regain the peace that we deserve.”
Nevertheless, the NCRI notably understands the struggle that still lies ahead in light of continued repressive regime practices and uncertain Western policies in the region. Many of the members of the United Front Against Islamic Extremism in the Middle East and the World also recognize the hardship to come and connect it to the solidarity of Mrs. Rajavi with her organization’s members inside and outside of Iran.
“She has her finger on the pulse of the pain and suffering of Iranian people,” said Dr. Raj Baldev, President of God Believers Association before presenting her with “Top International Woman 2013” prize.
