Bewegung ohne Volk

Scott Lucas von enduring america über Ashura und die Tatsache, daß die „Islamische Republik“ keine begeisterten Massen mehr auf die Straße bringt.

In more than 18 months of covering the post-election crisis in Iran, it may have been the strangest experience.

It was just after 9 a.m. in Iran when I set up the computer, turned on Iran’s Press TV, opened up the websites of Iran’s state media, and prepared to write about the „millions“ who would turn out in mourning for Imam Hossein, the third Imam of Shi’a who had been killed in 680 AD by the evil Caliph Yazid.

I knew there would be „millions“ because ranian press and broadcasters had told me there would be millions.

By 10 a.m. in Iran, Press TV had shown me thousands in Bam in southern Iran. By 11 a.m., I could see thousands in Yazd in central Iran. But Press TV, which I believe is based in Tehran, had shown me a total of 0 live shots of the view outside their window. The anchorman and correspondents spent many effusive minutes turning into hours about Istanbul and Beirut but Iran’s capital city had disappeared.

[…]

Well, no. Because if there is any conclusion to be drawn from those hours I stared at television and computer screens before going shopping, it is that the no-shows in Tehran were a possible sign of trouble. Not for the opposition, but for those now in charge in Iran.