People’s Response to Leader: National Heritage, Not Superstition

With more flare than prior years, the Iranian people celebrated Chaharshanbeh Suri (pre-Islamic annual festival where people jump over fire to rid themselves of their impurities) amidst a heavy security presence by making bonfires, partying and dancing in groups.  In some areas, the celebration turned violent after agents on motorcycles and police officers tried to break up the celebrations.  

During the past week, several clerics and religious speakers denounced the Chaharshanbeh Suri tradition and disseminated ayatollah Motahari’s remarks to pressure the public into not participating in the celebration.  Finally, the state radio and television broadcasting corporation announced that the Islamic Republic supreme leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had denounced Chaharshanbeh Suri for lacking religious basis and for promoting corruption.  It therefore seemed that the people who had decided to participate in the celebration, despite all the pressure and threats, were bent on showing the supreme leader and other clerics that they are determined to celebrate their ancient traditions.  According to reports, people who participated in the festivities said that Chaharshanbeh Suri was a national celebration dating back to 1700 B.C., adding, “We have come into the streets to say this is neither superstition nor corrupt, but an ancient Iranian tradition that we hold dear.”

According to reports from Rooz correspondents in Iran, although turnout this year was lower than prior years because of the government’s heavy-handed crackdown during the past 9 months, the participants were had prepared themselves and were more determined than ever to engage with government agents, while the agents seemed to have been ordered to remain as tolerant as possible too.  Despite the harsh threats and warnings of the recent days, as the city turned dark and the cries of fire jumpers began to rise from every corner of the city, police officers remained largely on the sidelines.  

Reports indicate that despite the pressure and threats, Chaharshanbeh Suri was celebrated in many parts of Tehran.  In some areas, violent reactions by Basiji members led to clashes and celebrators chanted “Death to the dictator.”

According to video clips posted on youTube, people at Sadeghiyeh square chanted, “Don’t be afraid, we’re together” while residents of Ekbatan and Towhid squares chanted “Allah Akbar” and “Death to the dictator.”  

“Death to the dictator” was the common chant of people whose Chaharshanbeh Suri celebrations turned violent by state agents.  One video clip, whose subject location is hard to identify, shows people jumping over bonfires and chanting the traditional chants. But these changed when Basiji vigilantes on motorcycles used force to disperse them and “Death to the dictator” became the only chant that could be heard.

Some video clips also showed people burning posters of ayatollah Khamenei.

In an announcement, Tehran’s fire department reported 164 instances throughout Tehran on the Chaharshanbeh Suri night.  

Fortunately for everyone, no fatalities were reported in Tehran.