Iran 1979: Legacy of a Revolution - Featured Documentary

Thirty years after the founding of the Islamic republic, the ideals that inspired the uprising continue to inform every day life in modern Iran.

So how has the revolution managed to sustain itself through war, international isolation, economic sanctions, and regional turbulence? And how has Iranian society changed since the seismic upheaval of 1979?

Rageh Omaar went to Iran to find out. This film was first broadcast in August 2009.

Iran Marks Death of Ayatollah Khomenei
Iran marks the 22nd anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Khomenei. The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei used the occasion to remind the country of the late Imam's vision, while struggle for power continues

Oppositionsbewegung: Khomeinis Enkelin kämpft für die iranischen Frauen
WELT ONLINE: Zahra Eshraghi ist die Enkelin von Ayatollah Khomeini und eine der zentralen Figuren innerhalb der Oppositionsbewegung gegen das Regime im Iran. Ohne sich von ihrem Großvater zu distanzieren, kämpft sie gegen die Benachteiligung der Frauen. Ins politische Abseits gedrängt, leistet sie Widerstand gegen die Konservativen.

Zahra Eshraghi, Enkelin von Ayatollah Khomeini, zählt zu den ausdrücklichsten Gegnern des Regimes in Teheran. Immer wieder hat sich die Frauenrechtlerin gegen die repressive Politik der Konservativen ausgesprochen. Sie ist nicht die Einzige: Zahlreiche Revolutionsväter und ihre Nachkommen stehen heute auf der Seite der Opposition.

Als Enkeltochter von Ayatollah Khomeini zieht sie aus ihrer Abstammung maßgeblichen Einfluss; jedem Wort Zahra Eshraghis wird in der islamischen Republik Iran erhebliches Gewicht beigemessen. Doch das, was die schmale, blasse 45-Jährige zu sagen hat, stellt für die Führung des Landes eine Bedrohung dar: Zahra Eshraghi, Reformpolitikerin, Menschenrechtsaktivistin, Feministin, zählt zu den wortmächtigsten Kritikern des Regimes, das die Revolution unter Führung ihres Großvaters hervorgebracht hat. „Das ganze Land steht unter erzwungener Stille, bettelt danach, Fragen zu stellen“, sagte sie in einem Interview im vergangenen Jahr, „doch leider protestiert niemand innerhalb des Regimes.“ >>> Von Gabriella M. Keller | Dienstag, 08. September 2009

'Bomb Explodes' As Thousands Protest In Iran
SKY NEWS: A bomb has exploded in Tehran near the shrine of Iran's revolutionary founder as thousands of people protest at the result of the country's election, reports say.

At least one person was killed and two others injured close to the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, said the Fars news agency.

Reports said it was a suicide bombing and the attacker died.

Elsewhere in the Iranian capital, police are using tear gas and water cannon on protesters, according to witnesses.

Reports said many people have defied Government warnings that any protests would be suppressed.

Eyewitnesses say some 3,000 protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" near Revolution Square in the city centre.

Riot police were sent out on to the streets following a demand by Iran's supreme leader for the demonstrations to end. >>> | Saturday, June 20, 2009

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Web Support Pours Out for Iran Protesters

NEW YORK — Google and Facebook have rushed out services in Farsi. Twitter users have changed their home cities to Tehran to provide cover for Internet users there. Others have configured their computers to serve as relay points to bypass Iranian censorship.

In the aftermath of the disputed Iranian election, Internet companies and individuals around the world have stepped in to help Iranians communicate and organize.

Twitter delayed a scheduled maintenance shutdown so that people could continue to access the microblogging site while scores of Americans set up remote proxy servers so Iranians could access blocked Web sites from inside their country.

All week, Internet users in the U.S. and around the world fixed their eyes on the events unfolding in Iran, the way viewers might have been glued to their television sets 30 years ago. But unlike 30, or even five years ago, this time they could participate. >>> Associated Press | Saturday, June 20, 2009

The 30th Anniversary of the Iranian Revolution
Watch BBC video: Iranians mark Islamic revolution >>>
Watch BBC video: Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran: Religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini makes a triumphant return to Iran after 14 years in exile. >>> (First broadcast on February 1, 1979)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback & Hardback) – Free delivery >>>