Mohammad Taqi Sattari - 04 June, 2003
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| Student journals published by Azerbaijani Turkish students across various Iranian universities. |
Inspired by the lose reformist movements that began in Iran on Khordad 2, 1376 (May 23, 1997), we witnessed the emergence of student journals in Iranian universities. Since the Cultural Revolution, only “Islamic Associations,” and more recently groups such as the “Islamic Society” and “Basij,” had been allowed to form within universities. Apart from these groups, no other independent organizations were permitted to emerge in academic environments.
For this reason, students began using these journals as a means to express and disseminate their ideas within the framework of universities. Of course, this does not mean that these journals were solely social or political in nature; rather, they contained a wide variety of writings on different topics.
Through these journals, students gradually began to learn political concepts and behaviors. Concepts such as democracy and human rights, as well as intellectual engagement and how to act within political life, started to be practiced and developed in these publications.
Thus, these student journals—which can be considered as the revival of “civil institutions” and a first step toward their full realization—can be seen as a starting point for broader transformations.
Azerbaijani Turkish students, like other students in Iran, also began publishing such journals. Within a few years, these publications became increasingly rich in content and started competing with other journals. Topics such as Azerbaijani Turks history, language, culture, and literature gained an increasingly important place in these journals.
In some of these journals, one may also encounter class-based (social/class-oriented) goals. However, it seems that all Azerbaijani students share common concerns, as many of these journals address similar themes. These publications have become a reflection of our nation’s aspirations, desires, and goals.
Interviews conducted in these journals with Iran’s political and social figures and administrators reveal their perspectives on ethnic (national) issues in Iran. For the first time, issues related to ethnic rights and the various attitudes toward them have been brought into public discussion through these journals.
At present, nearly forty such journals are being published in our universities by Azerbaijanis. Of course, they face certain limitations, but the diversity of topics and the opportunity they provide for intellectuals to express their ideas make them increasingly valuable.
Beyond the universities, it is expected that in the future these students will publish quality daily and weekly newspapers, as well as establish parties that encompass a wide range of ideas. This, in itself, can be considered a meaningful and significant goal.
Another important function of these journals has been to promote and develop our mother tongue, to bring it into wider use through informal channels, and to teach it to the broader public.
This is regarded as a unique and new experience, one that heralds a bright future and signals the intellectual movement of our youth.