Alirza Ardabili: Racism in Iran has brought Arabs and Turks closer together

Əlirza Quluncu (Alirza Quluncu) - May 01, 2015

Alirza Ardabili

Alirza Ardabili considers the recent wave of anti-Arab sentiment in Iran as a reflection of a mood that has existed deep within society and has surfaced due to current events. In an interview with Voice of America, the southern journalist and political commentator discussed the role of Turks and Arabs in Iranian history, the discrimination and violence faced by these two communities, as well as the proximity and collaboration between the Ahvaz and Azerbaijani national movements.

According to the editor of the Tribun magazine and website, in the official historical narrative promoted by Iranian authorities over the last century, Arabs and Turks are portrayed not as nations that have played a role in history but rather as elements of enmity.

He argues that racist tendencies have existed deep within Iranian society, and recent events show that this situation has not improved.

“The emergence, change, or stability of racist sentiments in society is something that exists deep within. However, we observe its expressions either through such waves or in the ideas presented by writers and intellectuals in certain relationships,” stated Alirza Ardabili.

The writer, who lives in exile in Sweden, also evaluates the historical foundation and current aspects of the relations between Turks and Arabs living in Iran.

According to Ardabili, Iranian history is tied to Arabs and Turks, but in the last century, the Persian-centered state that has come to power has presented a shared history as one that only benefits the Persian community, portraying Turks and Arabs as elements of enmity.

He emphasizes that the current situation plays an important role in increasing the connections between Turks living in Azerbaijan and Arabs living in Ahvaz.

“Although these communities are not geographically close, they have come closer to each other due to several historical ties and the current situation,” Ardabili points out the growing proximity between Azerbaijan and Ahvaz resulting from the existing anti-Arabism and anti-Turkism in Iran.

In an interview with Voice of America in recent weeks, another southern activist, Duman Radmehr, stated that the lack of a strong human rights and anti-racism discourse in the national movements of Ahvaz and Azerbaijan weakens their cooperation.

Alirza Ardabili, while evaluating the level of collaboration between Turkish and Arab activists, emphasizes that this collaboration should be understood as one between two captive and imprisoned societies.