The "Fetileh" Program on Islamic Republic TV: A Program for the Corruption of Children’s Minds

Yashar Gulshen - November 8, 2015

"Fitileh" is a children's and youth program that had been aired for years on Iran's Channel 2 television. A part of this program was aired on Friday, November 6, 2015, in which two characters spoke with a Turkish accent, and one of them mistakenly used a toilet brush instead of a toothbrush. This "joke" provoked widespread reactions and protests on social media and also triggered reactions from the representatives of Azerbaijan in Parliament.

The recent "Fetileh" program on the second channel of Islamic Republic Television is disastrous from every angle. It is a tragedy for the society that feeds such a program to its children and for the children who watch it, as their sensitive minds are scarred and corrupted by it.

The issue is not just about insulting a specific ethnic group. In fact, describing it as simply insulting does not do the program justice. It should be viewed as a sign of the systemic misery that, using the most vile tools, targets children for manipulation.

Akbar Alami’s Share of the Stock

Yashar Gulshen - July 6, 2015

Akbar Alami

In religious narratives, there are accounts of people who created idols from wood and stone. When they sought miracles from them and became disappointed, they blamed the idols. The story of hope that some people pinned on Akbar Alami and the frustration that has emerged in recent days, following his reactions to the BBC's "Pargar" program and the discussion of the people's demands in Azerbaijan, closely resembles the narrative of blaming the wooden idols.

A Bureau of Culture in Azerbaijan, Not a Turkish Language Academy!

Yashar Gulshen - May 22, 2015

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, during his visit to Tabriz, inaugurated the "Foundation for the Culture, Art, and Literature of Azerbaijan." He described this as the fulfillment of one of his election promises and stated, "I am very happy to see that today one of the promises made during the election campaign for the provinces of East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, and other Azeri-speaking provinces is now being realized."

Zibakalam's Centralized Politics and Discontent with Turkish Identity in Azerbaijan

Yashar Gulshen - May 9, 2014

Sadegh Zibakalam

The recent interview of AzerQalam site with Sadegh Zibakalam contains noteworthy points that shed light on the so-called Iranian "tolerant" political style in relation to non-Persian ethnicities. Although the interview repeats views expressed by other Iranian politicians and intellectuals, it gains significance because it comes from someone who, in the past, had a more realistic approach than others on this issue. Others from various factions of the Iranian government also present Azerbaijan in the context of the bravery and patriotism of figures like Sattar Khan, Bagher Khan, the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani people during the Iran-Iraq war, the 1979 revolution, and similar examples. However, considering Zibakalam's past interactions with the issue and his position in the modern theoretical discourse of the Islamic Republic of Iran, his words hold value as they help clarify the intellectual and practical approach of the most prominent political elites in Iran. This can then be used to evaluate the legitimacy of Azerbaijan’s indifference to Iranian politics. When Sadegh Zibakalam speaks this way, he is essentially clarifying things for those who still see a glimmer of transformation, seemingly emerging among some Iranian Persian-centric intellectuals.

Ali Moalem Damghani’s Rhetoric: A Sample of Iranian Racism

 Yashar Gulshen - October 7, 2013

Ali Moalem Damghani: "Azeris have never had Turkish ancestry."

Recently, Ali Moalem Damghani, the president of Iran’s Academy of Arts, stated in a note that “the Azeris, who have never had Turkish ancestry, are claiming desert wanderer and barbarism as a result of the dominance of the language of the guest tribes, after their civilization. Suddenly, they disregard the pride and greatness of their culture and ancestry.” According to his statement, Azerbaijanis are not Turks; they claim to be Turks due to the dominance of the guest tribes, the Turks are desert dwellers and savages, and as a result, the "Azeris" were civilized because they had an Iranian culture before the dominance of the language of these guest tribes. He also adds in his writing, “The culture of the East is the mother of all cultures, and the mother of Eastern cultures is Iranian culture.” Unfortunately, Ali Moalem does not explain the specifics of the Iranian culture he refers to. 

Repentants and Mankurts

Yashar Gulshen - July 10, 2013

Yashar Gulshen in his article compares the concepts of "Repentants" and "Manqurts," highlighting their shared trait of betrayal—Repentants betray their political or ideological beliefs under torture, while Manqurts deny their cultural and national identity for personal or material gain. He emphasizes that both groups, originating from the same communities they oppose, serve oppressive powers by turning against their former allies or heritage. Gulshen further contrasts the two, noting that while Repentants are often coerced into betrayal, Manqurts willingly choose to forsake their identity, making their actions more destructive and opportunistic.

The Confessions of a Famous Person: 800-Year-Old Grudges!

 Yashar Gulshen - May 26, 2013

A screenshot of a Facebook post by Abbas Maroufi, an Iranian novelist and journalist, about Reza Baraheni: "This guy, as he claims, has written seventy books, all in Persian. Not even one in Azeri. And now he wants to change the Persian language, using sophistry. I once told him: 'Sir! Eight hundred years ago, when you attacked Iran, our language was Persian. Don’t you remember? Isn’t there anyone to kick him in the mouth?!" 

I am a famous person. Recently, I’ve actually become even more famous. (1) I’m referring to the incident when I had to kick someone who spoke inappropriate words in our formal language. It caused quite a stir. I had to downplay it by replacing the kick with something else, but the damage was done, and the story of the kick made my fame global.

Let's Fully Understand the Topic of Defending National Unity in Iran!

Yashar Gulshen - March 19, 2013

I read the second statement from Akhbar-e-Rooz titled In Defense of National Solidarity in Iran!. I didn't find it necessary to repeat the points I had already made, which also responded to some aspects of this statement. Instead, to add variety and highlight the absurdity of its contents, I will present my thoughts in the form of commentary as a commentator and an assistant to the writer of Akhbar-e-Rooz.

The Iranian Left and the Issue of Producing Thought: A Look at the Editorial of Akhbar-e-Rooz

Yashar Gulshen - March 17, 2013

The Iranian Left claims to defend the right to self-determination of peoples, and on this basis, it considers itself democratic. While this claim might be true for some Azerbaijani Leftist activists before the 1979 Revolution, what has unfolded after the fall of the Pahlavi regime, particularly in regard to the Azerbaijani national movement, contradicts the Iranian Left's claim.

The Islamic Republic's Strategy: Manipulating Nationalism and Shifting Allegiances

Yashar Gulshen - May 7, 2012

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad putting a keffiyeh scarf around the neck of an actor playing Cyrus the Great (Source: Mehr News Agency).

A year ago, when during the Asian Cup tournaments, and at the request of Iranian authorities, the slogan and title on the bus carrying Iranian athletes was chosen as "Persian Princes," I wrote in an article that “The Islamic Republic, to gain and maintain its power, has always relied on the support of the ignorant masses who are under delusions.” In this regard, I added that “This regime, both to gain hegemony among revolutionary forces during the revolution and to strengthen its absolute power after the fall of the Pahlavi government, was supported by segments of society who, due to their religious delusions, formed a powerful and active social base for this regime.” I concluded that “It is easy to understand the new tactic of the Iranian authorities, invoking ancient Aryan nationalism left over from the Pahlavi era. In fact, the Islamic Republic hopes to gain the support of a class of Iranians who, due to their economic and social positions, have a louder voice both inside and outside the country and possess powerful connections and lobbies among foreign politicians.”

Cultural Erasure and the Hamza Debate Over Turkish Names in Iran

Yashar Gulshen - March 7, 2012

Letter from the Deputy of Legal and Registration Affairs at the Zanjan Civil Registration Office

The opposition of Iran's Civil Registration Office to issuing birth certificates for Turkish names is not new. However, a letter from the Legal and Registration Deputy of the Zanjan Provincial Civil Registration Office opposing the name Elin for Mr. Reza Abbasi's daughter reveals some noteworthy points.

The core of the matter is that Mr. Reza Abbasi wishes to name his daughter Elin. Initially, the Zanjan Civil Registration Office opposed this choice. When Mr. Abbasi forwarded his request to the Legal and Registration Deputy of the National Organization for Civil Registration in Tehran, they also rejected it.

It is worth examining the letter signed by Mr. Rahman Ahmadinejad, the Legal and Registration Deputy of the Zanjan Civil Registration Office.

Federalism and National Sovereignty in Southern Azerbaijan

Yashar Gulshen - March 2, 2012

Two key points about federalism should be mentioned at the beginning of this discussion:

First, one of the fundamental characteristics of federal political systems is the internal division of sovereignty. Dual sovereignty should not be confused with the separation of powers. As Mr. Hedayat Sultan-Zadeh said, “In all parliamentary democracies, there is a separation of powers, which is a necessary condition for a federal government; however, not all parliamentary governments are necessarily federal. For that to happen, there needs to be a vertical division of power or dual sovereignty within the country.” Local governments in a federal state are elected by the people of each area. They have their own parliament, government, police, and judiciary. They legislate and exercise sovereignty over matters such as education, health, tourism, natural resources, taxation, and key aspects of people's lives. They also have defined borders and a specific flag. The central government, in conjunction with these local governments and based on an agreement with them, deals with broader issues such as foreign relations, national defense, and coordination among federal states.

On the Call for International Mother Language Day

Yashar Gulshen - February 21, 2012

Discourse and discursive practices are forms of social and power practices that can either reinforce or challenge existing structures and hegemonic relations in society.

An article titled "A Call to Commemorate International Mother Language Day" has been published on several Iranian websites, providing guidelines for recognizing and celebrating this day. At first glance, one might acknowledge that this call contains positive elements. Furthermore, its signatories include not only activists for ethnic rights but also figures from Persian-centered political circles. For perhaps the first time, these individuals have signed a document that includes points deemed taboo within Persian nationalist and centralist discourse.

The Contradictions of Humanism, Nationalism, and Federalism in Iranian Intellectual Discourse

Yashar Gulshen - January 29, 2012

The awakening of non-Persian peoples in Iran has compelled individuals who claim leadership or guidance to present themselves, out of necessity, as compassionate toward the people and to assert their presence. However, the issue with these individuals is that, due to their insincerity and their mindset still rooted in the dominant Persian-centered perspective, no matter how much they attempt to appear empathetic and caring, their statements ultimately come across as absurd and laughable.

One such person is Mr. Esmaeel Noori Ala, who has gathered a group under the banner of Iranian secularists and frequently issues opinions on various Iran-related topics.

The Secret of the Incongruous Combination of Persian Princes and the Islamic Ummah

Yashar Gulshen - January 4, 2011

The Asian Cup has provided an opportunity for the presentation of an incongruous combination of religious fascism with Aryan revivalism in front of the world. According to reports, at the request of Iranian officials, the title and slogan on the bus carrying Iranian athletes were chosen as "Persian Princes." At first glance, the use of the term "prince" by the Islamic Republic's authorities may seem strange. Isn't it true that the rise and survival of this regime were essentially aimed at overthrowing the monarchy and abolishing everything related to kings and princes? Isn't the ideology of this regime fundamentally based on rejecting the nationalism of the Pahlavi era and emphasizing the Islamic Ummah? So why now, all of a sudden, is there a discordant note being played, where instead of Islam, the Ummah, religion, and faith, we hear talk of Persia and princes? These questions would likely remain unanswered for an average observer who is unaware of the background of the Islamic Republic and the theory behind its survival. But what is the real story?

Some Key Characteristics of South Azerbaijan's Civil National Movement

Yashar Gulshen - May 15, 2008

Azerbaijani Turk activists raise their voices at the 2003 Babek Castle gathering.

This article examines the goals and ambitions of the Azerbaijan's civil national movement in its struggle against the deeply entrenched racist system and politics in Iran that have oppressed the people of Azerbaijan for over a century. This system, characterized by a centralized and hierarchical ethnic regime, has systematically marginalized the Azerbaijani people in key areas such as language, culture, identity, economy, and politics.

Federalism vs. Independence: A Common Struggle for Azerbaijan's National Sovereignty

Yashar Gulshen - March 15, 2007

The author's argument in the article is that the Azerbaijani people must prioritize achieving national sovereignty and an independent state before considering the possibility of federalism, as the totalitarian nature of the current Iranian regime makes federalism unfeasible.

In the struggle for the restoration of the national rights of the Azerbaijani people, there has been ongoing ideological debate for some time. These discussions primarily focus on the issues of independence and federalism, which cannot be ignored. It has become clear that these debates are among the most important issues of today, and their resolution is necessary. Unfortunately, some misconceptions have also arisen in this regard.

The Uprising of February 18, 1978 of Tabriz: Azerbaijan's Role in the Fall of the Pahlavi Regime

Yashar Gulshen - February 12, 2006

Clashes Between the People and the Authorities in the 29th of Bahman 1356 (February 18, 1978) Uprising in Tabriz

On February 18, 1978 (29th of Bahman, 1356), the people of Azerbaijan, who had long endured economic and cultural restrictions, finally gained the opportunity to break free from the Pahlavi regime's rule. This momentous occasion marked the end of years of oppression for the people, who had suffered under the regime for so long.

A Wake-up Call to the Minds of the Enthusiasts of Ancient Aryan Nationalism

Yashar Gulshen - December 30, 2005

Reza Shah and Iranian Primordialism

As reported, on December 20th of this year, Mr. Nasser Pourpirar presented his findings regarding a historical event known as the "Purim massacre," which, according to him, involved the Achaemenid Empire and is also mentioned in the Jewish holy book, the "Torah."

First of all, it is necessary to clarify that whether or not this horrific massacre actually occurred does not change the fundamental inhumanity of despotic regimes of any type and in any era, especially since, without the Purim event, there exists another example, as Mr. Pourpirar states, in the form of the "Behistun Inscription," a document from the Achaemenid period. In this inscription, it is recorded that the Achaemenid king Darius the Great faced widespread uprisings and resistance from the subjugated nations across the empire. In response, the Achaemenids resorted to the most severe suppressions and massacres to quell the revolts.

Triviality in Writing, Ambiguity in Content, and Pan-Iranist Rhetoric: A Critique of the Recent Statement by a Group of Political, Literary, Labor, and Student Activists

Yashar Gulshen - November 18, 2005

Last week, a statement signed by several hundred political, literary, labor, and student activists under the title "A Word with the Nation, a Warning to the Ruling Authorities" was published and appeared on various domestic and international news websites. In this statement, it is claimed that the signatories demand genuine structural reforms based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its addenda, along with the securing of basic freedoms and justice in Iran.

Although this claim, in isolation, could be appreciated by freedom-loving individuals, the presence of certain signatories known for their pan-Iranist, racist tendencies, whose ideologies generally negate basic and inherent human freedoms such as respect for the identity, culture, and language of the people, requires closer scrutiny.