Iranians’ Suppressed Anger Intensified by Regime’s Deceptions

Sohila.Sh. FCNN News Agency: Coinciding with the escalation of debate regarding the clash between Gonabadi Dervishes and officials in Tehran, a grandson of one of the leaders of this Sufi order spoke to FCNN from behind the scenes of this clash and claimed that the Islamic Republic, by repeating bloody deceptions, is further inflaming the suppressed anger of Iranians.

He, who does not wish to reveal his identity, claims to have studied the teachings of the Gonabadi Sufi order within his family for more than three decades, and his grandfather has always endeavored to ensure that all disciples of this order, including family members, adhere to the doctrinal, behavioral, and ethical principles of this path, which include forbearance, self-restraint, and avoidance of retaliatory and violent behavior against oppressors. For this reason, he firmly believes that moving a bus among law enforcement personnel present on Pasdaran Street near the gathering of dervishes is in no way related to members of this order. This action led to an incident in which three NAJA officers and two plainclothes Basij members were killed.

FCNN: As one of the eyewitnesses, you are making a serious accusation against the Islamic Republic regime. What evidence do you have to support your claim?

First and foremost, the history of dervishes’ reactions to the regime’s unjust pressures over the past decade is the most obvious evidence. The leaders of this order and even disciples have, under all circumstances, proven their adherence to the treatise “Pand-e Saleh.” For this reason, in this incident too, the great scholar Dr. Tabandeh made no accusations against anyone, and I am merely presenting my personal opinion based on evidence. While unfortunately, regime-supporting intellectuals and politicians condemned the dervishes within hours of this incident, and someone like Ataollah Mohajerani called us ISIS supporters. However, Dr. Tabandeh, the pole of the dervishes, merely limited himself to mentioning that certainly all those responsible in these affairs will face the consequences of their actions.

FCNN: Does Dr. Tabandeh thereby affirm justice in the regime?

I am not his spokesman, but my personal view is that he is referring to divine justice.

FCNN: What is your opinion on judicial justice in Iran?

What is evident requires no explanation.

FCNN: Up to this point, you have not yet provided substantive evidence to accuse the regime in the mentioned incident. We are waiting.

Unfortunately, it was reflected in the media that the bus belonged to one of the leaders of the order and the driver was one of the dervishes who, along with eight passengers who are all poor, are being held in detention. The driver’s name was announced as Yavar Mohammad Seles.

While this white bus, according to its license plate, is not a private vehicle at all but rather a transportation service for employees of ISAKO Karaj company. This company, which operates in the field of buying, selling, and import-export of automotive parts, belongs to the regime’s leaders and those same individuals who run the automotive mafia in Iran.

FCNN: But it has been reported that dervishes were aboard this vehicle and the driver, through zigzag movement, intentionally caused an accident. What defense do you have in this regard?

This bus had no passengers. It was parked on a street corner and suddenly started moving and hit the officers. This behavior demonstrates that a pre-planned program was executed to damage the dervishes’ reputation among the people and portray them as violent individuals.

FCNN: So you do not confirm that Yavar Mohammad Seles is from among the dervishes?

Mohammad Seles is one of the dervishes who was arrested before this incident, and there is no news of what happened to him. It is highly likely that he is no longer alive, and the regime, through this trick, killed two birds with one stone. Unaware that the truth will come to light and like all other deceptions, in the end it amounts to nothing but blackening of reputation and only further inflames the suppressed anger of the people.

FCNN: How come these confessions of yours have not been reflected in the country so far?

Dr. Tabandeh recommends complete compliance with the law and law enforcement to all dervishes. Therefore, such evidence and claims, from the order’s perspective, can only be presented in judicial courts. Of course, if the dervishes had access to public media and could express themselves freely, there would be opportunity for public information in these matters, but under circumstances where, without any reason, the managers of their only website are imprisoned, there remains no opportunity to unveil the truth. Unfortunately, Iranian domestic media and publications transmit news under complete censorship.

FCNN: According to the teachings of this order and given what we have witnessed in Iran, what hope do you have for justice?

Our heartfelt remembrance is a double-edged sword. We do not wish death or curse upon anyone, and we do not repay evil with evil, but we believe that oppression is not sustainable, and God cannot bear the trampling of the rights of those in whose hearts flows nothing but His name.