Mullahs joining the protests?
posted at 10:11 am on June 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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A new photograph out of Iran has some speculating that the Islamic power base of Ali Khamenei and the Guardian Council may be cracking. This image, from Gooya.com, shows what appear to be imams joining a street protest. As CNN points out, that is a statement against interests:
A photo showing Iranian clerics prominently participating in an anti-government protest speaks volumes about the new face of Iran’s opposition movement.
In a blatant act of defiance, a group of Mullahs took to the streets of Tehran, to protest election results that returned incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
Whether these clerics voted for Ahmadinejad or one of the opposition candidates is unknown. What is important here, is the decision to march against the will of Iran’s supreme leader who called the results final and declared demonstrations illegal.
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mullahs rule supreme. They are the country’s conservative clerics; the guardians of the Islamic revolution and its ideologies. They’re loyal only to God and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The main beneficiaries of mullah rule, besides Khamenei and his Guardian Council, are the mullahs in the cities and villages. Their rule by extension from the Guardian Council allows them much more power than in a truly pluralistic society. They have every reason to stay loyal to that power structure, especially if they have ambitions of moving into the “ruling class”, as Khamenei called it last week.
So why are these clerics marching with the opposition? Perhaps they see a tipping point approaching for the regime, and they want to be on the right side of history, or at least not up against the wall after a revolution. They’ve seen themselves what happens to deposed tyrants and their collaborators. They may just legitimately see the corruption and oppression that smothers Iran and want a better future.
They could also be fakes, but why would anyone want to dress like a cleric in the middle of these protests?
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Well the Presbyterians split up, so why not?
Vashta.Nerada on June 24, 2009 at 10:13 AM
They were probably insipired to take to the streets by Obama and the Huffington Post blogger yesterday.
myrenovations on June 24, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Time will tell
Call me a cynic, but I’d think it would be driven more by interests of self-preservation and covering one’s bases, and trying to be on the right side of history, as you say.
blatantblue on June 24, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Mullah costumes are probably big around Iranian Halloween.
Hening on June 24, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Hey, I know that Cleric guy. I’ve seen him on old Hills Brothers Coffee cans.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:17 AM
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
pullingmyhairout on June 24, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Where’s the 12th Imam?
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 10:18 AM
yes, mullets joining the crowd is a direct result of Obama’s letter.
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 10:19 AM
off topic
i just saw a beautiful video of an Apache just NAILING Taliban like fish in a barrel
beautiful
blatantblue on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
there the cia spooks the supreme leader cried about….
SHARPTOOTH on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Nobody really knows. I’d check Waziristan. I finally found that missing sock I was looking for there.
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Mullahs against an intolerant Islamic based government? Self preservation is the only reason I can come up with. When the dust settles it’s better to be a hang-er than a hang-ee. They see the writing on the wall or rather the blood on the streets in this case. The theocracy is on the way out.
Guardian on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Wow, mullets joined the crowd. Very 80’s
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Islamic Berrigan brothers?
katy the mean old lady on June 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Lame question. Better questions (similar to Ed’s) are why are the clerics in opposition and how deep are the divisions? You can apply this to any religious group, Muslims, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, etc.
shick on June 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
It might save you a beating.
Then again I have a hat like that, they’re quite fashionable and, if my personal experience is any indication, the ladies seem to like a guy with a pile of mashed potatoes on his head.
Bishop on June 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Is there such a thing as a moderate mullah that will respect the rights of females and other minorities?
Even if they exist I don’t think there are enough of them to make a difference. So are the Iranians trading one set of creeps for another? I think so.
csdeven on June 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
link?
Guardian on June 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM
LOL. Had to google that. Only knew it as a fish.
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I thought I caught a glimpse of big hair as well. Maybe, because it was more like big hijab.
Vashta.Nerada on June 24, 2009 at 10:22 AM
They are really just the remaining secured bondholders from the Chrysler Bankruptcy.
Dire Straits on June 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
LOLOL
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
It’s considered bad form not to provide a link for war porn.
Bishop on June 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Comment #1 is supposed to be snark. It’s an unwritten rule.
Vashta.Nerada on June 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Because if the public has a perception that the clerics are joining in protest despite what it means, it doesn’t matter what the real clerics are doing. This is about finding a tipping point in a theocratic society. Some deception that makes it appear as if the clerics are with the people would go a long way in the battle.
highhopes on June 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
I’ll try to find it
It was on Fox News
I’ll try to get a link or somethin
blatantblue on June 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Here are two websites I’ve been watching about what is going on in Iran today. Things look bad
http://twitter.com/persiankiwi
http://shooresh1917.blogspot.com
rushbabe on June 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Oh. Sorry.
shick on June 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Those mullah hats do remind me of a the rear trunk lid on a 1959 De Soto.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:25 AM
This is ridiculous. CLEARLY, it was the Cairo speech.
/sarc
BPD on June 24, 2009 at 10:25 AM
That “mullah” in the front (in the picture for this thread) looks like he placed a one of those large rolls of toilet paper they have in airports on his head.
Hopefully, this is real and some mullahs are joinging the protests. That should give the populace courage to continue the fight against thise regime.
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Helpful tip for world travellers stuck in Iran….
Vashta.Nerada on June 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Still in a well with Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Ed, you mention the skeptic’s rationale that if they’re not fakes, they simply want to end up on the final “right” side of history.
Mullahs care about their followers. If what we see is real, grant that these Mullahs prove the conscience that cares about their people and their own relationship with Allah to be right with God. These Mullahs are peacefully representing their Islamic faith in opposition to violence.
maverick muse on June 24, 2009 at 10:29 AM
LOL
cmsinaz on June 24, 2009 at 10:29 AM
The left is waiting for any excuse to discredit and dismiss the uprising. The left will go out of their way to serve Obama first and the fascist mullahs second.
RobCon on June 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Yes I think I see a mullet all the way at the bottom of the photo.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Apparently, the more liberal clerics are actually with the people. The Saturday protest was started because a group of clerics wanted to hold a pro-Mousavi protest. Some of the clerics also called for days of mourning (aka protests) for the martyrs. When a country called the Islamic Republic of Iran bans people from chanting Allah Akbur from their roofs, it stops being a theocratic state and starts being a good, old-fashioned police state.
Illinidiva on June 24, 2009 at 10:34 AM
The rednecks were apparently swayed by Obama’s Cairo speech.
Illinidiva on June 24, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Any bets on finding Elvis there too?
hoosiermama on June 24, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Has anyone seen what is happening in Iran today. It doesn’t look good.
http://twitter.com/persiankiwi
rushbabe on June 24, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Shhh. Elvis is the 12th Imam.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Maybe they’re secret Christians.
LibTired on June 24, 2009 at 10:39 AM
And is that Jason Alexander at the top of that little triangle, bottom left?
hoosiermama on June 24, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I don’t see any women in that crowd.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar very much.
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 10:43 AM
” Since Khamenei left me, I’ve found a new place to dwell…”
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
If Americans want to project any friendship with the Iranian people, this is an inopportune moment to ridicule their religious attire within their own country.
However, I have consistently rejected the notion that Muslims have the right to hide their identities in Western nations, specifically the tent that covers the females. They have no “right” to be wearing their mask when government ID photos are taken, or when in our courts of law. And I agree with Sarkozy that given the reality of Islamofascist terrorists seeking the death of Western Civilization, the veil strangles LIBERTY.
maverick muse on June 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 10:43 AM
The Madhi has left the building.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
LOL..right
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
If the protesters win, who will be at Obama’s BBQ? We can have The One being stood up!
TheBigOldDog on June 24, 2009 at 10:46 AM
That’s one of those old timey golf hats, is all.
Akzed on June 24, 2009 at 10:46 AM
LOL LOL
cmsinaz on June 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Talking about weird hair, wtf is up with the guy in the white shirt, bottom left of the pic.
Bishop on June 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
O.K., one wonders (at least, I do) when they’re going to start gnawing on one another’s arms like in “28 Days Later”.
Honestly, I’m supportive of the emerging need to change in Iran but they are on what appears to be a perpetual riot. AS long as I can recall, they’ve been rioting in the streets.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
i saw this last night, not to many gibs, i have seen lots worse but was still suprised fox showed it.
http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=6238464&referralPlaylistId=playlist
trailortrash on June 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Maybe HE was on the Air Force One Flyover – he certainly as that Flyover ‘Do goin’ on.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Some kind of weird sideways Mohawk.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Yeah, saw it, too, a few hours ago. It’s beautiful footage.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:50 AM
I think they’re all walking backwards away from Arianna.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Sort looks like an Alien head (from the movie Alien) or maybe he is one of the crystal skull aliens in disguise from Indiana Jone.
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I agree. Sarkozy does have his moments and that was/is certainly one of his best.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Hahhahaahhaahah.
LibTired on June 24, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Nahhh, get OUT! You don’t tell me, I can barely believe such a thing.
/sarc.
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Mullah costumes are probably big around Iranian Halloween.
Hening on June 24, 2009 at 10:16 AM
I was thinking the same thing. As soon as one of these guys actually takes to the air waves to protest then I will be inclined to believe it.
milwife88 on June 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
And how about that guy in the middle in that shirt? I mean, who shot the couch? Wait a minute, who shot the guy?
LibTired on June 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM
We as Americans of the USA had better take some pointers from these protesters because if The Chicago Jesus and the Dems pass “Cap & Trade” then what you are witnessing will be coming to a street near you. The House votes on this Friday. Call your Congressman or Congresswoman and say NO TO WAXMAN / MARKEY BILL!!! We have to stop this madness!!
Dire Straits on June 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM
They look like they’re doing the Obama-Fly-Swat dance…
Lourdes on June 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Is that Islamic Rage Boy in the bottom-middle of the picture?
WashJeff on June 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
there are 4 major semanaries in Iran, 2 of 4 have not accepted the election results.
imperator on June 24, 2009 at 11:01 AM
The phrase “statement against interests” is a term of art in law and is a recognized exception to the hearsay rule of evidence. Sortof out of place…
tommylotto on June 24, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Oh you have a sneaky mind. I like. (Though not if it means the mullahs claw their way back — still, some sort of reshuffle is going to happen).
Fortunata on June 24, 2009 at 11:02 AM
What a bunch of bigots. According to that photo, there are no token Blacks, Asians, or Women marching. Not very P.C. of them.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I think there’s also the question of Shi’a outside of Iran, and how they view the legitimacy of the mullahs regime inside Iran. For, ex. Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq is one very important ayatollah-dude. If the Iranian mullahs want to export the Islamic rev. abroad, and create a Shi’a surpremacy over Sunni islam, they better have all their ducks lined up in a row. This infighting ‘aint good for the cause, and can set the Shia’s advances against the Sunni back for good.
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Sistani and his followers in Najaf believe that clerics shouldn’t get involved in politics. They should be concerned about religious teaching. A reporter for Time magazine went to Iraq and tried to get some clerics (including a Sistani assistant) to comment on the Iran situation and they wouldn’t. Sistani is actually a fan of democracy, and he and the other Najaf clerics would probably speak out against another cleric (Sadr?) trying to turn Iraq into a theocratic state. Traditionally, Shi’a clerics stay out of politics because any state not run by the Shi’a messiah is by definition corrupt and imperfect.
Illinidiva on June 24, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Yeah, all they have to do is march over to the state-controlled television station and demand to be given air-time.
ProfessorMiao on June 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Very intersting! I am sure these people in the streets that are putting their life on the line , will get an warm fuzzy feeling when they learn that the Coward n Chief has invited the regime to hot dogs on the 4th !
yea thats the way to stand firm against a regime that kills its own people, toss them a picnic.
What a looooooser we have as a prez.
ColdWarrior57 on June 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I’m sure they’d be heartened to know that the president’s critics are not impressed with their fashion-sense, too.
ProfessorMiao on June 24, 2009 at 11:20 AM
yes good points and true, and have made them myself in the past. But perhaps this will be an opportunity for Sistani et.al to suggest just that. That Iran today is proof of why Shi’a clerics ought to stay out of ruling. Just postulating that the whole external dynamic is potentially in flux too.
Do you happen to know what tensions exist, if any, between Arab Shi’a, Persian shi’a, Pakistani shi’a etc. Are they completely cool with each other, or do their various ethnic diff. cause competition?
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I wonder what the penalty in Iran is for mocking the mullahs? I’m betting it’s more than a slap on the wrist.
hawksruleva on June 24, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Babylon 5 Centari?
Count to 10 on June 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Mullah on the rights “head ring” is out of alignment.He better not get in a car with that. Ever blow a hat at 70 MPH.
Jeff from WI on June 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Breaking CNN has audio of massacre of Iranian protesters. WOman on phone begs for help. Basij ambush. Beating to death and shooting
Weight of Glory on June 24, 2009 at 11:28 AM
James Brown explains it all:
Some like em fat and some like em tall
Some like em short
Skinny legs and all
I like em tall
I like em proud
And when they walk
You know they draw a crowd!
See..you gotta have a mullah for me
Yeah-yeah-yeah ah come on!
Mr. D on June 24, 2009 at 11:33 AM
If violence moves to next level, with more dead and injured, Obama will be in the ridiculous position of having to impose the sanction of no hot dogs. This insane drama his racist supporters have gotten us into is no laughing matter.
JiangxiDad on June 24, 2009 at 11:33 AM
You know, CNN has done a great job of covering this story, if you can ignore the tripe from their hosts.
hawksruleva on June 24, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Ya have to give the devil his due. cnn is leading the charge on this one.
ColdWarrior57 on June 24, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Tweet posted at AtlasShrugs.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 11:40 AM
We’re serving hot dogs. The Basij are serving blood sausage.
Mr. D on June 24, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Anyone else notice the absence of Green arm, or hat bands?
Has Mousavi become persona non grata?
fourdeucer on June 24, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Thread winner.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM
No green because they’re trying to be inconspicuous. But Mousavi, Karroubi, and Khatami are all likely under some sort of house arrest.
Illinidiva on June 24, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I just called my representative, Kay Granger Texas (202-225-5071).
The person that answered the phone said he did not know how Kay was going to vote.
I told him,”You’re kidding me. When did you start reading the text of the bill before you guys vote on something. Besides, what part of cap and trade can Kay possibly find acceptable as a Republican? There are so many things to vote on, I want a blanket NO vote on everything.”
They haven’t even seen this damn bill yet to “assess”.
The Republican part is so damn lame…I hate RINO’s
Plus, I’m stuck with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson who is useless.
luvstotango on June 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM
They really are doing an excellent job.
Illinidiva on June 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM
New thread on massacre posted.
Disturb the Universe on June 24, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Gulf War 1 put them on the map. The lib agenda is failing miserably against Fox and so they need to get themselves back on the map again. Maybe they should report stuff here at home fairly. Until then, they can go f themselves.
LibTired on June 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Before the Iranian revolution, the Iraqi city of An Najaf was the center of Shi’a authority and the ayatollahs there practiced the quietist tradition of not getting involved in politics. The Grand Ayatollah Sistani still adheres to that at least to a large extent. The Iranians turned the Iranian city of Qom into the center of Shi’a learning and view An Najaf as a rival, which is one reason why the Iranians have tried so hard to basically take over the city. If the US wants to undermine the Iranian regime, we’d do everything we can to build-up the status and authority of An Najaf and depict Qom as an illegitimate usurper.
NNtrancer on June 24, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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