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SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENTS
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July 14, 2006
PDF Version
February
15, 2006
PDF Version
19 August 2003(28 mordad 1382)
By: Abdolreza Tajik
Brief History
1- Its Establishment and
Activities before the 1979 Islamic Revolution
FMI was founded on May 14,1961 in Tehran by a number of popular
political, social and/or religious personalities belonging to the
Iranian National Front, founded by Dr. Mohammad Mossaddegh (1882-1966)
and/or National Resistance Movement, including Mehdi Bazargan
(1907-1994), Ayatollah Mahmood Taleghani (1911-1979) and Yadollah
Sahabi (1905-2002).
The main objective of FMI is to gain freedom, independence and
democracy for the Iranian nation, on the basis of modern
interpretation of Islamic principles.
Due to being a serious opponent of Mohammad Reza Shah’s regime, FMI
underwent a constant pressure shortly after its establishment and in
1963, a number of its leaders –including Messrs. Bazargan, Taleghani
and Sahabi and active members were arrested, tried in a court martial
and sentenced to 4-10 years of imprisonment.
FMI supported the movement led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeyni in June
1963.
Since the 70’s severe suppression and prohibitions imposed by the
Shah’s notorious security/intelligence organization (SAVAK) and
frequent arrests and/or exiles paralyzed FMI activities in Iran.
However, its branches in Europe and U.S.A. founded and headed by Dr.
Ali Shari’ati (1933-1977), Dr. Ebrahim yazdi (1932-), and some other
active members played decisive roles in the political opposition
abroad, until the revolution. In addition to the influence of Dr.
Shariati’s thoughts and teachings particularly on the young
generation, FMI key figures had an important role in the formation and
guidance of the Islamic Revolution, under Ayatollah Khomeyni’s
leadership, which resulted in the collapse of the despotic monarchy
regime in Iran,on February 11,1979.
2-
After the Revolution
Due to the outstanding features of Mehdi Bazargan FMI’s Secretary
General, and his party’s prominent role in the contemporary political
history of Iran he was appointed by Ayatollah Khomeyni as the prime
minister of the Provisional Government and some key members of FMI
were given important responsibilities.
The Provisional Government lasted 9 months only and since its
collapse, FMI leaders have been denied of any
governmental or judicial
positions. However, 4 FMI top figures were elected by Tehran residents
as their representatives in the first post-revolution parliament
(Assembly, Majlis).
Furthermore, due to FMI being a serious, but loyal critic of the
Clerical Establishment, it has been continually denied of free
political activities and has suffered various pressures. For example,
in 1988 and 1990, several FMI prominent executives were imprisoned and
some of them badly tortured for criticizing the ruling class for its
mishandling of the war imposed by Iraq (notwithstanding FMI’s full
support of the defensive war and Dr. Chamran’s outstanding role in
irregular battles) and other national or international matters.
Upon Mehdi Bazargan’s demise on Jan. 20, 1995 Ebrahim Yazdi was
appointed by FMI’s Central Council as its new secretary general and he
still maintains the same position.
FMI’s candidates for the presidency, city councils and the Islamic
Assembly (Majlis) have been almost always rejected by the Guardians’
Council in the past 15 years.
FMI is a serious supporter of the Political Development Program
introduced and being implemented by President Mohammad Khatami and
still struggles for goals and establishment of a civil
society in
Iran.
Some of the founders:
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Ali
Shariati |
Mehdi Bazargan |
Yadollah Sahabi |
Mostafa Chamran |
Abbas Radnia |
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