-- Amil Imani

Fast-forward

For the past 40 years, Mr. Pahlavi has put his life on the line to help his people who desperately want him back. Pivotal to the liberation of the people, their well-being, and prosperity, is the enshrining of liberty as the birthright of every individual, group, and nation. Without freedom of thought, belief, and conduct within the bounds of the law, both the individual and the collective will be stifled resulting in a human enterprise unworthy of the name.

Mr. Pahlavi has spent most of his life abroad, mostly in the US and has become an avid supporter of human rights and a passionate supporter of freedom for his compatriots back home who are calling his name almost daily. He is indeed the most popular person among the young and the old in Iran. Years of activism has made him a seasoned political practitioner and his heart beats for Iran.

Based on my observation, Mr. Pahlavi believes in equal justice under the law for all Iranians. Indispensable to the exercise of freedom and protection of the rights of all Iranian people to choose their own government through a transparent referendum and a complete separation of religion and state. Religion and civil governance are two separate realms and intrusion by one into the other is fraught with great harm. Hence, iron-clad provisions are needed to keep the two domains apart.

Similarly, as with King Cyrus, Prince Pahlavi is also aware that Iran is home to a religiously and ethnically diverse people and each and every one is an equal shareholder of the homeland. Mr. Pahlavi guaranteeing equality to all its citizens, therefore, demands no less than full adherence to the principle of unity in diversity, a unity of purpose that draws from the strength and uniqueness of its constituents.

The non-violent position Pahlavi transcends its pragmatic value has roots in the Iranian belief in the organic oneness of humanity as expressed by the classic Persian poem, Sadi “the children of Adam are members of one body; their creation is of the same essence; when a member suffers; other members have no peace.”

A quick look back to the current regime, will reveal why people unanimously favor regime change. Under the rule of these adherents of death, everything in Iran has been deteriorating and dying. In spite of huge oil revenues, the per capita income of Iranians is now approximately two-thirds less of what it was before the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Every form of misery has also skyrocketed. Drug addiction, prostitution and suicide have gone through the roof. The young and the educated continue deserting Iran and family, fleeing to the four corners of the earth in search of a decent life.

Pahlavi’ s mission is a transition from the present failed Islamic regime to a secular democracy as the central objective in pursuance of a Constitutional Assembly, elected by the entirety of eligible Iranian voters under the supervision of international monitors and could be the means to usher in a new system of governance.

The most promising solution is in the free world's united support of Iranian groups opposed to the rule of the mullahs. The Iranian people themselves are fully capable and determined to remove the cancer of Islamism from their country. The United States, Israel and other democracies have a huge stake in the success of the Iranian people in ridding themselves of Islamic tyranny.

This could be the dawn of a new day for our homeland, Iran. Over four decades of darkness has finally reached its inevitable conclusion. People on the mountaintops are clearly discerning the rays of the new sun that inevitably will chase away the gloom of darkness.

Let’s make a note of it, the current or recent revolt may not lead to the immediate downfall of the regime, but we are witnessing the death throes of the Islamic Republic. Even if the uprising ends today, it is but one step in a long struggle to achieve a more representative, democratic and popular government.

When it comes to doing something the prudent way, it is good to follow the advice of the ancient Persians: "The lion of the meadow of Mazandaran can be captured by no other than a Mazandarani warrior."

The best match for the ruthless mullahs and their hired Islamic Stormtroopers are the Iranian warriors themselves. The people of Iran themselves are the best solution for the present Iranian conundrum. Valiant Iranians need a bit of help. And the last thing they need is appeasing negotiators to give the mullahs a new lease on life, or invasion by the Marines and a shower of bombs from the skies.