2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt

The 2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt was an Iranian protest that took place at the Tomb of Cyrus the Great on Cyrus the Great Day.[1]

The protest was triggered by governmental corruption and opposition to Islamic rule. The protest took place on Cyrus the Great Day at the tomb of Cyrus the Great as a celebration of Persia’s pre-Islamic glory.[2] The Iranian government responded by jailing the event organizers and protesters as well as banning Cyrus the Great Day celebrations in subsequent years. The protest was Iran's largest after the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests.[3]

Background

The protests were caused by pre-Islamic Nationalism and admiration for the fallen monarchy that previously ruled Iran and discontent for Iran's Islamic rule.[4][5]

Slogan and tactics

Iranian protesters chanted "Iran is our country, Cyrus is our father. The clerical rule is synonymous with only tyranny, only war," and "Freedom of thought cannot take place with beards. No Gaza, no Palestine, we will only sacrifice ourselves for Iran!" [6][7][5] Many chants praised the former Pahlavi dynasty with many protesting in support of Iran's past monarchy of former Shah that was overthrown by the 1979 Revolution. Another chant was "Happy Birthday, O Prince!" referencing the Shah of Iran's son.[8]

Other slogans praised the late Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and expressed anti-Arab sentiment.[5]

Government response

Protest organizers were arrested by the order of the government.[5] Iranians have been banned from celebrating Cyrus the Great Day at Pasargadae, the site of Cyrus the Great’s tomb, despite thousands of Iranians returning in following years.[7]

In years after the 2016 event crowds of Iranians have attempted to go back to rally at the tomb for Cyrus the Great Day, however state police and Iran's Revolutionary guard blocked all paths to the ancient tomb. There were also reports of government forces disguised in plain clothes beating Iranians who came to visit the site.[9]

References
  1. "MP Calls For Celebrating International Day Of Cyrus The Great". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  2. "Iranians arrested after celebrating ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". Reuters. 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  3. Samimi, Mehraz. "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".
  4. Zamaneh. "Iran: Authorities Prosecute Tomb Of Cyrus Protesters". Eurasia Review.
  5. "Iranians arrested after celebrating ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". Reuters.
  6. "Thousands in Iran use king's anniversary to protest against ruling regime". The Observers.
  7. "Iran Security Forces Blocking Roads To Prevent Cyrus Day Gathering". Radio Farda.
  8. Samimi, Mehraz. "Iran's Largest Protest Demonstration since 2009".
  9. "Iran blocks gathering at tomb of ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great". October 29, 2018.
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