We Will Celebrate The End of Religious Despotism

iranquest.com

Editor’s Note: Dr. Abdolkarim Soroush is one of the most prominent Iranian political philosophers, intellectuals, religious scholars and writers. He is a former professor at the University of Tehran (bio). Last Wednesday, he published an open letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing his belief that Iranians would triumph over “the decline of religious despotism”. This remarkable letter appears below in translation.

By Abdolkarim Soroush

The blood-soaked wedding ended and the untrue groom left the bridal chamber.

[Ballot] boxes trembled and evildoers danced in the darkness.

Victims stood watching in their white shrouds and the prisoners clapped with their severed hands.

And the people, one eye filled with rage, the other with hatred, bore off the groom.

The eyes of the world cried bitterly and blood flowed over the republic’s head.

The Devil laughed, stars were extinguished and virtue fell into a slumber.

This essay is profound in its thought and poetic in its presentation. Is there really a possibility of the end of an oppressive theocracy in Iran? If so, it seems many Iranians are profoundly devout, so it definitely wouldn't be the end of their faith.


[edit on 16-9-2009 by Sestias]