Empress Farah Pahlavi Interview with
BILD der FRAU June 28, 2009
See English translation below
„I am proud of the courageous women in my home country“
With hope and fear the world is watching Iran – especially Farah
Diba-Pahlavi, widow of the last shah of Persia.
BILD der FRAU spoke to
her.
How do you feel about the recent events?
Very proud – and very concerned. Proud, because all these brave
young women, men, fathers and mothers gather on the streets for protest.
And I am concerned
because innocent citizens were injured and even
killed.
Also student Neda (27) was shot during a demonstration...
Yes, and seeing the photographs almost breaks my heart. Like those
of the young, pregnant mother who was shot and died in hospital.
They
found the bullet in her baby’s backside.
Why do so many women protest on the streets?
Because they are the ones who suffer most. They lost all their
rights, except the right to vote. They show so much courage, and I am
proud of them.
Despite all the being whipped and hanged and killed,
despite all the stoning, insulting and all the humiliation: they remain
strong. They go out and fight for their rights!
How would you describe the circumstances in Iran?
They are bad. Poverty-stricken population, begging children and
corruption are normal in the cities. The economy is in a sorry state.
The excellent international reputation Iran used to have is long gone.
And the people are fed up – that has nothing to do with political
ideology, they just want a change!
How do you support them?
It is important that their messages find the way out of the country.
But foreign journalists were sent out, media is being controlled.
Iranians spread news via mobile phones, Facebook and Twitter. We have to
multiply these news from inside! Coverage in the media from all over the word will
support them and give hope to them.
A few years ago, your daughter Leila commited suicide. You said that
she also was a victim of the regime, that she could not cope with life
in exile.
How would your daughter feel about the protests?
She would be very happy and would take part in demonstrations
outside Iran – like my other daughter and my grandchildren do.
30 years ago, you had to leave the country. People were protesting
against your husband, the shah. Had he made mistakes?
Yes, he had. Nonetheless: That horrible revolution would not have
been necessary. Iran was on its way forward back then. We invested in
education, economy, agriculture.
Women had the same rights. The islamic
revolution was a disaster for the Middle East and the rest of the world.
My husband was willing to compromise.
But today, the regime is not
interested in people’s lives. In the name of religion, much damage has
been made.
Thinking of Iran: What do you wish for?
Freedom, human rights, democracy and the seperation of church and
state. I wish for a government people deserve.
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