2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt

The 2016 Cyrus the Great Revolt were pro-monarchy Iranian protest that took place at the Tomb of Cyrus the Great on Cyrus the Great Day.^{[1] [2]}

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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5][6]

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!" ^[7][8][6] 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 whose birthday was on October 31.^{[9] [10]}

Other slogans praised the late Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and expressed anti-Arab sentiment.^[6]

Government response[]

Protest organizers were arrested by the order of the government.^[6] 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.^[8]

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.^[11] In 2021, the elderly parents of the recently executed Navid Afkari, were arrested for having a picture of Cyrus the Great on a birthday cake. The Iranian government denied the popularity of Iran's former monarchy. The Cultural Heritage and Tourism Minister, Ezzatollah Zarghami, called for the construction of water walls adjacent to the tomb that would result in damage to the tomb. As of 2021, the government's revolution guard has shut down the site every year to prevent gatherings at the site since 2017. ^[12]

Prominent Shia Cleric Hossein Nouri-Hamedani criticized the praise of Cyrus the Great, quoting late supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini by saying “Those with tendencies toward Cyrus are anti-revolutionary.” Mohammad-Reza Ali Payam was arrested for participating in the protesting according to his son. ^[13]

See also[]

• 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire
• 2016–2021 Iranian protests

References[]

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