Hossein Mohammadi

We have spoken to Ali Reza Rajaei, a prominent member of the “Melli-Mazhabi” ‎‎[nationalist-religious] alliance. He was voted into the sixth Majlis (2000-2004) by the ‎people of Tehran but the results were later nullified by the Guardian Council. Below is ‎the text of this interview. ‎

Rooz (R): Mr. Rajaei, in your opinion, what stance should democratic forces take ‎towards the eight Majlis elections?‎

Ali Reza Rajaei (ARR): This is a difficult question! One view is that one must not ‎participate in the elections under any circumstances and the disqualifications that have ‎taken place this time, more than ever before, have eliminated the possibility of any ‎competition. But a second view is that the Majlis must not be left completely empty of ‎democratic forces. In my opinion, rather than looking to see which viewpoint is more ‎effective, we have to focus our attention on uniting the democratic forces. If a majority ‎of democratic forces lean toward participation, even if we do not agree with their view, it ‎is better if the remainder of democratic forces, who believe in the path of reforms from ‎within, support the majority’s stance in order to sustain from weakening the democratic ‎movement and create a basis for future shared action. ‎

R: What must be done to impose unity among democratic forces? Are there currently ‎any issues over which the various democratic groups can find consensus? ‎

ARR: I think that the suggestion that was made following the last presidential election to ‎form a “Democracy and Human Rights Front” must be pursued. It is good if an ‎institution is formed where the priority of its members is not to reach shared consensus ‎for practical action, but to serve as a platform for discussion; discussion among different ‎democratic groups, regardless of their history and diverse pasts. ‎

R: Do you think it is possible that forces closer to the regime – in other words, reformists ‎in the regime – sit next to opposition forces and form such an institution? ‎

ARR: There is at least the possibility that a large percentage of democratic forces can be ‎united in forming such a front. At the same time, we have to look at this issue in stages. ‎In the first stage it is possible that ideological differences may result in some divisions. ‎Nevertheless, political maturity dictates that when a positive movement is forming, even ‎if a political groups feels like it cannot be part of that movement, it would at least refrain ‎from creating obstacles on its path. ‎

R: Even if we suppose that these forces find agreement and form a front, don’t you think ‎the regime will feel threatened and decide to confront them? ‎

ARR: It is not important what the regime feels. If a group of people reach a conclusion ‎to further a cause and believe that their cause is legitimate, then they don’t care what ‎others think. That is not to say that they will not be harmed, but it is to say that they will ‎resist obstacles. Therefore, if these discussions are systematically developed then the ‎regime’s response will only have minimal importance. ‎

R: If we accept all these discussions, how is this front and with what tools is it to ‎influence the public, without any media outlets or social support? ‎

ARR: No movement is presented with golden opportunities at its inception. Many social ‎movements started with 10 or 15 people. Fortunately, this democratic movement has a ‎much broader social base. Although you are right, that there are many obstacles facing it, ‎but an organized political project, if accompanied with institution-building and strong ‎operational work, can gradually overcome obstacles. ‎