Iran and the future of the Islamic Awakening

Iran paper urges for opening dialogue with various Arab political groups.

BBC Monitoring International Reports | December 29, 2012 | Copyright

Text of commentary by Seyyed Mohammad Eslami headlined: "Iran and the future of the Islamic Awakening" by Iranian newspaper Khorasan on 20 December.

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It was translated by BBC Monitoring

You can find the main text in persian at BORDERLESS

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These days we have entered the third year since the start of Islamic awakening in the region. During the two eventful years that we have put behind, many pairs of eyes have been focused on North Africa and the Middle East. Now that we enter the third year of this tempest, it seems that we must once again review the tools of foreign policy in this respect.

The countries of Islamic awakening in the transition period

The first issue in confronting the events and developments of Islamic awakening countries is to pay attention to the characteristics of the "transition period." In other words, the only thing that will be "fixed" with regard to these countries is "constant change." Therefore, it is better for us in Iran to be neither happy over a sympathetic breeze nor to be scared of an opposing wind. Pragmatism, the ability to show quick and calculated reactions, flexibility, and patience until results are achieved, are the requirements of Iran's foreign policy in dealing with the stormy sea of Islamic awakening.

Islamic awakening and the issue of knowledge

Many of us in Iran did not expect such events to happen in the region, and for conditions to come about so that there would be no reports of Hosni Mubarak's loyalty to Israel and Qadhafi's camels and tents. We did not expect a time when Syria would be involved in Al-Qa'ida's unending violence and for certain countries' geographical borders to be exposed to reviews. In any case, the past is past. Today, we must achieve an accurate and quick knowledge of determining characteristics in each of these countries. However, knowledge and efforts to establish relationships with influential "individuals" in these countries must not prevent us from establishing a relationship with various "groups." Being occupied with groups that have been formed during the transition period must not make us overlook "newly emerged figures" that may change the rules of the game. Forming ties with newly established parties, members of parliaments, judges, academic figures, influential businessman, and ... [as published] must be realized more than ever before, taking into account the requirements of every country. This is particularly applicable in view of the fact that today's losers in the elections of the transition period, may one day turn into the winners of the period of stability in these countries. In addition, although Islamist groups are undoubtedly the priority of Iran's foreign policy, knowledge and connection with groups that do not fit into this circle, have as much importance.

Let us respect the reality and independent identity of groups

Among the most important issues in interaction with individuals, groups, and countries that are assuming fresh identities, is respect for their independent identity. We must therefore accept that in view of the special circumstances they find themselves in, they have the right to make remarks that may not necessarily be in coordination with all aspects of Iran's foreign policy. In certain cases, we must even allow these groups to act on decisions, the wrongness of which they may come to realize in the future. It must be emphasized that in many cases they may share our views but may be limited by circumstances whereby they are unable or consider it inexpedient to reveal these issues. An examination of the intelligent behavior shown by the revolution's leader [Khamene'i] in interacting with Hamas and various Egyptian groups, can be useful in this respect.

Economy; behind the scenes of political developments

All the revolutionary groups that came to power through Islamic awakening are facing a test and a challenge of "efficiency." Western countries and the United States are now putting these tools to good use to influence the political and social trends in these countries; a trend that will become more extensive and deeper in the future. Today, the effects of the West's undue economic influence on developments in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, and Syria is evident in every single one of these countries. Therefore, we must also activate the unofficial tools of foreign policy in this respect in Iran. The private sector, which has an open hand and is free from the official restrictions that exist for the foreign policy apparatus, can play a serious role in developing Iran's ties with these countries. The idea of providing "services and training" in return for "goods", attracting Muslim tourists, and other such examples, can also help the organization of these countries after terrible revolutions and can also provide a way for Iran to counteract the West's policy of banking sanctions against Iran.

Expansion of ways of two-sided communication with the communities of Islamic awakening countries

One of the reasons for the "domino like" chain of revolutions in the region's countries, is their common language, culture, and problems. The expansion of international people based organizations, and improvements to the quality and quantity of Arab and English-speaking international media will help us eliminate the intermediary role played by Western media between the Iranian society and the Islamic awakening communities.

Looking to the future with regard to the options of joining the train of Islamic awakening

We are now in a position where we can predict future events, albeit inaccurately. Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Sudan are countries that may join this train in the third year of Islamic awakening. Therefore, any kind of investment or policymaking on our part in these countries must be carried out by taking into account the positive or negative consequences of probable changes in these countries.

Source: Khorasan, Mashad, in Persian 20 Dec 12

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