Overview
This organization seeks a free and democratic Iran and fights for the establishment of a democratic and secular republic in Iran. Their main goal is achieving secular government, democratic elections, freedom of expression, and equal rights for women. Rajavi became the leader of the organization and his main goals was achieving freedom and democracy in Iran. Massoud Rajavi offered weekly lectures in Tehran’s Sharif University. There he introduced and detailed the worldview and ideology of the Mujahiddin e Khalq to thousands of people. There lectures were described as some of the most important not-to-be-missed events in Tehran.
Massoud appointed his wife Maryam Rajavi as his equal co-leader on 27 January 1985. With this, he gave women equal say within the organization. With this he launched a great ideological revolution within Mujahiddin e Khalq, the Iranian public and the whole Muslim World. Mujahiddin e Khalq has been focused on protecting the freedoms and rights of the Iranian people and preventing the mullahs from imposing their outdated beliefs and practices on them, during the times when Khomeini’s rise to power.
MEK directed a great deal of attention on raising awareness of the threats of extremism by holding meetings and political rallies in the first years that followed the 1979 revolution. Mujahiddin e Khalq tried to prevent Khomeini’s regime from establishing a tyrannical rule in a very peaceful manner. Mujahiddin e Khalq grew very popular among Iranians, during this time. The organization expanded to tens of thousands of members across Iran.
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Mujahedin-e Khalq
Mujahedin-e Khalq seeks a secular republic in Iran based on democracy and political pluralism. It has had a significant impact on Iranian affairs over the past 45 years, especially following the 1979 revolution. Therefore, the Mujahedin-e Khalq has long been targeted by the regime and its foreign apologists with a plethora of accusations meant to vilify the organization and diminish its influence now and in the future.
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Mujahedin-e Khalq’s Views on Democracy, Women Rights and Freedom
Mujahedin-e Khalq (The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, MEK Iran) was founded by Mohammad Hanifnejad, Said Mohsen, and Ali-Ashgar Badizadgan on September 6, 1965. This organization has a different interpretation of the Islam, which opposes the interpretation of the current Iranian regime. The leader of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, Maryam Rajavi, defines the regimes’ interpretation of Isalam as a mechanical and deterministic.
Mujahedin-e Khalq believes that democracy is indispensable part of the Islam. “Islam flourishes only in a spirit of freedom and truth,” says Mujahedin-e Khalq, “and therefore cannot deprive people from their legitimate rights.”
The Quran says that humans’ free will and their individual responsibility is the most important attribute that distinguishes them from animals. Based on this statement, humans are responsible for their actions. Their free will and the right to choose are manifested in democracy.
The will of God, as far as societies are concerned, is historically realized through democratic governing.
The Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad and leaders such as Ali ibn Abi Taleb, the first Shia imam, underscore the need to hand power over to the people.
These teachings emphasize the need for progress, social and economic justice and respect for human rights. References to these values are abundant in the Islamic teachings, dating back fourteen centuries.
The fundamentalist mullahs, on the other hand, reject the concepts of free will and individual choice, and therefore democracy. In his opinion, it is incompatible with Islam. But, spreading the word of God and Islam would have no meaning without freedom and respect for free will and the right to choose of an individual.
Ballot Box
The organization Mujahedin-e Khalq believes that the only criterion for political legitimacy is the ballot box. It is the electorate, expressing itself in a free and fair election, which gives a party, group, coalition or individual the mandate to govern.
The fundamentalist mullahs believe in the concept of “velayat-e faqih” (command of the clergy). This concept gives the law, power and legitimacy to a Supreme Leader. Such a clerical system is, by definition, totalitarian. This is because it does not recognize the freedom and right to political activity of anyone other than those who support the Islamic state.
Rights of women
Iranian women have been the major victims of the religious dictatorship and the dogmatism of the mullahs. The clerical regime considers women to be second class citizens. It denies them the right of leadership, to the presidency and access to the judiciary.
The fundamentalist mullahs believe that husbands should be able to divorce their wives each time they choose and, after the divorce, the father should take custody of the child. They believe that the father has the right to marry his daughter with whom he chooses and, she has no right to protest.
Mujahedin-e Khalq supports gender equality in all aspects, from the choice of a spouse to inheritance, testimony, custody, employment and election to the highest positions in government. It is because of the advocacy of Maryam Rajavi is that the issue of gender equality has become a main platform for the Mujahedin-e Khalq.
Freedom
In 1980, Mr. Rajavi discussed the importance of freedom.
“Freedom is a divine blessing…Anyone who tries to restrict human’s freedom has not understood Islam and humanity and the [anti-monarchical] revolution. Freedom is indispensable for the survival of humanity. Otherwise, human beings would not be different from animals and could not be held responsible for anything.”
“The Shah was a Corrupt But People were Not. Now Everyone is Corrupt but the Leader is not! ”: Iranian Ex-legislator
From the news web portal of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), we found out that in an unprecedented comparison between the previous and current regimes that have ruled Iran, a former member of the regime's Parliament (Majlis) accused society of being involved in acts of corruption while the Islamic ruling clique remains clean. While confessing that under the old regime, the Shah was corrupt but society remained clean and hated its corruption: hatred that led to the fall of the Shah.
Ex-legislator Alireza Zakani made the comment on October 2 at a meeting called "First round in the specialized war against corruption" in Tehran.
About 120 people participated in the event, according to the Fars news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard. The event was held under the auspices of the "National Base for the Fight against Economic Corruption in Tehran", in the former facilities of the United States Embassy.
It was stated in the article on the news web portal of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) that, as the keynote speaker at the conference, Zakani did not explain what caused the corruption during the four decades of the mullahs' government.
“Although the Islamic Revolution certainly has a regional and international perspective, our Islamic Republic is not safe from vices such as economic corruption. Deep down, we found a secret mafia with a hidden love for power, wealth and foreigners,”said Zakani.
In his long speech, Zakani went into detail about how billions of rials (the national currency of Iran) had been embezzled by those close to power. As an example, he explained the case of a "corruption duo" composed of a certain Tabari, from the Judiciary, and a Danialzadeh, from the executive branch. The two cooperated in embezzlement of public funds. Zakani explained that Danialzadeh had fled the country, although he was accused of stealing 30 billion rials.
“In fact, they took them. Corrupt elements joined and formed their network. Today this network is widespread and people talk about embezzlements of the order of five billion, 10 billion, 20 billion, 30 billion and even 90 billion rials, ”said the former legislator.
Despite such astronomical figures, Zakani claimed that the Islamic system was safe from corruption.
“After the revolution, corruption was rare, it developed during the 1980s and then, in the 2000s, it became an epidemic. But in the Islamic system, it is impossible for corruption to become systematic, since this is a system based on Islam, and Islam does not tolerate the least corruption. As long as the supreme leader leads the Iranian regime, someone in their level of knowledge and belief, and there are anti-corruption elements within the ruling class, we could talk about corruption networks, but this is not systematic corruption. "
"It is a good sign that Hossein Fereydoon (brother of Hasan Rouhani) has been sentenced to five years in prison and the sentence has been confirmed. Even if this individual is kept in a luxury prison, the mere fact that he is not free and cannot damage the economy of the country is a good thing for our economy!
As it was stated further on the news website of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the younger brother and confidant of Rouhani, Hossein Fereydoun, was sentenced to five years in jail for "receiving bribes," a spokesman for the Judiciary in Tehran announced on October 1.
Maryam Rajavi Urges the EU to Impose Sanctions Against the Iranian Regime
Thousands of Iranians gathered for a large demonstration in Brussels on Saturday, June 15, 2019. The demonstrators condemned the brutal violation of human rights by the ruling regime and its instigation of terrorism and warmongering in the region. They expressed their support for the Iranian resistance movement led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the Resistance.
The protesters expressed their support for the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran/Mujahedin-e Khalq) and the resistance units within the country while marching at the Schuman roundabout.
Ms. Maryam Rajavi addressed the protesters in a video message, saying: "The vacillating Iranian regime is besieged by a nation that has risen and lost all its patience. As in the last days of the regime of Shah, the members of the parliament of the regime are making 'the alarm sound' in one speech after another and warning of a sinister destiny, which awaits the entire regime (...) Rouhani and his cabinet ministers insist that in the last 40 years, the regime has never faced such critical circumstances. "
Ms. Rajavi added that the Iranian people "want the fall of the entire regime, crying out for a change, if anyone can change the behavior of the religious fascists and the religious dictators of Iran without trampling on the human rights of the Iranians and their right to determine your destiny, then, of course, we welcome you and say that you go ahead and change the behavior of this regime as much as you can".
He added in his message that "the apologists of this regime and those who benefit from his government continue to feign their preoccupation with the war and press for benefits to be given to the ruling assassins in Iran."
Ms. Rajavi stressed that, "the strategy of survival of the regime in the deadly crisis of its last days, is to demonize Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK Iran) and the Iranian Resistance as the main threat, and lay the foundations for new terrorist acts against them."
Ms. Rajavi concluded in her message (which can be found on her website) that "the terrorist plots discovered in European countries during the past year, like the attempts of bombings in Albania and France, the arrest of agents of the Iranian regime and their diplomatic terrorist Assadollah Assadi and the expulsion of four European terrorist diplomats, provided extensive evidence of the accuracy of the Iranian Resistance's repeated warnings that the regime's embassies in Europe are centers of criminal plans. So we call on the European Union to impose comprehensive sanctions on the religious dictatorship who governs Iran, and who outlaws the Revolutionary Guard and the Foreign Ministry as terrorist entities. Their agents must be prosecuted, punished and expelled, and the regime's leaders must account for their crimes against the Iranian people, especially the massacre of political prisoners, in an international tribunal."
Speakers at this meeting, about which you can find info on the MEK website, included Mr. Giulio Terzi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy; Ms. Ingrid Betancourt, former hostage and candidate for the presidency in Colombia; Professor Alejo Vidal Quadras, former vice-president of the European Parliament and director of the association In Search of Justice; Mr. Struan Stevenson, coordinator of the Campaign for Change in Iran; and Mr. Mark Demesmaeker, Member of the European Parliament.
Mujahedin-e Khalq’s Political Platform
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), also known as Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK Iran), is the largest and longest-standing Iranian opposition group. This organization has a five-decade history of struggling for freedom and democracy in Iran.
The Mujahedin-e Khalq is also a part of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). NCRI is a large coalition of dissidents and organizations that support democratic regime change in Iran.
Mujahedin-e Khalq has adopted a 10 Point political platform:
1) Ballot Box – In their view, this is the only criterion for legitimacy. Accordingly, Mujahedin-e Khalq seek a republic of Iran based on universal suffrage.
2) Pluralism – MEK Iran aim for a pluralist system, freedom of parties, and assembly. Mujahedin-e Khalq respect all individual freedoms. They underscore complete freedom of expression, freedom of the media and unconditional an unlimited Internet access to all.
3) Death Penalty – Mujahedin-e Khalq supports and is committed to the abolition of the death penalty.
4) Religion & State – Mujahedin-e Khalq are committed to the separation of Religion and State. According to them, any form of discrimination against the followers of any religion and denomination will be prohibited.
5) Gender Equality – Mujahedin-e Khalq believes in full gender equality in political, social, and economic arenas. They are also committed to equal participation of women in political leadership. They will abolish every form of discrimination against women. The will have freedom to choose their clothing. Also they will be free in marriage, divorce, education and employment.
6) Judicial System – Mujahedin-e Khalq believes in the rule of law and justice. They aim to set up a modern judicial system based on the principles of presumption of innocence, the right to defense, effective judicial protection and the right to be tried in a public court. Also, MEK Iran seeks the total independence of the judges and the abolishment of the mullahs’ Sharia law.
7) Human Rights – Mujahedin-e Khalq are committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Also, it supports the international covenant and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.
8) Equality – Mujahedin-e Khalq are committed to the equality of all nationalities. They also emphasize the plan for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan, adopted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). They consider important that the language and culture of their compatriots from whatever nationality, are among their nation’s human resources. Also these must spread and be promulgated in tomorrow’s Iran.
9) Market Economy – Private property, private investment and the market economy are also recognized by Mujahedin-e Khalq. They consider that all Iranian people must enjoy equal opportunity of in employment and in business ventures. They commit themselves to protect and revitalize the environment.
9) Foreign Policy – Mujahedin-e Khalq’s foreign policy will be based on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation, as well as respect for the United Nations Charter.
10) Nuclear Policy – Mujahedin-e Khalq want a non-nuclear Iran, free of weapons of mass destruction.
About Mujahedin-e Khalq
Mujahedin-e Khalq was founded on September 6, 1965. Its founders are Mohammad Hanifnejad, Said Mohsen, and Ali-Ashgar Badizadgan. They are all three engineers who were former members of the Freedom Movement (also known as the Liberation Movement).
This movement advocated for the democratic principles enshrined in the fundamental laws of 1905-09 [Iranian] Constitution. From 2061 to 1963, the Liberation Movement held meetings and was allowed to publish a newsletter that supported “political freedom and the separations of power.
On June 5, 1963, large demonstrations took place in Iran to protest the arrest of Ruhollah Khomeini. He had delivered a scathing speech indicting the monarchy, on June 5, 1963.
The Shah’s police banned the Liberation Movement with massive firepower. The Shah’s police also banned other pro-democratic organizations and Bazargan was sentenced to ten years in prison.
The three founders of Mujahedin-e Khalq realized that duplicating the actions of the Freedom Movement would lead to the same calamitous conclusion. Two years later, they came together to develop a new blueprint for democracy and freedom to Iran.
With their trusted friends, they formed a discussion group to develop a new strategy.
The greater part of the group members were professionals living in Tehran. They had meetings twice a week to discuss religion, history, philosophy, and evolutionary theory.
Mujahedin-e Khalq or also known as MEK Iran spent six years formulating its progressive view of Islam and developing a strategy to replace Iran’s dictatorial monarchy with a democratic government.
