Looking at the student factor in Iranian politics
On 5th July 1999 at around 11.30 p.m. a few hundred students from Tehran University gathered in front of the hostels to protest over the closure on that day of a popular Reformist newspaper, 'Salaam'. A few hours later, at around 2.00 a.m. when most students were fast asleep, an armed vigilante group stormed the men's hostel, beat the students and set their property on fire. Two students died in this raid. This triggered a wave of student protests throughout the country in which thousands took part. Termed the 'Second Revolution', these protests in Tehran and several other major cities marked a turning point in the history of student struggles in Iran.
Issa Dibaj
Note: This article was first published in 2000
Students have always been the most sensitive section of society, and universities the centre of revolutionary ideas. It was from the universities that Reza Shah (1878 - 1944) first initiated his liberal policies1. The first revolutionary sentiments favouring an Islamic state came from students2, and now more than 20 years later, it is students who are at the forefront of the call for an Islamic democracy.
This article explores the issues faced by students today: their hopes and ambitions, their fears and anxieties. Higher education in Iran falls into two categories: state-run universities and private Islamic universities. Academic performance at a general test known to nationals as the 'Concour', determines which of these two the student is accepted at. Students in the state-run universities receive free tuition, full-board accommodation, and a monthly allowance. The standard of education here is normally higher than that in private Islamic universities. It is the dream of most Iranian teenagers to get into these institutions. As 70% of Iran's population is under 30 there is an ever increasing number of applicants for these universities so competition is very tough and entry extremely difficult. Students in private Islamic universities are treated very differently. They are responsible for their own tuition and are left to fend for themselves.
There are currently around 100,000 in state universities and more than a million in the Islamic institutions. The latter are mostly preoccupied with their financial hardships - finding a way to cope with ever increasing tuition fees and housing expenses. Students in the state sector, though not entirely free from financial problems, have more time for other matters, mostly social-political. It is this group the ruling authorities find most difficult to control. These students are either too fundamentalist for the 'Reformists' within the ruling party, or too liberal for the largely conservative religious leaders. Sometimes these two factions turn against each other with often violent consequences.
Money, Marriage, and Politics
Despite these difference all students have three major concerns in common, albeit with varying degrees of emphasis. They are: money, marriage and politics. Financial worries preoccupy the minds of most Iranians and students are no exception. A typical male3 student, besides the worries of coping with every day life, always lives with the fear that once he has graduated, he might not find a suitable job to make his university days worthwhile. This has led to a general sense of despair which destroys their motivation to study. Some even drop out to join the labour market. Hassan's story is a good example. Together we studied for our B.A. degree, passed the highly competitive M.A. entry test and finally made it to Tehran University. Less than a year into our M.A. course Hassan's father died and left him a small amount of money. Seeing no future for himself in the academic world, Hassan chose to drop out and use the money to buy a second-hand taxi. He is now working full-time, happily earning twice as much as his fellow graduates would ever dream of making through academic work.
Closely linked to the problem of money is the question of marriage, another constant preoccupation for all students. In a country where two out of every three people are under 30, and where marriage is still the only accepted norm, the main difficulty is not so much finding the right partner, but rather meeting the obligations of maintaining one. Students are no exception. In Iran, as in all Middle Eastern countries, the responsibility for providing for the family rests entirely on the husband and this huge financial commitment4 has made marriage a real nightmare, as well as a wistful dream for many young men. A typical university graduate earns the equivalent of £50 a month and if he marries, nearly all of this goes on rent This makes a huge proportion of the skilled educated minds seek a better life in the West. The resultant brain drain is having a devastating effect on Iranian society. Some do wish to continue their studies inside the country, but the possibility of being rejected by religious examiners or not finding a suitable job deters them.
The third concern all students share is political, though it is fuelled by this sense of frustration regarding marriage and jobs. This means there can be mass student protests at the slightest provocation. These can range from a slight rise in tuition fees to the closing down of a Reformist newspaper, or in the worst cases, the beating, arrest or even killing of fellow students. In a country where conformity is the expected norm, these protests have immediate political implications and remind the public of the first days of the Islamic Revolution. This Revolution is still believed in by most students, and very few would publicly say anything against Ayatollah Khomeini. However due to the pressures they face, most of them believe the Revolution is in need of democratic and economic reform.
The student mind, therefore, today is unsettled and longing for change. This means that most students are open to other ideas. They will talk about religious issues openly, and many would sincerely consider the claims of Christ - if given the opportunity. For an Iranian student to become a Christian means them possibly be expelled from the family circle, and risking their career5. This means the person who wants to share Christ with the Iranian student must not only be very sensitive to these issues, but also their own faith must be so beautiful, that the students can see that any sacrifice is worth it. With this in mind it is very hard to see how a Western missionary could impact Iranian students. No doubt many would show interest in the hope of somehow getting a visa to the West, but for those who want to stay in Iran, a Western missionary would only inflame the old prejudice that Christianity has been a tool of imperialism. By far the most effective evangelists for the students are fellow Iranians. And preaching the Gospel to students could have far reaching consequences, for students - whether conservative or reformist - will always be the future leaders of Iranian society.
Issa Dibaj was a student in Iran for seven years and has an MA in English Literature. He works as a translator.
1Reza Shah Pahlavi ruled Persia - which he re-named Iran - from 1925 to 1941. He reformed and modernised the educational system in Iran, founded the University of Tehran (1934) as well as other major universities, sent students abroad for training, promoted the education of women and moved against the Islamic schools. Universities at that time were the mouthpiece of his progressive policies.
2Student Unions played a crucial role in bringing about the 1979 Revolution. They asked all the students not attend classes and organized mass demonstrations against the Shah. It was mainly the students who were communicating the messages of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini to the nation.
3In Iran men are completely responsible for providing for the family.
4As well as the cost of the wedding, and setting up home, the bridegroom also has to negotiate the 'Mehreai', a sum of money he will have to pay if the marriage breakdowns. This is usually in the region of a thousand 5 gram gold coins.
5The writer's chosen career was to become an instructor in English Literature at a major state university in Iran. But because he is a Christian, this is impossible.