Date
(Tarix) 10 June 2006
Ref (Muraciət):
Press Release 3
Dear
sir/madam
Re
The Annual Assembly at
Babek
Castle
30 June 2006 –
Southern Azerbaijan
The
Annual Babek Assembly is scheduled
to take place in
Southern Azerbaijan
on 30 June. The event
commemorates the Babek movement
which resisted the Arab invasion of
Azerbaijan
in the 8th
century and in more recent times, has served as an opportunity to pursue the
reinstatement of democracy with numerous events including political debates,
theatrical performances and musical festivities. The event, though spontaneous,
has always been orderly and peaceful – a testament to the democratic
instincts that are engrained in Azerbaijani culture.
The
spirit of the Babek Assembly is in direct contrast to the actions of the ruling
Iranian government, whose policies mimic those of the mediaeval aggressors
that Azerbaijanis have faced in the past. The Iranian government has created a
culture of discrimination against non-Persians with a policy of systematic
falsification of our history and alienation of our national interests.
Inspired by the Babek movement,
Azerbaijanis have been resisting these policies and in so doing, are seeking
inclusion within and recognition by the world community.
This
year, the Babek Assembly is expected to be different, against a background of
ongoing tensions following mass protests in
Southern Azerbaijan
on 22-28 of May 2006. The
outcomes of the assaults of the Iranian government were two folds: (1) the peaceful protestors suffered loss of lives in tens, injuries
in hundreds and detention and torture in thousands; and (2) keeping the world media in the dark. Our nation is determined to
commemorate the victims of the assault at
Babek
Castle
during the Assembly on 30
June 2006. This and the spectre of an Iranian government seeking nuclear
capability can only encourage increased media coverage of the Babek Assembly. We draw your attention to the opportunity of
highlighting the potential for democratic mass protest opposing the obstinate
and aggressive stance taken by the regime in
Tehran
. Clearly, the regime is
sweeping under the carpet a time bomb unknown to the world community and a potential disaster that the world
so desperately needs to avoid.
We
trust that in covering events at the Assembly, you will help support both a
nascent democratic movement and a rational voice against the recalcitrance of
the Iranian government. Should you be interested in this, we would be keen to
help you in any way we can. Furthermore, on a broader scale, we hope you will
continue to convey news of acts of repression being inflicted by the Iranian
government against Southern Azerbaijanis, to the world at large.
For
further advice, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Afrasiab Urumchu on +44(0)7710 783 211.
Southern
Azerbaijani Campaign Group
Who
was Babek?
Babek,
an Azerbaijani national hero, waged a war of resistance in then the liberated
Azerbaijan
for 22 years against the occupying Arabian forces of the Abbasids in the 8th
century. Later, he was betrayed by Efshin, a Persian militarist and subservient
of the Caliph, and was transferred to a prison in Samire (in present day
Iraq
).
When he dismissed to submit to the Caliph, he met a tragic death by being
dismembered, losing his right arm as the first of his amputated members. He
smeared his face with his own blood, as a measure of continuing his struggle and
maintaining his composure, thus depriving the Caliph and his henchmen from
seeing him dying as a pale and a terrified man.
Where
is
Babek
Castle
?
Babek
castle is a mediaeval fortification whose ruins hint at previous grandeur. It is
visible from the city of
Keleyber
, approximately 200km from
Tabriz
, the capital of historic
Azerbaijan
.
The castle is located high on a mountain range, at an altitude of approximately
2700m, on the southern banks of the Araz basin.
Who
are Azerbaijanis?
It
is a common error to limit
Azerbaijan
to the
boundaries of
Republic
of
Azerbaijan
with a
population of less than 8 million. In reality,
Azerbaijan
is a vast
territory covering both
Republic
of
Azerbaijan
and
Southern Azerbaijan with a population of 35 million, stretching from the banks
of Caspian Sea to its borders with
Turkey
and
Iraq
.
Why
did Azerbaijanis not seek independence until recently?
The
alienation of Azerbaijani national interests and culture is approximately eighty
years old. Azerbaijanis and other
Turkic dynasties ran protectorates
from medieval times up to the emergence of modern nationalism.
The protectorates were normally
ruled by Turkic-Azerbaijani dynasties based on a philosophy of mutual respect.
Modernism was embraced wholeheartedly in
Azerbaijan
but only to the displeasure of European colonial powers, who favoured
reactionary Persian elements, such as the Pahlavi dynasty that assumed power in
the 1930s and renamed the country to
Iran
in March 1935. Since then
Southern
Azerbaijan
has a somewhat rough ride.
What
was the role of Professor Zehtabi in uniting Southern Azerbaijanis?
The
historian Professor Zehtabi (Kirishchi)
was one of twenty three people that pioneered the assembly at
Babek
Castle
ten years ago, by trekking to the castle and reviving the culture of qurultay (Assembly).
Mrs. Zohre Vefai was another member of
these pioneers who is currently imprisoned by Iranian authorities. Qurultay now
means conference but in the past, was the equivalent of spontaneous parliament,
where there was freedom to express opposing views. In five years, these initial
efforts were transformed into a large scale gathering of over a hundred thousand
people. The Babek Assembly has played a major role in transforming our national
aspirations into a national movement and in the rebirth of the culture of
“qurultay” in modern
Azerbaijan
.
Prospects
for the future
Southern
Azerbaijanis are currently pursuing their national interests within the global
community. A national movement in Southern Azerbaijanis has been mobilised that
embraces rational principles such as democracy, pluralism and secularism. The
movement is founded on the culture of qurultay, and in this respect avoids
extremism and encourages the culture of debate.
When
will the phoenix rise from ashes again?
Persian
Racism has engulfed
Iran
through the false premise of “Aryan” grandeur severing a millennium
of the Turkic culture of mutual-respect. Now, Southern Azerbaijanis are seeking
their national self interests within the world community of nations. The revival
of the culture of mass Assembly is the demand for justice to
Azerbaijan
through fermenting the culture of debate. Justice to
Azerbaijan
was also dreamed by Babek, whose dream has been transformed into the phoenix
rising from the ashes blasted by racism officially sanctioned by Persian
theocrats.
Local
travel information
·
For a visa please refer to the
Iranian Consulate as a tourist without disclosing
Babek
Castle
.
·
Direct flights are available from
Heathrow to
Tabriz
via
Istanbul
with
Turkish Airlines. Travel is also possible via
Tehran
onto
Tabriz
or
Ardabil, which are the nearest major cities to
Babek
Castle
.
·
Advance hotel bookings in Ardabil or
Tabriz
are
recommended. There is also Hotel Babek near
Babek
Castle
. For
further advice please call Mr Afrasiab Urumchu on +44(0)7710 783 211.
Babek
Castle
at 2700m
Above Sea Level
The
Babek Assembly: Trekking up to the Castle at higher altitudes
Key:
The line of ascend
Trekking
back from the Castle at the Peak at the lower altitudes
The
Babek Assembly: A glimpse of one of many festivities – interacting with
theatrical performers