Giving thanks

I am a firm believer, not only in celebrating wins – but also of practicing gratefulness. This is something that got me through Covid lockdowns. The day in day out feeling of being away from loved ones, feeling locked up and frustrated.

Right not, in the Iranian community, we have a lot to be thankful and grateful for. This is of course not to take away from the hundreds of young innocent lives lost, nor the eyes lost, nor the lives behind bars, the torture or the physical and mental trauma being experienced by many. What we do have to be thankful for, is that there are many out there in the world that have heard our voices and are standing with us.

I have been extremely frustrated by the response from many in power (including the Australian Labor government), because they say one thing (solidarity with Iranian women) in front of the cameras, but they do the opposite behind closed doors. I hold them – every single one – responsible for the survival thus far, of the regime. They throw life line after life line to torturers, rapists and killers.

So while I am very frustrated and angry, I am also grateful for the many other politicians who show up and not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Today, I want to acknowledge these people – who are working in their capacity to hold those in power to account. In Australia, the following names have been exemplar:

• Senator Kylea Tink
• Senator Jordon-Steele-John
• Senator Mehreen Faruqi
• Senator David Shoebridge
• Senator Keith Wolahan
• Michael Sukkar MP
• Senator Claire Chandler
• Senator Simon Birmingham

Politicians get a bad wrap most of the time. I bet more often than not, people write to complain or to ask for something. So today I decided to do something different – to write them a thank you note. The purpose is to acknowledge the time they are dedicating to sponsoring political prisoners, in attending rallies, in writing back to letters, in talking to the media, and in pressing the Albanese government to do more to help Iran.

In taking time to recognise achievements and finding the good, we will not only stay positive and continue to fight, but we also give energy for those fighting on our behalf to do the same. So if in Australia, please write to the above and give thanks. Details on names, emails and postal addresses can be found here: LINK

This is an example of our Iranian culture, which I am sure they will hugely appreciate.

Be pirouzi va azadi.