Reactions to the Controversial 'Alawis' Gathering in Urmia Accompanied by 'Religious and Ethnic' Slogans

A wave of political, media, and public reactions both inside and outside Iran has followed the holding of a government ceremony titled 'Alawis Gathering' on the second of Farvardin 1404 in Urmia; a gathering that was accompanied by religious and ethnic slogans and some provocative behaviors. This gathering, called by Mohammad Khalilpour, the clerical head of the Urmia City Council, and attended by figures such as Nader Qazipour, a former representative of Urmia in Parliament, featured slogans including 'Ya Haydar Haydar' and some harsh ethnic slogans against Kurdish citizens. Participants in this gathering appeared with similar sticks in hand and images of local clerics. The call for this gathering was made by the head of the Urmia City Council after Kurdish citizens in the region held a Nowruz celebration the day before, which coincided with the 21st of Ramadan, the day commemorating the injury of the first Imam of Shia Islam, provoking a negative reaction from Mohammad Khalilpour. Following this gathering, dual reactions began. Civil activists and independent media deemed the government gathering on the second of Farvardin as part of the repetitive scenario of 'divide and rule.' Media outlets like Kurdpress attributed the 'insulting behavior' of a group of participants to the provocation of 'Pan-Turk' forces, guided by certain security institutions. In contrast, principlist media described the ceremony as 'unity-promoting and a symbol of the people's devotion in Azerbaijan to Imam Ali.' News agencies such as Mehr and ISNA reported on the 'massive presence of mourning Turkish speakers' and even 'the participation of Kurdish and Sunni citizens of Urmia in mourning for Imam Ali.' Some moderate-leaning domestic media also warned about these developments. The website 'Entekhab' published an analytical report stating: 'Simultaneously with the Nowruz ceremony held by some citizens in Urmia, a controversial figure named Khalilpour, the head of the City Council, called for a mourning gathering, allowing Pan-Turk elements to infiltrate.' The police of West Azerbaijan emphasized the 'non-political nature' of this ceremony and reported the arrest of an individual who had insulted and provoked other ethnic groups during the event. Meanwhile, Kurdish and Sunni representatives from Urmia in Parliament called for action against those opposing peaceful coexistence in the city. On the other hand, representatives from Urmia in Parliament also took a stance. Hakim Memkan, a Kurdish representative from Urmia who attended the 'Night of Qadr' ceremony, publicly described the incidents as 'norm-breaking' and characterized it as 'the enemy's failed attempt to create division,' calling for 'decisive action against those undermining unity and security in Urmia.' The gathering for this year's Nowruz celebration by Kurdish citizens in Urmia was also highlighted. Shahin Jahangiri, another representative from Urmia of the Sunni community, condemned the 'divisive slogans' and emphasized 'the solidarity of Turks and Kurds' in West Azerbaijan province. Some internal political figures also reacted to this event. Azar Mansouri, the head of the Iranian Reform Front, emphasized the need for vigilance against extreme nationalism and separatism in a message. He wrote: 'We are the great nation of Iran, and Iran belongs to all Iranians. Those who seek the collapse and disintegration of Iran have dangerous dreams for the country.' Ramin Parham, a writer and analyst residing in France, in an interview with Radio Farda regarding the 'misdirection' of the government gathering in Urmia, stated that 'the lack of a correct theoretical framework in the Islamic Republic regarding Iranian nationalism and the damage it has inflicted on civil society has laid the groundwork for such provocative actions.' The Azerbaijan Political Prisoners Defense Association (ADAP) also strongly condemned the event held in Urmia, stating that during this ceremony, Kurdish citizens of Urmia were 'exposed to attacks and threats of massacre' by the Islamic Republic and its supporters. This association criticized the carrying of 'racist placards' and shouting 'hate slogans' at this government event, stating: 'These attacks are not only an assault on the Kurdish community of Urmia but also a deliberate attempt to undermine the peaceful struggle of the people of Azerbaijan, who have paid a heavy price for justice and human dignity.' Meanwhile, on social media, many users warned about the increasing 'tense atmosphere' in the country and called for resistance against ethnic extremism. At the same time, political analysts emphasized that Urmia, a city with a diverse and multicultural fabric, cannot be 'the site of governmental ethnic and security projects.' In this context, the Persian website of the Anadolu Agency described this government gathering as 'a large gathering of the people of Urmia emphasizing the Turkish identity of this city,' claiming without evidence that this gathering 'was met with an onslaught of security forces... and security forces began dispersing the people using water cannons from the early hours of the morning (second of Farvardin).' Baku media, including the news site 'Akhbar,' also criticized the organizers of the Nowruz celebration of the Kurds of Urmia, claiming 'the suppression and attack of special forces on the hundred-thousand-strong demonstrations of the Azerbaijani Turkish nation.' These media also did not provide evidence for their claims. In another event, the prosecutor of Sanandaj reported that seven people were arrested following the Nowruz celebration in Kurdistan province. The public and revolutionary prosecutor's statement of Kurdistan confirmed the news from local news websites covering the Kurdish regions that had reported the arrest of dozens during the Nowruz celebrations in recent days. However, Mohammad Jabari, the prosecutor of Sanandaj, accused these seven individuals, whose names and details were not mentioned, of 'propaganda against the regime.' Jabari accused them of being 'leaders of propaganda activities against the regime' and 'under the guise of the Nowruz celebration, seeking to organize and use the capacity of these celebrations for propaganda against the regime, norm-breaking, and insult.' For years, large and significant gatherings of people during the New Year, especially in Kurdish provinces, have been met with the response of urban, provincial, and security officials of the Islamic Republic. In this regard, the Hengaw website, which covers news from Kurdish regions, reported on Sunday, the third of Farvardin, that in recent days 'thousands of Kurdish citizens' have been summoned and interrogated by the security forces of the Islamic Republic. According to Hengaw's report, which Radio Farda is unable to independently verify due to official censorship of news in Iran, these summons have led to the arrest of dozens of people, including several children.