Shiraz Representative: Mismanagement Turned Cyrus Day into a Security Issue

Bahram Parsai, the representative of Shiraz in the Parliament, expressed regret on Thursday, November 2, that the celebration of Cyrus Day in Iran became a 'security issue' due to what he called 'mismanagement and poor planning.' According to ILNA news agency, Mr. Parsai added that as far as he knows, 'given the measures taken,' people did not gather in the Pasargadae and Persepolis areas on November 7, which coincides with Cyrus Day. He did not specify these 'measures,' but stated that for this reason, 'I do not think anyone has been arrested.' The representative's reference to 'measures' includes fencing around Pasargadae, blocking access routes to this site, the presence of security agents on roads leading to this historical site, and sending threatening text messages to some citizens advising them not to attend Pasargadae on November 7. Simultaneously, several websites and news agencies close to Iranian security institutions reported that 'the Ministry of Intelligence arrested members of a group for creating a campaign for Cyrus Day and a campaign for the return of the prince on social media.' The 'Didban' website, affiliated with Iranian security institutions, accused those arrested on November 7 of intending to carry out actions such as 'damaging public property' and claimed that 'foreign sources' were 'guiding' them. According to ILNA, Bahram Parsai, referring to what he called 'the controversies created on the anniversary of Cyrus's birth,' said: 'I am very sorry that a cultural and social issue has turned into a security matter due to mismanagement and poor planning, leading to greater stubbornness among the people on this issue.' The parliament member added that 'this issue could have been easily resolved and the created controversies could have been prevented.' He also stated that the 'main concern' of the country's officials is 'employment' and added that for this reason, 'creating sensitivity around tourism issues is not appropriate.' This parliament member complained that 'apparently there is no program to advance the tourism industry' in Iran, 'except for turning opportunities into threats and causing public concern, tension, and unrest in society.' Mr. Parsai had previously requested in a letter to the Minister of Culture in October of this year to hold an official ceremony on Cyrus Day, the Achaemenid king. In this letter addressed to Abbas Salehi, he wrote that Cyrus is 'the founder of human rights and one of the great honors of our history and civilization and even of the world.' November 7 has been introduced as Cyrus Day for a reason that could become an opportunity for national cohesion, attracting tourists, and introducing the rich culture of this land. The letter added that due to the lack of 'planning and management by the relevant officials,' this day has not been properly utilized, and 'the exploitation of a handful of individuals' has led to 'confrontations with some people and youths who had no connection with opportunistic individuals.' Bahram Parsai also considered holding an official ceremony on Cyrus Day to be in line with the 'resistance economy' envisioned by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. His request came at a time when last year, following a gathering of thousands to commemorate Cyrus at Pasargadae, his tomb, many participants were arrested. The prosecutor of Shiraz announced three days after this gathering that the organizers of the Cyrus Day event had been arrested and stated that 'a legal case has been filed against these individuals, and necessary legal action will be taken against them according to regulations.'