Strong Criticism from Shiraz Representative: Hassan Rouhani Has Made the Naming of 'Cyrus Day' Security-Related

Bahram Parsai, the representative of Shiraz in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, who called for the designation of November 7 as 'Cyrus Day' last year, severely criticized Hassan Rouhani for referring this request to the Supreme National Security Council, accusing him of 'exploiting Iran's culture and history' during his foreign trips. On Sunday, October 29, in his speech in the Assembly, Mr. Parsai pointed out that Hassan Rouhani mentions Iran's 'rich history and culture' during his trips to the United Nations and Europe, stating that Iran has been the 'savior of the Jews in history.' He said: 'When it has foreign consumption for you, you speak of it to validate yourself, but we witness your internal denial in a dual approach.' In July of this year, during a trip to Austria and a joint press conference with the Chancellor of that country, Hassan Rouhani stated: 'The Jewish nation owes us. We Iranians were the saviors of the Jews in Babylon.' The Shiraz representative referred to these statements by the Iranian President abroad in contrast to the treatment of those gathering on November 7 in Pasargad, describing Hassan Rouhani's actions as 'a kind of exploitation of culture and history... and disrespect for the historical and cultural consciousness of society.' November 7 is unofficially known as 'Cyrus Day' in Iran, and in recent years, security forces have prevented gatherings of Iranians at the tomb of Cyrus in Pasargad in various ways. The tomb of Cyrus, the founder of the Achaemenid dynasty, is located in the ancient site of Pasargad in Fars Province. Last year, despite the actions of security agencies, such as sending threatening text messages, announcing the closure of Pasargad, blocking roads leading to the site, and the extensive presence of security forces and Basij members, a ceremony was held in front of the tomb of Cyrus, which led to the arrest of some attendees. Bahram Parsai, in a letter to the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance last October, called for November 7 to be designated as 'Cyrus Day.' However, he stated in his speech on Sunday that Hassan Rouhani referred this request to the Supreme National Security Council. The Shiraz representative emphasized: 'In the world, security issues are cultural and socialized to reduce the costs arising from them, while we are completely the opposite.' He recalled some praises that have been made of Cyrus, stating: 'This character is now alienated in his own country and birthplace.' Several officials of the Islamic Republic, including the prosecutor of Fars Province, have described gatherings in front of the tomb of Cyrus as 'norm-breaking,' and Hussein Nouri Hamadani, a Shia cleric in Qom, has also stated that Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, referred to those who 'remembered Cyrus' as 'counter-revolutionaries.'