Twelve Art Associations Protest the Dismissal of Professors; Criticism and Protest Do Not Deserve Punishment

The Art Association of the House of Artists of Iran and various artistic guilds, in an open letter to the Minister of Science, called for a halt to the dismissal of professors, the cancellation of student deprivation sentences, an end to violent behaviors, the removal of the security atmosphere, and the creation of a safe space for protests at universities. According to domestic media reports, the letter emphasized: "Criticism and protest by students through dialogue, sit-ins, the creation of artistic works, music, and songs in the university environment are clear and noble examples of civil protest that not only do not deserve punishment and rebuke but are worthy of praise and encouragement." The Iranian art associations requested the Minister of Science and other officials of the Islamic Republic to reconsider the management of universities, as they believe that "opening a safe space for dialogue is the only way to prevent violence." Meanwhile, Mohsen Barahani, a law professor at the University of Tehran and a critic of the regime, told "Didar News": "Security friends should reflect a bit and spend their time elsewhere; chasing after professors is not art." This legal expert added: "Our problem is with experts and judicial officers who create cases and enemies for professors and others through report writing." However, yesterday, several members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly defended the program to dismiss opposing and critical professors from the universities, stating: "The prerequisite for teaching at the university and being a professor is loyalty to the Islamic Republic, not scientific knowledge, and professors are employed at the university to advance the regime's goals and educate students according to these goals, not to encourage students to disrupt classes and endanger national security." These members of parliament also described the reports about the dismissal of 58 professors from Iranian universities as "completely false and politically motivated" and stated: "The media wave that has arisen regarding the termination of cooperation with professors is not true, and hostile media are trying to portray this issue as political and security-related." According to media reports and confirmation from professors on social media, over 58 professors from various universities across the country have been barred from continuing their cooperation and teaching in the past two months, almost all of whom had supported the protesting people and students and criticized the regime's violent actions during the nationwide protests of 1401. On the line: Crisis in universities; dismissal of reputable professors and hiring of government-aligned individuals. Claims by the president of the University of Tehran regarding the reasons for the dismissal of professors; pressure on educators continues. Defense by parliament members of the dismissal of professors; Kaveh Madani: Bravo to professors who do not sacrifice truth for expediency. Normalization of professors' dismissals in government media; dismissals are not political, they are seeking to create tension. A claim by a media outlet in Iran; a "famous" eulogist became a professor at the University of Tehran. The aftermath of the dismissal of "protesting" professors; from accusations of "ethical issues" to encouragement for "greater decisiveness." The protest of cultural associations against the dismissal of activist educators and professors; "Cancel all unjust sentences."