A recent news release announced that a famous Iranian writer’s books had been banned in Iran from being published due to the writer’s publishing house’s editor is none other than Dr. Arash Hejazi. I am not very concerned for the writer. But after thoroughly reading into the reasons why the book has been banned in Iran, and about Dr. Arash Hejazi, I cannot sit quietly and watch this injustice happen.
Maybe my voice won’t be heard by anyone. Maybe it won’t make a difference at all. None of that matters, does it? Especially, when the price being paid is to bring a little dignity to an innocent soul.
Neda Agha-Soltan was killed in Tehran on June 20th, 2009. She was sitting in traffic during the 2009 Iranian election protest with her music teacher and a couple of friends, when she was shot in the chest by the pro-government Basij militia. Her killer was caught and later released. However, not only did this girl lose her life, they stole her dignity as well.
Many publishers, writers and news channels have broadcast her story. Social media sites went crazy with the video that was posted to Facebook and YouTube. Many people talked about how and why she died. Many people talked about the famous Dr. Arash Hejazi after the terrifying event. But only Wikipedia covered what her family and she is going through and went through after her death.
Even after her death, she continues to suffer and her family pays the price. As if her dying for no reason at all was not enough, her family was not allowed to mourn her death. The death of their unmarried, 26-year-old daughter. Their daughter who had barely seen life. Who was just recently engaged and had the world yet to explore. Her family was threatened to be punished and charged if they held mourning services. But that was still not enough. Neda was denied a proper funeral service by government authorities.
On November 16, 2009, her grave was desecrated and her grave-stone was removed by supporters of the Iranian regime. Later that year, supporters of the Iranian government defaced her grave by shooting it multiple times.
Since then, there have been many stories published about her family, about Dr. Arash Hejazi and Neda’s fiance, Caspian Makan. Her parents were forced by government authorities out of their home in Tehran. Dr. Arash Hejazi is wanted by the Iranian government for raising questions about Neda’s death and protesting against the government. He has also been forced to flee Iran for his well-being. Caspian Makan continues to mourn the loss of his fiance. All four members continue to fight for justice for Neda. Yet, all are being penalized as if they were suspects and not the victims.
Dr. Arash Hejazi’s life has been flipped upside down. Why? Because he was trying to save an innocent fellow-civilian who was shot in broad day-light. Because after her death, he is trying to bring her justice? His life has been threatened. He is being portrayed around the world as a fugitive for fleeing from his country because he fears his own life?
Dr. Hejazi has built a blog and website to bring publicity to the way his life has changed by trying to rescue Neda. He is publishing/releasing a book in March about his life since the event took place.
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