September 5, 2021—While the theocratic regime in Iran desperately struggles to survive under the weight of existential threats and mounting crises, the main Iranian opposition Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) continues to become stronger and more determined to overthrow the mullahs.
This year, the MEK celebrated the start of its 57th anniversary in Ashraf 3, Albania, making it by far the most enduring political organization in Iran’s modern history. On September 5, 2021, the MEK held its biennial session, and after hours of debate and deliberation, the organization’s members enthusiastically re-elected Zahra Merrikhi as its Secretary-General for another two years.
The biennial session was held simultaneously at the MEK’s headquarters in Ashraf-3 (Albania), Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, The Hague, and Zurich. Emblematic of the MEK’s genuine efforts to win freedom, democracy, and equality for the Iranian people, its Central Council is comprised entirely of women. This year, in a remarkable show of the MEK’s staying power, Ms. Merrikhi introduced a new cadre of competent leaders made up of a younger generation of women destined to lead the democratic opposition into the future.
In contrast to the regime’s attempts to fall back on the old guard to protect its failing rule, the MEK has trained an impressive number of young activists ready to take the reins and to guarantee freedom, democracy and a brighter future for Iran. Three of these women were introduced by Ms. Merrikhi as co-secretaries this week while six others were brought in as new deputies, all in their 30s and 40s.
To many Iranians, fed up with four decades of misogynist rule by the mullahs, the televised scenes of women taking charge in the strongest opposition movement to the mullahs have proven to be truly inspirational. A flood of messages were sent by women, political activists, and political prisoners inside Iran celebrating the MEK’s 57th anniversary and congratulating the re-election of Ms. Merrikhi.
At the biennial session in September, a number of senior officials and members of the MEK spoke about their decision to re-elect Secretary-General Merrikhi. The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, also spoke at the event and praised the MEK’s leadership for guiding the organization through some of Iran’s most tumultuous times in recent memory.
Mrs. Rajavi added: “The clerical regime engaged in relentless suppression and massacre as well as a continuing campaign of demonization in the past four decades in an attempt to destroy this movement. But it failed, and the MEK, steadfast and committed to its ideals, more prepared and stronger than ever, has organized a nationwide Resistance.”
For her part, Ms. Merrikhi said, “The position of Secretary-General and assuming other responsibilities in the Organization are rooted in a half-century of sacrifice and suffering in the face-off against the Monarchic dictatorship, the religious fascism, and a multitude of reactionary and colonialist conspiracies. It is the story of a movement that has advanced while making constant choices and paying the necessary price.”
Today, the MEK is more resolute and optimistic than ever before to overthrow the tyrannical regime in Iran, and to reintroduce the Iranian nation into the world community as a peace-seeking and productive partner.
