Why Iranians like me long for the Shah’s return |
As Iranians defiantly take to the streets, many outsiders wonder why the crowds are chanting the name of the late Shah and his heir, the Crown Prince. What is it about the last dynasty that ruled Iran that has such a great fascination for Iranians, both at home and abroad?
The Shah’s return would not be the first time that this dynasty has helped to rescue Iran
Many Iranians – including those, like me, who were born there but forced to flee – look to the past as a golden time. The Crown Prince has repeatedly said that he has every interest in overseeing a transition to a democratic and free country. All Iranians long for the day when our beloved country can be free again.
The Shah’s return wouldn’t be the first time that this dynasty has helped to rescue Iran. While Iran has a rich and tremendous culture, the truth is that by the early 20th century, Iran was a broken, disintegrated country. It was falling apart, and the Pahlavi dynasty that came into power in 1925 saved Iran from disintegration and abuse by colonial powers.
It also played an important part in an ongoing movement: the revival of Iranian nationhood and identity. It didn’t start this movement, but it certainly propelled it forward. The last........