The death of children at the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amidst protests for human rights has sparked action for Iranians living in 麻豆精选.
Ray Taheri, PhD and professor of engineering at UBCO, left his homeland years ago. He dreams of one day visiting Iran with his children, where he will be able to tell them that he helped the revolution, despite being oceans away.
His children are close in age to Kian Pirfalak, a nine-year-old boy who is said to have been shot, along with his father, by guards of the Islamic republic while attempting to drive past protesters and get home. The boy, who want to become an engineer, was killed instantly and his father later died in hospital.
鈥淚 could not even comprehend if my daughter had been taken away in such a drastic way鈥� I cannot bear this grief,鈥� said Taheri.
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News coming from Iran can be clouded by misinformation, explained Taheri, but some of his friends in 麻豆精选 who are from the same region and have ties to the devastated family have confirmed the allegations, despite the official Iranian media鈥檚 attempt to change the narrative.
鈥淗e was not the only nine-year-old, and will not be the only child who will be killed.鈥�
When Taheri heard news of the death, he was devastated but knew that he had to take action, and began organizing events in support of the revolution at UBCO.
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He said that one day when his daughter hears about the atrocities like Pirfalak鈥檚 death, committed by her homeland鈥檚 government, and she asks 鈥淒ad, did you do anything?鈥�
Taheri said 鈥淚 will be proud enough to say yes, I did something for that nine-year-old boy.鈥�
He is currently organizing an event on Dec. 5, where the public is encouraged to attend to reflect on the revolution in Iran. The event will take place at UBCO in the Engineering, Management and Education building at 11:30a.m.
He said that in the 70 days since the start of the women-led revolution, 442 people have been killed, over 4,000 people have been injured, and over 14,000 people have been detained.
The event will include memorials for those killed by the Islamic regime, including Pirfalak, and a balloon release and demonstration at the E sign on campus.
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Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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