Islamic parties of Arab world looking to Iran

TEHRAN, Jan. 29 (MNA) -- Over the past few decades, Arab dictators have suppressed their people under the direct sponsorship of Western countries, mainly the United States. Islamist parties and their influential figures have been the main targets of this repression. For example, some members of Tunisia’s Ennahda party were imprisoned and placed in solitary confinement for more than 18 years. Due to their massive popular support, the Islamists are hated by the puppet rulers of Arab countries, and many important Islamist figures from Tunisia, Egypt, and other Arab states have been forced to live in exile for most of their lives. Western governments have remained silent for all these years. France, which exploited the resources of Tunisia for decades, never said a word about the atrocities committed against the Islamists in the country. The supporters of Islamist parties were also tortured and executed. After the dawn of the Islamic Awakening in the region, the Western powers saw that their interests were at risk in the territories formerly ruled by puppet dictators. The call to establish secular regimes in these countries is in fact a plot devised by Western governments, led by the U.S., to hijack the revolutions and to undermine the position of the Islamists. The outlines of this malicious plot were clearly evident during the recent parliamentary election in Tunisia. The remnants of the former regime were mobilized by the West and their regional proxies to challenge the Islamists and to attempt to make the people feel disappointed with them. However, the results of the election clearly proved the futility of these moves, and a great majority of the Tunisian people voted for the Islamists. The Westerners are attempting to undermine the independence of Islamic countries and quash their citizens’ new sense of identity in order to maintain control over the Middle East and North Africa. These are the West’s main policy objectives for the region. However, relying on the United States and other arrogant powers is no longer the only option for the Arabs to survive. Iran has emerged as a power in the region that has the ability to challenge the U.S. policies toward Islamic countries. And the strategic competition between the United States and Iran has created a sense of confidence and self-esteem for the Muslims of the region. Iran is now regarded as the symbol of Islamic power and authority, while the United States is viewed as the symbol and representation of Western materialistic culture. The attempt to depict Iran as a failed state in terms of Islamic governance was in fact the biggest mistake committed by the West over the past few decades. Today, headed by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s system is regarded as an efficient Islamic system that has bravely withstood conspiracies and plots for over three decades. Islamic parties and groups in the Arab world view Iran as a model. This puts more responsibility on Iran’s shoulders than before.