Koroush Kalhor asserts in a note that the consequences of the rise of the Khomeinist cult and the spread of political Islam will not be contained within Iran's borders. These warnings, rooted in the bitter experience of the Iranian nation, demonstrate how a religious movement can threaten the freedom of society by exploiting public discontent and political negligence.
The Bitter Experience of Iranians and Ignoring Warnings
Kalhor states that some leftist and liberal circles in Europe have measured these experiences against their own viewpoints instead of listening to them. In this context, opposition to political Islam has sometimes been interpreted as hostility towards Muslims, and warnings regarding religious tyranny have been overshadowed by concerns about "offending cultural sensitivities." Victims of religious tyranny had to be cautious in expressing their experiences, while the oppressive nature was less questioned.
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Consequences of Unrest in Europe and the Need for Reevaluation
Unrest and violence in some European cities have highlighted the need for reevaluation of these countries' policies. Although protests against rising prices and the housing crisis cannot be entirely attributed to immigration or Islamism, the economic roots of the crisis do not absolve governments of their responsibilities in managing immigration and combating extremism.
Accepting immigrants is responsible only when it aligns with the capacity for housing, education, healthcare, and social integration. Kalhor warns that opening the gates without providing shared living facilities incurs costs that cannot be alleviated by humanitarian slogans. Cheap labor for businesses is not necessarily a low-cost policy for the nation.
The greed for attracting investment also does not justify turning a blind eye to the source of wealth. Governments that offer residency and citizenship in exchange for money must understand how this wealth was acquired and whether it resulted from corruption, plunder, or the violation of others' rights. Warnings from European institutions about money laundering and security risks further increase these governments' responsibilities.
Kalhor emphasizes that Europe has fallen into the pot of porridge out of fear, noting that it has seen immediate profits but has not calculated the price its people will pay for these decisions. Shared living requires a common law, equality between men and women, freedom of belief, and the right to change religion, and no cultural consideration should justify threatening critics.
Shared Responsibility Against the Threat of Totalitarianism
The error of a part of the left and liberalism in Europe is retreating from these standards. Kalhor asks how one can advocate for women's freedom while tolerating religious coercion under the guise of cultural difference? And how can freedom of expression be considered fundamental, yet after a threat to a critic of religion, demand that they speak less? Human rights lose their moral credibility if they change with an oppressive identity.
This responsibility is not limited to one faction. Conservatives and governments that prefer commercial deals over understanding the nature of regimes like the Islamic Republic and confronting their oppressive behaviors must also be held accountable. Economic interests cannot justify overlooking a danger that threatens freedom and security.
The experience of Iran provides a clear criterion for understanding the threat of totalitarianism in Europe. Kalhor warns that Europe can still choose to ignore Iranian warnings, but when it pays the price for this deafness, no statement will restore lost security, and no expression of regret will exempt policymakers from accountability.
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