The Mujahedin Khalq Betrayed Iran in 1979 and Must Never Lead It Again
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
As an Iranian-American who has seen firsthand the devastation caused by ideologies masquerading as liberation movements, I feel compelled to warn my fellow Iranians, both in exile and within the homeland, about the dangerous agenda of the Mujahedin Khalq (MEK). Their role in the 1979 Iranian Revolution and their continued ambitions for power should disqualify them permanently from any position of leadership in a future, free Iran.
The MEK was instrumental in helping Ayatollah Khomeini and his Islamist theocracy come to power. Alongside the communist Hezb Tudeh, the MEK formed an unholy alliance with Khomeini to overthrow the Shah, the late King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and dismantle Iran’s constitutional monarchy. These groups claimed to be fighting for the people of Iran, but their actions betrayed the nation’s true patriots—those who supported a strong, independent, and sovereign Iran under the Shah.
The MEK's Betrayal of the Iranian Nation
The MEK’s rhetoric combined Marxist and Islamist ideologies, a blend of socialism and Islamism that sought to undermine Iranian nationalism and monarchism. While they positioned themselves as anti-imperialist and anti-corruption revolutionaries, their alliance with Khomeini exposed their true motivations: power at any cost.
During the revolution, the MEK actively supported Khomeini’s vision of an Islamic government, believing they could gain a share of power once the Shah was deposed. However, once Khomeini consolidated his rule, he turned on his former allies, including the MEK, imprisoning and executing many of their members. This betrayal by Khomeini does not absolve the MEK of their original sin: aiding and abetting the destruction of Iran’s constitutional monarchy and paving the way for a brutal Islamist dictatorship.
The MEK Today: A Dangerous Alternative
The MEK has rebranded itself in recent decades as a pro-democracy opposition group to the Islamic Republic. However, their true colors remain unchanged. Their leader, Maryam Rajavi, presides over a cult-like organization that demands absolute loyalty from its members. The MEK’s ideology is still rooted in its Marxist-Islamist origins, and their vision for Iran includes maintaining Islamist cultural practices, such as mandatory hijab.
One of the most concerning aspects of the MEK’s propaganda is their appropriation of Iranian symbols, particularly the lion and sun emblem. They use this symbol without the crown, attempting to differentiate themselves from the Islamic Republic while distancing themselves from the Iranian monarchy. This calculated move is an insult to true Iranian patriots who cherish the full symbolism of the Imperial Iranian flag—a representation of our nation’s history, sovereignty, and cultural heritage.
Why the Imperial Iranian Flag Matters
The only flag that can truly unite the Iranian people is the Imperial Iranian flag with the lion, sun, and crown. The crown symbolizes the monarchy, which, despite its flaws, upheld Iranian sovereignty and cultural identity for centuries. By contrast, the MEK’s use of the lion and sun without the crown is a cynical attempt to erase our nation’s royal heritage while advancing their own agenda.
Iran’s struggle is not simply against the Islamic Republic; it is against all forms of tyranny, whether Islamist, Marxist, or any combination thereof. The MEK represents a hijabi Marxist-Islamist tyranny that would continue to oppress the Iranian people under a different guise. We must reject their false promises and remain vigilant against their attempts to infiltrate the opposition movement.
Conclusion
The Iranian people deserve a government that reflects their values, respects their cultural heritage, and upholds their national sovereignty. This vision cannot include the MEK, whose betrayal of Iran in 1979 and continued ambitions for power reveal their true nature.
As we work toward a free Iran, let us rally under the Imperial Iranian flag—the true symbol of our nation’s history and future. Let us reject the false alternatives offered by groups like the MEK and remain steadfast in our pursuit of freedom, justice, and unity for all Iranians.
Citations
- Afary, Janet. The Iranian Constitutional Revolution, 1906-1911: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism. Columbia University Press, 1996.
- Abrahamian, Ervand. The Iranian Mojahedin. Yale University Press, 1989.
- Rubin, Michael. “The Cult of Rajavi.” The National Interest, 2018. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/cult-rajavi-29242
- Ganji, Akbar. “The MEK’s Deceptive Rebranding.” Foreign Affairs, 2018. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/iran/2018-09-06/meks-deceptive-rebranding
- Pahlavi, Reza Shah. Mission for My Country. Hutchinson, 1960.
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