Monday, November 18, 2024

We Boycott Travel to Iran - Why Do Westerner's Go There?

We Boycott Travel to Iran: Why Do Westerners Go There?

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, I have chosen to boycott travel to Iran, and I urge others to do the same. The question that troubles me is this: why do Westerners, particularly those from free societies, choose to visit Iran, a nation governed by a tyrannical regime? These visits not only bolster the legitimacy of an oppressive government but also expose travelers to significant ethical and personal risks.

Having grown up in Iran before fleeing as a child during the revolution, I experienced firsthand the cruelty of the Islamic Republic. I witnessed public executions, the suppression of dissent, and the obliteration of our ancient Zoroastrian, Christian, and even secular Persian heritage. The regime enforces its Islamist ideology through terror, discrimination, and corruption. Why would anyone willingly fund such a system with their tourism dollars?

The Ethical Dilemma

Traveling to Iran often involves engaging with a system that exploits its citizens. Tourists stay in government-controlled hotels, use state-monitored guides, and pay fees that directly enrich the regime. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a recognized terrorist organization by the U.S. and other nations, controls vast sectors of the Iranian economy, including tourism. By visiting Iran, Westerners inadvertently fund the very apparatuses that oppress the Iranian people【1】【2】.

Moreover, these trips often romanticize a sanitized version of Iran. Tourists marvel at ancient Persian sites, oblivious to how the Islamic Republic desecrates pre-Islamic Iranian culture. For example, Persepolis may be a stunning destination, but its preservation owes nothing to the regime’s values, which emphasize Arabization and Islamic supremacy over Iran’s rich Zoroastrian and Persian past.

Danger to Travelers

Westerners visiting Iran face significant risks. Dual nationals, particularly Iranians with foreign citizenship, are frequently arrested and used as political pawns. Cases like those of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Siamak Namazi highlight the dangers of being unjustly detained under false charges of espionage【3】【4】. Even non-Iranian tourists can find themselves accused of vague crimes like "spreading Western propaganda" or violating "moral laws."

The regime’s strict surveillance ensures that tourists cannot freely interact with locals without endangering them. Genuine conversations about the hardships of life in Iran can lead to arrests for ordinary Iranians accused of anti-government sentiments. These restrictions ensure that Western visitors leave with a sanitized, regime-approved narrative rather than a true understanding of Iran’s suffering.

The Responsibility of the West

As Western citizens, we must recognize our privilege and the impact of our actions. While Iranians fight for freedom—often at the cost of their lives—Western tourists casually enjoy Iran’s cultural treasures, failing to see the contradiction. Supporting the regime through tourism is a betrayal of the Iranian people’s struggle for liberty.

For those who genuinely care about Iran’s history and culture, there are alternatives. Iranian diasporic communities around the world offer cultural events, restaurants, and exhibits that showcase Iran’s heritage without funding its oppressive government. Additionally, supporting human rights organizations and amplifying the voices of Iranian dissidents are meaningful ways to engage with Iran’s rich history and contemporary issues.

My Personal Boycott

As someone who once led Muslim organizations like CAIR-Columbus and the Muslim Forum of Utah, I have undergone a profound transformation. I rejected Islam, socialism, and my former alliances with organizations that often enable oppressive ideologies. Today, as a Christian Conservative LDS, I stand firmly against any engagement that legitimizes tyrannical regimes like the Islamic Republic.

The West must wake up to the reality of Iran’s government. By traveling to Iran, Westerners undermine the courageous efforts of Iranian activists who risk everything to challenge this brutal regime. Instead of visiting Iran, let us honor the bravery of those who fight for a free and democratic Iran by denying the regime the lifeline of tourism revenue.

Conclusion

Traveling to Iran as a tourist is not a neutral act. It is a choice with profound ethical and political consequences. I call on my fellow Westerners to join me in boycotting travel to Iran until the regime falls and the Iranian people are free to rebuild their nation on the foundations of liberty, justice, and true Persian heritage.

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