Iran by Neda

by Paulo Coelho on June 23, 2009

My best friend in Iran, a doctor who showed me its beautiful culture when I visited Teheran in 2000, who fought a war in the name of the Islamic Republic (against Iraq), who took care of wounded soldiers in the frontline, who always stood by real human values, is seen here trying to resuscitate Neda – hit in her heart.

You can follow Iran in crisis : live here

UPDATE 23/04 10:50 PM: GOD WILLING, I WILL HAVE NEWS FROM MY FRIEND TOMORROW AFTER 2:00 PM, THEN I WILL POST HERE NOT ONLY HIS NAME, BUT ALSO OUR EXCHANGE OF EMAILS. FROM THEN ON, THIS BLOG WILL RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL FORMAT, EXCEPT BY RUMI’S VERSES, THAT I WILL UPDATE DAILY, TILL THE END OF THIS WEEK.

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{ 385 comments… read them below or add one }

Maryam June 22, 2009 at 8:46 pm

Neda,
We are so proud of you and your courage! Rest in peace! condolences to your family and friends!

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John C. June 22, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Mientras sigamos insensibles con respecto a las situaciones que nos rodean, seguirán dandose este tipo de ultrajes, somos nosotros los unicos culpables por permitir que se siga vulnerando nuestra capacidad de entendimiento… abramos los ojos, hasta cuando permitiremos más abusos…

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nasim June 22, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Dear Mr Coelho, such a great honor to have your attention about Iran. You are among the favorite writers of the Iranian people…

mariessima June 22, 2009 at 7:45 pm

I am so sorry and heart broken. Why can we not live in peace?

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Pedro Rodriguez June 22, 2009 at 7:44 pm

This relly matter to all of us!!! The Iranian people are striking and seeking for freedom!!! Just like Venezuela in South Amrerica!!! Since 10 years ago There are thousands of people who are still fighting against unjustice freedom and Democracy!!! FREEDOM it can’t never be taken away!!!

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rodolfo June 22, 2009 at 7:42 pm

this world is going carazy religion and politic are doing only shit we dont need this

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Michael June 22, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -Martin Luther King

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SEPIDEH June 22, 2009 at 7:35 pm

GOD help us to be free and win in iran . i can’t sleep after watching her die . i’m here in tehran but i can’t fille you GOD . please comme here near us , help us . i want too fille you .pleeeeeaaaaaas
peapel we are alone and we can’t utilis the sites beacaus of filtering and send the videos and news for world . pray for us(iranian peapel) .tanks
neda was one of many die here . we can’t forget them.

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Nancy June 22, 2009 at 7:35 pm

Let all the voices and action going on right now in Iran become Freedom for the people. I hope the Iranian politicians are listening.

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Seza June 22, 2009 at 7:34 pm

Being a Lebanese, coming from a land where the “voice of freedom” is what keeps us going… i pray for Neda’s soul tonight…i pray for the souls of all the martyrs in the name of freedom.. may u rest in peace.. and may the revolution triumph!
ps: i call upon everyone to pay more attention to the thousands of Neda’ s who are victims of atrocities daily.. in the holy land of Palestine…

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Carolena Sabah June 22, 2009 at 7:33 pm

Thank you Paulo!
love,
C.

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Carolena Sabah June 22, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Thank you Paulo, for posting this on your blog. I was born in Iran, and I feel extremely sad for what is going on there, but I would feel the same had it occurred anywhere else in the world.
The people are Finally standing up because they really have had enough.
I pray that the people will win. Although the Mullah’s of the Regime are not even budging…. I think the only way to win is persistence, but how many lives will it cost? Neda, when I saw that video, my heart turned over, though she is not the only one, others have also died.
It’s so tragic, so tragic.
Why are other countries not intervening? Where is the UN? They are scared. I pray that the people will win!!

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Heart June 22, 2009 at 7:27 pm

Why does the fight for liberty cost innocent’s peoples lives? Martyrdom, impossible to understand. I can only trust Neda and your friend the doctor is supported by the Supreme power in their hearts.

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May Kassab June 22, 2009 at 7:27 pm

May freedom prevail and her blood won’t be shed in vain. God Bless her soul.

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shiva June 22, 2009 at 7:27 pm

Neda, may you rest in peace!!! and may all the evils in this world will be punished to the fullest.
God Bless!

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Savita Vega June 22, 2009 at 7:25 pm

A shining light – Neda. They tried to extinguish this light, but in doing so, made it only brighter – so bright that now all the world can see it.

Blessings to Neda… and to all the people who are struggling for freedom!

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Jaafar Belkora June 22, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Where are the values of human rights? Where are the Arabs who were always struggling for their stability and reputation in the world? It is more than unfair to let this massacre in the world and continue living in this planet without any feeling of sadness. Commenting on this video is a first step to show to people how serious and urgent the matter is. Not only Muslims or Arabs who should be affected by this kind of bloodbath but everyone who lives in this planet and who has a heart!!!

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Paul June 22, 2009 at 7:17 pm

I am from Romania and we had our revolution back in 1989. Like this girl were many have died too here. You don’t know their names and also you will forget about this girl in 2 weeks. You are only looking for graphic images because you were educated by this media to feel everything as entertainment. You watch this because you need to “feel” for her. Too bad.

Every revolution has it’s time. Think a little: if there were massive frauds all the people would have been in the streets. I think that a real change will come to Iran, but not now, because not everyone there needs this change.

Sorry.

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Nelson June 22, 2009 at 7:17 pm

This is incredible!! Please let´s unite and pray for our world..we deserve a better world. I´m from Venezuela and i am scared because i think that this kind of situation can occur in my country. Every weekend in Caracas we have more than 40 deaths for diferent circustances. Please unite your pray for Venezuela, the president is not democratic and he is looking for war between Venezuelans with his specch. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS!!

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Pandora June 22, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Angel of Freedom

It has just been reported in The Telegraph that a memo has been circulated to all mosques, banning collective prayers to this woman.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5603057/Iran-bans-prayers-for-Angel-of-Freedom-Neda-Agha-Soltan.html

I am incredulous! almost speechless but too outraged to be so.

Peace.

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Carolena Sabah June 22, 2009 at 7:37 pm

WOW!! I have no words either.
Fascism!

Saghar Erica Kasraie June 22, 2009 at 7:10 pm

Dear World,
I plead on behalf of the Iranian People and students that you do not forget NEDA’s story, the story of how IRAN is fighting against evil, to reclaim their honor. Please Please call out to your governments. Ask them not to give the Islamic Republic Govt. lagitimacy. I have been asked my my dear friend K. to (protect his identity)to tell the world their story ” We cannot win this war if the world does not help us” Please I beg you to help. Use your GOD given skills to reach out to your community and those who make decisions for the masses.

Take Action NOW

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Saghar Erica Kasraie June 22, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Take Action…take this pledge
UniteIran.org

http://www.marchagainstterror.org/iran/take-the-pledge/

Chantal June 22, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Paix a son ame.

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Carlos Echevarrieta June 22, 2009 at 7:07 pm

What they did is bad, and wrong!!!, man this is crazy everywhere and anywhere is a different things…but taking away the life of a young woman is INMORAL!, I give my support to Iran and I pray to God and to all of you of the oposition that you have the right to express yourself and that NEDA is the example to all, of so many lives taken away by war and by violence. YOU THE YOUNG ONES ARE THE FUTURE, DON`T LET IT BE CHAINED!!!.

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Mohamed Marrakesh June 22, 2009 at 7:07 pm

THank you for sharing this wideo .I think It’s time for the Iranians to live in freedom.May y rest in peace .

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Arrezoo June 22, 2009 at 7:03 pm

Thank you so very much for sharing and paying attention to this matter. It means so much to the people of Iran to have their voices heard. We have to remind them that they are not alone, there courage and bravery will not go unseen amoungst humanitarians around the world.

Thank you!

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Janetta June 22, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Thank you for helping the spread this news around the world. Neda didn’t even participate in the demonstrations: she was watching the protesters with her father.
A government which treats its people like this has lost it’s given right to govern. They should all step down and be judged by the international court in The Hague. The people of Iran deserve true justice, freedom and democracy.
I pray for all fighters for freedom, for everybody who lost their lives or got injured.
Love from the Netherlands

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Chiara-Italy June 22, 2009 at 6:50 pm

I’ve just watched the video of Neda’s death…I’m crying..she was I yong woman who has faith in Justice..in a Justice that doesnt exist in this world but perhaps she’s sawing and knowing now, in Another World…but her death teaches us that we MUST FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE, VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM!!We can’t be silent…for Neda and for all the victims of Evil..

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pat June 22, 2009 at 6:46 pm

I really thankful about your concern to our current situation.

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ali June 22, 2009 at 6:42 pm

help people in iran

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avazeh rahemi June 22, 2009 at 6:41 pm

I am a iranian, Neda is from my country, she is same as my sister. I can read her words from her eyes.
her silence made our screams louder.
freedom! is price of freedom this much high?
God rest Neda’s soul..
we wont forget her and we will continue her way, untill reaching to a beutiful world.
Thank you that you heared Neda, too.
Avazeh from iran

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Lucomo June 22, 2009 at 6:32 pm

“Your authentication of this man’s identity is a great plus in giving credibility to this tragedy.”

Indeed! Please spread the word! Many people and media are still not sure whether the death of Neda is real or whether the whole scene was staged!

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ml June 22, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Rest in peace and peace to her family and beloved ones.

You can’t remain without feeling anything after seeing this, different faces, different name and places. Same situation. Freedom and fear. In how many places is happening this now?

I just hope we as humans learns from this, and make another thing possible.

Paulo thanks for your message, I know it has a lot of meaning for people there who’re reading you know.
It’ll will arrive to more people now that you’re forwading it.

Force for the people in Iran now and don’t let fear and hateness get inside your hearts.

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shams June 22, 2009 at 6:30 pm

i was dead and came to life
i was tears and came to laugh
the power of love came to me
eternal power i came to be
i don’t need nothing you know
i have no fear of tomorrow
i`m the lion on the earth
i`m venus in the universe

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Kathy Riordan June 22, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Paulo, I am in contact with the person who first posted that video to the Internet and received it from his friend in Tehran who was there. I believe he also knows your friend, and is trying to protect his identity for obvious reasons. I wrote this article on OpenSalon about bringing the video to a wider audience:

Her Name was ‘Neda’
http://bit.ly/3WVwZO

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THELMA June 22, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Thank you Paulo Coelho for sharing this video in your Blog.. It is the time for transparency.. It is the time for spreading news and showing the raw ugliness and brutality of .. human behaviour… And then we want to call ourselves the Image of God!! ;] Ironical…
Hell is not somewhere else … it is here on Earth. The eternal war of GOOD and EVIL, Darkness against Light..
LOVE,
Thelma.

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dafatman June 22, 2009 at 6:24 pm

i saw the vid before it became widespread on the web and i felt as if i were kicked in the stomach. such a young, beautiful and innocent life snuffed by the government shows the world the lengths to which this regime will go in the name of Allah to maintain power. such brutality will never be forgotten.

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hkh June 22, 2009 at 6:23 pm

this is unfair war in Iran. Gun against silent people . a day neda dies more than 100 other people die and national TV says it is 13 …

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Avisos June 22, 2009 at 6:12 pm

One part of me is totally speechless…Another part wants to say so much but chokes from anger and sadness…What words can one say about this….Are there even any right words, or words strong enough, capable of carrying all this pain, all this truth, all this murder…Why does the world put up with this for so long? How can we all sit and just watch -all around us daily- every chance of change get killed before it even starts? How long more will this go on for? Will there ever be justice and peace? What have we become…? Are we all so comfortably numb, unaware frogs dying in our slowly boiling ponds, think-less sleeping humanoids? Is Neda’s death happening too far away from our doorstep to shake us, too distant from our reality to awaken us, will she become just another daily news image on our screens, and a fading memory on our minds, like so many before her, like so many after her? Most people may say to the above: ‘What can I do? That’s the way things are…I have no power to change anything’….Is That Really So…? Have We All Given In To The Fear…?
Lucky the Brave ones who reach the End Fighting…
May Neda be resting in a better place, still helping us down here…

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Kees June 22, 2009 at 6:12 pm

I hope and pray that this woman’s senseless death will find meaning in showing the world how repressive this regime is. I hope that the people in Iran will find the support they need to continue to protest. May God bless her and keep her.

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Anita June 22, 2009 at 6:09 pm

The protests now have a name… NEDA

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Chiara June 22, 2009 at 6:07 pm

Your authentication of this man’s identity is a great plus in giving credibility to this tragedy. Thank you!

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sophie June 22, 2009 at 6:06 pm

that made me sick to my stomach .god rest her soul and give strength to all the people that fight for a cause..Im very lucky to be living where i am…

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candieb June 22, 2009 at 6:06 pm

This is heartbreaking.Her death won’t be in vain.May her soul rest in peace and may the ones who are still there to have the courage to carry on.

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ropey June 22, 2009 at 7:10 pm

Her death will be in vain if the Iranian people allow themselves to be silenced and kept off the street by this dictatorship! Those who remain safely in their homes are useless and may as well join the basij. Real change requires real sacrifice; by the many, not the few. Will you die fighting for freedom now or cowering in your homes later? This question is for each Iranian to decide.

florence June 22, 2009 at 6:06 pm

God bless her soul and may she rest in peace !

How can a young woman like this die so young for fighting for Freedom ? When this will all stop ?!

When will all those dictators and low-life souls stop destroying the earth, its people, freedom, and the right for happiness ?!

Enough is enough !! All together let’s us stand against the dictators and evilness ! and Let’s hope that this courageous young woman and this beautiful man by their acts will engrain some consciouness into those who lack it !

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Nuno Luciano June 22, 2009 at 6:04 pm

It’s a shame to use “Neda” for such propaganda – “divide to better reign”!

Operation Ajax

As a condition for restoring the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, the US required collapsing the AIOC’s monopoly; five American petroleum companies, Royal Dutch Shell, and the Compagnie Française des Pétroles, were to draw Iran’s petroleum after the successful coup d’état — Operation Ajax.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

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Jasmin Pasdar June 22, 2009 at 6:02 pm

Regimes comes and goes, governments change, but something will not be forgotten: An innocent blood!

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nikamarie June 22, 2009 at 5:43 pm

I’m sitting here thinking… and asking myself and those out there is freedom paid for in blood? I read this comment on the youtube video you posted on twitter. It is so heart breaking to see this video.

God be with her family and friends.

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Eva June 22, 2009 at 5:19 pm

It is terrible what is happening in Iran, right now.
And this young woman pays for freedom and progress with her live.
My tears, anger and prairs are with her family and the Iranien people.

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Julio Aranda June 22, 2009 at 5:16 pm

i didnt find words to say what i feel, but nobody knows how many people are know there feeling the same, searching the words to respond the questions about this kind of situations.

I feel with this man, and y pray for him!

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Christoffer June 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm

La din sjel fare videre Neda…

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Daniel June 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm

It means alot to me that you share this with the people! Thank you!

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