Projection of Democratic Dreams
How do Arab nations view Iran’s presidential elections? by Ali Musavi Khalkhali.
Iranian elections are one the most important events in Middle East. In a region where democracy and free elections have rarely come true, and people crave for voting free from pressure, Iran’s elections are one of the few relatively free and democratic polls of Middle East, the result of a historical revolution which toppled an authoritarian monarchy headed by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and replaced it with an elective establishment under people’s direct supervision.
But it seems that June 12th election has become a more exciting story. The unprecedented open atmosphere during the presidential campaigns and televised debates in which candidates bashed each other ruthlessly, were so extraordinary in Middle Eastern scale that intrigued all leading global media to cover the developments up to the day of election. Media of the Arab countries –for whom democracy and freedom is a 100-year dream- paid even more attention to the presidential poll. Al Jazeera live-broadcasted the debates, and other Arab media such as Al Arabiya, Al Hurra and BBC Arabic covered and analyzed parts of the debates. Detailed reports and roundtables on Iran’s developments had become a routine of their programs in the days leading to the election.
June 12th, the day of election, had the same story. Al Jazeera’s special studio aired live reports from Tehran, Tabriz, Esfahan and Ahwaz. Also Al Arabiya widely covered events of June 12th and 13th. The Arab media coverage could be compared with their reports from elections in leading Arab countries, or even broader. In terms of quality and quantity, even parliamentary elections of Lebanon, the most democratic country of Arab world, and Egypt’s presidential elections did not receive such media attention.
The question is, why is Iran so important for Arab countries? Why are news channels such as Al Arabiya still reporting from Tehran sixteen days after the elections and holding roundtables to discuss the outcome of election? What in Iran is important for Arab media?
It is a reality that after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has turned into a role model for dictatorship-ridden countries of the region. Regardless of Arab leaders’ reception of the uprising, the Arab nation viewed Iran as their utopia. The 1997 presidential elections and Khatami’s presidency doubled Iran’s credit as a democratic country. For the Arab nations it was indeed interesting and pleasing to see Iranians –Muslims like themselves- having the chance to participate in the elections and select their favorite candidate. Khatami’s popularity in the Arab world paralleled his popularity among Iranians. The Arab intelligentsia particularly favored Khatami, viewing him as one of their type, an intellectual who has gained the support of his compatriots.
The 2005 elections came as a surprise for the world, including Arab nations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the least hopeful candidate, unknown for the international community, became the election phenomenon decisively defeating Hashemi Rafsanjani. His victory turned into an example, as during 2006 presidential elections, Aiman Nour, presidential hopeful and Mubarak’s challenger had predicted that he would be the surprise winner of the elections just as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The 10th presidential election was no exception. Iran’s polls extremely influence Arab societies, which suffer lack of democracy and freedom of speech. Every move, every event in Iran has a considerable impact on its neighbors. Overstrained by dictatorships in their countries, the Arab nations are looking for a role model and the most accessible one is Iran.
Iran’s developments, whether before, during, or after the election, only happen in countries which are progressing towards democracy. And they have become so interesting that Arabs are captured in front of their TVs, projecting their civil dreams in Iran’s elections and the ensuing events. So try not to be shocked if in near future you witnessed similar events in one of Middle East Arab countries, where the results of elections are pre-fabricated beforehand.
But it seems that June 12th election has become a more exciting story. The unprecedented open atmosphere during the presidential campaigns and televised debates in which candidates bashed each other ruthlessly, were so extraordinary in Middle Eastern scale that intrigued all leading global media to cover the developments up to the day of election. Media of the Arab countries –for whom democracy and freedom is a 100-year dream- paid even more attention to the presidential poll. Al Jazeera live-broadcasted the debates, and other Arab media such as Al Arabiya, Al Hurra and BBC Arabic covered and analyzed parts of the debates. Detailed reports and roundtables on Iran’s developments had become a routine of their programs in the days leading to the election.
June 12th, the day of election, had the same story. Al Jazeera’s special studio aired live reports from Tehran, Tabriz, Esfahan and Ahwaz. Also Al Arabiya widely covered events of June 12th and 13th. The Arab media coverage could be compared with their reports from elections in leading Arab countries, or even broader. In terms of quality and quantity, even parliamentary elections of Lebanon, the most democratic country of Arab world, and Egypt’s presidential elections did not receive such media attention.
The question is, why is Iran so important for Arab countries? Why are news channels such as Al Arabiya still reporting from Tehran sixteen days after the elections and holding roundtables to discuss the outcome of election? What in Iran is important for Arab media?
It is a reality that after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has turned into a role model for dictatorship-ridden countries of the region. Regardless of Arab leaders’ reception of the uprising, the Arab nation viewed Iran as their utopia. The 1997 presidential elections and Khatami’s presidency doubled Iran’s credit as a democratic country. For the Arab nations it was indeed interesting and pleasing to see Iranians –Muslims like themselves- having the chance to participate in the elections and select their favorite candidate. Khatami’s popularity in the Arab world paralleled his popularity among Iranians. The Arab intelligentsia particularly favored Khatami, viewing him as one of their type, an intellectual who has gained the support of his compatriots.
The 2005 elections came as a surprise for the world, including Arab nations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the least hopeful candidate, unknown for the international community, became the election phenomenon decisively defeating Hashemi Rafsanjani. His victory turned into an example, as during 2006 presidential elections, Aiman Nour, presidential hopeful and Mubarak’s challenger had predicted that he would be the surprise winner of the elections just as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The 10th presidential election was no exception. Iran’s polls extremely influence Arab societies, which suffer lack of democracy and freedom of speech. Every move, every event in Iran has a considerable impact on its neighbors. Overstrained by dictatorships in their countries, the Arab nations are looking for a role model and the most accessible one is Iran.
Iran’s developments, whether before, during, or after the election, only happen in countries which are progressing towards democracy. And they have become so interesting that Arabs are captured in front of their TVs, projecting their civil dreams in Iran’s elections and the ensuing events. So try not to be shocked if in near future you witnessed similar events in one of Middle East Arab countries, where the results of elections are pre-fabricated beforehand.