THE DAY GOD LIBERATED FACEBOOK

For a few hours in the middle of the night this week, some internet users in Iran were convinced a miracle had occurred.  For the first time in four years, they were able to access Facebook and other social networking sites.  They were so stunned at first and could not understand what was happening.  They kept trying different sites, and they got on each one without a problem and without special software.  But almost immediately, some of the users began looking over their shoulder, convinced they were being duped and that their government had only lifted the filters to spy on them to determine who the actual users were.  Others were less suspicious, however, and thought that perhaps the government was just testing the “internet water” to gauge what the public response would be, while the hopeless optimistics were jumping for joy and emailing everyone they knew declaring the good news:  “God had liberated Facebook”.  The celebration was short-lived, however, when it was announced that there had been a technical glitch of some kind….  and within a few hours, the problem was rectified and the filter blocks were back on again.  

Ever since anti-government protests in 2009, the Iranian government has banned social networking sites.  Fear that access will lead to more opposition and more organized revolts has resulted in only the very highest levels of government having official sites.  Ironically, however, although it is illegal for the citizens, both the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President have personal  Facebook and Twitter accounts.  They promote themselves and their ideology every day and actively encourage followers.  To date, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has over 58,000 “likes” and has been accused of hiring people to clean up his site every day and remove ALL negative comments. 

This is what life is life is like in a country where censorship is allowed, the freedom to communicate with friends of your choice is banned, and the government controls your destiny.  It is just a roller coaster of ups and downs.  One minute you have hope, and the next minute it’s gone.  It starts with frustration, which then leads to anger.  The anger leads to protests.  Protests are followed by government crackdowns.  Bans are then put in place, and the people who are trying to make a change and are fighting for more freedom are then arrested and either jailed or killed.  We see this cycle over and over again.  Hope followed by dismay.  

The Iranians also had hope a few months ago when President Hassan Rouhani won a landslide election in June.  Considered politically moderate and popular with the youth and the middle class, Rouhani has declared himself a supporter of women’s rights, pledged to improve relations with the West, and promises to reduce censorship.  He was once quoted as saying:  “Gone are the days when a wall could be built around the country.  Today there are no more walls.”    

Yesterday, Iran released 11 of its most prominent political prisoners on the eve of Rouhani’s visit to the United States.  More hope for the country.  Maybe there is a God after all.

Copyright © 2013 (Michelle Parsons, Getting Back on Your Path). All Rights Reserved.