1981: The Mothers’ Protest
On April 27, 1981, the Muslim Mothers’ Association, staunch supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), courageously rallied against the brutal treatment and arbitrary arrests of their children. Their unwavering resolve exposed the true nature of the Revolutionary Guards, even in the face of mortal danger.
The protest unfolded spontaneously, spreading through word of mouth until hundreds of mothers and female PMOI supporters and members converged at Palestine Square. The unexpected surge of participants caught the clerics off guard.
Among the brave protesters were Mrs. Zakeri, Mrs. Mesbah, and numerous other mothers who would later face arrest and execution by the regime. Despite the Revolutionary Guards’ violent response—resulting in the deaths of two female PMOI supporters and injuries to many women—the mothers stood firm. Tear gas inflicted significant harm, especially on elderly Mrs. Farahanji, yet they persisted. Their purpose was clear: to expose the oppressive reality of Khomeini’s dictatorship, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.
In the end, neither the Revolutionary Guards nor government thugs could quell the mothers’ determination and that of other female PMOI supporters. The demonstration pressed forward, reaching the office of Ayatollah Taleghani, a progressive cleric and PMOI supporter. Its impact reverberated through the critical developments of those tumultuous days.
