Tens of Thousands Rally in Brussels Celebrating 60 Years of Struggle Against Two Dictatorships for Freedom in Iran
Tens of thousands of Iranians rallied at the iconic Atomium and Heysel Plateau in Brussels on September 6, 2025, to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the main Iranian opposition force, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The PMOI forms the backbone of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the 44-year coalition of democratic Iranian forces vying to overthrow the clerical regime.
This vibrant rally and march saw thousands of women from the Iranian diaspora at the forefront. Colorful musical performances gave way to speeches delivered by distinguished international personalities, all united in their message: “Standing with the people of Iran is everyone’s duty.”
Thousands of PMOI members at Ashraf-3 in Albania joined the rally online.
Distinguished Leaders Stand with the Iranian Resistance
The speakers at the Free Iran 2025 Rally included former US Vice President Mike Pence, former Prime Minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt, former UK House Speaker John Bercow, U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and former Vice President of the European Parliament Prof. Alejo Vidal Quadras.
Their words underscored the growing international consensus that the struggle of the Iranian people deserves global recognition and support.
Maryam Rajavi: The Plan for Tomorrow’s Iran
The keynote address was delivered by NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi to a sea of tens of thousands of supporters. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Resistance, she set out the vision of an interim government after the fall of the clerical regime.
Mrs. Rajavi emphasized the abolition of all forms of oppression and discrimination against women, affirming women’s right to choose their occupation, their attire, and to enjoy full equality in political, social, cultural, and economic spheres.
Pioneering Women at the Helm of the PMOI
Mrs. Rajavi praised the “pioneering women who, for over three decades, have led the PMOI” in the position of Secretary General: “Fahimeh Arvani, Shahrzad Sadr, Mahvash Sepehri, Beheshteh Shadrou, Mojgan Parsaii, Sediqeh Hosseini, Zohreh Akhiyani, and now Zahra Merrikhi.”
She noted that these women, alongside the courageous PMOI Central Council, have created a new role model for society: “Liberation for women and men alike—that is the key to the progress of tomorrow’s society.”
A Democratic Republic as the Sole Demand
The NCRI President-elect underlined that the Resistance’s sole demand is clear: a democratic revolution, a democratic republic, and universal democratic rights and freedoms.
She called on Western governments to end their hesitation and take concrete steps: designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity, enforce UN Security Council resolutions, and recognize the right of the Resistance Units inside Iran to confront the IRGC.
Rejecting Dictatorships of Both Shah and the Mullahs
The rally concluded with a resonant march through the streets of Brussels, amplifying the voice of Iranians to European institutions and the international community.
Participants declared their rejection of both the dictatorship of the Shah and the Mullahs, demanding instead the establishment of a democratic republic founded on freedom, equality, and the separation of religion and state.
A Democratic Iran: From Dream to Imminent Reality
From the rally in Brussels came a clear and powerful message: a free and democratic Iran is not a distant dream, but a reality drawing nearer with every uprising, every demonstration, and every voice raised for freedom—especially the voices of Iran’s women leading the way.
