Amirkabir University students publish letter of support for Majid Tavakoli and family

In a letter addressed to jailed student activist Majid Tavakoli, a large number of students at Amirkabir University (Tehran Polytechnic) expressed their strong support for the Tavakoli family. The letter was written in the wake of recent pressures and threats by security forces on the Tavakoli family that led Majid Tavakoli to write a letter from prison requesting that people, in particular media outlets, refrain from temporarily contacting his family.

Majid Tavakoli wrote in his letter:

In an effort to protect my family and their wellbeing, I request that all friends, students, journalists, political and social activists, and leaders of the Green Movement to refrain from contacting or interviewing my family for the time being.

According to sources, the content of the letter addressed to Majid Tavakoli, signed by 963 students, reads:

With greetings to the symbol of seeking freedom for the student movement,

In the wake of recent [incidents] endured by your dear family, we, nearly 1000 Amirkabir University students have taken it upon ourselves to write this letter on behalf of the Student Movement in order to express our deepest support for Majid, the pride of Amirkabir University and a hero of Iran.

Dear Majid, as per your request, although we have reduced our contact with your family, we want you to know that every single one of your statements from prison is of great importance and significance to us.

Dear Majid, we stand with you and your family. Although they seek to silence your voice, the strength of your character and perseverance has once more transformed into a roar of protests that question those who have no regard for honour. It goes without saying that you are not alone. We are the voice of you and your family. No matter where we [live around the world] and regardless of how long it takes, we pledge our allegiance to be by your side until the day our heroes are released [from prison] and we are together in a Green and prosperous Iran.

We hope that you heard Amirkabir University students named a park after you, in your honour.

Due to the extenuating circumstances, this letter was only signed by 963 students at Amirkabir University. In addition, as a result of the recent university attacks and arrests, the names of the signatories have not been published and will be archived for Majid Tavakoli. Our only hope is that Majid hears about this letter and its content.

We request that all the beloved students and student organizations around the country and the world condemn the injustices against Majid Tavakoli and his honourable family.

We are all Majid Tavakoli. We feel his pain and will continue to be his voice.

January 2011

Green Students of Amirkabir University (Tehran Polytechnic)

Translation by P2E