The Azeri cartoon controversy in "Iran" newspaper arose over a cartoon, published in the Iranian state-run newspaper Iran and drawn by the cartoonist Mana Neyestani, an ethnic Azeri himself ^[1][2][3][4]. The cartoon, published in the children's section of the newspaper on May 12, 2006, allegedly insulted the Azerbaijani people by depicting a child speaking in Persian to a cockroach, which was replying in the Azerbaijani language, saying "namana" ("what?").

The controversy resulted in massive riots throughout Iran in May 2006, most ostensibly in the predominantly Azerbaijani-populated city of Tabriz. The riots were violent in some cases, with protestors damaging public buildings and throwing stones, prompting the reaction from the Iranian police.^[5] According to the Amnesty International:

In May [2006], widespread demonstrations took place in mainly Azerbaijani north-western towns and cities in protest at the publication of a cartoon offensive to Azerbaijanis in the state-run Iran newspaper. Hundreds, if not thousands, were arrested and scores reportedly killed by the security forces, although official sources downplayed the scale of arrests and killings.^[6]

The Iranian government promptly responded to the events by temporarily shutting down the Iran newspaper, arresting the cartoonist and the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Mehrdad Ghasemfar. It further accused "outside forces in playing nationalistic card". ^[7]

Possible foreign interference

See also: Iran's ethnic minorities and foreign interference

Emad Afrough, head of the Majlis Cultural Commission at the time, said that pan-Turks were involved in creating the tensions.^[8] Other members of the Iranian government blamed it on the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom with a suspicion of inciting ethnic strife in Iran.

According to Evan Ziegal a historian of the Islamic Revolution of 1979:

There is great interest in America, Israel and the Republic of Azerbaijan in pushing an agenda of ethnic warfare in Iran...But let's recognize that this project is being amply assisted by Persian chauvinist knuckleheads who are willing to play into their hands."^[9]

According to Touraj Atabaki, well known expert on Iran's Azerbaijani minority, there might be some truth behind Iranian government's allegations of a foreign plot, yet the responsibility for the unrest lies first and formost with the central government. ^[10]

Slogans

Protestors used various slogans during demonstrations.

• “Down with Chauvinism!”,
• “Azerbaijani nation will not bow to such abasements!”,
• “When North and South Azerbaijan will unite, Tabriz will be its center!”
• “Death or Independence!”, “Coward governor, come and answer to this!”,
• “Iran newspaper has to be closed!” ^[12]

Some of the slogans, chanted by the crowd were anti-Persian, Anti-Armenian, and Anti-Russian. Some of the slogans included^[13]:

• "Fars dili-It Dil" (translation: "Persian is the language of a dog")
• "Azeri: Fars, Rus, Armani , Azerbaijan Dushmani" (translation: "Persians, Russians, Armenians are the enemies of Azerbaijan")
• "Har kas ki bitaraf dir, fars daan daa bi sharaf dir" (translation: "Whoever does not take sides [in the protests], has less integrity than a Persian")
• "Tabriz , Baki, Ankara , Biz haraa Farslaar Haraa" (translation: "Tabriz, Baku, Ankara---Where are we, where are Persians")

See also

• Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

References