Iranian Students Demonstrate for Democracy

I am not a believer in George W. Bush's contention that it is America's duty to "export Democracy" around the world, the most visible expression of which is the War in Iraq. But I am a believer that people in all nations thirst for liberty and freedom. It is reassuring that at the same time Iran is flirting with nuclear oblivion to see students demonstrating against the dictatorship and for democracy. It is a reminder that even in nations held in bondage by a strong hand and a philosophy that supports tyranny, the light of freedom burns still.

Hundreds of students from different colleges gathered Sunday at Tehran University to protest against injustice and the dictatorship which runs their country and their lives.

The gathering marked "Students' Day," a commemoration of the day about 50 years ago when the Shah's police attacked students.

Iranian students inside the Islamic Republic and abroad have long used the occasion to call for political freedom and voice their struggle against dictators - first the Western-backed Shah, and now the hard-line Islamic regime led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

I pray that in time these students can bring about transformation in their country. I am not naive enough to think it will be soon or easy, but I am hopeful that it may come in time.