8/10/2010 Thousands gather to hear, cheer Iran'...
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Thousands gather to hear, cheer . Wfeofpresidenfial hopeful Mir Hossein Mousa generates huge crowds
i ran' . Never in the history of Iranian presidential elections has a wife been in the forefront
• ‘This is the first time after the Revolution we see a lady behind the presidenf'
• Could draw young voters in Iran, where median age is 27
May 24, 2009-- Updated 0813 GMT (1613 HKT) Nest Article in World>>
READ - VIDEO
From Reza Sayah
CNN
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN)-- Dancing in public is not allowed in Iran, but thousands could hardly contain
themselves ata recent presidential campaign rallyin the capital city, Tehran.
On this day, the deafening cheers were not for
presidential hopeful Mir Hossein Mousav but
rather for his wife--a woman some are calling
Iran's Michelle Obama.
The comparisons to the first lady of the United
States stem from the role Zahra Rahnavard is
playing in her husband's quest for the presidency
Never in the history of Iranian presidential
elections has a candidate put his wife in the
forefront of his campaign.
Wherever Mousavi --a centrist candidate--goes,
Rahnavard is usually nearby
— Watch more about Zahrs Rahnavard>>
“t è look at her and we say ‘we wantto be like her
in the future, ‘“said Shakiba Shakerhosseie, one
of 12,000 people who packed into Tehran's indoor
Pzadi (Freedom) sports stadium to hear Rahnavmrd speak.
Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchywas overthrown and Shah Moham mad
Reza Pahlavi was forced into exfle.
The revolution also ended the ceremonial role of first ladythat the last queen, Farah, enjoyed.
At this rally Rahnavmrd -- a writer and art professor-- spoke for her husband, who was campaigning
elsewhere.
Wearing a floral headscarf and a traditional black chador -- a full-length loose robe that women in Iran wear
like a cloak-- Rahnavard called forfreedoms she says were lost during President Mahmoud
Ahmadijenads term.
“I hope freedom of speech, freedom of the pen and freedom of thought will not be forgotten,” she said.
The crowd, which was clad in Mousa 's trademark color green,
cheered wildly. It waved placards with his picture and swayod from
side to side, chantng and beatng drums.
Iran tests new surface-to- The women sat on one side; the men on the other.
surface missile
The overwhelming majoritywere young voters, many of whom said they
attended because of Mousavi's wife, a mother of three.
Iran's population--estimated at more than 66 million --has a median age of 27.
“I am really angry here in Iran with the position of women,” said Saghar Kouhestani, adding that she
supports Mousavi because of his wife.
Mousav a former prime minister, is considered a threat to Ahmadinejad, a hard-liner, in the June 12
elections. He is credited for successfully navigating the Iranian economy during a bloody eight-year war with
Iraq in the 1980s.
Overthe weekend, the Iranian government blocked access to the social networking site Facebook, where
Mousavi has a page with more than 5,000 supporters, the semi-official Iranian Labor News >Agency (ILNA)
said.
Those attempting to visit Facebook received a message in Farsi saying, “Access to this site is not
possible.”
Political science professor Moham mad Marandi downplays Rahnaverd's impact She maywin over
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Thousands gather to hear, cheer Iran '...
reformists and women, he says, but what will win the election is a solution to the floundering economy and
a strong performance in the debates.
“If Ahmadinejad does well in the debates, I don't think anyone will be able to defeat him,” Marandi said.
But try selling that to Rahna ard's enthusiastic supporters.
‘This is the first time after the Re olution we see a lady behind the
president,” said Farhad Mahmoudi. “ Md this is whywe're so happy
because we can ha e a first lady.”
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