PARIS: The parents of a young man who rights group warn is at imminent risk of execution over his involvement in Iran’s protest movement issued a video pleading with the judiciary to spare their son’s life.
Their appeal for the life of Mehdi Mohammad Karami comes as Amnesty International warns that at least 26 people are at risk of execution over the protests, the biggest challenge to the authorities since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
Iran sparked global outrage by executing two protesters earlier this month.
The Islamic republic has announced 11 death sentences in connection with the demonstrations, which it calls “riots” and blames on “foreign enemies” in the West. Authorities issued the capital sentences over sometimes-deadly violence, including against security force members.
Rights groups say the legal processes have been rushed. They are concerned detainees have been tortured and forced to confess.
“I am Mashallah Karami, father of Mohammad Mehdi Karami,” said the father in the video circulated on social media, sitting cross-legged on a carpet and flanked by his wife.
He described his son as a “karate champion” who had won national competitions and been a member of the national team.
“I respectfully ask the judiciary, I beg you please, I ask you.. to remove the death penalty from my son’s case.”
His wife, her arms folded as if cradling a baby, then speaks to also ask for the death penalty to be revoked.
According to Amnesty, Karami is one of five people sentenced to death over the fatal assault on a member of the Basij militia during a funeral ceremony for a protester in the city of Karaj near Tehran.
It said he was convicted less than a week “after the beginning of a fast-tracked unfair group trial which bore no resemblance to a meaningful judicial proceeding.”
Mashallah Karami had told Iranian media that a family lawyer was not allowed to access his son’s case, and a court-appointed lawyer failed to respond to the family’s repeated calls.
Karami’s age has not been given but reports on pro-protest social media channels suggested he is in his early 20s like the two men already executed.
The social media reports said Karami’s father found out about the death sentence in a telephone call from his son who had asked his mother not be told.
Rights groups have accused Iran of using the death penalty as a weapon to intimidate the population and quell the protests that erupted three months ago over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
She had been arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict female dress code.
Iran has unleashed a crackdown arresting around 14,000 people, according to the UN, and killing 469 protesters according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR).
The country’s top security body in early December gave a toll of more than 200 people killed, including security officers.
The two Iranian journalists Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi who helped expose the case of Amini by respectively reporting from the hospital and her funeral, have been held since September.
The two women have now been moved from Tehran’s Evin prison to Qarchak prison outside the capital where conditions have regularly aroused concern among rights activists, their families announced at the weekend.
Parents ‘beg’ Iran judiciary to spare death row son
https://arab.news/vksyp
Parents ‘beg’ Iran judiciary to spare death row son
- Iran sparked global outrage by executing two protesters earlier this month
- At least 26 people are at risk of execution over the protests
Ramadan lanterns: A symbol of celebration
CAIRO: Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer and charity.
The holy month has long been associated with a rich tapestry of customs and traditions that define its unique celebrations.
Among the most prominent symbols of these festivities is the Ramadan lantern, a cherished emblem that illuminates streets and homes, reflecting the spiritual and cultural essence of the season.
In the historic districts of Cairo — such as Al-Hussein, Al-Azhar and Sayyida Zeinab — millions of Egyptians gather to celebrate Ramadan.
These neighborhoods are transformed into vibrant scenes of light and color, adorned with elaborate illuminations and countless Ramadan lanterns that hang across streets and balconies.
Vendors line the bustling alleys, offering a wide array of goods associated with the sacred month.
Foremost among these cherished items is the Ramadan lantern, which remains the most iconic and sought-after symbol of the season, embodying both tradition and festivity.
The lantern, in its earliest form, served as a vital source of illumination in ancient times.
Initially, torches crafted from wood and fueled with oils were used to light homes and pathways.
During the Middle Ages, Egyptians advanced their methods of lighting, developing oil lamps and decorative lanterns. In the Mamluk era, streets were illuminated on a wider scale, and artisans excelled in architectural innovation, producing intricately designed lanterns adorned with refined artistic motifs.
Gamal Shaqra, professor of modern history, told Arab News: “The story of the Ramadan lantern is widely traced back to the Fatimid era, with several narratives surrounding its origin. One account links it to Jawhar Al-Siqilli, the general who founded Cairo and built Al-Azhar Mosque, and to the arrival of Caliph Al-Muizz li-Din Allah in 969 A.D.
“According to this, Egyptians welcomed the Fatimid caliph by carrying lanterns to light his path, using them as both illumination and a gesture of celebration.”
He added: “Following this historic scene, lanterns began to be used to light streets and public spaces. Over time, the lantern evolved into a defining symbol of Ramadan festivities, as children took to the streets carrying their brightly lit lanterns and chanting traditional songs celebrating the holy month.
“The tradition continued to flourish during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, with lantern designs becoming increasingly diverse. In the era of Mohammad Ali, the craft saw further development, as lanterns were manufactured from metal sheets and fitted with colored glass, marking a significant evolution in both design and production.”
Methods of manufacturing the Ramadan lantern have diversified over time, alongside the evolution of its artistic designs in the modern era.
With the advancement of tools and technology, merchants have increasingly introduced wooden lanterns crafted using laser-cut techniques, offering intricate patterns and contemporary styles.
Despite these innovations, handcrafted lanterns continue to retain their distinctive value and authenticity. Made by skilled artisans, these traditional pieces remain deeply cherished, preserving the spirit of heritage and craftsmanship associated with the holy month.
Artist Mohamed Abla told Arab News that the design of the Ramadan lantern was inspired by the form of the mishkat — the ornate niche found in mosques that embodies Islamic art and traditionally serves as a source of illumination.
He added that the lantern had long been a subject for visual artists, who had depicted it in their paintings as a symbol of folk heritage and the enduring traditions associated with celebrating the holy month.
During a tour of popular marketplaces, a clear variation in lantern prices was noted, reflecting the craftsmanship and effort invested in their production.
In the tourist markets along Al-Moeaz Street, brass and bronze lanterns are prominently displayed in antique shops, showcasing elaborate designs that appeal to both visitors and collectors seeking traditional Ramadan decor.
