February 2009 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Iranian Revolution in 1979 that deposed the Pahlavi monarchy. From May 1977 to February 1979 there were mass street meetings, demonstrations, occupations and strikes in nearly every city of Iran. The revolution opened up a space in which hundreds of new publications, political parties, student associations, women's' organizations and labour unions flourished. Neighborhood committees emerged along shoras (guilds' committees) in city districts and working places, most notably in the oil industry, where workers took over the organization of production.
However, the 'Spring of Freedom', as the revolution was then called, did not last long. Following Saddam Hussein's attack on Iran in September 1980, the pro-Khomeini forces launched a massive campaign of suppressing the non-Islamic organizations and banning the secular publications. However, since the mid-1990's new social movements of workers, women, students and intellectuals have emerged.
The Iranian Revolution of 1978-1982 has been well documented (publications, archives, audio and video materials) at the International Institute of Social History (MECA- Middle East & Central Asia Department). The IISH also has a collection of material of the recent social movements in Iran.
In cooperation with the University of Amsterdam, the IISH organizes a symposium on the Iranian Revolution, present and future of the Islamic Republic Iran.
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