Freedom Movement of Iran
The Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI) or Liberation Movement of Iran (LMI; Persian: نهضت آزادی ايران, romanized: Nahżat-e āzādi-e Irān) is an Iranian pro-democracy political organization founded in 1961, by members describing themselves as "Muslims, Iranians, Constitutionalists and Mossadeghists". It is the oldest party still active in Iran and has been described as a "semi-opposition" or "loyal opposition" party. It has also been described as a "religious nationalist party".
Freedom Movement of Iran | |
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Secretary-General | Mohammad Tavasoli |
Head of Political office | Ghaffar Farzadi |
Head of Youth Wing | Emad Bahavar |
Founders | List
Abroad
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Founded | 17 May 1961 |
Split from | National Front |
Newspaper |
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Ideology |
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Religion | Islam |
National affiliation | National Front (1961–1965) |
Parliament | 0 / 290
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The organization was split to the National Front (II), its establishment was supported by Mohammad Mossadegh. It then applied for the membership in the front with a platform advocating national sovereignty, freedom of political activity and expression, social justice under Islam, respect for Iran's constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Charter of the United Nations. It believes in the separation of religion and state, while that political activity should be guided by religious values. FMI based on a moderate interpretation of Islam. It rejects both royal and clerical dictatorship in favor of political and economic liberalism.
Despite being outlawed by the prevailing government in Iran, the group continues to exist. The organization accepts to comply with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran despite its rejection for Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist. It had not been allowed to run in any election since 1980 (exempting 2003 local elections in which the Guardian Council did not vet the candidates). It was also denied membership in the House of Parties of Iran.
The organization's members have close ties to the Council of Nationalist-Religious Activists of Iran.