Twenty years after she married the Shah, Empress
Farah went to exile amid political tensions and betrayals. When she left
Iran as a young and vibrant working Empress, wife and mother, on 16th January
1979, her determination, stamina, courage and tenacity have been attributes
added to her previous list of qualities: ‘a working Empress' (1) graceful, beautiful
and ‘the gentle/softer face of the monarchy’ (2). However, on her mission
to fight for her people’s lost dignity and prosperity, no one in the world
could have expected nor imagined her resilience considering the tragedies life
has thrown at her.
If I had the opportunity to meet her, I would
have liked to ask her on her 81st birthday this October 14th,
whether Her Majesty considered her position a blessing or a curse?
Many around the world look at royalties and
their seemingly lavish lifestyle and the glamour dazzles them. The Pahlavis,
however, never had such lifestyle, even at the peak of the country’s wealth in
the mid-70s. Looking at our few palaces, which mostly were built by the Qajars
in the 19th century and comparing them to those of
constitutional monarchs of Europe or Japan, they appear totally insignificant.
Iranian palaces of Niavaran and Sa’d Abad which some of them were built later,
in comparison to likes of Buckingham Palace, were nothing than large houses
even by Iranian standards of the time. Apart from the seeming glitter, which is
mainly to promote and represent the country’s and its historic continuity, the
truth of the job for all monarchs remain a thankless, lifetime responsibility
with no retirement at sight.
At eighty-one year of age, Empress Farah is
still a working Empress - as she was referred to by Newsweek in their 1976
interview. Although today, she does not have the office and the staff she once
had in Tehran and perhaps has fewer visitors than when she headed twenty-six
charitable, educational and cultural organisations while her office responded
to fifty-thousand letters received annually (1) she nevertheless, keeps her
days filled with appointments, audiences requested by Iranian and foreign
personalities who wish to meet and discuss a wide range of topics, as well as
letters, emails and telephone calls, which she often makes to those in Iran who
wish to speak to her. The Empress, despite her age has also taken advantage of
modern technology and remains in touch through email as well as mobile and
internet with those who look up to her and Prince Reza as a torch lighting the
path for a secular and democratic future in Iran.
During her twenty years as Iran’s Empress and
consort to the Shah, she had laid down the foundations of numerous social and
educational establishments throughout the country that generations ever since,
are benefiting and keep sending her their blessings: from orphanages, hospitals
and schools, to art centres and charity organisations that focused their
efforts in the betterment of our nation.
Earlier this year Her Majesty granted an
audience to a journalist friend of mine. I had asked my friend to ask one
question on my behalf:
- Don’t you, Your Majesty, get tired of all you do, every day,
for almost sixty years now?
Considering I follow many interviews with
politicians as well as royalties from around the globe; never before had I
heard a response so heartfelt and earnest from any one of them. I was stunned
with her dedication and was humbled by her sincerity.
- "Tired of what? No! Never! It’s my responsibility.
I love our people. I cannot stop. I must do all I can for them, to regain
once again, our rightful place among the world community of nations."
Her Imperial Majesty had replied.
I got my answer! Someone with such a clear
vision of her historic role would never consider her position and
responsibility - bestowed on her by history, as a curse. She has suffered like
many Iranian mothers and wives since the coming of this republic. Those who
have lost their children or their husband or live in exile away from home and
friends understand her suffering in silence. Yet she remains compassionate and
keeps her spirit high. Like many of us whose future was destroyed and derailed
by the Islamic revolution of 1979; hers and her children’s future – what they
were destined for, too were taken away from them. Nevertheless, despite all the
tragedies she has endured over the past four decades, she has remained a strong
believer in the triumph of light over darkness.
The nineteen months after Their Imperial
Majesties’ departure marked one of the darkest periods in the life of Iran’s
Empress. Her children, the extended Imperial family and friends were scattered
around the world, some of their friends but most regrettably their allies had
turned their back on their strongest and the staunchest partner in the Middle
East while the Shah’s deteriorating health made life at times not worth living.
The wandering months leading to the late Shah’s
death in Cairo on 27th July 1980, gave a new definition to the
word 'betrayal' in international relations and diplomacy. The behaviour of the
free world leaders towards the Shah, particularly that of the United States
brought shame upon them who had sought his friendship and support. The U.S. set
a new standard for the meaning of treachery and for the lack of decency in the
world of realpolitik.
The years following the Shah’s death provided a
calmer life for the Iranian Imperial family. The restrictions to stay at their
own properties in the U.K. or Switzerland was never lifted by the so-called
former friendly governments, but a more relaxed attitude was taken towards them
by the host countries. The assassination of their greatest friend and
supporter, President Sadat of Egypt on 6th October 1981 was a
major blow to the stability, the Iranian Imperial family had enjoyed since
their settlement in Egypt.
Although the threat of assassination and murder
by the agents of the Islamic Republic has never disappeared, the political
tension between Iran and the rest of the world regarding the Pahlavis at least
seems to have had less of an implication on the Imperial family. One should not
forget that at some point during the hostage crisis, the United States played
with the idea of handing its oldest ally to the murderous mullahs in Tehran -
for exchange for the American diplomats. Had it not been for President Sadat’s
direct action by calling Carter and making it very clear that he wanted the
Shah in Egypt and alive, it is likely that the Americans would have arrested
and handed the Shah to the criminal Islamic republic authorities in Tehran. The
death of the Shah removed the bargaining chip that Americans were prepared to
sacrifice after 34 years of closest Cold War friendship and collaboration.
This could have been the moment when the Empress
and Crown Prince Reza washed their hands from any campaign for Iran and instead
chosen a peaceful, comfortable and for sure a safer life in exile – like other
royal families who lost their country. Had they made such a decision as to not
sacrifice their lives for the very nation that had demanded their death only
months earlier, and forced them into exile after 57 years of service, they
would have without a doubt led a happier and a safer life, and perhaps Her
Majesty would have not lost her two youngest children. Instead, the Empress has
worked tirelessly for the past six decades and Prince Reza for all his adult
life in order to voice Iranians’ plea for dignity and freedom. Even today at
the age of 81, the Empress has proven to be a tower of strength for all her
compatriots who have not given up the fight for a free and a prosperous Iran.
Empress Farah Pahlavi is a symbol of dignity,
compassion and hope for tens of millions of Iranians around the world.
Happy birthday, Your Majesty!
