The demolition of the Sheikh Khaz’al palace is a cultural crime

The demolition of the Sheikh Khaz’al palace is a cultural crime Last week, the Iranian media broadcast that the historical palace of Sheikh Khaz’al, former leader of the Ahwazian Arab nation in Arabistan province (formally Khuzestan) ,Southwest of Iran, was destroyed by the Revolutionary Guard of Iran. The monument of the palace is located in Mohamarrah city (formally Khoramshahr) and was listed as an Iranian cultural heritage under number 2845. This demolition of the Ahwazian Arab national monument shows chauvinism of the Iranian government over the Ahwazian Arab nation. We condemn the demolition of this historical monument and wonder why the so-called Organization of Protecting historical sites has remained silent and why Iranian figures and organizations of opposition outside Iran who made a campaign to save the Pasargad, Persian historical monument, have not reacted against the demolition of the Arab monument of Arabistan by the Iranian regime. Their silence is understood as endorsement to what the Iranian regime has done. It is obvious that the demolition of the Shiekh Khaz’al palace is an act to degrade the environment of the Ahwazian Arab nation in Arabistan. It can be included with other Iranian regime actions such as the confiscation of the agricultural land of Arab farmers and the drying of the Karun River and Marshes of Hor Doragh and Hor Alazim. In fact such policy is targeting the identity, culture and history of the Ahwazian Arab nation to exploit their province wealth. We urge our nation to call upon so called their representatives in Iranian parliament to act against the event. The Cultural Heritage Organization is also expected to back its complaint against the Revolutionary Guard. We also call upon all Iranians who believe in Democracy and Human Rights to break their silence and condemn the measure that defiled the identity of their Arab compatriots. Finally, we urge all international organizations, especially UNESCO, to ensure that other palaces of Sheikh Khaz’al and other historical sites of the Arab nation in Arabistan be protected.  Centre for Combating Racism and Discrimination against Arabs in Iran (CCRDAI). ***************************************************** For further information please call: Yousef Azizi, Secretary of CCRDAI

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