In its fourth week, Al Jazeera visited the famous Gohardasht market in Karaj, located 30 kilometers west of Tehran, which was the scene of intense protests just two months ago. However, the scene has changed dramatically under the ongoing bombardment.
Following the holiday declared by the government in mourning for the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the market appeared vibrant with lights, sounds, and stacked goods on the eve of the Persian New Year, despite the number of customers being lower than in previous years.
Market Activity Amidst Conflict
After an hour from the call to prayer, shopping activity gradually increased until the market was filled with visitors just before 8 PM, while the specter of war loomed over the general mood, even as many people tried to mask their anxieties under the twinkling lights.
As we wandered through the market, we stopped in front of a men's clothing store, where a young man named Reza (28 years old) was leisurely arranging his merchandise, a slight smile appearing on his face when we asked him about shopping activity amidst the bombardment.
He sighed deeply and gestured towards the passersby, continuing his conversation with Al Jazeera, "In previous years, the market was bustling with customers on the eve of the Persian New Year until late at night, but today there are definitely fewer than we are used to. However, to be honest, the number of people present now under the bombardment is more than I imagined. This truly surprises me."
Context and Background
In previous years, the market was teeming with customers on the eve of the Persian New Year, but today they are certainly fewer than we are accustomed to.
However, honestly, the number of people present now under bombardment is more than I imagined. This truly surprises me.
Consequences and Effects
As the stalls spread across the main street, and decorations for the Persian New Year hung on the doors of shops, a young woman named Avina (22 years old) stood with her colleague from the architecture college, contemplating the display of a handbag store.
The young woman turned to her friend, who silently nodded, then added to Al Jazeera, "Two months ago, we were here chanting for women, life, and freedom, and now we are shouting: Watch out for the bombing; I am really starting to lose hope because the regime has not fallen, and the war waged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump does not liberate us, but rather burns us."
Impact on the Arab Region
Among the protesters, Fatima (46 years old) stood with her three children and told Al Jazeera in a choked voice, "I came to tell the world that the blood of our leaders will not go in vain. Khamenei was a spiritual father to us. His assassination is a crime that will not go unpunished."
From there, we attempted to contact student activist Karim, one of the leaders of the protests that took place at Shahid Beheshti University just days before the current war began, and we sensed a dramatic shift in his rhetoric.
He pointed out that "all these bombings will not push people towards an uprising that the aggression desires, but the press can document the residents of this neighborhood taking to the streets around 8 PM and standing for their demands and slogans."
Conclusion
As midnight approached, the march ended, and shops gradually closed their doors. While silence was supposed to envelop the city, the buzz of fighter jets flying above the clouds reminds us of the tale of Gohardasht market regarding the complexities of the Iranian scene.