Two storys from Quds day

- as told by twitter activists on September 19

A family friend from Tehran:

As you know many people from villages and rural area were bussed into Tehran on Quds day. Many if not most of these people had not really seen or heard anti-govt slogans before. When they were in the Quds protest they were shocked to see anti-goverment things. Some of the villagers then asked green people about election and what happened. They said they would tell their people in the villages about this. So in this way having people from villages bussed into Tehran was good, because green people could talk to them. Now we know that the green message will spread to villages even more. They will tell their friend and family in the villages and the news will spread.

(@iranproxy)

Greens outnumbered pro-Ahmadinejad’s in Qods day rally in Isfahan. Isfahani people were a bit more afraid than Tehranis to wear green or hold green symbols but when they started chanting they realized how many they were and were encouraged. At first people were blending in chanting "Death to America!", but when they realized that others were green too, they started green chants.

(@IranRiggedElect)

Inside Report I

- twitter from inside Iran, August 27

• Iran...as far as I can tell we have a country in deep depression...no matter to whom you talk..old /young, people cry their eyes out at any news
• No matter were you go, family gathering or friend party....the country is mouring ... and with Ramadan...people mental is going from bad to worse

• Most young ppl follow us on twitter....but noone dares to post or participate ... the feeling of being watched is all over the country
• Apparently most of those Twitting from Iran are from the Gov or Twitter from the only secure places in Iran (foreign Embassies)
• The tape/phone treats R ongoing ....random calls to let people know that they have been located/recognized/watched or...
• You understand the meaning of the phrase "worst fear is the fear itself".... and it's contagious ....
• If you ever had a friend or family in deep depression ...you might have an idea on meeting a country in deep depression...just hard to describe
• People just gather and speculate... on what will/may happen ... families are extremely worried for their young ones and lost in fear...
• Do not expect any huge event or protests soon...People may come out and use different occasions but ...not like before.

• Now some good news...most young ppl I meet have received haystacknetwork devices...they use it with caution and love!!!
• These devices are little windows in their big prison...give hope and show them that outside Iran others care for them
• Also there is something new in Iran...A sense of silent understanding....People communicate without talking...they hold hands with out touching
• They share a common sorrow and for the first time after 30 years it doesn't matter whom the victims are if someone is against the gov..its with people
• Even 11/12 year old kids are talking politics and give you the name of all martyrs one by one...and describe their bio for you....just hilarious
• Those who remember 1979 Revolution tells you that even at that time the people were not united like today...today they have one goal....No to IR
• I will be very surprised if the terror and fear stop these people for long... They are determined not to surrender... They are fighting with hearts and mind
• The most surprising in Iran is the appearance of freedom now....always before Ramadan basiji attacks for disrespect of Islamic values was expected
• This year ...NOTHING... No basiji attack for women’s Hejabs or men’s long hair....Nothing
• Yes the arrests continue....random or calculated noone knows....Noone is safe...that's why most families close to the opposition are sending ...
• their kids out...someone should investigate increase of student visa request for Iran. UK embassy is practically under attack with visa requests

Friday Prayer on Twitter!

A relatively new twittrer, @Pray4Iran, tweeted an alternative Friday Prayer sermon for #iranelection followers at 12 AM Tehran time today. The whole sermon is published on the Pray For Iran blog which has been visited frequently throughout the day by twittrers who missed it.

The completely non-denominational, sermon was obviously a huge success, and may have had more followers than the "real" Friday Prayer sermon in Tehran, which according to some inside sources gathered only about 200.

Some quotes:

In the interest of unity among all of these religions, I will assume that we all pray to a universal source of positive energy. I will call this energy *. You can call it God, Allah, The Universe, The Creator, Yin, Bob, Jehova, whatever you like…* doesn’t care, neither do we.

Give strength and resolve to our brothers and sisters in Iran. Let them hear and be guided by your unspoken word. Heal their wounds for they are numerous. Ease their pain for it is great. Bring comfort to those that are missing their loved ones, for it is an extremely heavy burden to bear. Bring light to the hearts of those that are imprisoned, let them hold fast to each other, knowing that they are not alone in this very dark time.

*, smile upon the lives and hearts of those that give selflessly to spread hope worldwide on the internet. They have taught many people to use their own skills toward making the world a better place.

Read the whole sermon/prayer here