Ext 5000/41(11) 'Persian Situation. Miscellaneous Reports' [‎22r] (43/1028)

13./
FREEMENS * Party (Hizb-i-Azadigan) : branch of No. 41
^ Opened a local branch in Ahwaz in November 1942, and in
December of that year attempted to collect and destroy copies of
classical poets and religious commentaries. It was led by one
Muhammad Ali Imam and its object seemed to be a Morrisian socialism
of extreme innocuousness.
5. PERSIAN FREEDOM Party (Hizb-i-Azadi-yi-Iran):
^ Pounded by Ahmad Mihbud, a member of the Foreign Ministry and
at ^resent Second Secretary in Washington, in the autumn of 1941. He
was probably the sole member, but he published a programme in
February 1943.
6 - AWAKENING Party (Hizb-i-Bidari):
Affiliated' to the Vatan party and active in Yazd. Came into
being shortly before the 1943 elections. Directed by Said Jalil
Jalili and his son Mahmid. Aim appears to be the safeguarding of the
position of Dr. Tahiri and of Jalali as deputies, and to counteract
the influence of the Ittifaq. party (No.19).
7. NATIONAL DEFENCE Party (Hizb-i-Dafa’~i~Milli):
Formed in Mashhad at the beginning of 1942, when it worked
against the British and the Russians in Khurasan, Members were all
reported to have pro-German views, and membership was restricted to
persons who worked for the Germans before the invasion. One of its
objects was to impede the Russians in collecting rifles left by the
fleeing Persian army.
8 . DEMOCRATIC Party (Hizb-i-Demokrat):
Existed during the 1914-1918 war, when its members included
local landlords, notables and gendarmerie officers. Had contact with
Wassmuss, opposed Qawam ul Mulk (with whom, however, it is now playing
ball) and was generally anti-British and pro-German. It disappeared
with the advent of the SPR.
The party was revived in Shiraz in July 1944, represents the
interests of the bazar and is backed by local landlords. Branches are
reported in Abade, Istahbanat and Kazirun. It runs three newspapers
and a reading-room in Shiraz. • The Hizb-i-Husaini is a religious
offshoot of it (see No.12). The deputies Mihdi Namazi,and Mu’Addil
are members.
9. VOLUNTEERS.”’ Party (Hizb-i-Fida* iyan):
(Name strictly means ”Those who make . sacrifices”). Issued a
manifesto in a supplement to the paper ”NIJAT-i-IRAN” in August 1943,
calling on Persians to ”cleans a the stain of Shahrivar and stand up for
the rights of Persia”. It has not been heard of since. Probably the
same as No.42.
FIRUZ Party (Hizb-i-Fi ruz):
In November 1944 a letter from Fasa to ”NIJAT-i-IRAN” said that
a party under this name had been formed there. The paper protested
against the use of the name.
11. COMPANIONS * Party (Hizb-i-Hamrahan):
Founded by Mustafa Fatih (an Anglo-Iranian Oil Company employee)
November 1942, Among its early members was Nasrullah Jahangir, Deputy
Governor of the National Bank. It produced a ’’shadow cabinet” in the
same year; but it seems to have declined from prominence since the
14th Majlis came into being: in fact it has virtually ceased to exist,
except insofar as Sasan Khaje-Nasiri represents it in the Majlis.
HUSAIN Party (Hizb-i-Husaini): J
(See also No* 8 ). A report in 1942 from Yazd stated it to be an
organisation for spreading anti-British propaganda, and to maintain that
by ”abjad” reckoning the letters in Hitler’s name proved that he was the
Mahdi. The party was a darvish circle, of which the head was called
Dhu’r-Riyasatain (Possessor of two Headships); it had branches, called
Khanqa or Khane-i-Qan, all over the country. It failed,to attract the
merchant class, and seems to have died.