Why Did Egypt Ban the Commemoration of the Former Shah of Iran?
WANA (Jul 28) – Yesterday, July 27th, marked the anniversary of the death of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the former Shah of Iran; however, holding his memorial ceremony at Al-Rifai Mosque in Cairo was prohibited.
Farah Pahlavi, the former Queen of Iran, had previously announced in a tweet that Egyptian authorities cited “security issues and the turbulent situation in the region” as the reason for this decision, and this year, the ceremony was limited strictly to a brief and private visitation by the family.
Although on the surface the regional situation was cited as the excuse for this decision, the primary reality must be sought in the behaviors and true nature that this movement has displayed in recent years.
The True Nature of Pahlavi Supporters Coming Under the Microscope
During the January unrest inside Iran and the recent military tensions in the Middle East—particularly regarding the Iran file—at a time when the eyes and attention of the entire world and the media were fixed on Iran, the performance of the opposition to the Islamic Republic, known as the monarchists (the Pahlavis), came fully under the microscope. It was precisely during this critical juncture that this movement exposed its true nature.
Commemoration of The Shah of Iran in Cairo, Egypt. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Raising the flag of Israel in rallies outside the country—a country known globally for genocide—right at the height of the conflicts in Iran, along with openly calling on foreign powers to attack Iran even at the cost of destroying vital infrastructure, delivered a major shock to public opinion.
These actions drew sharp backlash not only inside Iran, but also at the international level. Islamic communities in the region and even non-Muslim observers following the developments realized they were facing a movement that not only holds no commitment to its own people and country, but is willing to see its own homeland destroyed simply to attain power.
Disbelief in the Sacred: From Iran’s Mosques to the Courtyard of Al-Rifai
This extreme nature and norm-breaking behavior were also fully exposed in their stance toward religious beliefs. During the pre-war unrest inside Iran—in which various groups were involved, including a section of Pahlavi supporters—damaging and setting fire to mosques and holy books completely refuted their long-standing claims.
In this regard, a social media user wrote: “How can anyone have the nerve to hold a memorial ceremony in a mosque when, just a few months ago, they were literally setting fire to sacred things?”
A mosque that was burned during Iran’s protests, in Tehran, Iran, January 21, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
This behavioral pattern of the Pahlavi supporters had previously spread to Cairo as well. Beyond being the burial place of the former Shah of Iran, Al-Rifai Mosque is one of Egypt’s most important historical and religious sites, as well as the resting place of several Egyptian kings.
In recent years, the presence of this movement’s supporters was accompanied by behaviors such as dancing in the mosque courtyard and chanting unconventional slogans—actions that drew severe protests from the media and the administration of Al-Rifai Mosque, who denounced them as a direct insult to the sanctity of the house of God.
When these acts of disrespect are viewed alongside their recent conduct across the region, it becomes clear that this group believes neither in their homeland nor in sacred and religious values.
Iran’s “While You Were Away” Hashtag Puts Diaspora Opposition Under Scrutiny
WANA (May 30) – Following the gradual restoration of international internet access in Iran, a hashtag titled “While You Were Away” quickly became one of the most widely discussed topics across Persian-language social media. The campaign was not merely an attempt to recap recent events; it evolved into a broader effort to revisit the […]
Claims of Development on the Scale: What Do the Statistics Say?
Figures from this movement constantly claim in their interviews that they want to return the country to the “pre-revolution era”—which they consider the peak of Pahlavi rule—asserting that women were freer and society was more developed during that time. However, these self-proclaimed intellectuals usually ignore statistical realities:
Women’s Education: According to official statistics from 1976, the female literacy rate in Iran was only around 35 percent; meaning the vast majority of women in society lacked even basic reading and writing skills. Today, this rate has surpassed 90 percent, and girls make up more than 50 percent of university entrants.
Infrastructure Development: The country’s railway network has expanded from approximately 4,500 kilometers to over 14,000 kilometers, and basic services such as electricity, water, and paved roads—once confined to a few major cities—have been extended deep into the country’s villages.
Comparing these statistics—which represent only a fraction of the progress made by the Islamic Republic of Iran—proves that this group’s slogans rely more on empty claims and fabricating imaginary pictures of the past than on tangible historical reality.
Seeing such a high level of contradiction—from raising the Israeli flag and disrespecting sacred beliefs to norm-breaking behavior in the Cairo mosque—can be considered among the primary roots of Egypt’s recent decision.
UN Data Challenges “Golden Age” Narrative of Pre-Revolution Iran
WANA (Feb 27) – In recent years, several foreign-based Persian-language media outlets have portrayed the Pahlavi period as a “golden age” for Iranian society. However, archived data and international development indicators present a markedly different picture. A review of historical data published by the United Nations indicates that welfare and public health conditions in […]
The ban on public gatherings at Al-Rifai Mosque and restricting the ceremony to a private family visitation demonstrates that, due to its controversial behavior and lack of belief in any principles, this movement has now faced closed doors even in its historical haven.
Why Was the Former Shah of Iran Buried in Egypt?
With the escalation of the Islamic Revolution, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left Iran on January 16, 1979; a departure that marked the beginning of an 18-month wander in eight different countries (including Morocco, the Bahamas, Mexico, the United States, and Panama).
Despite departing with immense wealth estimated by official statements at $56 billion, none of his Western allies were willing to grant him permanent asylum due to the political fallout.
Ultimately, only Anwar Sadat, the then-president of Egypt, welcomed him due to personal relations. The former Shah of Iran eventually died in Cairo on July 27, 1980, and was laid to rest in Al-Rifai Mosque—a mosque whose doors have now, after 45 years, been closed to public gatherings of his supporters.
Funeral of the Former Shah of Iran, 1980. Social media/ WANA News Agency
