A pamphlet being distributed for the rally for Iranian human rights on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Keyvan Khadem

Kelowna will be joining cities around the world holding protests against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday.

The protests began a few weeks ago after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained by Iran’s morality police for not covering her hair and died in custody. Large-scale protests in Iran have sparked global attention.

READ MORE: Family frantically searched for Iranian woman after arrest

The Kelowna rally will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ogopogo Statue at Mill Street and Bernard Avenue. This will be the second time a rally for human rights in Iran has been held in the city since Amini's death.

It's organized in part by Kelowna resident Keyvan Khadem who was born and raised in Iran but fled the country when he was only 11 years old to Canada with his family due to harsh treatment since they practiced the Bahá'í Faith, a religion not recognized by the government of Iran.

“My family was under pressure and it came to a point they had to flee Iran,” he said. “Ever since, Canada became my second mother… but always deep down I wanted to do something about the injustices I saw with my own eyes until I was 11 years old.”

Children were pitted against one another in the classroom, he said. “A lot of my friends didn't care what religion you are, they cared about who you are at the end of it.”

A majority of protestors are students from UBC Okanagan and talking to these students as a graduate of the university, he “used to feel their pain because they came fresh from Iran and when you talked to them, everyone had some pain. They suffered from injustice.”

When he saw the news Amini had died, he cried.

READ MORE: 'Every one of us was a Mahsa': Iranians in Canada cut hair at women's rights rallies

“Something shattered inside my heart. I could relate so much to that pain and agony and I promised to become a voice for the voiceless,” he said. “I just want to use my second mother, Canada, to give voice to the voiceless.”

He hopes these protests will lead to change in Iran.

“Everyday I try to post on social media, everyday I try to talk to my friends and bring awareness,” he said.

Khadem has reacted out to MP Dan Albas to create a petition for the Government of Canada to no longer recognize Iran’s regime and identify and deport individuals connected to the regime as well as confiscate the assets in Canada of those connected to the regime and use those assets to fund victims.

“Everyone’s voice should be heard and everyone should be respected,” he said.

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