Skip to main content

Iranian Kurdish town embraces citizen activism

Marivan, a small Kurdish town in western Iran, has earned a reputation for citizen activism.
article3768.jpg

Marivan, a small city in the west of Iran, close to the Iran-Iraq border, has earned a reputation for embracing popular environmental and social causes. Reformist newspaper Shargh Daily compiled a series of events in this city in the Kurdistan province, which has attracted attention even from the Western media. 

There was a time when Marivan was known mostly for Zarivar Lake, writes Sadra Mohaqeq. But now the city is known for a teacher who shaved his head in solidarity with an ill student; its hunters who ceremonially broke their rifles and set caged birds free; and a coffee shop owner who broke all his shisha pipes due to health concerns.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.