Mahmoud Vahidnia

It started out as a normal day at Sharif University in Tehran, Iran. I was simply sitting in multivariable calculus after a long day when the class was nearing its end. There had been a guest speaker in the class. Supreme Leader Ali Khameini was there speaking to us so most students were very nervous. The time came for students to ask questions and a line accumulated in front of the microphone. One after another student delivered their questions to the Supreme Leader and he answered them quietly one by one. Even with the Supreme Leader's presence the class was wrapping up at the normal time just like it does every day. However this would turn out to be no ordinary class on no ordinary day.

I knew a few of the students in line, but only by name. None of them stood out in any way. I was getting quite bored as I have very little interest in politics. There were people there from the news recording the class. Another question was answered and the student returned to his seat as the next student went up to the microphone. This student I recognized. His name was Mahmoud Vahidnia, and I did not know him very well. He seemed quiet and unassertive, however he also seemed to be very intelligent. I thought nothing of it at the time but Vahidnia was about to shock the nation.

He began to talk and I admit to tuning him out due to boredom, but then I saw a interesting look on the face of the Supreme Leader. It was a sort of scowl. I immediately began to pay attention to Vahidnia, and what I heard was shocking. He was loudly and harshly criticizing Khameini and the theocratic government that Iran has been under for so long, and right to Khameini's face no less. I suddenly felt so much for a man whom I hardly knew.

The rant continued and the more I listened the more I realized that I completely agreed with what he was saying. The bravery and courage it must have taken to stand up for what he believed in and talk down to the Supreme Leader was astounding. Many men have been executed for doing things such as that. The fact that he was willing to put his well being on the line to let his voice be heard and to make a better Iran touched me.

The rant continued on for 20 long minutes. When Vahidnia was done he simply returned to his seat without saying a word. I'm not sure what happened to him, but I hope he is okay. This small insignificant student became my hero that day, and I became inspired to make a difference in my country. That day I became very interested in politics.