Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran, the largest lake in Middle East and the third largest salt lake in the world, is dying. Almost half of the lake has dried up, leaving a thick layer of salt on the ground like the mark made on the foreheads of the Azari people. The loss of this lake is tragic for many Iranians, especially those in Azerbaijan. In spite of all complaints and warnings made to the Government about the catastrophe, the people who are affected by this problem have been totally ignored by the politicians in Tehran. The lake is drying up and Azerbaijan is waking up. Just a fortnight ago, MPs in Tehran ignored an urgent proposal for rescuing the lake, preferring to discuss increasing the number of religious holidays in Iran. Iran's Azerbaijan is in a very angry mood because of losing the lake and more so because of the lack of attention from the central government. The result of this has been violence between the regime's security police and local people. There are reports of deaths and thousands being arrested in the past few days in the clashes between environmental activists and riot police. When peaceful demonstrators in Urmia asked the Government to save the lake, they were arrested and beaten savagely. The whole Azerbaijan, starting with its capital, Tabriz, was up in arms at this. The people of Azerbaijan have a reputation for bravery. Back in 1906, it was the people of Tabriz and the Azaris who led the constitutional revolution. Tehran always has to keep an eye on the Azerbaijanis. This is why it sent troops to Tabriz and Urmia to prevent any further demonstrations. Every family in Iran is somehow or other related to the Azaris, or Turks as the Iranians call them. Tehran's traditional bazaar, built during the Qajar Dynasty and still considered the most important place for financial exchange in Iran, is mainly controlled by Iranian Azaris. People well remember, when, in 1979, the bazaar was closed by the business owners to show their support for Ayatollah Khomeini. Azerbaijan has always been important for Iran. When Qajar began to rule Iran in 1813, Iranian King Fath Ali Shah Qajar lost the war against the Russians and he had to sign a treaty with them on two separate occasions. Iran lost much of its territory including half of Azerbaijan, but the King did his best to keep Tabriz and part of Azerbaijan. Iran is a nation of different ethnic groups, languages and tribes, but these people have lived together peacefully and without problems for years. The uprising in Azerbaijan over Lake Urmia is a worry for the Government, because it could easily spread to other cities. Iran is ruled by Shi'ites and most of the population are Shi'ites, but there is little chance of their participating in power. Most Azerbaijanis are Shi'ites, while in the centre and the south they are mainly Sunnis. These Shi'ites and Sunnis are all disappointed with the regime. A couple of days ago, the Government announced that it would provide $900 million to save the lake. But the loss of the lake is like the loss of a child – something Azerbaijanis can't tolerate. Entekhabifard is an Iranian journalist, who regularly contributes to The Egyptian Gazette and its weekly edition, the Mail.
