Today the supreme leader of Iran in a bid to win popular support and legitimacy declared a fatwa against anyone who questions his divine rule over the country and over Shiaa Islam. Some analysts argue that this was a move to consolidate power while there are those who believe that this is nothing more than a desperate attempt to silence the opposition that is now becoming more and more vocal in their opposition to the direction Iran is heading.

Needless to say that an opposition that is also taking on a new form to include the left of right within the hardliner camp who are commonly referred to as the motalefeh.  They believe in an Islamic state but not in “mahdaviat” which has a broad mandate to expand Islam at any and all cost, even to the point of Iran’s destruction.

This is certainly a positive sign and yet another indication of further split from radical militant Islamists who have taken Iran hostage since the June 2009 election.

Now the question is can the left of right and the liberal left form a new alliance that is more in tune with the wishes and aspirations of the Iranian people who today demand greater civil liberties and democratic values.  My belief is that after 100 years of fighting for such rights, it’s closer than ever before.