Almost thirty years ago, I sat alone in my room, feeling helpless, and prayed to God to intercede and free Iran from the tyranny of the mullahs. I prayed for Him to guide me, to help me find a way to be able to fight for all the innocent people being tortured and slaughtered so senselessly. I prayed for my nation, whose identity was being stolen and whose dignity was being demolished, to be redeemed.

In my solitude, I felt as if I had a revelation. So, I came to America to seek help and ended up becoming a spy. I hid behind my own shadow for nearly three decades hoping that Iran, with the help of the Western governments, would know freedom. My effort only went so far.

But today is different. The support and heartfelt words of encouragement, offered by people from all over, have given me a renewed strength. I don’t feel so desolate anymore. I now feel an energizing hope for Iran. In every corner of the world, people are tweeting and blogging about Iran and the plight of the Iranian people. It’s more than just a prayer today. People from all walks of life, despite their nationality, culture or religion have shown compassion and kindness for Iranians.

Today is the day that our voices need to rise and be heard. We have to be loud and clear. We have to defend those inside Iran whose words are being choked before they can speak. We have a mission!  We must support the aspirations of the Iranian people in the upcoming protests on the anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections of June 12^th. Iranians are being killed in demonstrations fighting for their rights. Mothers are losing their sons and daughters. Young people in Iran are trying to get our country back, the one my generation handed over to these criminal mullahs. For their sake, for their remarkable, courageous effort, we should not only pray, but strongly advocate their cause. We should consider it a duty; each and every one of us should try to help people of Iran end this tyranny!

I would like to once again share my “prayer,” the one in my book, from many years ago, as it remains true to this day!

“God, tonight I am doing my prayer differently. I am not following the routine and rules of namaz. As much as these Arabic words sound gracious and comforting, I have to talk to You in my own language. I need to tell You about my true feelings. I believe in Your power. You are my creator and I have felt Your presence throughout my life, but I have to make a confession. If what I am seeing in my country is Islam, then I no longer believe Islam to be the religion of honesty and sacrifice. I feel what is happening in my country is wrong. I feel the killings and crimes happening in Your name are unjust. How can I watch all these atrocities? How can I watch people being slaughtered and not be able to do anything? How can I forgive myself for not being able to deliver the promise I made to Naser, to rescue him and his brother and sister? I cannot witness Parvaneh, Roya, and thousands of girls like them being held behind bars, their hearts ripped to pieces, and do nothing. How can I believe Khanoom Bozorg’s stories anymore? I don’t believe that the Islam preached by Khomeini and his men represents true love and munificence. They kill for their own survival. They use You as a shield, an excuse. How can I stand by and watch while they demolish our proud history and civilization? We are a nation with a rich and vibrant culture. They are taking us back to an era where the barbarous acts of Mongols left nothing but bloodshed throughout the land. God, I am scared. I can no longer remain quiet and watch my country disappear into a morass of evil.

God, I admit I am helpless and am begging You for guidance, as You represent true love and justice and I believe in You and Your power.”