The International Conference for Al-Ahwaz in Frankfurt: An Insider’s View

The Saudi writer Dahr Youssef Al-Shammari covered the conference organized by the Executive Committee of the State of Al-Ahwaz, led by Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi, alongside a select group of his associates and young Ahwazi activists, reporting from inside the event.

Under the title “The International Conference for Al-Ahwaz”, Al-Shammari stated:
“We are the ones who raise the voice of Al-Ahwaz high, ensuring that the name of the cause remains in confrontation with the occupation until liberation. These days, the political and human rights arena witnessed a conference in the city of Frankfurt, Germany, on February 7, 2025, dedicated to Al-Ahwaz.”

He added: “Arab and international activists, politicians, and intellectuals gathered to discuss ways to support the Ahwazi cause and confront the ongoing violations against the Ahwazi people.”

This conference comes amid a growing wave of systematic repression by the Iranian occupation against the Ahwazis, who have suffered from marginalization and persecution for a century.

Al-Shammari pointed out that the goal of the conference was to shed light on the suffering of the Ahwazis under Iranian occupation, highlighting Iran’s violations, including the suppression of freedoms, erasure of Arab identity, and deprivation of basic rights.

The participants also discussed ways to enhance political and media support for this cause. Among the attendees was Dr. Kurt Debuf, adviser to the Belgian Prime Minister, who stressed the importance of international action to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its crimes in Al-Ahwaz.

From Washington, Fernando Alberto, Director of Strategic Research at the U.S. State Department, joined via Skype, speaking about public interest, the Middle East conflict, and the strategic significance of Al-Ahwaz in the Arabian Gulf.

Also speaking from Washington via Skype was Professor Gabriel Souma, former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Middle Eastern affairs and an expert on Al-Ahwaz and the Ahwazi people.

Among the other participants was Ms. Zelden Soglin, Deputy Mayor of Marburg, Germany, who addressed the plight of the Ahwazi people and their struggle for rights.

Additionally, Mr. Farid Al-Zubaidi, Director of the International Council for Public Interest, spoke about the Middle East conflict and the importance of supporting Al-Ahwaz in this context.

Al-Shammari noted that attempts to disrupt the conference were made by certain parties seeking to distort the truth and serve their personal interests, often tied to the Iranian regime.

He added: “Some entities are trying to spread illusions and promote misleading information in an effort to weaken the Ahwazi movement and divert attention from the crimes committed against our people.”

The participants reaffirmed that the Ahwazi cause will never die, and that the Ahwazi people will continue their struggle despite all challenges.

They emphasized the need to unite ranks to confront the Persian occupation and to bring the voice of the Ahwazis to international forums, especially in light of the increasing violations,

Al-Shammari concluded his article by stating:”The Ahwazi cause is not merely a political issue, but a humanitarian tragedy of a people demanding their legitimate rights. Despite attempts to erase and distort the truth, the voice of Al-Ahwaz will not be silenced, and the struggle will continue until freedom and justice are achieved.”