After an election shrouded in controversy with an aftermath of bloody protests and state-crackdowns, it is no surprise that the mood of Ahmadinejad’s inauguration was markedly different to when he was first named president of Iran in 2005.
With hundreds of riot police taking position on the streets of Tehran, Ahmadinejad was sworn in for his second term as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran to a parliament hall dotted with empty seats.
Notably absent were family members of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini: grandson Seyyed Hassan Khomeini left Iran days before the inauguration to avoid pressures to attend.
While it was expected that opposition leaders Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, and Mehdi Karoubi would not attend, as they had announced earlier, prominent political figures and members of the Assembly of Experts failed to show up to the ceremony.
During Ahmadinejad’s inaugural speech, it was reported that of the clerics who did attend, thirteen walked out in protest.
But it was a simple gesture that epitomized the change of scene from four years ago, more so than the absence of audience members.
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Following the recital of the swearing-in oath, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kissed Ayatollah Khomeini’s shoulder. In 2005, he kissed the supreme leader’s hand.
This year, the oath was administered by the head of Ayatollah Khamenei’s office rather than Seyyed Mohammad Khatami – it is customary for the former president to read the oath to the incoming president – in light of Khatami’s absence, Iran was forced to break from tradition.
Enraged Iranians are taking to Facebook and Twitter to voice their opinions and describe the inauguration scene in Tehran.
Popular Iranian figures who attended the ceremony on Monday where Khomeini officially endorsed Ahmedinejad as president have received an overwhelming amount of messages condemning their support of the controversial leader.
The Facebook page of famed soccer coach, Afshin Ghotbi was inundated with ‘wallposts’ from angry Iranians.
“Shame on you!!!” wrote Farhang Koohestanian. “So where is your heart of lion?”
El Mote posted the message, “Do you know that those who died for Iran’s democracy, were the ones who’ve supported you! and you’ve participated in Ahmadinejad’s Fake ceremony regardless to your country martyrs…”
Several anti-Ghotbi groups have since been created on Facebook, calling for the removal of his “fan” page.
The Twittersphere is abuzz with Iranians on the street sending out 140-character messages describing the post-inauguration protests.
Twitter users in Tehran warned their friends to stick together for protection. User BawareSabz tweeted, “regroup in large 1000(s) group and go in different direction away from security forces, we need to get ppl on the streets.”
Others painted harrowing images of riot police’s responses towards protesters.
Baharestan wrote, “Brave women shouted LONG LIVE FREEDOM,’ ‘What is our blood for our freedom’ she & 3 more dragged away.”
Iraniscc described a protest in Tehran, “1 student dragged away by a thug who had a mask and a knife… students tried to help but were outnumbered” and minutes later, “friend is in revolting situation cuz of direct hit by teargas. had to first deal withthis. since 1300 till now.”
“POLITICS is a tool its not IDEAL plz fight 4 unity. Ideal is FREEDOM& DEMOCRACY,” Iraniscc tweeted to The Media Line.