The recent war between Israel and the United States on Iran has claimed at least 935 lives and left 5,332 individuals wounded. As the world watches anxiously, a ceasefire has been implemented, yet the consequences of this conflict are particularly palpable among Iranians in the diaspora, especially those residing in Canada.
Many Iranian Canadians found themselves closely following news from Iran, feeling a compulsion to stay connected with their homeland and loved ones amidst the chaos.
Preliminary interviews conducted with 30 Iranian activists in Canada reveal that a significant number of individuals in the diaspora are grappling with what they describe as “survivor’s guilt.” These interviews are part of a doctoral study by Fateme Ejaredar, under the supervision of Pallavi Banerjee, aimed at understanding the intricate political tensions and changing solidarities within the Iranian diaspora in Canada.
The Iranian diaspora in Canada is characterized by a diverse mix of activists who reject the Islamic Republic. According to The New York Times, this community encompasses a wide range of individuals, including exiled leftists, nationalists, secular democrats, former prisoners, journalists, human rights advocates, and artists. These diverse groups have historically supported progressive change in Iran, yet the recent war has exacerbated existing divisions.
As the conflict unfolds, Iranian activists in the diaspora find themselves in a peculiar position—contending with the dual reality of mourning the violence inflicted upon their country while simultaneously attempting to carry on their activism.
Canada hosts the second-largest Iranian diaspora globally, a community that has been on high alert since the 1979 revolution that toppled the monarchy. Post-revolution, numerous leftist and opposition activists fled Iran to escape repression, and subsequent political and economic turmoil has continued to drive Iranians abroad. Events like the
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