== Objection to the categorization of the MEK as a "political group" within the "Opposition" ==

== Objection to the categorization of the MEK as a "political group" within the "Opposition" ==

I would like to raise an objection regarding the inclusion and categorization of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) in the infobox for the "2025–2026 Iranian protests" article. [[User:Saman TheNoob|Saman TheNoob]] ([[User talk:Saman TheNoob|talk]]) 14:16, 21 February 2026 (UTC)

I would like to raise an objection regarding the inclusion and categorization of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) in the infobox for the "2025–2026 Iranian protests" article.

My concerns, supported by reliable sources, are as follows:

1. Lack of Context and Controversy: The infobox currently lists the MEK simply as a "Political group" under the "Iranian opposition" party. This presentation is misleading and fails to provide essential context. The MEK has a long and highly controversial history, including its past as a militant group, its ideology mixing Islam and Marxism, and its former alliance with Saddam Hussein against Iran during the Iran-Iraq war, which is a primary reason for its widespread unpopularity inside Iran [1][2][3][4]. The infobox fails to reflect any of this complexity or the widespread distrust of the group among many Iranians, thus violating Wikipedia's principle of providing a Neutral Point of View (NPOV) .

2. Questionable Role and Influence: The article's body text (under "Parties") does not provide any substantial evidence or citations to demonstrate the MEK's significant role or influence on the ground during these 2025-2026 protests. Experts and analysts have long noted that the MEK, while historically active, lacks a meaningful base of support within Iran and is widely seen by Iranians as a "cult-like" organization and a former terrorist group [5][6]. Simply listing them alongside broad civil society groups like labour unions or student demonstrators gives them an undue appearance of legitimacy and leadership within a movement that is widely described as "largely leaderless."

3. Disproportionate Prominence: By placing the MEK directly in the main infobox as a key "Party," the article grants it a level of prominence that is not supported by the article's own narrative or by independent analysis. The group's inclusion at this level, without the necessary context of its controversial history and lack of domestic support, presents a highly partisan organization as a primary representative of the protest movement [7][8].

Suggested Improvement:

I propose that the reference to the MEK be removed from the main infobox. If the consensus is to include them, their listing should be moved to a more specific section, such as a subsection for "Exiled opposition groups" or be accompanied by a brief explanatory footnote about their status and background to provide necessary context for readers.

Thank you for considering this perspective. I look forward to hearing other editors' thoughts on this matter.

References:

1. [BBC News - Who are the Iranian 'terrorists' in Iraq?] (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18288734)

2. [Council on Foreign Relations - Backgrounder: Mujahadeen-e-Khalq] (https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/mujahadeen-e-khalq)

3. [The Guardian - Terrorism, cult and exile: the strange story of the MEK] (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/09/mek-terrorism-cult-exile-irans-regime-change)

4. [Reuters - Factbox: The Mujahedeen Khalq: from Saddam's ally to exile in Albania] (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-mek-factbox-idUSKBN1ZI2CS)

5. [Foreign Policy - The MEK Is Not the Answer] (https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/01/16/the-mek-is-not-the-answer-iran-regime-change/)

6. [PBS Frontline - Cult or Resistance?] (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tehran/inside/mek.html)

7. [The Atlantic - The MEK's Dubious Campaign] (https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/07/mek-iran-trump/564872/)

8. [Al Jazeera - Why does the MEK generate so much controversy?] (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/10/why-does-the-mek-generate-so-much-controversy)

[[User:Saman TheNoob|Saman TheNoob]] ([[User talk:Saman TheNoob|talk]]) 14:16, 21 February 2026 (UTC)