Iranians in UAE ‘very happy’ about new elected president

Dubai: Hassan Rouhani’s victory in Iran’s recent presidential election has made many Iranians in the UAE optimistic about the future of their country.

Rouhani is considered a moderate cleric favouring openness and improved relations with the West.

Avashaan S, 25, an Iranian interior designer, said that she does not really follow politics but has heard a lot of good things about Rouhani.

“A lot of young people voted for him as they said that he can create a lot of changes.

“I have a good feeling about him from what I’ve heard and him being a moderate he can balance between the new generation’s way of thinking and the old generation’s way of thinking.”

Elham Arjamandi, 23, a business administrator, said that the new regime promises better opportunities for Iran.

“This was a victory for many people in Iran, especially those who leaned towards the technocrats… I am very happy about it.”

She explained that in recent years Iranian trade and its economy have suffered from the sanctions imposed on Iran due to its politics.

“Even here in Dubai, trade was affected…I think this will be a good opportunity for Iran to show the region and the world that it can be part of the global economic and political development.”

“The people of Iran showed that they deserved a better government and better living conditions and that was very important,” she added.

She noted that this regime’s slogan is ‘rationalism and hope’.

“The old regime cut down heavily on various subsidies without a plan or without doing it gradually and that harmed the economy greatly.”

She added that the new government seems to be more reasonable and rational.

Ali Mohammad, 37 and Hussain Ali, 42, both receptionists, said that they are very happy about the new president and that most Iranians are also happy.

“He promised a lot of change in Iran and I hope he will do what he says in the future,” Ali said.

Both Ali and Mohammad said that they voted for Rouhani.

The 65-year-old Rouhani is a former chief nuclear negotiator who served as the secretary of Iran’s supreme national Security Council for 16 years.

Latif Naseri, 63, another Iranian expatriate, said: “Most Iranians are happy with the result of the elections, because he [Rouhani] seems like a fair man. One of the first steps he promised to take and one of his goals is to improve the relationship between Iran and other countries of the world, specifically Arab and neighbouring Gulf countries.”

He added that “we stand by him and fully support him on this and wish him success”.

Khalid Mortaza, 23, an Iraqi-Iranian sales administrator, said that he voted for Rouhani on Friday because he heard a lot of positive things about him and watched him speak on television. Like his fellow Iranians he is hoping that Rouhani will act on his promises.