13.13°C Vancouver

Jan 5, 2020 12:38 AM -

Iranian-Canadians dance, cheer and celebrate death of top general in Iran

Share On
iranian-canadians-dance-cheer-and-celebrate-death-of-top-general-in-iran
A few dozen Iranian-Canadians gather in Toronto on Friday to celebrate the death of a top Iranian general in Iraq in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Gen. Qassem Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, and was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, late Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Several dozen Iranian-Canadians danced and cheered in Toronto on Friday as they celebrated the death of a top general in their home country.

An American airstrike authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, Thursday in Baghdad, Iraq. Iran's supreme leader vowed a "harsh retaliation."

But for those who showed up to dance in a square in north Toronto Friday afternoon, Soleimani's death marked what they hoped would be a re-birth for Iran. Chants of "regime change in Iran by the people of Iran" and "we support uprising in Iran" rang out at the rally.

"We are in a great world now after Soleimani's elimination," said Hamid Gharajeh, a spokesman for the Iran Democratic Association of Canada. "I feel wonderful because we really think this is long overdue."

Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon on Israel's doorstep. While Iran’s conventional military has been constrained by 40 years of American sanctions, Iran can strike asymmetrically in the region through its allied forces like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Trump said Friday he acted to stop a war rather than start one, although many observers saw the airstrike as a major escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. American officials said they had intelligence Soleimani was planning a significant campaign of violence against the U.S.

It also accused Soleimani of approving orchestrated violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Gharajeh left Iran in 1977 to go to university in the U.S., then moved to Canada about 10 years later. He has never gone home, but still has family in Iran and hopes to return one day.

"My father and mother passed away in Iran, but I've never been to their graves," he said. "The dream is going back to a free Iran."

Others taking part in the Toronto rally said they hope Soleimani's death will be the catalyst for regime change.

"We want peace in the region, not terrorism," said Sara Fallah, the director of the International Coalition of Women Against Fundamentalism.

"Anyone who cares about human rights should be against terrorism and celebrating the death of Soleimani."

Fallah said she left Iran when she was young to come to school in Canada. She has never returned.

Behza Matin said he danced when he first heard the news of the general's death.

"I was so happy to see this man killed," Matin said. ". . . I have to tell you, I had the greatest sleep last night."

The scene contrasted with the reaction in the Iranian capital of Tehran where thousands took to the streets after Friday Muslim prayers to condemn the killing, waving posters of Soleimani and chanting "Death to deceitful America."

Latest news

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve

Related News