Karl Marx and Mansoor Hekmat in Highgate

Twenty-seven years ago few young Iranian communist students in London set up a small group to discuses the issues brought about by the revolution that was taking Iran by storm. They used to joke and laugh about the idea of them being famous and their little office being turned into a museum with visitors coming and going to see where

Communists have lived. Those days this was only a joke, maybe a far-fetched dream. None of them knew that there will be a day that they will be leaders of a strong uncompromising party, with the most human based ideas that will effect the political environment in Iran and the region. Little they knew at that time that Joobin their young, cheerful, lively and sharp friend will one day became the great Marxist thinker, the leader of worker communism and that his statues would be set up opposite Marx’s memorial.

On July 4 Mansoor Hekmat’s statue as his memorial sight was officially opened by His wife and comrade Azar Majedi. Hundreds of people visited his statue and placed flowers on his foot. They stood there in silence remembering a brilliant leader, an uncompromising, Marxist, a great thinker and a good friend, recognising his unforgettable smile that has brought that piece of stone to life.

This statue according to Azar Majedi is “only a small tribute to a great man” This will be the place of meeting, for people who loved him, who know his ideas and those who will know him in the future. It will be symbolic place for getting together and expressing our determination to carry on his struggle for freedom, equality and a better world.

Highgate cemetery and its none stop visitors shows that Marx clearly is needed and cared for by people all around the world. It shows the influence of his theories on people and especially people who care for a free and human based society.

And now Mansoor Hekmat is standing there tall and proud, facing his beloved Marx leaving the struggle for his comrade, his friends, the socialist and Marxist activists and other communists to carry on based on what he had told them.