The extraordinary and brave public response by millions of Iranians to the Iranian government's extreme disregard for a fair democratic process is an inspiring quest for justice with deep religious roots. This isn't a secular, anti-Islamic group pitted against the devout leadership of Iran. And for confirmation, one needs look no further than the use of the color green.

The color green has been associated with Islam for at least several centuries. Some speculate the color gained its significance because the Quran says that the inhabitants of paradise will wear "green garments of fine silk." Christopher Beam at Slate says it was supposedly Mohammed's favorite color. Other theories center on the way green has come to symbolize fertility and peace, important traits to Islam.

Whatever the reason, green is ubiquitous in Iran right now-- from swathes of fabric in the midst of crowds to Iranian footballers' green wristbands. It's an emblem of the kind of country these Iranians want. And by picking green, they send a clear signal-- they're not trying to uproot or replace the centrality of the Muslim faith in their country. But they want their votes to be counted and their voices to be heard, and they have a different vision.

As Reva Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran, said yesterday,

"A movement was born on the 22nd of Khordad in my calendar, the 12th of June in yours. It is not Islamic or anti-Islamic... It is about the sanctity, even more, the sovereignty of the ballot box. It may not succeed immediately. It may have ebbs and flows. But, let me assure you it will not die, because we will not let it die.

A week later, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic decided to stand erect as a dam in front of this movement, sanctioning theft of the ballot box and flagrant fraud, all in the name of Islam. It was an ugly moment of disrespect for both God and man. It will not stand..."

The authorities in Iran are by and large clerics, but to the millions of Iranians who have been risking (and in some cases losing) their lives to push for change, these religious leaders are warping Islam to fit their political purposes. The protesters want their faith back, along with their votes.

The crackdown from the Basijis has been brutal, but the peaceful demonstrations by thousands of observant Muslim citizens are good reminders that Islam is far from the violent monolith it is so often portrayed as in the West.

In Iran right now, green stands for democracy, justice... and Islam.