|
Thursday & Froday * From a farangi I wanted to comment on the fundraiser for Iranian.com coming up in October. I am an American of European descent and read Iranian.com almost every day. I know other Americans who, like myself, appreciate the writing, the satire, and thought put into the articles and letters. The work Jahanshah is doing is for all of us all over the world, not just Iranians. In my opinion, Iranian.com is the modern manuscript carrying on the tradition of Persian literature that has enriched the world from centuries past. It is also the main outlet for us to speak for those who have been silenced in Iran and cannot live free and voice their opinion like we have the priviledge to do in America, Europe, or any free country. I encourage every farangi out there to send in support for this web site, and not just once a year. I also encourage every Iranian to do more than that. This is something special for all of you and you should support it passionately. Unfortunately, the "free internet" attitude is pervasive. Nothing is free, it all costs somebody. Jahanshah doesn't want to charge a monthly fee for access to the Iranian for many reasons. If you charge for a site, then most of those who don't like the free thought of the articles -- but still read them-- would never hear these opinions from their own people expressed so eloquently and would never have the seed of change planted into their minds. * More important issues Finally, a brave woman, Jackie Ballard, against all odds and political correctness, has declared the truth. The truth to which I am referring can be found in Ms. Ballard's article, "Do Women Have More Freedom in Iran or Britain?" published in the British press (August 14, 2001). Briefly, she argues that despite the global propaganda the Iranian women even with dress code are not much worse off than their counter parts in Britain. Ms. Ballard witnesses the Iranian women's participation and representation in every walk of life in her recent trip to Iran. She explains, "Women are allowed to drive cars, own property and work, unsegregated, in a variety of jobs. Universities are mixed and half the students are female." While I would never defend the Islamic Republic of Iran's dress code for women, which despite global propaganda is far from the worst thing that women in Iran face, the exploitation of women's body in so-called democratic western countries for the sake of advertising is as shameful if not more so, as well as insulting to women as Iran's dress code. Such blatant exploitation should never be considered as freedom or liberation to any moderate, liberal woman, but conversely as pure humiliation and insult. The truth of the matter is that a dress code has potential benefits for women. Saving money, time and effort are just a few such benefits. Every year, millions of dollars are spent on women's hair design, clothes and other apparel. A simple headscarf, and long overcoat, can liberate women from spending a lot of money. Money that ultimately reaches the deep pockets of companies that are interested in little, especially women's liberation, other than their own profits. How about saving valuable time? I recall that when my daughter was a teenager in the 80's, she used to get up at 5 am every day in order to have enough time to get ready for 8 am classes. What did she possibly due in those 3 hours? Well, and let me assure you that she was no fashion slave but just like most of her classmates, she would fix her hair, put on make up and get dressed of course. Times were so bad that one could easily confuse the halls of the high school for the runways of New York, Paris or Milan. An average of 3 hours every day! That's 1095 hours or roughly 45 days a year. Think of the productivity that's lost in 45 days. Thank goodness that my daughter finally came to terms with this nonsense. But, the condition seems just as bleak today for most young women. There are so many more important issues for which women should fight and struggle. I want to reiterate and emphasize that dress codes are the least among these. The big issues that women not only in Iran but all over the world are confronted with and should fight for are equal education, equal rights, equal participation and representation, equal pay for equal work, just to name a few. Perhaps, the money and time saved as a result of a dress code can be reallocated for such more noble pursuits. Paying, both literally and figuratively, too much attention to dress codes just diverts us from the real issues and, in the end, is much ado about very little. * Iran's image For 444 days the Islamic government of Iran kept 52 Americans hostage breaking all international and humanitarian laws. One of the famous hostage takers and hostage keepers in those days is today's Iran Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi. He and the system of government he represents have given Iran and Iranians the darkest, most shameful, and most embarrassing mark in the modern history of our country. Today with the help of naïve and puppet media he and his government are being sold to everyone as "moderate". The enclosed news is about Mr. Kharrazi's recent remarks and his concern on how the actions of his own barbaric government such as public hangings, public floggings, public decapitation, etc., hurts the image of Islam. The only thing that this antediluvian and antiquated government has NEVER cared about is the wellbeing, the interest, and the image of Iran and Iranians. Best regards,
* Preconditions Furthering Iran's strategic aims by fostering a close relationship with Pakistan ["Pakistan?"], requires at the minimum the following preconditions: 1- An end to the murdering Iranians with impunity on a regular basis by the Sepahe Sahabe in Pakistan. 2- Secession of the proxy war in Afghanistan by the two future "strategic partners". 3- A popular or at least stable regimes in both countries. 4- Existence of a common enemy. An understanding of the basic requirements for an "strategic partnership" could help as well. * No thanks Dear Mr. Latif, Thank you very much for your informative piece "Pakistan?". However, I completely disagree with you. Iran is an ancient neighbor of Turkey and inspite of a long history of wars, it is culturally very close to the Persian way of living.We have a long history of close relationship and common problems. She is one our most valuble trading partner.We will benefit a lot more by being her friend than being her enemy. It is a lot better for both of us to compete with each other on a friendly basis than being each other's enemy. In regard to Israel, although we do not agree with the way they are treating Palestinans, and should not be shy of saying so, we have a long historical friendly relationship with Jews, going back to ancient history. The Islamic Republic has changed that relationship to some extent, but we know that the present goverment of Iran is not representing the will of her people and they have shown it in frequent national and local elections.So it is only a matter of time. An alliance with Turkey and Israel will make a lot of sense, the least of which is that we do not have to fight with them and we can benefit a lot by being their parteners, and I am sure they will welcome such an approach for their own sake. BE NAZDIK MAN SOLH BEHTAR KE JANG. On the other hand, an alliance with Pakistan vs Turkey-Israel has no benefit for us, not to mention the unstable nature of goverments in Pakistan. In spite of their claim to democracy, Pakistan has been ruled by generals and dictators for most of her history. So you do not know whom your alliance is with. It will also create unnecessary animosity with our neighbors and deprives us from their freindship. With that alliance we will also inherit a host of problems of Pakistan's relationship with her neighbors. Thanks for the suggestion but I would rather be a part of Turkey-Israeli alliance than Pakistan.I would like to hear some other opinons. Best regards * An Iranian can never be khar I am positive that this story ["Crouching chap"] is from the same person who had sent a picture of himself and his Indian wife to tell us how great and understanding she was. ["Marrying me"] However, indirectly, he keeps trying to convince us that he is married to a smart person (he knows that our culture and others look down on people from that region). Please do not call yourself khar to improve the status of your wife. An Iranian can never be khar. We have an expression in Farsi that says: Khalaayegh oncheh laayegh (people get what they deserve). You belong to her and accept that you deserve her as well. As an intelligent Iranian women, I become truly embarrassed by reading derogatory remarks about people from my homeland. Get a life and do not put yourself in the same level as the people who worship cows and burn their widows. Please. * Whose butt do I need to kiss? Dear Jahanshah, Based on emails regarding your article "Just wondering", I understand that the Israeli government has paid you a great deal of money to write that article. I also heard that Mossad has contributed to Iranian.com and the fundraising event in October. I even heard that the Knesset Party is nominating you to run for prime minister in the next Israeli election. I have to tell you that I am extremely appalled Dude! How come you never told me that Israeli government pays for articles in Iranian.com? You know better than anybody out there how much money I owe. Damn creditors are knocking at my door. I am behind on mortgage, child support, car payments, insurance. They cancelled my Playboy subscription (that was low). I need money. So dude -- come on -- share some info-- be a pal. Whose butt do I need to kiss to get some money from Mossad? I'll write anything. Just put me in touch. Begging you, EDITOR'S NOTE: The above is a joke (I hope!). * The facts While I may not agree with "Jonnie Black"'s point of view about Persian domination ["Who do you think you're lying to?"], let's make sure the facts are kept straight: Firs, the old "anti-semitism" canard is often used to stifle legitimate criticism of Israel's inhuman and illegal conduct, just as "Holocaust-guilt" is used to justify Israeli atrocities. Everyone knows this. Second, What exactly is so "conspiratorial" about the obvious and utterly well-documented fact that AIPAC is responsible for the US sanctions on Iran? When Martin Indyk, a former AIPAC official, is given a top State Department job where he implements his "Dual Containment" policy on Iran, and when the President of the United States attends meeting of the World Jewish Congress, where while wearing a yamaka he publicly thanks Edgar Bronfman, the head of the World Jewish Congress, for foisting pro-Israeli policies his administration, then denying the facts about AIPAC and Israel's role in manipulating the US policy and public opinion is to deny reality. Third, to those who say that Iranians are themselves to blame -- blame for what exactly? For standing up to a viscious apartheid regime in favor of the human rights of an oppressed people who have been driven out of their homes? For acting along with the vast majority of the rest of the world and in complete accordance with international law to support the right of existence of the Palestinian people in the face of illegal Israeli ethnic cleansing? For not sitting on the sidelines as the Israelis massacre people and steal their land in the name of God? Is this what Iranians are "guilty" of? Who is more to "blame" for the situation in the Arab-Israeli conflict: the Israelis who deny the Palestinian's right to exist and who are living quite fat and happy off the US tax-payer as they build more colonies and shoot more children in the streets in the name of "security", or the Palestinians who are forced into Nazi-era style ghettos and subjected to massacres, legalized torture, assasination, "bone breaking", buldozing, mass punishment, forced "population transfers" and other atrocities? You say that Iranians like to blame everyone but themselves -- in fact the Israelis are blaming everyone but themselves. It is about time that the blame was placed squarely on the shoulders of Ariel Sharon and the rest of the Israel for their own predicament which was caused by their own actions and ideologies, and of course the US for openly backing and arming one of the worst human rights violators in modern history while at the same time pretending in the most disgustingly dishonest fashion to be an "honest broker." Comperared to them, Iran's position is indeed something to be proud of. I only wish the current Iranian government pursed such high principles in other aspects of its policies. * Accurate information Since you put the question "Just wondering" to your readers, there has been a lively and welcome correspondence. However, it tended to reveal a dearth of accurate information about Israel in the minds of many letter writers. May I therefore recommend to those interested to consult WWW.MFA.GOV.IL , the official web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem. Sincerely, * Don't upset us Dear Mr. Zohar, ["No wish for conflict"] Cyrus the great Persian Emperor liberated the Jews from captivity in Babylon 2,500 years ago. He also issued the first charter of Human Rights where people of all religions could live freely in his Empire. That is why the name of the Gulf near his birth place is the 'Persian Gulf'. Even the Arabs called it 'Persian Gulf' until about 40 year ago when the Egyptian dascist dictator, Jamal Abdel Nasser, invented the bogus 'Arabian Gulf' -- the same dictator was also commited to the destruction of the state of Israel. Most Iranians have nothing against the Jews. So please don't upset us in the future. The name of this gulf is 'Persian Gulf'. Regards * Israel is Israel You are in DREAMLAND if you think Iranians have any love, sympathy, or anything remotely resembling those for the Israeli people and government ["No wish for conflict"]. Just because Arabs have historically been our enemy does NOT make you our friend. Your only friend in the entire world is the United States. If it were not for the US and the fascist Jewish lobby here, you would NEVER EVER get away with what you're doing now. Usually one can separate a government from its people. But not in your case. Israel is Israel. The government and the people are one in the same, you are ALL collectively guilty of atrocities. And within a year's time, your prime minister will be answering to those charges in a Belgian court. I cannot wait. I suggest you go back and read every single letter posted recently on this issue in iranian.com. Many are from Iranians but many are also from Iranian-Americans like myself. The hatred and animosity toward you and your country is glaring, it is palpable. IF the day should come one day when you finally learn to respect United Nations resolutions, international law, and international human rights, then perhaps on that day you will gain our respect and friendship. Perhaps on that day you will see that the whole world is no longer against you. Perhaps on that day when the Palestinians you are so BRUTALLY oppressing and murdering will have jobs, homes, and the right to determine their own destinies, and therefore will NO LONGER have any reason to strap bombs to themselves and walk into your shopping malls and restaurants. But, that day will probably never come, not in my lifetime. I'm 26. And so Palestinians will continue to rot away and die by your bullets. And your people will continue to be blown to pieces while waiting in line for pizza. * British support of the Arabs I saw Guive Mirfendereski's rebuke of the Israeli diplomat ["Shame on you"]. I wrote below a while ago and have provided some examples of the British support of the Arabs. Regards, A friend who lives in the UK recently sent me an e-mail saying that he recently purchased a globe recently from W H Smith, which is a large chain of stationary stores, for his son's school project had Arabian Gulf instead of Persian Gulf. We were aware that the English unlike the Americans (you have to give credit where it,s due) or the United Nations had not resisted the name change in their commercial circles but this was the first time we observed a cartographic source using Arabian Gulf. It did not really surprise me since the British have always used any chance to divide and rule. One such tactic had been to encourage the Arab countries of the Gulf to take up the call of Arab Nationalism and support the term Arabian Gulf. But I must say that we Iranians, particularly the Iranian-Americans, do not help our cause. As someone who has spent most of his adult life in the West, we Iranians have succeeded in confusing everyone about our identity and culture, ourselves included. We Iranians have diluted our identity by overeducating foreigners. We are so eager to defend the Iranian image outside we have created confusion about the name of the country, the name of our people, the name of our seas and the name of our language. Typical questions asked by western friends are: Is the country Iran or Persia? Are we Persians or Iranians? Farsi or Persian? And because of the questions we have created we are not helping the fight to keep the Persian Gulf, Persian >>> FULL TEXT * Blue eyes and blond hair In response to Mr. Mirfendereski's letter ["Unabated effort to rip Iran"], I find his comment on his family tree very inappropriate and insultive to all of us. Tracing back his "distant relatives blue eyes" to the invasion of our land by Greeks means he hasn't seen northern and western Iran. If you were familiar with Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Luristan, Gilan, and parts of Azarbaijan you would know that blue eyes and even blond hair is pretty common in those areas. I have seen thousands of them around Paveh or Oramanat areas. This is a part of our background; nothing to vulgarize like that. Surprisingly, this also means that he is less familiar with history than I thought. We never suffered from a massive Greek attack. Alexander was Macedonian as most of his soldiers were. Besides, such invasions never changed the ethnic composition of any nation. If they did, then it must be our genes in the Greeks not the other way around given the Persian dominance of more than 200 years over Greece. Sincerely, * Where's the evidence? I'd just like to ask Mr. Kaveh Ahangar ["Enemy is very clear"], what exactly is his proof - and proof means scholarly evidence, non-Jewish or nationalist - that the Arabs supposedly "killed millions of iranians and forcibly converted our people to their religion." Last time I read history, the vast majority of Islamic scholars were of Persian origin, and the vast majority accepted Islam as freedom and escape from the secular tyrannical rule of the Sassanids. In addition, history records that there were significant amounts of Zoroastrians many hundred years after the Muslims arrived. They were living as 'dhimmis', or protected people, who payed the jiziah tax. This means they didn't serve in the military, but they got military protection (and other things) from the Muslims. But gradually the vast majority converted, and as already pointed out the majority of the prominent islamic scholars were of Persian origins in almost every field. The zoroastrians of today in Iran also enjoy their religious freedom as they have been used too for hundreds of years. The only restriction I believe they have is the way they bury their dead, i.e throwing the dead corpse off a high mountain/cliff, and letting the corpse be eaten by vultures. Even this one I don't think that the government would mind too much if it's done in some private area not too close to population centers. So please investigate history (as it is, not as you want it to be) and find out a little more about the history of the zoroastrians. And while you're at it, you might want to check out the history of the Persian emperors as well, who occupied various other countries and provinces, and had the exact same tactic, namely that they took a tax in exchange for protection but let the people keep their religion. * If she was a man Ms. Rohani ["Can't walk away"] brilliantly talks about the restrictions put on young Iranian girls by some Iranian parents. I would like to bring about one point on this issue and that is the double standard that exists in our culture that favor males over females. All the problems that Ms. Rohani points out exist because she is a young Iranian female. Had she been a young Iranian male, neither her father or her mother would tell her not to "befriend a girll unless he plans to marry her." In fact he would probably be called a "stud" had he had gone out with more than one girl at a time. But because she is a young female, it is not appropriate for her to probably even have coffee with a young man. I think this hypocracy that exists in our culture is purely absurd. The fact that a man is free to pretty much do anything yet a girl has so much restrictions put on her by her parents is mind buggling to say the least; time for all of us to wake up and smell the coffee. * Quentin Tarantino? In response to Siamack Baniameri's article "Cool jobs": I have only one question from Siamack: Quentin Tarantino never met you by any chance, did he? * THE most boring book The Alchemist ["Lake Rumi"] is THE most boring book I've read. Don't you even compare it with The Little Prince. * Wife from Angola Dear Niki, If Fataneh is a "Real" Irooni woman, I'm gonna go get me a wife from Angola. Even better yet, from the Amazon. At lest they enjoy "Real" celebrity status. :-) * Few others My brother in-law in his letter "Weak poetry" did not mention a few other names that I personally think need to be working on their poetry a lot more before admitting them for publication. Tannaz Ebadollahi, Roya Hakakian and Sadaf Kiani are to be considered as not so good writers and poets are just a few I'd like to mention. I did enjoy one of Sheema Kalbasi's poems which called Man o To and hope dear editor will publish more poems that have a music in them, not like Shamlou who just kept writing poems of less value. I hope my support will come of some good use for the Iranian literature section. PQ * Are they gay? After many years I met a close family in Iran. Their children had grown up and I couldn't even recognize those attractive faces. They both study medicine in a good university. Sina is 19 who likes cooking, sewing, dancing. He hates to go to his father's store to help him. He thinks that he cannot behave like other guys out there. His mother was joking with him about the time that he liked dolls until he was 14. When we were alone he kept asking me about homosexuallity. We went out of the city and all the men, with his father, had to sleep in a room. He was beside me and touched me. I had to change my place and tell them that my spot was too warm. Mahsa is 21. She doesn't like parties at all. She is expert in reparing things such as the electical tools, and their car. She loves driving. Her mom says she always has a short hair and no body likes her behavior as a girl. Their mother and father asked me if I believe homosexuallity or not. I only told them that they are mature enough and advised them to get access to the internet. The reason I am writing this letter is to ask you about these children. Are they gay? Or they have been abused when they were younger? Should I beleive in homosexuallity? * Iranian newspaper in Milwaukee? I am looking for the name of an Iranian newspaper that is distributed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We would like to place an ad for an Iranian Film Festival that is taking place at our campus cinema. Any assistance that you could offer in this regard would be most appreciated. Sincerely, Chris L. Segedy
|
|
|
Web design by BTC Consultants
Internet server Global Publishing Group