Flower delivery in Iran

Alefba

Letters

  Write for The Iranian
Editorial policy

December 10, 2001

* Iraqis were forced into war too

I saw your photos ["Can't forget or forgive"] and I am sorry that you endured being in the front lines endangering your life and perhaps also helping with the killing of other human beings. I understand that it was not your fault.

However, before I feel moved by your experience, I wonder where you stand on the politics of war. Just hating the person who was forced to be your enemy reveals a lack of insight and responsibility. The Iraqi solders, very much like yourself and your peers were forced into this war and most likely you and/or your peers inflicted as much pain on the other side and devastated as many lives.

Did it ever occur to you that the man with the chest pain is the one with more reasons to hate you and the likes of you? He is one of the many Iraqis living with such physical and psychological pain in his body, day in and day out. After all he has your bullet in his chest and feels it with every breath he takes.

I apologize if I am being too critical of you and clarify that in no way I intend to undermine your experience or your honesty in expressing the resurfacing of your hateful thoughts. It is human nature to feel hate and anger, but your statement and photos implies that you have stopped there and have not taken your sentiments to reflect on wars.

At the time that U.S.A. is carpet bombing Afghanistan-?with plans to attack Somali as well as Iraq in near future? a more multi-dimensional look at the war and its effects on the civilians lives can enlightens us more than merely a personal account of wounds left unhealed without revealing any further self-reflection.

I hope that we all grow not to personalize the effect of wars inflicted on us in patriotic terms but instead take personal accountability in being a voice against those who promote and advocate wars and plant seeds of such hateful devastations.

I am really sorry that your or any other human being's life and psyche should forever be wounded and altered by the brutality of war and violence and extend my hopes as well as my voice for peace and fairness for all living beings.

Haleh Niazmand

* Iraqi as innocent as you

Forgive? Yes. But never forget ["Can't forget or forgive"]. Remember that your Iraqi patient was probably as innocent as you were. I hope he is not as guilty as you are now. My heart goes out for you and I very much hope you see it in yourself to send the man a bunch of flowers to show him what Iranians are made of.

By the way the smile you detect in most Iraqis is because of their usual affinity with Iranians rather than their co lingual Arabs. A language does not make a people.

Forgive,

Hashem

* Few answers

Dear Ahmad,

Thanks for your kind words ["Hate leads nowhere"] about my essay ["Beleaguered beautiful Beirut"]. Here are a few questions you have asked, and my opinion/answer regarding them: you asked about how Lebanese Christians view Iranians. I can't claim to know the wide spectrum of Christian views on Iran. For one thing, as you know, tehre are several different confessional Christian groups, from the Greek Orthodox to the Maronites, and as you know the Maronites were the ones who bred the Phalange - which later attacked the Muslim West Beirut and the Palestinians (in Tal-e-Za'tar, and then later in Sabra and Shattila).

On the other hand, the Syrian-backed Amal also attacked teh palestinians in 1985. And on the thrid hand (if one is allowed yet another hand for such complicated matters), the Maronites are quite vociferously defending Hizbullah at the moment. So, as all things in Lebanon, the Christian position towards Muslims is complicated. But Iran is a different issue. If the Christians have any object to foreign interference in their affairs, it is an objection against Syria. Iran's presence in Lebanon is not large enough or disruptive enough to cause animosity. As for Iranian support for Hizbullah, that is generally seen as a key factor in the liberation of the South from Israeli Occupation, so in some ways that is seen as a positive involvement of Iran.

As for the Christian reactions to myself, I have found it uniformly positive. But then, I have a kind of "mutant" nationality.... and i don't easily fit the categories employed to describe or define an Iranian, American, or anything else...

Additionally, you mention "most Middle Eastern and Arab governments refuse to grant Palestinians permanent residency fearing that the Palestinians would become complacent and would no longer fight to liberate their land". Actually, that is factually inaccurate. Syria has granted its 400,000 Palestinian refugees permanent residency, and Jordan has granted any of its 1.5 million Palestinian refugees who so chose citizenship. The Gulf countries and Egypt have been hesitant about given either to Palestinians, but as you know, Gulf countries and Egypt are also hesitant to give any sort of citizenship privileges to anyone of any other nationality as well.

As for why Lebanon has deprived the Palestinians of their rights and priviliges, I would have to say -at the risk of sounding repetitive- that it is a very complicated matter. In fact, in the last 52 years, a good number of Palestinians have been nationalized here, but the fact of the matter is if 400,000 sunni Palestinians were to be nationalized in Lebanon (which has a population of 4 million) the extremely delicate and fagile democraphic balances upon which all sorts of things -including the fragile sectarian peace- rests could become unstable. That is part of the reason why Lebanon has not granted residency or citizenship to the Sunni Paletinians (conversely, some 30,000 Christian Palestinians have been nationalized in the last couple of decades).

In my opinion, the Arab regimes would just as happily give in to Israel. They really don't want an unstabilizing war at all with Israel, and it is intense pressure from their own populations which in fact keeps people like Mubarak of Egypt and Malek Abudllah of Jordan spouting off tough (but hollow) rhetoric against Israel -if they ever do.

I totally agree with you that "the defunct foreign policy of most Arab and Muslim countries is such that they can care less about Palestinians' well being"; but I would even expand it further and say that they also don't care much about their own populations either. If you look at the vast inequalities and injustices in Egypt for example, or in Jordan, or if you look at the incredibly totalitarian positions taken by Iraq or Syria, then you would see that though the Palestinians are sinned against and abused in a myriad of political, economic and social ways, but so are the ordinary poor and rights-deprived citizens of the authoritarian regimes of the Middle East.

Iran is a completely different case here; in Iran's case, the issue of Palestine essentially is deployed for domestic purposes by the regime. But from my own experience of Iran before the revolution, I remember great sympathy for the plight of Palestinians in intellectual and lefty circles. Whether any of that sympathy remains in teh face of relentless and hypocritical anti-Israeli rhetoric of the Islamic Republic, I have no idea. Sorry for the length of the response. But your questions are in fact those that interest and trouble me and responding to you allows me to articulate my own thoughts.

Best regards

Laleh Khalili

* Made me think

Dear Laleh,

I loved your inspiring piece on Beirut ["Beleaguered beautiful Beirut". It made me think and it made me hurt, it made me happy and it made me sore. Please keep on sending more so we don't lose our grip on the realities of life out there.

Keep up the good job. You make me proud to be an Iranian and a woman.

Fondly,

Naheed

* Blame the refree as much as you want, but...

I was 13, standing in front of a real tank for the first time in my life. It was one of those Tehran International exhibitions back in 1975. I remember verses from a banned book called 'The poem of Palestine".I could not stop admiring the courage of the guys who blew up tanks, sliding under with bombs in their hand. Those times I only had an image of Palestine as a lost city far away, like Atlantis.

Today, watching the news about suicide bombers, I still wonder why a man would want to lose his life'. He must come to a point where he has no more expectations from life he is living. No home, no land, no country. Besides the fact that he is all alone with no identity. If he is lucky enough to find food and shelter for his family, there's always the thread of being attacked and killed, listed as X number of Palestinians killed, 'as usual'.

Then I try to understand why Arabs are so diversified. Unlike Jews who have gradually become masters of the world economic power, Arabs are practically incapable of even deciding to include their women into their population.

Just like Iraq recently did, Arabs invaded Iran so many times. They not only invaded my land but also raped my language, my religion, and all aspects of my heritage. I do not understand why Iran has been pouring money to support Arabs, while we have so many destroyed factories and houses to build after the war with Iraq. And why we should become 'the target' for supporting Hizbullah? While Iranian authorities are never invited to talks about the future of Palestinians.

It's time for the Iranian state to wake up.Those guys in Paletine have lost the game.You can blame the refree as much as you want but this does not change the score. Still we could officially maintain the political view that 'Bad Israel is the invader' because a country with so many centuries of Imperial heritage can not change its political views on a day-to-day, John Wayne style basis, such as USA.

We should get to work out our own problems. Social and Economic issues have been drastically increasing during the past decades. There are so many taboos to break and laws to make.

Today, I'd personally rather bow in front of my Bahai, Armenian and Zoroastrian citizens and apologize for ignoring their natural rights, than kissing the butt of some Arab who does not even recognize me as a Muslim.

Masood H.

* Sooner or later

It is important to try to stop Israel for its atrocities against humaity as a whole ["Just wondering"]. Right now, Iran may not be a under a direct threat of Isreal, but sooner or later it will be. If you look at the history of Isreal since their existance till now, you will see that they have been trying to dominate the region by taking the land from every nieghbor (ie; Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and of course Palestine) by force.

Now, about Isreal's threat to Iran: "Sharie Brown" of USA Engage expounded on the activities of the anti sanctions lobby that embraces 675 American companies over the past five years. The passing of ILSA (Iran, Libya sanction act) in 1966, she said, was one of the main reasons why USA Engage was founded. The US had become "too dependent on sanctions as an outdated foreign policy tool".

Brown, a member of the organisation's steering committee, related how the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, "beat us" in getting the US Congress to renew ILSA for another five years, saying it was a "well-organised and well-funded" campaign by the Zionist lobby. Furthermore, what Isreal is doing is a crime against humanity. It is wrong and should be condemned by everyone.

Farsi

* Are you trying to say there are assholes in the world?

Mr. Javid

I have been a frequent visitor to the iranian.com for the past few years. I have read so many interesting and informative articles here, as well as points of views on a variety of subjects. Some of the things I read, I like, and some, I don't. I agree with some of the opinions offered by other readers, and disagree with some. That's the way it is for most people, and that's the way it should be.

Then there are situations that make one wonder. When it's no longer a matter of opinion or taste. It's when you say "What the hell were you thinking!!?" I'm talking about you publishing a picture of Uthmaan Ahmad Abu-aljawahir "Roodaar of the day".

I honestly have to say that's one dumb move. You are generally doing a good job running your site, that's why I, like many others are visitors. I have also seen some stuff on your site I didn't like or didn't agree with, but this one is just stupid.

You, Mr. Javid, by doing so did what Uthmaan was trying to do, and then some. I think we all know his intentions and there's no need to exploited that and help him even more. I was not in Iran during the war with Iraq, I can not begin to feel the suffering of people who lost everything in that war, or the pain of those 62 families who had their loved ones killed by Uthmaan's father. Then again, I really don't have too. I am also an Iranian, who has family, who has sisters. I am a human, and I don't like "Roodar of the day".

You probably going to bring up that old "nothing's sacred" thing again. Or say this is my web site and I do whatever I want. Well, if that's the case, let me (us) know, I may have a convincing reply to that.

But if you are going to take a position as a journalist that you claim to be, how are you going to justify this? What good does this to you? Your work? Your site and what benefit offers to your audience? Are you trying to say there are assholes in the world? Who doesn't know that?! Who needs to be reminded of that simple fact in such a self degrading and insulting fashion?

Although it's not your policy, but I think you owe your readers a big, clear, sincere, front page kind of APPOLOGY on this one!

One who thinks "less" of you,

Hamid

* Proud of serial killer father

Dear Ahmad, ["Roodaar of the day..."]

Wow, how interesting. Your mail leaves one so speechless and impressed. It's really good for you to be so proud of a serial killer father, and thanks for sharing your sex life details. One question that comes to mind is that you must be somewhat confused about feeling Iranian, rape and murder are not considered something to be proud of by most Iranians.

I wouldn't know much about Iraqi culture. My knowledge of Iraq comes from reading articles, and an Iraqi Kurdish man who was my next door neighbor many years back. I deeply feel for oppressed people of Iraq, and I hope someday you'll learn to forgive yourself, and realize that Iraq's problems are self-inflicted, and mainly comes from ignorance and left overs of communism taking advantage of that ignorance. And most importantly, I suggest that despite the genetic defects you have try and achieve something positive in life.

Ramin

* We didn't have to take off our clothes

I am an independent, intelligent, career-minded Iranian woman. Regarding Azita Youssefi's nude pictures, all I can say is I am ashamed to call this woman my hamvatan. You should be ashamed of yourself, Azita, for thinking that to exhibit your independence and maturity as a woman in this world today you have to take off all your clothes and pose nude.

Most Iranian women who have come to this country have studied, worked hard, and established successful careers for themselves; we have fought hard to break free from the Iranian male chauvinist mentality. And now many of us are in positions we would never dream of back in Iran.

But you know what, we didn't have to take off all our clothes to get there. We used our MINDS, not our BODIES, to get ahead in this society. And for those Iranian women who have written in support of this woman, let me tell you one thing: would you allow your sister, mother, or daughter to pose nude?? Would you?? Please, spare us all your hypocricy.

Firoozeh Kashani

* Simply your choice

I just came across these photos of Azita via "Tof beh roohet" -- this rude and obnoxious response. My own viewing of the images made me think: More power to you Azita. Exposing your body is neither good nor bad, but simply your choice, and above all beautiful.

Mohammad Airomloo
Berkeley, CA

* Poking in each's private life

The sucker who's sent Azita's picture to Iranian.com has done free publicity for her. Though I want to know if he would have liked another person to do so, if the girl was his sister?

What's wrong with our community everywhere in the world? Any other society is backing the country fellows, trying to hide the possible flaws. Ours tries to poke in each member's private life, find the possible "abnormality" and scream it to others.

Our men, our Persian men, have become worse than Arabs. Many women they can't mate with are whores, any with whom they can is, too. In the end they marry (or even import Iranian cases) the one whom others have done and she's had an appoinment with the plastic surgeon.

One thing doesn't changed: The male complex for mating and to call the females outside his close circle this and that! If our country fellows could care about their own business, if they could see each other as humans, the ones sharing the same language, the same background, the same culture, we could be more proud, more happy to see any other person from our country anywhere, not like for the time being, that a lot of us are trying not to pass the areas some "Iranians" are found there.

I am not feeling good about what Azita is doing as a woman, not only because she is Iranian, but it's HER choice. It's not my business to put her picture on an Iranian site to ... I don't even know to do what? What can be the reason? The comments under that picture doesn't show any "artistc taste", just a dirty one.

Kian, ["Tof beh roohet"]

Iranian men like you -- unfortunately there are lots of them breathing -- make our community look ugly, savage and biased. I don't say Azita has done a proper act, not at all. I say she's chosen that job. As a human she has the right to choose, as an Iranian woman she can't, but she's not in Iran anymore! If that job was offered to lots of Iranian guys, they would be happy to make some bucks. They are doing much cheaper jobs here and there. Should I mention telephone cards? Is it more classy?

Anyway as the other girl says, it's none of your fucking business. You and men like you have been with enough real whores in your lives. The fact that no one has published your nude photos with them in action, is not making a good person of you. Oh it's so sad, what if your family know about it?

If Azita could be Azim, the handsome Iranian nude model in Chicago, you and other macho Iranians were all proudly talking about the chap, isn't it?

Vaa-ezaan kin jelveh bar mehraab o menbar mikonand

Chon beh khalvat miravand aan kaareh digar mikonand

K.R.

* What makes you worse

Mr. Kian ["Tof beh roohet"]

Blaming is a form of denial. When one blames others he is denying his own problems. This is a proven fact and a very common knowledge in criminal psychology. I would recommend that you get some psychological help, or at least do some study on facts and figures. Being so hateful of others only reflects your own attitude as a mad man.

It is because of such attitudes and wrong upbringing that Iranian people have been suffering in the hands of primitive tribal leaders and arab lovers.

If Iranians have something to be proud of, it is certainly not the macho male attitude. If you ever tried to look attractive to a women you are as "bad" as Azita. What makes you worse is that you don't see your own problems, and instead you blame others, while Azita is doing something with her life.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that perhaps your parents were not very well educated as mine weren't, a common shortcoming in Iranian culture, that we have to work twice as hard to compensate for.

I hope you get some help and much needed education. You will feel a lot better about yourself, and might even find something to be really proud of.

You might feel mad at this comments, as your nature suggests, but someday you'll understand, I am not insulting you but sharing some knowledge in good will. Taking care of self-problems instead of attacking others is where the cycle of hate breaks.

It is okay to admit to being wrong, but that can only come from one's own heart.

Ramin

* How does anyone know?

Look wites that "Azita Yousefi is none of those virgin girls" that Iranian boys love to marry. The question I have is how does anyone know if Azita is a virgin or not? Certainly a picture of her lounging about in a leisure attire should not by itself lead to such conclusions. Should it?

Guive Mirfendereski

* Iranians are dangerous because they feed foreigners so much

The article by Farid Moghaddasi ["Travel warning"] made me laugh a lot but reminded me of another happening between myself (An Iranian born) and two American professors who had traveled to Tehran to attened a seminar on "Prospect of Peace and Stability in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea" in June of 1993 (June 26-28).

The first day of the seminar which I had also attended as an independant journalist started quietly and I got to the place in Niavarn street about half an hour before nine a.m. and went to the wash room to wash my hands and as I was washing them, a tall blond lady walked in to the wash room,very nervous and excited...

As I stared drying my hands and fixing my scarf she saw my blond hair and she did not hesitate to ask me, Are you American? I answered: Well I was born here,but has had my university education there and got married there etc,etc,etc... She sighed a sigh of relief and confessed that she does not have an scarf with her and if I could help her... I opened my bag and gave her a black scarf which I used to carry with me while visiting Iran, I wear one and carry another, always, though since Mr. Khatami has become a president, there has never been a need for that either...

I gave her the scarf and she covered her head and sighed again and then she introdued herself,she was professor Joan Hart from Brown University and she had come with another Professor who called himself Professor Greene from Arizona University Now working for Rand Corp. In California. Anyway Professor Hart was the one who delivered the historic speech called: "Dual Containment Policy on Iran" and then she sat down next to me and we talked for hours and they even gave me an interview and I have pictures with them and we became fast friends!!

Then professor Green confessed to me that one afternoon he had gone to the Bazar in Tehran, and had found Iranians so peaceful and friendly especially towards Americans!!Then I laughed and I told him" that is where you were the previous afternoon, ha? And he said yes I am glad I did. And the seminar ended on good notes while Americans had just delivered their harshest speech about sanctions on Iran!!

During those days they served excellent food and beverages, (No alcoholic drinks sorry!) and they left Tehran with good feelings... They were amazed at the Iranian people's hospitality and warmth... At least I have been to several of these seminars and top American academia have been in all of them!!

I don't see any dangers for Americans traveling to Iran except the air polution and if earthquake should happen some day or night!! Those are the biggest threats for Americans traveling to Iran!!

Yes Iranians are dangerous because they feed foreigners so much food and they make them eat a lot of fruit and they Tarof a lot these dagers still exists even today,because Iranians are one peaceful,nice nation,politics aside!!Iranians don't kill and rape,they offer food and what they have, to their guests...

Professor Joan Hart (if that was her real name) left with Professor Green in 1993 with a feeling of relief and awe... She also confessed to me that Iranians are really nice and she hoped to returned to Iran one day soon... They especially liked our Bazar and our SHIRIN POLO with CHICKEN in SAFARON !!

Elli Haerri
Journalist/Writer

* Remember Ramadan?

Saman,

Is the "Ramadan: Fasting" the only thing that you remember from Ramadan? Do you have any memory in your life? Haven't you seen your grandparents fasting? Have you ever been awake at dawn?

Look

* Talented and entertaining writer

Dear Nazanin, ["Nazanin's search for Nirvana"]

We were sorry to see, that this was the last part of your biweekly series. We hope to see more of your writing on Iranian.com, you are a talented and entertaining writer, reading your stories was a pleasant note to end the day on, especially the positive way you were able to combine and portray the elements unique to the Persian community with social situations and personal dilemmas one would encounter living as an Iranian-American. Anyway, best wishes and please write more!!

Lida N. & Friends

* I sympathise

Mersedeh Khanoom, ["Wake up. I have something to tell you"]

Your wonderful article in the Iranian.com brought tears to my eyes. I sympathise with your feelings. As an Iranian living outside Iran, I too have the fear that I am not spending enough time with my loved ones and precious time is flying by. I hope that your uncle recovers and wish you all the best.

Be omid movafaghiyat baraye shoma,

Sanaz

* Frustrating picture of Tarkan

Seeing the picture of Tarkan in one of the most respected Iranian sites is a source of frustration to me. On the other hand, I do agree with you that our singers living in Los Angeles have unfortunately not been unable to be as prolific as this Tarkan has been.

As an expert on this area, what do you think is the main reason for the setback the Iranian music has been going through since the revolution in spite of the fact that our exiled music industry is situated in one of the richest parts of the world? Would that be ascribed to? The fact that there is a lack of inspiration because of being far away from their homeland?

if you take a close look at the Iranian Pop music produced in Los Angeles, majority of the tracks sound rather familiar. There have also been these singers who presumed to sing a very old song with a different style, a trend which has unfortunately become very ubiquitous in the L.A.-based music industry.

From Sandy to Leila Forouhar or from to Black Cats to Andy, whenever they release a new album, there is no doubt that they have once more used those mundane and customary features in their songs. I love songs that are the indicative of our culture, but our traditional tunes are not blended with modern music professionally. That consequently gives rise to the creation of so-called albums which contain just a few songs worth listening. Aren,t our singers aware of the fact that they should reform themselves like the regime in Iran tried, but backfired?

If their pretext is the lack of inspiration, then I would give them the example of Algerian musicians based in Paris. You might have heard of their names. They share the same fate as Iranian singers: they are exiled. However, they are not as rich as our singers in terms of financial possibilities and unlike California, Paris does not offer them everything they require.

However, they have managed to produce their version of Western music blended rather professionally with French. Not only are they adored in the Arab World, but also most foreign radios play their songs and millions of non-Arabs in Europe queue up to snap up their CDs when they are released. Which Iranian singer has been able to accomplish this given the fact that they are surrounded with better chances in California? Is there a certain mafia dominant on our music trying to restrain its development? Do you think I am going too far by being rather inquisitive?

Bruce jaan, can I ask you to write an article delineating the wretched state of the Iranian music (if you are not affiliated with any company)? I think you know the plight of our music much better than I do. Seeing such an article on Iranian.com would highlight this neglected issue.

I am sorry for taking up too much time in this email. I just love my culture and cannot stand it slipping away due to the negligence of our expatriate community in the Usa.

Forgive me if I have gone too far.

Regards,

Vahid

* No reason why Iranian music has to stagnate

In reply to Vahid, ["Frustrating picture of Tarkan"]

When it comes to bettering our culture, one can never go too far.

I have some plans for a expose on the Iranian pop music scene that I am working on as a direct critique of the industry in LA. I am gathering information and talking to several key players as well as the artists themselves who produce the crap regardless of who is directing the order. It's a touchy issue and I am trying to find a style in which to present it politely.

The bottomline is that there is no reason why Iranian music has to stagnate like this, and not move forward. I believe it has to do with a sense of wanting and waiting to return home. (ie. "If I turn out something new, then I will lose my defiance and they win and I'll never be able to return home. So I'll just keep singing it the same way as when we were forced to leave and try to make time standstill.)

Like it or not, the evolving culture of Iranian Pop culture abroad has unleashed dogs like Alabina and Gipsy Kings (and now Tarkan) into our previously un-spoilt garden. Right or wrong, it's here and we have to deal with it. This is also just the tip of the iceberg, our children are highly influenced by the likes of Kid Rock and Eminem.

Take some time and listen to what the kids on the streets of LA are playing (too loud) in their Fathers' Benzes, BMW's, Lexi and Acuri. That's a much bigger threat than a tight assed Turk with green eyes.

Bruce Bahmani

* Extremely impressed

I was extremely impressed by Abdollah Eskandari's talent as well as the actor's resemblance to Mohammed Reza Shah's features ["Remaking Alaahazrat"]. Is a film being made?

The very first western actor to have portrayed the Shah was French actor Daniel Gelin who played in Hitchcock's "The man who knew too much" but the film was a disaster both in depiction and in recreation of that period. Here the actor looks like the Shah and the uniforms and cloths are identical. Bravo for the work at least.

Regards,

Darius Kadivar

* Leave him alone -- in hell

It is pathetic that a talented make up artist picked the Crowned Cannibal as a subject ["Remaking Alaahazrat"]. Thank God he's dead (even though we are all still suffering thanks to his 3-years killings and destruction).

However, as a human being I know his soul is suffering in the worst hell fire, therefore we do not need to inflict anymore wounds. We should leave him alone in the hell he is in.

Azam Nemati

* Don't know shit!

Can you have your so very talented artist remake Khomeini? ["Remaking Alaahazrat"] This time I think he should use "Pari Bolandeh" as his base template.

You pseudo-intellectual Iranians who have found liberty don't know shit! You only reach orgasm if you know you have your venom on paper.

Barayeh hamineh ke hichvaght hich gohi nemisheed.

moftaki

* Somebody ought to explain

I suppose because I am a technical, almost a scientific man, I did not understand the effort ["Remaking Alaahazrat"]. Somebody ought to explain for the benefit of the uninitiated.

Hashem

* Cheap shot

Dear Mr Sheibany, ["Executioner's bullets"]

The first casualty of any war, whether military or political, is the truth. In answer to your query regarding the issue of billing for the bullets fired on the execution victims of the current regime in Iran, I can see that you have attracted the interests of, to put it politely, some fiction writers ["60 tomans PER bullet"].

The baseless suggestions made by this writer, emanates from the ongoing anti-Pahlavi sentiments that seem to have gained a fresh boost with the new surge of interests in the future of the post-clerics Iran and the anticipation of the return of the constitutional monarchy as a system of government.

The allegation made by this writer is supported by no evidence whatsoever and contradicts the common-sense. There are no reported or documented precedence of this practice before the emergence of the Islamic Republic. You can imagine that if there were the slightest element of truth in such allegations, it would have made a great propaganda tool, in the hands of the opponents of the past regime - an opportunity too good to be missed.

Even those members of the Tudeh party who, in pursuit of their self-serving interests, rallied behind the great Imam, didn't make such allegations in relation to their lost comrades. Also, there is absolutely no Qur'anic reference nor a single hadith to authorise the practice of charging the victims' relatives for the material used in their execution. Therefore, Islam cannot be blamed either.

The origin of this callus deed, can be found in the decrees issued by the spiritual leaders of the ruling regime in today's Iran - the same leaders who decreed that no girl may be executed before losing her virginity and authorised confiscation of the properties of their victims. The allegation made in the above letter is but a cheap shot by it's writer to apportion the blame and hence covering up the despicable deeds of Iran's clerics.

Regards,

Parkhash

* Negative and pessimistic

I have been looking at the "First impression" photo essay by Mellissa Hibbard. I was amazed by the negative and pessimistic reflections of the artist!

It's strange. When I travel in Iran, I seem to get a completely different reflected expression of optimism and positiveness.

Regards,

Farshad Tehrani

* Shows nothing but poverty

I really don't know for what so ever reason you have to publish these photos which show nothing but poverty of the Iranians ["First impression"]. It is as if a tourist in New York takes photos of the most disgusting areas of the city and sends them for the first impession from New York. This absolutely not the case and first impression photos are going to be photos from Manhattan and the fifth Avenue. I really don't understand this yet.

Hossein Mehdian

* Unsubstantiated claims

Regarding petrodollars ["We can deal with radicals"], isn't that a tired old line? Knowing of the personal circumstances of some of the 'names' implicated as those sending huge funds outside on 'lists' supposedly leaked from the central bank around the time of revolution, was that it was total nonsense. Are we still regurgitating old propaganda and misinformation? The case of Cinema Rex is well remembered, so unless you can substantiate your claims your words will be ignored.

A. R. Begli Beigie

* Long live the king!

Mr. Aref, ["We can deal with radicals"]

Your whole letter was very transparent and had very bad vibes. When you say, "these limpets are trying to fuel national tensions to stir up radicalism and plunge the country into yet another dark era.", I must remind you that Iran has been in a dark era since 1979. It's not a new thing.

I must also remind you that America has ALWAYS made Iran what it is. If by some miracle they want to help Iran become a BETTER place now, then let them . These are global political policies you are arguing with. Nothing you say or think will change the way things have been done all along. It will continue to be done this way for years to come.

And as for your comment about the late Shah of Iran "stealing billions of dollars", I'm glad that the money didn't go to the mollas instead! Because THEY are pocketing even more money than you think! And as for the Young Shah, Reza Pahlavi. He had a conference at NYU Law School a few days ago. WE WENT TO SUPPORT OUR KING, and in turn, FOUND OUR KING SUPPORTING US.

LONG LIVE THE KING!

Dalia

* $2,000,000? How do you figure?

Just wanted to comment on the lady who wrote about her lawsuit against Safeway for "discrimination" ["$2,000,000 for abusing my rights"]. My suggestion to you is: Why did you pursue the place after you were treated so badly in the first place? Some people would call that "masochism" or "martyrdom".

The manager's statement regarding wanting someone who spoke Spanish should have been enough for you to look elsewhere. Obviously, you live in an area that has a need for employees who speak Spanish.... it is, after all, America's second language. He indicated your accent might be a hinderance, even if in your mind it is not.

I can understand Mideasterners much better than Spanish accents. Asian accents are the most difficult to understand, but in this manager's mind, your accent was difficult to understand, so be it. Besides, he didn't even know what Persian was ... that tells me he's either very immature or just ignorant in general.

I personally wouldn't want to work in such a place. And what's so great about Safeway anyway? And how do you come to the figure of $2,000,000? Just seeing deep pockets to get easy money? At least figure it out from a logical standpoint: How much would you make if you worked there full time for the next twenty years?

If you would have made, for example, $35,000 a year (before taxes) for twenty years, that equals $700,000, which is way different that the amount for which you are suing and probably at or close to the amount you would make there. Suing for $2,000,000 for starting a job for a week or so out of your life is ridiculous.

his is one reason we have high insurance rates in this country and there should be ceiling amounts on lawsuits like this one. People get very greedy when it comes to being inconvenienced and your case is one example. There will be many other obstacles to deal with in your life, no matter where you live.

Fortunately, America presents less problems than most countries and more justice if you seek it....but make sure it's justified. I understand that it was a drag what you went through but, in fact, from the moment you met the manager, you were given the future of what it would be like to work there... at least while that guy was manager.

Find a place that's got NICE people in charge.

Bev Karami

* Instead of convulsing in litigation

Instead of burnbing up energy and convulsing in litigation, I too recommend that you use your talents in a positive way ["$2,000,000 for abusing my rights"]. If it makes you feel better, stop shopping at Safeway and have a friend write a letter there and tell them he/she is boycotting the store because of its discriminatory practices and send a letter to your local paper abou this. If there had been any discrimination on the basis of national origin or gender they would have not hired you in the first place.

Guive Mirfendereski

* Fundamental inequalities in Islam

Regarding "Giving away faithlessness", while it is true to say that treatment of women as second-class citizens is not solely limited to Islamic societies the writer cannot ignore the fundamental inequality and women enshrined in Islam. Neither would the above fact excuse the treatment of women in Islam.

Islam has at its core a reformed version of Arab paganism. The idealised Real Islam, - as some educated traditionalist, Moslem Iranians used to defend and still defend albeit less vehemently given the experience of the last 23 years is a mere figment of imagination.

The Quran authorises by law in Islam the inequality of men and women in civil rights. This has nothing to do with corruption of Real Islam, by later followers pursuing self-interest or practising ancient rituals.

Verse 38 of Sura 4: "men are guardian of women then to make the superiority of men to women: "Because of the ways which God has favored the ones over the others, and because of what men have spent out of their wealth and finally: "and those women whose insubordination you fear, admonish them, then leave them alone in bed, then BEAT THEM

Under Islamic law male heirs get more than female heirs, men,s evidence is more reliable, the right to divorce belongs to men. Under Islamic law the utterance of the call to prayer, leadership of congregational prayer, delivery of sermon, horse riding, archery, giving evidence in penal cases etc. etc. is specifically reserved for men.

In spite of all his reforms of the backward Arab pagan practices towards women, Mohammad asked for the hand of Aisha wife number 3 out of 20 - at the age of SEVEN and married her at the age of NINE.

There is something of a Catch 22 in what the writer has written in conclusion of his letter. It is the men who control the legislative process in Islamic societies, but in order to become enlightened they need to accept the shortcoming of Islam, which they cannot unless they are prepared to adapt the religion to the times or separate the religion from the state which the cannot as devout Moslems since they must submit to Islam as way of life and government.

A. R. Begli Beigie

* Islam is backward

In response to letters "Questions of faith and freedom" and "A or B", Islam is a backward and barbaric cult, but its rules regarding women are even worse. The prophet himself had over 20 wives and slave girls including a 6-year old in his house.

In Islam women are lamost equal to animals and should be controled and restricted all the time. I refer you to a letter by Manuchehr Greeny , "Slay those who..." regarding the inequality of sexes in Islam.

Stay away from Islam and Muslim men and have a happy life, otherwise you either be an animal or a prostitute!

Kaveh Ahangar

* Iran is a mixture of France and Great Britain

Just to say I agree with your analysis ["Learning to become truly secular"]. I just hope that those two countries Egypt and Turkey with their glorious and rich past won't go through the same trauma's as Iran. It would be awful. Yet Turkey is very much like Iran was political wise before the revolution they seem however to have maintained the Islamic party in legal circles avoiding it from being marginalized and thus become a real threat. As for Egypt the Islamists are very strong and dangerous and this beautiful land has alot to bless and alot to fear. Nasser was not totally secular and did everything to excite Arab Nationalism. Sadat fought fundamentalism to his best but was assassinated by them.

As for your references to Europe to which Iran should not compare itself one historian neverless compared Iran to the Great Britain of the Middle East. I would say Iran is a mixture of France and Great Britain. It likes to differ itself from its Arab neighbours in that Iran is very similar to Britain and its attitude to European construction which at some point it will have to adher especially if the euro currency works. And in democratic aspirations it resembles France. These analogies make Iran a central power in the region it is obvious but then again all depends on the democratic reforms in the country which for the time being are in suspension. I would also like to add that this is the country that gave us Makhbalbaaf also which I find more interesting than Kiarostami but that is my personal opinion.

Regards,

Darius Kadivar

* Indian actress?

I saw the show in its entirety [The Agency] and the only burning question I was left with was how come the role of an Iranian was played by an Indian actress? Is it not against the employment rules of the Actors' Guild to cast a nonethnic to portray an ethnic?

Guive Mirfendereski

* Big issue over little tissue

Do you know, circumcision is considered a cosmetic surgery in Europe and many do it though quite expensive procedure? ["Loss of ten thousand vital nerves"] Do you think the medical research would allow this if it was harmful. You got it all wrong. ["Ouuuuuuu....ch!"]

Your 30-50% information is 100% wrong too. Mental stress and alcohol and drugs are major reason for sexual dysfunction. Well actually better sexual desire and function is achieved by doing it. I am 100% sure of that.

Does American Medical Association reject body piercing or beauty cosmetic surgery? Who cares if they do? We live in a free world of many different culture, why such a big issue over a little tissue! Cool down. I am so sorry for you, by keeping a bit, you have lost a lot! Don't be stingy!

Cheers

Mai Rafiee

* Cause of emotional, psychological discomfort

Muslim's circumcision slices more of the skin than anyother methods. ["Ouuuuuuu....ch!"] In fact some researchers, some of whom being Iranian, believe that the Muslim form of circumcision is a common cause of emotional, psychological and physical discomfort for many men around the world.

Sheila

* Rich and meaningful stories

It's a pity that we don't often hear rich and meaningful stories like this ["Churchill rules!"] to portray the incidents of past time alive to our new audience and identify with the present. It's incredible how the history keep repeating itself.

Fatima Farideh Nedjat

* Any scholarships?

My name is Bahareh Bakhshayesh and I am an international student in the United States. I was born in Iran, but moved to Sweden when I was around 11 years old. I am an undergraduate student in University of California, Riverside.

My major is psychology and I am also pursuing a minor in Women Studies. I take a loan from my government to attend school here and all the money that I lend goes directly to my tutuion, so I have no money to live on, and I am not allowed to work outside of campus either

Most scholarships here you have to be resident or citizen to be eligible for and I am in need of money to be able to go on and pursue my education and I was looking at your website and saw that you have some scholarships.

I was just wondering if I could apply for any of your scholarships and if not, can you please give me some information as to where I can find help to be able to stay in the United States and pursue my education.

Sincerely,

Bahareh Bakhshayesh

* What happend between 1980 and 1989?

I'm looking for chronology of events in Iran between 1980 and 1989 (death of Imam Khomeini) - but not for chronology of events Iraq-Iran war! What happend in Iran during this time? Could You send me, for example, any WWW adress?

Thanks for any answer (and please, forgive me my POOR english - i'm just learning now)!

P. Strzelczyk
POLAND

* Abbas Moattar

ba salam man sirus hastam wa dar wien zendegi mikonam pas az moddatha jost o joo tawanestam sahneyi az flme ROSTAM WA SOHRAB ra dar homepage shoma bebinam az anja ke honar pisheye in film ABBAS MOATTAR dar naghshe ROSTAM az bastegane man mibashad wa ham aknoon dar tehran zendegi wa salhaye kohoolate khod ra migozaranad.

doost dashtam ke ba hediye kardane yek nboskhe az in film be ishan , ishan ra khosh hal konam , az shoma khahesh mikonam ke agar baraye shoma emkan darad yek noskhe az in fim ra baraye man tahiye karde wa mablaghe an ra har che bashad ba kamale meyle taghdime hozoor kham kard ba sepase farawan

Sirus

* Asking for articles, poems, news

Dearest Friends,

We're asking for articles, poems, news, products and reviews for the next issue of Northwest Ethnic Voice, which should be together by early January.

If you can send us something, please do. We're always happy to hear from you and your work means a lot to us. If you have some item or project you would like us to mention, let us know also. We like being able to expose others to the things we all enjoy and learn from.

While Northwest Ethnic Voice is not growing at the expected rate, we do have a group of subscribers and other publications are finally paying attention to us. We aren't competing with anyone, which helps greatly.

I expect to be out of the USA from December 18 to January 3. If you have something for us--and we are hoping that you do--please send it by e-mail to mlstep@teleport.com or in hardcopy format to us at

NWEV
PO Box 2766
Salem
OR, 97308
USA.

Short articles, graphics and poetry are especially welcome. We may delay publication until mid- or late January to accommodate busy schedules.

Thank you for your help.

Bob Rossi

* Looking for my dad

AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE INFO ON MY DAD WHO WAS FROM ABADAN AND CAME TO USA IN THE LATER FORTIES, EARLY FIFTIES..HE BECAME A DOCTOR AND SETTLED IN NEW JERSEY. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONTACT ANY RELATIVES i HAVE IN IRAN.

DAVE HOSSEINI

* Love her cockroaches

Hello!

Could you please snd me any information on Bita Fayyazi. I am an Art Student @ Camberwell College of Art in London and currently preparing for an essay. I love Bita's work, especially her cockroaches and really want to write about them.

Thank you so much.

Antonina

* Amazed with this man's life

Dear Jahanshah,

Just a short note to thank you for your lovely pictures of Rumi's mausoleum. It was wonderful to see the pictures. Thanks again, I am amazed with this man's life.

Mehdi Sayffi

* Very impressed

Salaam,

I just discovered your website and I am very impressed. I love the idea that you have passages from Rumi, it is an excellent idea and thank you.

Keep up the good work.

Khodahafez,

Malissa

* GREAT site

Spent two hour in this GREAT site. Keep it up.

Good Luck!

Amir Kazemi

* Wonderful

I just wanted to tell you all how wonderful your website is. I enjoy reading the stories and articles that people have written. Thank you for providing us with an opportunity to learn about and from our fellow "hamvatans".

Sincerely,

Niloufar Varahram

* Searching for a girlfriend

Hello,

My name is Shahrokh.I am 19 years old. I live in Kerman. I am searching for a girlfriend. My email address is shahrokhsanaee@hotmail.com

Please write me.

Thank you

* Do me a favor

I AM AMIR MUSHTAQ ABBASI. I AM SHIA MUSLIM. I HAVE BRITISH NATIONALITY. NOW I AM IN MY HOME COUNTRY PAKISTAN. MY SISTER IS MARRIED WITH A RELIGOUS SCHOLAR SYED ZAIGHAM ABBAS NAQVI AND SHE IS LIVING IN QUM,IRAN. I WISH TO MEET MY SISTER.

NOW, PROBLEM IS THAT IRANIAN COUNSLATE IN KARACHI IS NOT GIVING ME VISA FOR IRAN. THEY SAY TO BRING PAKISTANI PASSPORT OR SOME FROM IRAN SEND FAX TO IRAN COUNSLATE KARACHI FOR YOUR VISA ON THE BRITISH PASSPORT.

NOW, PLEASE DO ME A FAVOUR, SEND SUCH A FAX TO KARACHI IF YOU CAN, BECAUSE MY SISTER'S HUSBAND IS IN PAKISTAN SINCE NOVEMBER; OR AT LEAST, GIVE ME INFORMATION THAT IF I TAKE VISA ON PAKISTANI PASSPORT, CAN I FLY FROM TEHRAN TO LONDON ON MY BRITISH PASSPORT?

LOOKING FARWARD FOR REPLY

AAMIR MUSHTAQ ABBASI

* A Parsi in Pakistan

Hi there,

I live in Pakistan and have a much bigger problem than you. Here 98% of people are Muslim. As a Parsi, I feel like an outsider because I have no country / place of my own. At times it is difficult with religion-sensitive and country-sensitive people.

But then I am not alone and there are many like me . However not everybody in the surroundings is a racist etc.What we do is simple: Keep as far away from such people as we can. There are lots of nice people -- broad minded who like to understand us -- and we don't feel apart amongst them.

Of course Iranians in the US may be staying far apart. We have localities where all are Parsis.

Regards,

Danesh,
Karachi

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