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Wednesday * Insulting everyone Mr. Baniameri has managed to insult just about everyone and everything that is important to us. He has made fun of Persian women, men, culture, animals, family, relationships... And now he is making fun of an important event: elections ["Persian for president"]. I don't understand how shaving people's back or wrestling with Khatami would solve our current problems? I wish Mr. Baniameri would stay in the gym and away from politics. * I'll vote for you Good for you Arash Khan ["Persian for president"]. You seem to be more in tune with the Persian Empire and its citizens, than the unemplyoed deposed monarch Reza Shah II. Go for it. I'll vote for you. Good Luck, * Big topic I read your article in iranian.com about imperalism twice ["Imperialism is alive"]. Overall, I agree with your thesis. This has been a big topic in the field of human rights law, and there is certainly a lot of criticism to be made about certain techniques of human rights NGOs who put on glitzy fundraisers or churn out reports read by noone, while real atrocities are being committed. I think you would find the writings of Gerald Lopez, a self-proclaimed "rebellious lawyer" who advocates a hands-on grassroots approach at combating human rights abuses very interesting. That being said, I am not clear on your position regarding Jafar Panahi. Please clarify for me. Are you saying that making movies about the plight of women in Iran is an egotistical act made for publicity and perpetuates the status quo? I saw the film The Circle a few weeks ago and it was really shocking to me, not because of its content, because we are all aware of much worse stuff going on in Iran, but I was shocked that there are people courageous enough in Iran to make this movie, including the director, the actors, the crew etc.In the current regime, such outspoken criticism of the societal, political, religious structure is akin to a death sentence. I think the iranian filmmakers such as Panahi, Kiarostami, Makhmalbaf, etc., are not hypocrites or in search of publicity, they are truly courageous and using their films to spark dialogue and action, whether inside or outside Iran. * What's it got to do with Jews? I am a Iranian Moslem (formally) and have an honest question for Mr Khashayar Pakravan ["Imperialism is alive"] completely unrelated to all the political hype, just a genuine question if you believe me. What is this continual effort in iranian.com by some of our guys to find an excuse just to address the Israeli or Jewish responsibility in every thing bad that happens to anybody or anything bad that happens to our country? Even the Dutch peacekeeper's fault comes in a piece against Jews! Even arresting one of our filmmakers at the JFK airport ends up in an article against Jewish people? I am not Jewish but I find this too exaggerated sympathy to Palestinians or the Islamic Republic and unrelated to our national interests in any case. To tell the truth, I thought since iranian.com is becoming more and more popular it might be some Arabs are using it for advertisement? Or even the Islamic regime is doing it? Obviously the editors of a magazine (especially online magazines) can not have any control over this while it is providing a free and easy way of advertising. Someone must be behind this -- we all know that we are not historically an advocate of Arabs rights! Simply, none of our business. They know better what to do about their problems >>> FULL TEXT * Heyfenoon This is to respond to Shahriar Zahedi's "Buyuni Yuqun": Torkaaro maskhare mikoni heyfenoon? "Dalil Nemishi"? "Imkaanaat nabood"? Dige harki har ashghaali mikhaad benevise minivise tooye Iranian.com? Nothing is sacred? Then get this: Bebin, faghat va faghat ye harf daaram baraat bezanam; "Get pokhivi ye, adam ol, eshahin oghloo eshak". Is that non-sacred enough for you? I think I used the RIGHT language on this one, don't you think? Aghaaye editor, to ham az jomleye baalaa ye malaaghe bekesh. Age chizi nadaari chaap koni, ashghaal chaap nakon (bebinam in naam'e chaap mishe yaa na?)... Ezzat Ziyad, * Shahre tejaarat Regarding "Flowing black", they used to say : Qom, Shahre tejaarat: Vaaredat: Mordeh. Saaderaat: Akhound. Mojoudi: Gedaa. ("Qom, the city of commerce. Imports: Dead people. Exports: Clerics. Content: Beggars.") QF * Highly inaccurate I read the article named "Flowing black" by Azadeh Moaveni. It was a very interesting account of her travelling to the city of Qom. However, I should say that I am rather disappointed with one of the lines that she had written in the article: "Like most Iranian provincial towns, it is untouched by evidence that the outside world, or the new millennium for that matter, exists." This is a highly inaccurate statement of the condition of Iranian provincial cities. This kind of remark only perpetuates the very incorrect perceptions that Western Europeans and Americans have of Iran thanks to their biased media. If we get angry when uninformed people ask us "Do you ride on camels in Iran?, " then we shouldn't ourselves make statements that encourage such a question! Thanks, * World of colorful people I read "What have you to offer me?" and found it interesting. I was dating an Iranian man for a couple of years and we recently broke up, and the reason was that he said he does not want to marry someone who was non-Iranian and he felt that if he stayed with me longer, he would eventually ask me to marry him. I tried very hard to understand this situation, and reading the article it made me think of the cultural aspects and how it is better to have someone share the same culture, but it would also be nice to have someone add to it, like someone of non-Iranian descent. I'm Filipino but I find the Iranian culture very interesting. I even learned how to cook Iranian food and learned to read/write and speak Farsi as I thought of the possibility of marriage. In any event, I agree that one need not limit themselves to their own culture. The world is filled with colorful people, be it Iranian or non-Iranian, it only matters whether you are happy and contented. * Emamzadeh Googoosh In regard to the recent discussions about Googoosh ["Googoosh, the myth", "Romanticizing the past"] , may I ask to be the black sheep of the family and put my finger in the hornet's nest? I mean I have witnessed all the excitement and fascinations about Googoosh's appearance in U.S. and read extensively about her performances in different cities and all the admirations to the point of worshiping her in some occasions. Still I don't understand what all this brawl and uproar is about.True I understand that she is an attractive lady with singing and acting talents, perhaps even more than her rivals, in some peoples eyes, but that still does not explain all this expression of emotions. As far as I am concerned I have never been a fan of Googoosh and probably will never be, although I remember her from the days that as a child she was traveling with her father to perform in the cities all around the country. I also understand that people have different tastes and motives but there is a limit for every thing. For me, Googoosh is a female counterpart of, say Vigen. Although I do not dislike either one but I am not crazy about them either. In other words not only I will not pay $300-400 to watch their performances I may not even spend a few bucks to buy their tapes. I would gladly spend that money to buy a few tapes of Marzieh , Delkash or Noori if I want to listen to music in Persian. Call me old fashioned , ommol or whatever you like, but you can not force me buy all your propaganda to listen to her music. And the reason for writing this note is that in case you are going to build your new emamzadah, please don't count on my help.Thank you. Now, I took that off my chest and I am sitting and waiting for the storm to hit. P.S.I am not in the entertainment business and do not envy her success, as some have suggested. * Iranians always rise from ashes Dear Mr. Morton, I think this is commendable that you are going through such great length in order to understand your girl friend ["Arabs or Aryans?"]. The Arab vs. Iranian (not as much Aryan) has been a haunting dilemma for us Iranian people. The reason I swapped Aryan with Iranian is the fact that not all Iranians are Aryans. But the non-Aryan Iranians are not Arabs either. History has shaped Iranian character and culture so much that it can be exemplified as a Pheonix, it always rises from the ashes. The adherence to Iranian character and identity has allowed our culture and spirit to survive, reshape, and refine for more then 2,500 years. Throughout this time we have suffered invasion and assimilation by Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Turks, Russians, British, and so on. The first three cases were the most severe attempts in anihiliation of Iranian culture and empire with Arabs topping them all. There are two major factors that separate Arabs and Iranians; culture, and religion. Of course not all Iranians are Sheia Moslem! When Arabs invaded Iran in the 7th century AD, Iran was already enjoying more than a millennium of history, culture, civilization, and science. The desert dwelling Arabs did not have any concept of urbanization and they went about destroying cities and structures and since Koran was the only book they believed in, they destroyed all literary works and libraries. For two hundred years Iranian language and culture remained dormant and practiced in secret >>> FULL TEXT * Don't offend your girlfriend Regarding your question, "Arabs or Aryans?", it's just simply history. Iranians are from the Aryan race while Arabs are from the Arab race. In the ancient Persian Empire, we used to say Ajam vs. Arab and historically Arab and Ajam were not too crazy about each other. Islam began in the Arab world and then went to Persia through its messengers and later accepted by Persians. That changed our religion (from Zoroastrian religion), but not our race! The reason we're usually categorized with Arabs by mistake is that we are one of the few non-Arab Muslim countries. Islam reminds everyone of Arabs because that's where it originated from and that most Muslim countries are Arabic countries. As far as the language goes, the Koran did not bring Arabic language to its followers. The Koran was written in Arabic because prophet Mohammad was an Arab and spoke Arabic, and therefore the Koran is in Arabic. It's very weird to think Persians should change their language because of their religion. Persians are very very proud of and in love with their language. I suggest not offending your girlfriend;-) Persian Gulf vs. Arabian Gulf is political. Arabs (our neighbors) would like to think it's theirs along with all of its oil. In short, it is not!:-) * Not a split from Islam I would like to take your attention to a correction. In Tuesday's Photo of the Day you noted: "Bahai, is a split from Islam and was founded in the mid-1800s by Baha'ullah in Iran." Bahai faith is not a split of any religion. Bahais do belive in all the religions of God including the religion of Prophet Mohummad, Islam. Bahai faith is an independent religion with it's own holy book and teachings which promises unity among peoples of the earth and peace. Regards, Ramin Talaie * Persian prophet The statements made in "Astounded by Bahaullah" are backed by fact and historical record. Although Bahais do not rely upon this kind of method to prove the validity of their faith, the following is an interesting example of Bahaullah divinely assisted vision. Any comparison of Bahaullah's life and teachings to any contemporary revolutionary "Islamic" religious leader is testament to the writer's lack of judgment. Over one hundred and fifty years ago Bahaullah made specific statements about the conditions of the world and society. In His day he was cast away and imprisoned. Only today with our ability to see the world in perspective as we witness, world events through TV, satellite or the internet can we begin to appreciate what this Persian Prophet had in mind when He addressed the peoples of the world. His proclamation to the nineteenth century kings and rulers of His day, clearly outline His purpose and mission. Writing from a prison cell, He as the Messenger and mouthpiece of God, addresses Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, King Kaiser Wilhelm, Czar of Russia, Emperor of Austria , Sultan of Turkey and Nasiri-Din Shah of Persia, inviting them to consider His claims and gather the doctors of religion and investigate the new message of God. In His address to Queen Victoria He praises her for abolishing slavery and giving people representation through parliament. She would be the only monarch to have responded with any dignity saying that if He (Bahaullah) is truly from God then is His message will prevail. Bahaullah praises her: 'O Queen in London!' He writes: 'Lay aside thy desire, and set then thine heart towards thy Lord, the Ancient of Days. We make mention of thee for the sake of God, and desire that thy name may be exalted through thy remembrance of God, the Creator of earth and heaven. He, verily, is witness unto that which I say >>> FULL TEXT * Always subjective In response to "Centuries of nonsesnse", Mr. Kasaravi's book is a book of history and historians' tales are always subjective. He tries to portray Babis and Bahais as a political group with strong ties to Britain. Baazam Kaar, Kaareh Englisaa shod.... He rarely points to the teachings of the Bahai faith and when he does it is his own obscure interpretation. I have read Kasravi's book and maybe you should too but at the same time read some Bahai writings from www.bahai.org and judge for yourself. Peace, * Persians used pot first As a young professional Iranian female working and living in London I found your link to an article in The Onion about marijuana particularly interesting. I have been smoking weed (marijuana) on and off for past 10 years (sorry if I shocked some nice Iranian women!),and I love it..!! Well in a stressful life that we are leading in this day and age you do need some stress relieving activity to relax you and make you more mellow (at least it is what I think)!! Please before you say anything let me explain!! I am not a motaad (addict) you can not get addicted to cannabis as much as you can get addicted to nicotine!! And I am not some sort of loose Iranian girl!! I try to live an honest life by working hard and living a nice life somewhere in the middle of two cultures that I know (Iranian and English). I think Iranian people do not have much knowledge of this wonderful plant. (I am not trying to encourage people to take drugs). According to research done by some scientists about the history of this plant, Persians were among the first people to use it, either in the medical field or spiritual purposes! >>> FULL TEXT Neiyla
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