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July 11, 2002 * What WE have done against Bahais Ref: [Heechee kam nadaaran] I am not Bahai. That's why I started to know the faith in recent years . My first contact with Bahai was in high school as I found out that one of my close friends was Bahai. I can't even mention his name (for his safty). We knew about the faith from Shah-time but our knowledge wasn't so clear, only speculations about them. We knew later that they have been very successful in business, education, etc. So in the mind of average Iranian the success was related to cooperation with the system which was another fact of mistrust, but for us, the life of our friend was a sad reality. We got all graduated from high school. Some went to university. Our friend couldn't even get to national exam(Konkoor). Some went to military service, but our friend was expelled because he might have made the holy service dirty(Najess). So you don't do the service, you are out of everything. You need it if you want to buy properties, you can't do any official and legal transactions, you can't even marry someone. Our friend started his own unofficial business, running a chicken farm (Morghdari). It wasn't that bad. I didn't hear from him for long time. Months later he moved to Turkmen Sahara to live and work in a farm with his cousins, because a buyer(a Hajji Bazari) found out that he was Bahai and rejected to pay him. So he was ruined. He couldn't go to the court. He couldn't do anything in his OWN COUNTRY. What makes me so sad even after so many years is that he never complained. We were always swearing at Mullahs, but he never said even a single word against them or anybody else. He was so loyal to his country and his religion. We left the country but he is still in Iran(as far as I know) working in his farm. In the year 1364(1985), I worked as a student in summer for one the organizations of ministry of Culture and higher Education(Sazman e Sanjesh e Keshvar). Our duty was checking the received application forms for universities national-wide. In the application form, there was a section about religion. In that section you had a choice of selecting one of the recognized religions of the country(Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, ...) and of course no place for Bahai faith. So Bahais had mentioned their religion beside the line and we were told to pick up those applications which were sent directly to Ministry of Information(secret police)!!! That's the meaning of equal rights in the eyes of Islamic Republic. Everybody is being mistreated these days in Iran (Christians, Jews, Soniis even Shiee clergy, women, gays, teenagers, etc...you name it!), but what WE (not the system or foreign powers, or...WE WE WE) have done against Bahais is a SHAME for ever. Reza Izad Dear Mr. Javid, I read with interest your article [Heechee kam nadaaran] (which was forwarded to me by a friend) and I must say that I am impressed that a non-Bahai who seemingly has little knowledge of what that Faith is about would have such a fair and open mind regarding the intolerance of the Iranian government and people towards any ideology or religious belief which they know so little about. I once heard an Iranian say (and by the way he was not a Bahai) that unless and until we, the Iranian people and government, recognize the Bahai Faith and it's followers, we cannot move forward. Meaning that the mere recognition that there is a religion whose roots stem from Iran and that this religion has followers in all corners of the globe, just that recognition alone will have advanced us from a closed minded and fanatical society to one that allows room for other ways of life. This recognition does not mean that one agrees with or believes in an ideology or religion, however, it is symbolic of the maturity of a society. Once again I want to reiterate how interesting I found your article and your thoughts. Thank you,
Although I cannot say I have been to Agra and seen the Taj Mahal [See "Read the Persian script" below]. I have read a few resources where people have authored texts on the Taj mahal and who built it. There is a theory that the Taj Mahal was actually a shiva temple (Tej -o - mahalaya) on which Shah jahan then built the mausoleum Taj Mahal. And not Jahangir as you mentioned. The mughal dynasty path is Babur, humayoon, akbar, jahangir, Shah jahan, Aurangazeb and then followed a succession of weak kings whom the British subjugated. This follows the previous traits of the mughal kings. They would destroy hindu temples and bury a person there and that then becomes a tomb. Once a body is buried in a temple that place ceases to be holy for the hindus. I have included the links here which theorize about the Taj mahal being a temple. //www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/modern/taj_oak.html And also the link I followed to get there: //www.suite101.com/article.cfm/oriental_history/18588 Of course there can be calligraphy that is written and designed by the persian designer. That does not prove that the architect of the Taj mahal was a persian as the links above contests. About the architect being blinded. I think you got the legend a bit twisted. The legend is that the hands of all artisans who worked on the Taj Mahal was chopped off so that they will never ever be able to reproduce anything like that ever again. I think it is a bit presumptious of us to go around staking claim on the best and wonderful things. Regards Shabana
Dear Shabana, [Give the devil its due] Have you been to Agra & visited Taj Mahal carefully? Have you read the Persian script engraved into the white marble? There is written for the posteriors to see & read, who was the Architect? The MEAAMAR was Persian. You should also know that after the completion of Taj Mahal, by order ofÜ Jahangir Shah, the architect was blinded, so that HE could not make any thing better. Pay a visit to Agra & Taj Mahal & read what is there to be read, as I did very many times. Best regards, H. Hakimi Falling into black and white past of Persia and then sailing into rainbow of 2002 had a good feeling thanks to Moe who gave us story-book pictures of the past with the pleasures of the present in still photos poetic. [Dialogue of civilizations] Rose
Please would you be kind enough to let me know what is happening with the relaunch
of Googoosh.com. they promised us by Spring
2002 and now Spring has officially finished and the whole web page has disappeared!
Amir jon, ["She doesn't represent all women"] I don't think you really read the response I wrote to you and elham [The human side]. What you are saying is your personal opinion, it doesn't relate to my film. For this reason I am sending my response to you again which I wrote to defend my self against Elham's misunderstanding of what I said at the LA screening. You are forgetting the context of tthe film. Regards
Dear Nahal, You start your response with the question of legitimacy, and particularly with the fact that you "don't think it's [my criticism is] a legitimate criticism of the film [...]" You then go on and write your response to me and at the end, in the very last sentence, you bring up that favorite word of everyone and their cousin, "democracy:" Something that Shahrbanoo and Melissa have understood, the same place "where the foundations of democracy are fixed." (Italics mine). From the illegitimate to the fixed foundations, then, is the journey that one is invited on in your response. But to begin at the begin, the reason that my criticism [The missing factor] is found "illegitimate" by the authority of your criticism-criticism - at least in your writing, - is that the intention of the authors, film-makers, actors, subjects, etc. in the movie, do not claim to represent something that I have (or have not, - because I explicitly point out in my writing that I don't think it is their job or place to do such a thing consciously to begin with, -) obviously seen as present or represented. But my view, because it is according to you different than that of the ones who have the say, the "legitimate" say that is, in what is and what is not represented, is then illegitimate. Then you go on to give your account of it from your view, with a sentence that begins with "to me." I cannot argue there. You are of course right in what you describe from your perspective. However, words such as "clearly" and "consciously" bring up a matter that implies that it should be clear and conscious to me as well, but isn't. The problem that you point out is that of the relation between the general and the particular. There seems to be a line where the general is "clearly" on the side of generality, and the particular is "consciously" on the side of particularity. (I hope I am not misrepresenting what I am reading from your account.) I think wherever there is to be a cut between the general and the particular, it is an arbitrary cut. But that is a whole discussion on the deconstructability of all words, and their ultimate shaky foundation, which I would prefer to engage in a different way below. Then you go on and make a statement that I do take issue with, and because you bring up the matter of "public art", I would like to quote word for word: Personal accounts and narratives as public art --particularly as film-- are fairly new among us Iranians and we tend to view every production as the 'representive' of something larger and more encompassing than itself. Personal accounts, or subjective accounts of events, and subjective narratives have a very long tradition amongst the Iranians, and I would even go as far as arguing that very rarely amongst us Iranians, has there been any attempts at "objectivity," comparing for example to the similar attempts in German philosophy or the grand European narratives of the past century. This is of course not a matter that is peculiar of the Iranians. Personal diaries and travel accounts, as works of literature are the oldest forms of Iranians novels, and even Sa'di, the first prose writer of Iran bases his accounts on his very personal experiences, and then makes them out to pertain to general categories. This is the tradition of literary criticism. If we close our eyes, and pretend it is not there, it won't go away. And the same goes for film criticism. However, I think I understand what you mean. I imagine you mean to argue for a certain art for art's sake in a vacuum where we forget all the historical relevancies of a particular narrative, and just look at it as if it takes place between two people without any outside references. That is indeed a noble way of looking at the world, but in the light of the fact that it is generally accepted that there is no single referent to any signifier and after all the talk about the "death of the author," it is a bit blue-eyed, yes, naive. But my intention was not, - and the intention of any film critique other than a mere propagandist, or partisan advertiser of the film be it in the name of the forces of market-economy, or state-sponsored dogma, - shouldn't be merely complementing the simplest warmest and cutest sentiments of the movie, but criticizing it, not in order to destroy it, or ban it, or deform it, but in order to point out that which one not sees in seeing it. A criticism's main objective is unveiling, not merely praising, or placing watermelons under the film's elbows. A culture of honest criticism is indeed amiss, but again, not only in Iran, but everywhere in the world where a proper public sphere is not in function. Let me just stop here and "think" of Jahanshah, and "thank" him for this forum. Things represent things, and there is no way of regulating that, no matter how we try. One could try and fixate the meanings of words, or explain again and again that Hafiz was not really drinking Shiraz, and that Shiraz is just the creation of those imperialist bastards in Australia, and that Hafiz was drunk with love for Islam. One could try to regulate that, but at the end of the day, in the back rooms, and amongst secret poet societies, the matter is bound to resurface again and again that maybe Shamsuldin khan, was really getting down and dirty. So, now you say that what I think Shahrbanoo represents is illegitimate, and yours is more in touch with fixing of a foundation for "democracy." Whatever. Shahrbanoo, the lady of the city, is representative of Iran, just as much as Melissa is representative of America, not in an absolute sense, - because there is no absolute representation and not even I represent myself absolutely, - but because they are the two sides of the card that represent things, and part of these things, is America and Iran, particularly because the family tries so hard to send positive messages to America throughout the movie. No, she doesn't represent all women, and that is what I wrote to Elham: Iranian women, whenever they participate in public or in the public sphere, and whenever they don't, represent Iranian women. However, Shahrbanoo does represent the Iranian matriarch within the structure of the movie. You are also right in that you tell me that I and my "progressive, pro-Shah, non-Islamic, middle-class Iranians" also don't represent Iran. I have to sadly agree with you. But I didn't make a claim to represent all of Iran. I merely pointed out that myself and my progressive etc. people, are not represented in the Film. They are perhaps represented in their lack of representation, and perhaps that is what I was pointing out. This was not meant to deligitimate the film, or talk shit about it. It was just what I thought, and I made my thoughts public in publishing them. This is the essence of the public sphere. I don't tell Hamid what to do, or what movies to make. He is the author of his own movies. I am only an audience member who talks back, and believe it or not, mainly because I value his movie, and appreciate his craft. I think we agree on this: the film maker represents his own account. But so does the critic. And as you say in a slightly different context: "It's a combination of these accounts that makes the whole." You go on to tell me that you disagree with me on that I think "people are going to think all Iranian women are like that." I have never made that claim, and if I wasn't drinking my night-cap and if I weren't in such a good mood, and if I didn't have a wonderful night tonight, I might have taken that as spite, because it is not at all what I have meant, or even written. It is however, I suspect, what you think that I think. But I don't think so. And no, Shahrbanoo doesn't make me feel insecure!!! You finally reaffirm the movie in your closing paragraph thus: It shows how unconditional affection, warmth, and openness on both sides make possible a beautiful relationship that would never blossom if any of the sides were to stick solely to their religious or cultural differences. We both agree on this sentiment, and I would say I can hear violins screeching in the back-ground as I read your heart-warming words, but then I was reminded of the Islamic Republic's flag in the cemetery with Azaan playing in the background. Well, yes, acceptance of the other is very important. I know that I was not accepted in the Islamic Republic. My religion, Rock'n'Roll, was banned, and I was beaten up by sociology and religion teacher and expelled from school for having contraband Duran Duran tapes on me. That turned me into a reader of the nonsense poetry of Simon the pretty as gospel; I was the "Wild Boy" screaming for the jet fighters to drop their bombs between the minarets, down the Kasbah way. Shahrbanoo might get on with Melissa well, but the Islamic Republic's arrest and legalized torture of any dissenting view, be it student or intellectual, or rock and roller or whatever cannot be ignored with this happy ending. The foundations of democracy are definitely laid whenever there is a meeting of the demos, and whenever one manages to tolerate and accept the other, and so, also between a fundamentalist Islamic family and an American tourist. Melissa didn't have to live in Tehran for long, and many of Iranians in Iran would love to be able to trade places with her. Best,
Aghaye Rasi, Chera ke Reza Pahlavi naguyad ke dar yek etefaqeh bad , messl zelzeleh, che mikard? Hameh Iranian be vatan alaqhe darand, ishan ham hamintor. Chera fekr bad mikonid ke ishan ba pul ziad khosh migzaranand, wa fekr nemikonid ke doolat fehli Iran ba pule ziad che mikonad? Reza Pahlavi harfash baraye tamam mellat Iran hast wa hich nagofteh ke dobareh mikhahad Shah beshavad, harfash baraye azadi mellat ast. Har che beguid, Reza Pahlavi, deletan bekhad ya na, shahzadeh ast, in ra as tavalod khod darad, na as entekhab. Mellat Iran dar yek entekhab azad mitavanad har kass ra ke bekhad entekhab konad, hatta Reza Pahlavi ya digari. An ruz mellat ma khoshbacht khahad bud, chon khodash ba azadi wa bi tarss Ayandeh khod ra roshan khahad kard. SES Taj Mahal garden and all Babour garden desings are based on Persian Paradise design
[Give the devil
its due]. I also included Mr. Shabana in this e-mail to let him know that indeed
Taj Mahal was designed by non-indian architects. It doesn't matter how many Indian
construction workers worked on it, the design is important. Also if you get a chance
please visit my website:
I'm looking for Zohre Kiani from Ahvaz. She went to England and it's 16 years that I have not received any message. Please contact me.
Mohammad alishahe qajar baa mashroote va mashroote khaahaan setize kard,majles raa be toop bast,mardaane bozorgi chon malekolmotekallemin va souresraafil va seyyed jamale vaez raa be gonaahe aazaadikhaahi be ghatl resaand,ammaa u naamardi va daghali va sahne-saazie mohammad reza shah raa nadaasht ke khodavand ra be negahbaanie mashrootiat va aazaadi va hefze ghaanoone assaasi be govaah begirad va dar in raah be yegaanegie u sogand yaad konad amma dah-haa hezaar mard va zane aazaade va vatan-parast raa faghat be gonaahe azaadikhaahi az dame tigh va goloole va abzaare shekanje begzaraanad. vaghean rahmat beroohe paake mohammad alishahe qajar ke baa seraahat goft man havaakhaahe saltanate estebdaadi va hokumate motlagheam.va la'nate abadi bar mohammad reza shah baad ke shojaaete mokhaalefat baa mashrootiat raa nadaasht va har saal bemanzoore tahkime hokoomate feroni va khafe kardane sedaa dar galooye mokhalefin va tabdile mamlekat be ghabrestaan tote'ye tazzeii chid,va abzaare jadide shekanje az esraaiil va aamrikaa baa poole in mardome mazloom kharidaari kard. inak baad az 23 saal ranj va naa'omidi , mardome setamdideye IRAN va nazdik be yek gharn zolm va estebdaad va koshtaare aazaadikhaahan,haal pesare mohammad reza pahlavi be naame reza shahe dovom!!! mikhaahad baazi raa az no shoroo' konad,vali baeed midaanam in baar mardome maargazide faribe maare digari raa bokhorand. che bekhaahim che nakhaahim taarikh raahe asile khod raa peidaa khaahad kard va jaryane tabi'iye khod raa miyaabad,agar emrooz nashavad ,fardaa ghezaavate taarikh ghezaavati aadelaane ast. PAAYANDE IRAN
Dear Sir, I am a Rehabilitation Consultant in Canada. A client of mine wishes to return to Iran to her family, for medical treatment. Her family is in Kurdistan. I would be grateful if you could give me an idea of the medical costs in Iran,
since this would help me plan her rehabilitation. I realise that this is difficult,
but any information that you can give me would be helpful! Could you give costs (ie.
hourly/session rate) for:
I am hereby reflecting on Mr. G.W. Bush's "major policy speech" on the
Middle East conflict. For the purpose of this brief analysis, I will not go into
the clear racism and inhumanity of this "policy".
I liked and disliked what Amy has said [You will never understand] in response to William Baker [Who is a Nazi]. She has concluded her wonderful letter by stating: "Speaking of movements, your goofy essay just made me have one, I gotta go." After I read Amy's letter in today's letters section of the Iranian.com, I remembered that I also had to "go" a few minutes after I read Mr. Baker's nice-sounding Naziesque derivel. I was too horrified by his touchy-feely racism to notice that I had been compelled to "go" after witnessing the contents of his mind (wanted to say soul, but I realize he may not have any). I was similarly "moved" when I read his previous piece of velvety-soft DEEPLY RACIST derivel [Explosive, yet futile]. What Amy says in her letter makes me realize that I have such "human movements" (i.e., the spontaneous revulsion of the human body in response to unimaginable Nazi-like barbarism--as revealed through Mr. Baker's defense of the Sharonesque Israel) in common with Amys of this world. As for Mr. Baker, I don't know what deep dark prison his soul is caged in, but I know that Amy has a decent awake heart. This part I like about what she has said in her filled-with-humanity letter. What I don't like in what she has said, is her cruel insult to the vulnerable word goofy. I mean, goofy does not deserve to be used to describe Mr. Baker's words. I hereby apologize to the word "goofy" on Amy's behalf. Darn, just thinking about Mr. Baker's inhumanity has got me to "go" again-- now I gotta go, again! Dear Amy, I really understand! May our fragile planet survive the soul-less-ness of some of her utterly cruel inhabitants. CARE-fully,
Dear fpyzak, [Being
guilty of the same] Perhaps the deep and historic wounds of Nader Shah's conquer of India are still
bleeding in your soul; or maybe you just are guilty of what you accuse the entire
Iranian nation of: jealousy and contempt.
I have just looked at the photo essay of Mr. Hamid Davodabadi "The other side" on Lebenon and I must admit that they sadden and horrify me. They prove once again that Islamic fundamantalism is still deaply rooted in the Middle East and in Lebanon in particular. I was saddened to see the contrast between the Natural beauty of the country whose Capital Beirut was once considered as "the Paris of the Middle East" and the dreadful reality of this war torn country. Horrified to see how much people in this country have been conditioned from childhood with the cult of martyrdom and self Sacrifice in the name of Islam. It is difficult not to see an anology with Iran. the slogans are the same , the uniforms and training of the youth are identical: Red or green Headscarfs, with the Cult of Hossein on the forehead.Kids carrying guns, Girls dressed in black viels also carrying Guns or slogans on flags. This is no wonder since it is known that the Hamas and the Hezbollah have been
trained by the Iranian Government for years. There also seems to be an effort of
concentrating all the ideological battles of the 20th century into one basket, in
many ways similar to the revolution of '79. The young
man wearing a Che-Guevara portrait on a bloodstained shirt and the Irony of seeing
young children
Girls and boys wearing Mickey Mouse T-Shirts in front of a religious Flag or Zealot
teenagers wearing imported Ray Ban sunglasses while wearing American Caps covered
by black scarfs with religious
slogans. However today it seems that Islam is caught more than ever in this deadly and morbid contradiction between faith and human sacrifice. This cult of Martyrdom is something that all serious muslim scholars condemn yet the tragic events of Sept 11th only confirmed the destructive power of this cult. In addition when one looks deeply into the roots of this phenomena, one can see that these those who command these Zealots function like any other religious sect. The slogans, as well as the rituals are aimed at conditioning and canalizing the hate and anger of their followers towards one goal and that is the Destruction of Western Values and there replacement by religious laws and codes of conduct some of which may not even exist in the Koran. The trouble is that in their minds all Western Values including Democracy are bad or innappropriate to their culture since they are a product of Western Colonialisation. If the West and Israel also have their share of responsabilities for the situation in the Middle East, and it is unfortunate to see that the Democratic ideals as well as Nationalistic ardour of muslim countries who co-exist with Islamic fundamantalism at different levels, be it in Lebanon,Algeria,Syria,Sudan, Iran, Egypt, Turkey all have to cope in there battle for independance and National Soveregneity with a phenomena which only took root seriously after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The establishment of the Islamic republic in Iran served and still serves as an example to many muslims throughout the World as something achievable and necessary in their country. Whether a Western Colonial Concept or not I that the Seperation of State from
Religion is the only condition that can allow and protect the citizens of a civil
society from such radical religious mouvements (and that includes any religion) from
pulling more and more people in a deadly Spiral which not only hurts hopes of peace
and democracy for the War torn region which is the Middle East, but also is a menace
to spirituality which is also an essential part of every human society.
My name is Nader I am an artist. I'm half Iranian (my mother is from el Salvador). I went to Iran for the first time last fall and during a celebration after Iran/Iraq soccer game I was arrested for filming and spent elevan days in jail (seven in Evin) on charges of terrorism. In my jail experience I still had an amazing experience. As a matter of fact jail is what made it an amazing experience. If it wasn't for that I don't think I would have had as deep as an understanding of the Iranian character and what young iranians are going through. Anyway one day I will write a small book on the subject and hopefully write an article for your wonderful website. the reason I'm writing you now is becasue I'm using some of the images I found on your site as resourses for paintings that have to do with the revolution. One of the paintings is on Azadeh Vaziri, and what I would like to know is what channel she was on.... what was the network and was there any logo on the TV during her newscast? Was there a channel number on the screen or a symbol?? I would really appreciate any feedback. I've asked but the Persians I know either came after the revotion or so long before that they dont know or remember or like me were born in the US. Thank you in advance I would really appreciate any info you might be able to offer. Nader
Dear Jahanshah, Thank you for sticking your neck out and writing the article on how most secular modern Iranians treat Bahais as if something foregin to the nation [Heechee kam nadaaran]. As a historian, I just want to say that this problem goes all the way back to late-nineteenth century. When opponents of reform-minded modernists began to use the lable Babi as an "accusation" of bad faith against them, their defense was invariably "we are not Babis." This kind of defense, inadvertently, confirms the unacceptability of a Babi being part of the modern nation. Negar Mottahedeh's Ph. D. dissertation has a wonderful discussion of this issue. In the twentieth century, this process of locating the Babi and by then Bahais outside the fold of Iran continued. Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi has an article on this topic in an issue of Iran Nameh (I think Vol. 19, No. 3) that shows the politics of this process. His article is focused on some of the later Islamist currents, but I think you are absolutely right to emphasize that secular Iranians place Bahais outside the fold just the same. I hope you got back from your jogging safe! All the best, Afsaneh Najmabadi
Ba Sallam: On behalf of Payvand cultural organizations and Iranian Federated Women's club, I would like to announce that for the anniversary of September 11th, we would like to call all of Universities as well as Organizations to work on preparation for September 11th. The project will be a ceremonial artistic piece created by Jamal, the Artistic Director and Choreographer of AVAZ International Dance Theatre. The piece is a ceremonial piece dedicated to September 11th. It is called Fallen Hero and we will have rehearsals in last week of July or August at De Anza College. For more information, and play the video please visit: //www.avazinternationaldance.org/avazweb.htm
Once again someone has lumped all of us Iranian together and speculated that our super Iranianness as she calls it stems from our frustration of taking things for granted [Tah-digology]. She overlooked one major issue here. Most of the people who think being Iranian is about food and stomach are Iranian men. If you ever need some serious laughter visit an Iranian singles' site. My colleagues once insisted that I show them a site so they could see what Iranian men want in a partner since I am adamant that I only want to be with an Iranian man. I was so embarrassed! The majority of them (we looked at the ones over 6 feet tall) only talked about food, sex and their desire for an hones woman. No mention of any cultural or political interest and God forbid any mention of any awe inspiring hobbies! They also wanted physically fit women but we could tell from the pictures that they needed some serious weight loss program. My point? I am one of those super Iranians! I strive to be a great role model and a great human being yet, attribute many of my good characteristics to being an Iranian. You read it right. I am convinced that our desire to share our pockets and hearts (most of us) and respecting elders stems from our upbringing as an Iranian. Ms. Sanandaji I hope you noticed that the ratio of overweight Iranian men by far exceeds that of Iranian women (I know I will be getting hate mail form all the fat Iranian men out there but so be it). That is proof that most of us Iranian women do not think as passionately about food as our Iranian male counterparts. We have more important issue to tackle such as showing the Americans how smart we are and what our capabilities are. Regards,
Excellent photos and deep thoughts [The other side]. Why do I want to join them? Spirit and courage in the face of hell. Thank you Hamid for showing us the other side. Rose
I really enjoyed your piece on the Bahais and I think you are right that Iranians have a major moral blind-spot when it comes to Bahaism [Heechee kam nadaaran]. The problem, of course, stems from the fact that the Bab got his start in the Twelver Shi'ite context. Initially, he was heralding the arrival of the Twelfth Imam and seems to have been given a moment of serious consideration by Iran's clergy in the 19th Century before it was decided that he and his evolving movement were a threat to din o' dowlat. So, right from the get-go Babism (and later Bahaism) had the twin problem of being heretical and an ideological enemy of the State. The spread of Babism beyond Iran's borders (when are autocrats going to realize that exiling religious leaders out of Iran does not work?) gave it the additional (and somewhat ironic) taint of being "foreign." Bahaism was Iran's home-grown "fifth column" well before communism and other "begaaneh" ideas came within the cross hairs of anyone's secret police. I remember reading an early debate on the Iran's Election law (ca. 1911 or so) in which the issue was whether or not somebody could be barred from election for being "known to be corrupt" or "proven [via some sort of hearing] to be corrupt." A deputy arguing for due process drew the President of the Majles' ire when he posed a hypothetical argument. It went something like this: Deputy: Mr. President, we really need to prove that someone is corrupt. It is not enough to imply saying "it is well known". What if someone were to say that you were a Babi and... P.O.M.: How dare you?! I am not a Babi! Deputy: I did not say that you were, but what if someone were to - P.O.M: I AM NOT A BABI! Well, you get the picture. The Pahlavis, for all their secularism, presided over a state that still had Twelver Shi'ism as Iran's official religion and Mo (Better?) Reza Pahlavi was perfectly happy to let persecutions of Bahais be undertaken by clergy in the 1950's in order to shore up conservative support for the Court in the wake of Coup of 1953. And now, of course, the Bahais are the ultimate Civil Rights problem for the Islamic Republic. In traditional readings of Islamic law, they simply have no standing (right up there with Hindus, Animists, Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists and other well and truly damned non-peoples of the book). What is worse is that they are seen not just as "beyond the pale" by the clergy but as heretics, illegitimately grounding their faith (in the beginning anyway) in Muslim theological soil. In some ways, it is a miracle that a more complete "open season" on Bahais has not been declared by the IRI. Where traditional Islamic theology is concerned, the treatment and very conception of Bahais destroys the notion that "Islam champions human rights." For the government to treat Bahais well requires a revolution (dare I say a reformation) in Islamic thought or its abandonment as the ideological basis of a state. he sad part of all of this is that the intolerance in which Babism/Bahaism was incubated has become part of Iranian diaspora reactions to Bahais (as you've noted) and also ( I'm slightly afraid to report) part of the Bahai culture as well. A former Bahai colleague of mine came under vigorous attack (rather like critics of Scientology) by official Bahaidom when he criticized church policy and began to explore the more expansionist and theocratic aspects of Bahai doctrine. Bahaism may just be the most important challenge for an Iranian solution to human rights abuses and the best hope for a pluralistic Iranian society. But only if non-Bahais (and Bahais) take a hard look at themselves. Thanks again for your article. Best, Cam Amin
Regarding "Tah-digology":
you must be scraping the bottom of the barrel as far as articles go. I am looking for a lost friend Manoucher Zand who I believe lmakes his home in
bobolsar and teaches at Mazandaran University. If you can help me find him please
give him my email address: Paxromanus50@yahoo.com
Why Israel? Because they represent colonialism in the region, they are a cancer and growing. What has Israel done? They are the biggest propogators against Iran [Just wondering]. If I recall were they not the ones who convinced america to sell arms to Iran in 1985 because Khomeini convincned and decieved them into thinking there were elements within the army that would overthrow him. Plus be maa che? It's like saying during the holocaust, what is it to us that the Jews are being persecuted? It's to us cuz we are first humans. You need to eradicate this ethnocentric mentality. Whenever we see oppression we must fight it. Iran helps in Kosovo and in palestine when it does not have to, you got to give them that, for all the problems they have. I understand what your saying in your article, but Israel is the heart of the problem. Isreal could give the Muslim countries an incentive to join forces and unify.
You have a few good points Assal, but overall you are advertising for Iranian Satellites [Long Live Iranian TV!]. As an Iranian who ("against the norm" studied Cinema and currently is working in the Film Industry in Hollywood) I should say that even a penny is too much for Iranian TV's! Of course there are very few great programs which are forced to use an Iranian
Satellite in order to reach their audience; and we should pay to watch those programs;
there is no question about that. I know the Iranian Satellites are here to stay and they are going to grow faster
than we think. I just hope people educate themselves about what to watch and what
to ignore.
I am looking for a friend of mine which we used to go to college in city of Lakan near Rasht his name is Mr Behrooz Tohidi and he is originally is from Roodbar near Rasht. Anyone who knows him or knows where he lives, plese contact me. Witht thanks, Bijan I recently heard that Feraydoun Foroghi has passed away last year. He was one of my idols when I was a teenager, I would like to know how he died and where his burial site is. If anybody knows please e-mail me.
BAHAIS KEEP A DISTANCE AND SECRECY AND "GOROUH BANDI" VA GHEYREH, IT SEEMS THAT THEY FEEL TO BE THE ONLY INTELLECTUALS AND THE REST TO BE DUMBS TO STAY WITH WHAT THEY FORCEFULLY ARE. [Heechee kam nadaaran] BUT I GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE OF WHY ONE CAN NOT BE FREE TO ACT NATURAL WITH BAHAIS. IT WAS IN THE YEARLY PUBLICATION OF MY DAUGHTERS' SCHOOL, IN THE RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS COLUMN : MARCH 21ST "EIDE NOW-ROUZ" IS BAHAI RELIGIOUS HOLLIDAY.???? IS IT REALY AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT IN THESE FIFTY YEARS??? I HAD TO WRITE LETTERS TO EVERYBODY RELATED IN NEW JERSEY TO CORRECT THE MISTAKE, BUT STILL IS HAPPENING. IT SEEMS THAT THEY TRY TO REPLACCE OUR NATIONALITY WITH ANOTHER "SHABIIH SAAZI". HOW CAN I SEE THEM DIFFERENT THAN ARABS WHO TRY TO RECALL "PERSIAN GULF" ARABIAN GULF?? HOPE YOU WILL GET MY VIEW WITH THIS RAW LINES. KH
This email is in regard to the article you wrote on Bahais. [Heechee
kam nadaaran] First of all, let me just say that just because you or others don't
believe in Islam and are always putting it down, some of us here give a damn about
Islam and don't like its name used in disgrace.
I don't know where you got the idea from that Iranians don't consider Bahais Iranian;
or, for that matter, that we only respect Jews "when we're in a generous mood".
[Heechee
kam nadaaran] Mr. Khorsandi's satire "Man tooye dahane Arafat meezanam" of today's Iranian.com is another master piece by this genius of our time. He is incredibly talented, updated and politically well informed. Thank you Mr. Khorsandi for watching so closely the world's affairs and telling them so masterly on behalf of all of us in this global village.
I just wanted to drop a small note to agree with your point of view [Heechee kam nadaaran]. The Bahais have truly suffered for no reason. I remember when I was a child during the revoluotion in Shiraz and all the Bahai homes were burnt to the ground. The next day people were touring them like it was a carnival. Some were actually looking at these peoples papers looking for evidace of their British connections!!!!? What where they thinking? When I think of that time I truly become ashamed of being an Iranian. Thank you Ali
It all starts when the "towel heads" are driven into obscurity in Tehran
[Heechee
kam nadaaran]. Anything and everything will happen once this is accomplished!
Javid, I am amazed and astounded [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I for one have always considered all Bahais who are Iranian-born, Iranian. What were you thinking? Religion does not consitute nationality with the possible exception of Israel. I kow that there is prejudice and animosity toward the Bahais in Iran but like any other cultural deficiency must be fought and and eliminated with time and education. FQ
Azar Shiva by far was one of the most prestigious actresses of our times, unfortunately on those days her talent was not appreciated it and probably went to waste. I truly believe she was probably one of the best in her time. She left us such a memorable movies which can be treasured for decades to come. Please let me know what she is up to currently. BOLBOL007 Good stuff jj, [Heechee kam nadaaran] Really enjoyed your insight and flavored non-biased stance as you looked at the issue. Regards, Farrokh
I think that Iran should stop supporting and financing terrorists groups like Hezbollah, Djihad Islamic and should have diplomatic, economic and defense relations with Israel, and the most important of all this : Iran should recognize Israel, as Ariel Sharon has just unveiled his plan for the creation of a Palestinian State.
I read with interest your article "Dear Solitary Donor". I must say I was not aware that internet sites need monetary support. Would you please take a moment in your busy schedule to explain to me why internet sites need money? Jahanshah Javid: This is my job; my only source of income. Are you charged to maintain a website? Jahanshah Javid: Yes. Any website needs to be on a "server" in order for people to gain access to it. There are companies that do offer free web hosting (in exchange for putting their ads on your site). But these have space limits. If you have a lot of content, you will be charged accordingly. Are you the originator of iranian.com? Jahanshah Javid: Yes. I am not trying to be facetious or in any manner impolite; I am sincerely naive about this matter. I have been enjoying iranian.com for about a month now. I have even introduced it to a friend who is now a contributor to your cartoon section. Unfortunately, I don't speak a bit of farsi (I am American with no ties to Iran other than many Iranian friends when I was in college in the 70's); nevertheless, I immensely enjoy those areas that I can read. So, if you can spare just a few moments to explain the internet site process, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.
My father was a religious Muslim philosopher, and yet my mother was a principal of a Jewish high school, Soleyman e Hayyem, when I was growing up in Iran for the first 20 years of my life. I am glad you kept correcting yourself, and that not everyone follows the hegemonic ideology of the current regime, disregarding the rights of the minority groups, such as women, homosexuals, Bahais, Jews, and Zoroastrians. I always remained sensitive to the cause of our minority groups in Iran. I thought they were always exploited legally, socially and politically. I am glad you wrote your humanistic piece about the Bahais in Iran [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I am attaching a short biographical essay that I wrote some time ago:
Keep up the good work, Mr. Javid.
I'm a Brit living in Tucson, Arizona, USA. I lived in Iran from August 1994 to June 1998. My Persian, once fluent, is now almost non-existant. However, for some reason. I found Mr Kasraian's photograph on the Kermanshah website and now use this beautiful Kurdish girl as my computer wallpaper. I think she's number 29 of 139. My friends and I are obsessed by this girl who has an enigmatic "Mona Lisa" look. Who is she? Did she know she was being photographed? Did she mind? I talk to her, call her Shireen (how would I know what her real name is?). I'm a 68-year-old Brit, now living in Tucson, Arizona. I can't believe that I'm obsessed by a photograph. But I am!! I want to know all about her, and the photographer. Please send me some information. Molly V. Stockton Dear Mr. Javid, Thank you for writing that article about the plight of Bahais in the Islamic republic [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I am not a Bahai, but I despise the way that the Mollas and their thugs treat our Bahai compatriots. And same as you again, I don't believe in any religeon and believe that they are all nonsense. However, I much prefer a peaceful and modern religeon to a bloodthirsty and backward one. Finally, I would like to remind you that the Bahais like all other religeous minorities enjoyed full citizen's right during the Pahlavi era. Best Regards
I am an European Bahai. I have just read your article [Heechee kam nadaaran]. Thank you for our Persian friends and for all the Bahais in the world... Yes we do exist, and we don't have to be Persian to be Bahais... We are Europeans, Africans, Asians and Americans... We work for love and unity in diversity, to end war and for the progress of women and universal education... Thanks again A reader
The only correct observation, among all the hilarious ones, you made was your "cheap shot" [Heechee kam nadaaran]. These are the problems with the Bahais (and I should know because most of my best friends are of that belief. Why they believe what they do is the more astonishing, because they are an intelligent and educated lot. More important they are very decent people). However: 1- They are worse than Moslems when it comes to "Amr e beh Ma'aroof, Nahye az monker". 2- They are relentless in propagating their faith, no matter how many times you tell them you don't believe in that sh. 3- They don't particularly subscribe to the notion of nationality. They are global. 4- They fool themselves in declaring that they don't believe in politics, at least, that is what they used to tell me in Iran. Never mind that some of the most influential figures, in all matters, were Bahais. 5- They do not celebrate NoRouze, a decadent ritual in their view. How much more Un-Iranian can you get? 6- Last but certainly not least, they are as ridiculous, religiously that is, as Mormons. In the days when most intelligent people rejected the blasphemous notion of "talking to God", the Bahiis claim that somebody did. The Mormons also believe that somebody (Smith, of all names) talked to God, almost at the same time, certainly in the same decade, as the Baha or whatever his name was. The Mormons actually believe that after Smith, the other Charlatan, all the subsequent leaders talk to God on a daily basis to get advice on the "current affairs" (not the magazine). I am reminded of the Arab who also talked to Allah about the same "current affairs" when he got stuck. Lastly and this has nothing to do with the Bahais, if you want a truly Iranian, Non-Semitic religion, the mother of ALL religions, study Zartosht. Not the Sassani version, but the unadulterated original one, scholarly researched and described by Hashem Razi (ISBN: 964-6677-32-2) Regards,
Salam dAyi Hmid jan, Any way, I know life has it's up & Downs. Your my favorite writer in Iranian.com
I guess you get a lot of random e-mails, but I just wanted to write to you to thank you for the really quite gutsy article you wrote about Iranian Bahais being contantly overlooked by non-Bahai Iranians [Heechee kam nadaaran]. You can probably guess that I am a Bahai and you are so right that I don't feel any less Iranian than anyone else. It is funny how most Iranians, who are not Bahais don't really know what to say when they find out that I'm not Muslim. In fact, what is even more intersting is that you can take the most secular, non-religous Iranian who by no means practices Islam and when they learn that I'm a Bahai turns into some radical fundamentalist mullah. Funny the hypocracy of the whole thing, and quite frankly most Iranian Bahais know so much about the Quran and Islam that it would put many Muslims to shame. Anyway, sorry about the long-windedness of this whole thing. But thanks again, your article was great. I hope you get any crazy back lash from our fellow Iranians who may think you are too sypathetic to the plight of the Bahais. Regards, Anonymous
I heard a facinating talk given last year by the great [...], where he said that, even though he himself is an agnostic, he considers the Bahai Faith to be one of the good, progressive religions, who's only crime was not that it threatened Islam, but that it had the temerity to threaten the "dokoon-e mullahaa" (the mullah's livelihood), hence from the beginning it was maliciously slandered and violently persecuted. That the Bahai Faith has grown to become the second most geographically widespread
religion in the world today is truly - and mysteriously - something quite remarkable.
I've seen Mr. Hoveyda's pieces at this publication from time to time and haven't really paid much attention to them. His attempts at insight and profundity hasn't impressed me much in spite of the writer's obvious desperation for saying something "deep" about the culture and people of Iran. So now Mr. Hoveyda has taken upon himself to say something "deep" about the question of Palestine and Yaser Arafat [Too beautiful?]. I'm not going to bother with his arguments about Arafat and the apparent deformity of the moslem mind in favor of despotism. His so-called polemic is such a pathetic verbatim repetition of Israeli and American positions that it's embarrasing for a supposed scholar. I hear this stuff on CNN and the FOX News everyday (I've never liked carbon copies).
It makes you wonder why some people in the old days used to call Mr. Hoveyda and
his ilk agents of the state of Isreal. That stuff about the oriental mind and moslem
mentality's attraction to despotism is so Bernard Lewis down to its anecdotal reasoning
it makes one gag. Like Bernard Lewis, Mr. Hoveyda doesn't rise much above the level
of vulgar propogandist that he is. I'm assuming Mr. Hoveyda who spent most of his life slumming in Europe, trying
to pass himself as a novelist among other things, believed that Iranian people weren't
really mature enough for a democratic system and had to be ruled by the strong hand
of a dictator; whereas Europeans and Americans, being of higher mental and cultural
develepomental level, deserved the democratic system. Apparently people in Iran didn't
really need a free press or rule of law. They needed brutality of SAVAK to keep them
in line. People like Mr. Hoveyda who have never dealt with their own dirty past have no right condeming other people in such arrogant manner. If there is one thing that Iranian Revolution accomplished was rendering the rubbish like the likes of Mr. Hoveyda to the proverbial dustbin of history. Let's hope they stay there. Asghar Massombagi I enjoyed reading your iconoclastic views, even your choice of selected English words [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I support your right to believe that all religions are a bunch of crap and I enjoyed your forthright way of expression yourself. I appreciated your thoughts opposing Bahai persecution in Iran. I don't know who you are or where your live, but I sure would like to be placed on your e-mail list. Warmest regards, Clifton W. Wolf
Dear Sarvenaz khanoom, As a man I was excited reading your erotic story while traveling from Tehran to Paris and your sexy adventure from Paris to New York. You may get upset with my comments but no problem. Your story is an old one from Emmanuel book and movie( long back!). You may not know it!!! But please try to write something from yourself rather than imitations, for example gazebo [The second time] was a good one. Then please do not attribute your adventures to Iranian women nor to western normal standard women. You again may know better than me that how most of the Iranian women are pakdaman and honest. Their pudency is one of their many nice and admirable features. Unless you very frankly and straight forwardedly break with your fiance you should not actually do such actions. Fantacy is something else and that even should go up to the level that does not come into reality otherwise it will create difficulties and undermines values. It should not encouraged if there is the danger of ruining relations. The free sex 1970s era is passed!! Once we were in San Deigo all bachelors except an American very handsome friend who had a if not ugly but normal face and fat wife. We made it with prostitutes that night and he did too. He repented so much that next day he called his wife and told the story. He cried for 6 months and begged his wife who at last with so much mediation and promises forgave him and let him back to her life. What you see in the fantacy books and magazines is different to real life. Try to write for Playboy , Mayfair, Penthouse or else rather than a site for Iranians. Many young Iranian girls visit this sight and may get bad lessons. Many young Iranian boys visit the site and may think that their fiances wives or even girl friends may do this. It will have bad effect and better you do not carry such flag of mistrust among young generation. Sex is good and natural, no doubt but sex with love is different to sex without love although some people say sthe difference between sex and love is just 50 $ if still the rate is this much!! Thanks Good luck.
Thanks for the musician review, excellent points [Breaking
tradition]. To quote you: Dear Mr. Saleh, You are one hell of a courages and open minded fellow [Heechee kam nadaaran]! I salute you!
One of my Texas redneck Bahai friends sent me your article [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I'm a forth generation Anglo-American Bahai. In fact all of my grand parents were American Bahais as were two of my great grandparents. I never thought of the Bahai Faith as being a Persian thing any more than I think of Christianity as being Jewish or Palestinian, although persecution of the Bahais in the past few decades has resulting in many Bahai Persians emigrating to the US. I appreciate you sticking up for your fellow Bahai countrymen. Lord knows they are patriotic Iranians who I seldom hear complaining about what they have been put through at home. Dr. Grant Suhm
Not a bad piece [Heechee kam nadaaran]. You sound like you don't subscribe to any "religion." As an "irreligious" person, you certainly put to shame many religionists by your somewhat unconventional defense of the Bahais. It is always easy to defend one's family, clan, compatriots. It is only a decent person who defends the rights of total strangers or "out groups". I believe that this piece is a reflection of your inner decency. As an Iranian Bahai, I appreciate your sense of fairness. I have known numerous Iranians, mostly secularists, who have voiced their displeasure with the way Iranian Bahais are treated in the cradle of their Faith. Welcome to their company -- the company of the truly just. Regards, a.k.a. Doostdar
I'm Australian born around your age of Persian/Indian origin but not really conversant of either of those languages. I am also a Bahai. I have read you recent article as it was sent to me by a friend serving at the Bahai World Centre in Haifa. I would like to take this opportunity to personally acknowledge you profound insight and sagacious judgement [Heechee kam nadaaran]. Baha'u'llah indeed spoke highly of the journalism profession and exhorted them to speak forth of the injustices and the truth that this may be as a balm to the long suffering. Your remarkable clarity of the facts would have made any well researched Bahai proud. I do not know of your religious leanings, but may God, Mohammad, Ali, Husyan, and all the Holy Imams and Angels bless and guide your noble life and efforts. Your Friend,
Your recent editorial of July 3, 2002 at Iranian.com, "Heechee kam nadaaran" caught my attention. As a member of the Bahai Faith and an American I'm happy to read your editorial especially in regard to proposing the idea for people to open up and become more tolerant towards those of other religious thought, including the Bahais. I know there is plenty available these days online, especially at official Bahai websites, like www.bahai.org, where one can learn the basics. Perhaps the first step, as you suggest, is for people to become less ignorant of the subject and read about it from its source, instead of listening to others. Regards,
plz you know about the history of malik bahram shah from iran who fight the war
and come from iran to khuzdar balochistan pakistan and spened a time here if you
know about malik bahram shah iranian then plz contact with me i shall be thankful
for your this
My compliments on another Iranian.com "first" [Heechee kam nadaaran]. What took you so long? I hope your humorous and candid piece on the recognition of Bahais will invite
some useful discourse, and perhaps be a pioneering effort by an impartial entity
in dispelling some of the well known and baseless (some laughable!) accusations thrown
at Bahais. I am an Bahai who is American. [Heechee kam nadaaran] Thanks for an interesting perspective on the Bahai Faith. I appreciate your sincerity. Your article informed me of how truly cruel the treatment of my Bahai family is in Iran. The Bahais that have come to the states from Iran do not complain much about the treatment they recieve. We do know that they are treated unjustly, however, your thoughts shed a different light on the atrocities towards the Bahais in your country. We are one race, the human race. Thanks, Chris
As a Moslem, perhaps going back to Mohammad himself, I applaud your comments on
the inhumane treatment of minorities, particularly Bahais, in Iran. [Heechee
kam nadaaran]
Wonderful [Iraj
Mirza's poem on chador]. You revived Iranian culture.
You are the first, at least to my knowledge, to show fairmindedness and justice [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I have read some of what Baha'ullah says, and I paraphrase, "the most beloved in My sight is justice, do not lose sight thereof; this is what He counsels His followers." The problem you seem to allude to is really nothing but ta'assob, even among the Iranins who claim to be non religious. The blame theories you so rightfully discard is also a brut truism, we need to muster the neccessary courage, and face up to our responsibility, and stop blaming the British , Zionism, the USA, or Russia ands take the reigns of our destiny ourselves. All the previous deals and conscessions were given by us ( our corrupt rulers) and no one else. I am a Bahai who was born and raised in what is now Israel. My grandparents were Banished from Iran in the 1860's because of their beliefs, but I and now my children, as well as 31 other nephews abd neices, and close to 60 of my immediate extended family consider ourselves, proud American Iranians whose religion is Bahai. My dad never saw Iran neither did any of my kids or most my relatives, but we
are proud of our heritage. Anyway "Affarin bar to". Hossein *smile* I'm a girl, just got 18, a Bahai, a world citizen. Thank you! [Heechee kam nadaaran] Even though we hear all the time about what is happening with Bahais in Iran I have never thought that *iranians* are doing it. Not that there is some other nation to persecute Bahais but... I personally have this great respect for all the iranians. It seems such a great nation...maybe because the Bab and Baha'u'llah were Iranians. And when reading your article then again it shows that (some) Iranians are the way I think they are... not some cruel nation. thank you one more time. *smile* Linda
Sharareh Just a few words to express my gratitude for your brave expression of support for fairness and justice in relation to religious tolerance [Heechee kam nadaaran]. It takes a lot of fairness and courage to write such words these days. I salute your open mindedness. I remember reading in our history books in school, as a compliment to Cyrus the Great (Koorosh Kabeer), that when he conquered Babylon, he allowed religious freedom to all inhabitants and allowed them to continue with their religious practices without forcing them to change or persecuting them for not changing. I remember this to be a point of pride in the book and was always promoted as one of oldest recorded major acts in the sphere of Human Rights in the old world. Our present leaders appear to maintain a somewhat different view. Regards and greetings,
I enjoyed your article on the treatment of Bahais in Iran [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I am a western Bahai and have been for 30 years. It is ironic that the birth place of my Faith is Iran, and I love that place because of this and dispite what the fanatical elements of Iran are doing to it and to the Bahais. It is a Holy and blessed country that has given civilization many gifts of culture, poetry, music, courtesy! It was jewel in the world, but it saddens me to see at what depths it has sunk to. It also saddens me to hear what others think of this place. I look forward one day to visiting Iran and seeing the Holy places and the friends and families of Iranian Bahais that I have met throughout my life. They have taught me and my family many many things. I pray for Iran and for all of it's peoples.
Dear Mr. Jahanshah Javid In her books she clearly states that if it was not because of her non Bahai neighbor
warning her that the guards were after her, she would not be alive to tell her story
to the world and would been killed as her co workers in the Local Spiritual Assembly
of the Bahais of Shiraz did. Massoud Fanaieyan,
Thanks for the good word [Heechee kam nadaaran]. Bahais believe that Tehran is the "mother city" of the world. No Bahai looks toward Iran with anything but complete love. Hey, the man was born there. Think of it, the Bahais have spread an understanding of Persian culture and history
to every corner of the globe. And, imagine this, Iran and the U.S. are bonded through
Bahai belief to a position of equal prominence for the next thousand years. Not a
bad gig. Have a great day.
Dear Friend! You wrote so beautiful words [Heechee kam nadaaran]. I just can't say anything. the only thing I want to say is whoever u are and from whatever backround you have understood the MEANING of religion and God. I'm proud of you, my friend "The earth is but one country and the mankind is its citizens."
I want to thank you for thinking about others like us the members of the Bahai faith [Heechee kam nadaaran]. All this time I been visiting the iranian.com and never hear opinions about Bahai faith in a possitive way. All they think and say is bad and cruel opinions and that made me think they don't care about others but you are the exception and I thank god from all this people that really don't accept us is one that really practice the real mining of compasion and religion and the love for people with diferent belive. I am very happy to be a Bahai and to tell you the truth bahais have giving me their love, understanding , their hand , and teach me the real mining of religion by accepting all the religion together in one we are not triying to be only one we come from one God . Your God too, it is the same in all religions. Any way I am not a Persian and I can tell you Bahais are growing and I hope some day all of the people that don't respect us realize that religion doesn't matter. It is the love and respect to others and God the only one. With all my respect, A true Peruvian Bahai married to a wonderful Iranian Bahai. Milagros Missaghi
You are a very open minded person and I admire you for that [Heechee
kam nadaaran]. Also, you have the guts to say what you think/feel.
Hello Mr. Jahanshah Javid, I have a friend who recently came back from a trip to Iran we were able to watch
her video recordings and see many of the Bahais there that she met. I guess I'm curious
to know more about the Bahais situation in Iran and to know more about what Iranians
think about their persecution and their religion can you help me learn more?
I am an Indian and I came to know the Bahais as soon as I got here [Heechee
kam nadaaran]. Coming from where I do, I did not know an Iranian from an Arab.
I lived next to an Iranian Bahai and that is when I got to know other Bahais, all
Iranians. They are happy people; open, warm and welcoming. As a result all the Iranians
I know were such. I don't know any Iranians who are otherwise because I don't know
any non-Bahai Iranians.
It was interesting, reading your article [Heechee kam nadaaran]. It shows how ignorant I am on this subject. I knew that Bahi's weren't very popular in Iran, but I didn't know the extent of it. When I was growing up in Iran/Arak we had a neighbor that were Bahai and they were one of the best family in our neighborhood. Mehrdad
Desperately in search of Khosrow "Hank" Mas(s)oudi. He was in the USA in the1960's. any information would be greatly appreciated. Please help.
Please help!! my family is searching for my cousin Ardavan 29. He is lost in India 4 years ago. He normaly lived in canada! Kheyli motshakeram Bijan Boustani Dear Mr. Javid, I like your website and your columns. This is just a short note to thank you for your work. Perhaps you get some hate mail from time to time but there are many many surfers who like your iranian.com website and its columns but we don't generally express our gratitude to you guys. So, just thank you so very much. Warmest greetings,
Dear Mr. Javid, [Heechee kam nadaaran] As an Iranian Bahai, I would like to thank you for your objective view of the situation of the Bahai's in Iran. Iran is consider a sacred land by all Bahais throughout the world regardless of their nationalities. There are many non Iranian Bahais learning farsi in order to understand the culture, and the history of the Bahai faith. I have lived in the US for the past 33 years, and built a sizeable manufacturring company in Michigan, however I consider myself as an Iranian Bahai wishing to go back and make a positive contribution to rebuild that precious land. Thank you for your support.
I read the article about Moin and I must agree. [Not
worth it]
After reading your article "Heechee kam nadaaran" dated July 3, 2002, I came away feeling disjointed, and not only because of your writing ability. Although the crux of your article is about recognizing the persecution of and discrimination against Baha?is, you manage to discredit yourself and your message by littering your point with insincerity. You open with a reason why you're writing. It's not because you felt so moved about how Bahais are being treated, it's because you are waiting for your Internet connection to come back up. You defend yourself in the next paragraph, stating, "Of course I've thought about writing something about Bahais for some time..." But by then it's too late; we infer that if you had actual writing time set aside, you wouldn't be writing about this topic. You also treat your writing topic like an afterthought by inserting irrelevant phrases like, "Where's my bloody Internet connection'!" and, "God... I hope my Internet connection comes back soon." which reveal where your priorities lie. The other way your insincerity shows through is how you refer to the Bahai Faith and religion in general. Your use of the word "whatever" and "whoever" ("...the Bahai faith or religion or whatever they call it", "Bab or Bahaulla or whoever...") suggests a disregard for the Faith and its followers as a whole. If you couldn't take the time to find out the proper name and founder of the religion about which your write, why should your readers even care about your point? You dismiss the Faith again when referring to its principles as, "nice and sweet and goody goody." You also dismiss religion as a whole ("To me, all religion is hocus pocus anyway.") Here's a piece of advice: Save your distaste for religion for another article. You're just confusing your readers even more. Last but not least, your final blow of insincerity ("And [founder of the Bahai Faith] wasn't an Arab like the other fellow.") is completely irrelevant. I suggest that next time you intend to write sincerely on a topic that you supposedly feel strong about, save your readers the time it would take to read your dribble and go to an Internet cafe.
How painful those pictures are and how loud their screams [Kooye Daneshgah]. My brother was among those courageous kids in the streets, not the rebellious ones the ones who took advantage of the situation, but those who wanted the others to hear their protests, to show the world that they too exist. When I heard the news, I knew he was going to be there, and I was scared for and proud of him at the same time, more proud, knowing that he belongs to the crowd that shouts for freedom. Those photos have a lot to say and keep on sending them because we need to know. We are tired of being fed lies by either sides. The ones based in Iran and those sitting in their luxurious homes, murmuring every once in a while "lengesh kon" while they "dasti az door bar aatashdarand" and yet they think how brave they are to show their disapproval, thousands of miles away from the haert of the event. I bow to you and your peers who showed up in the streets those days. I am ashamed of myself for not being there with my brethrens, trying to get back what has been taken from us. the memory of the ones who lost their lives, their limbs. their freedom will be with us forever. SD
Jahanshah you fat little snotty fuck. That [Heechee kam nadaaran] was a pathetic attempt at trying to get the iranians to accept Bahais and at the same time bash Islam. There is nothing wrong with Bahais because they love and follow the same God as I do (I'm a Moslem). Now if you actually did care about Bahais you would have re-thought your article and realized that your not gonna help them out even more by bashing other peoples religions (AH HEM *Islam*). Don't take it out on Islam because the fundamentalists are on the spot right now. Yes, Bahai is a faith of peace love happiness, so is Islam. I'm surprised at your
ignorance and immaturity towards Islam and religion in general. REPLY: Fat khodeti o jaddo aabaadet. -- Jahanshah Javid
Mr. Zangeneh, I felt wonderful to shout with my fellow students, "Marg bar shah" and
I am sure my father before me and now my son share the same feelings. But amazingly
enough, the feeling is gone once someone who is stronger and bigger than you beats
you over the head. July 11, 2002 |
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