Amazon Honor System



Letters * Support iranian.com
* FAQ
* Write for Iranian.com
* Editorial policy
October 8, 2002

See this month's letters
by subject



* It just does NOT add up

As an Iranian Jew, I must admit, looking at the pictures of Palestinian people only makes me ashamed of those who are running my so called "promised land". Maybe this is why the other Jews here in the US do not consider us Iranian Jews - real Jews! Because we have learned to live peacefully with our other countrymen.

Sure, there were times that I hated my friends for making fun of me... for being different or for my lack of knowledge of their religion... but at the end of the day, we were all Iranians... we were just friends. My religion did not separate me from other Iranians. It was the so-called Islamic Republic's repressive measures that drove my entire family out of Iran, not the people.

I feel the Israeli people's frustration, but that does not justify what we are doing to the Palestinians. How is this different from what Hitler did to us? When I talk to other Jewish fellows here in California, I hear the lamest excuses "Israel wouldn't be where it is today, if it was not being controlled by us", or "It was only a desert until we moved in", to which I just keep silent.

I can't help but wonder, what if those Palestinians were just happy living in their own desert with their own values and their own traditions. I mean if the American Indians came and asked for their land back after 300 years, will USA just hand it over to them? Maybe I'm still too naive... but it just does NOT add up.

Behzad, 24 y/o
Los Angeles



To top

* I really loved these pictures

Great pictures of "Old Shiraz", I was impressed by the clearness of the pictures. Also there is an Epic quality to these pictures, truly cinematic. I did not necessarily recognize the Shiraz I knew as a kid, some pictures looked as if they came straight out of a Western film like which I found particularily cruel.

It reminded me of the tales my Uncle used to tell me as a child about how life was harsh in remote villages like Fasa where my Great Grandfather ( who was a John Wayne like character ) used even to impose law and order on his lands, often chasing unwelcomed visitors on horseback with his rifle. That was long before our family lost all lands with the Shahs White Revolution and his policy of distributing lands to farmers. Life was really tough in those days and quite Epic in respect to the Times my generation knew in the years prior to the revolution.

I recall similar stories told by an old worker who along other workers worked on building our house in Shiraz's "Gasre Dasht", or "Desert Palace" was the name of the city outskirt. He claimed to belong to the "Deliraneh Tangestaan", the Quashgai heroes who tried to oust the British from Fars during the Constitutional Revolution.

On one occasion while my brother and I were playing with plastic Napoleonic era soldiers, he looked at us curiously. When he found out that my brother was playing the British and I the French, he simply Walked on my brothers English regiment and cried "Marg Bar Engelestan" . My brother and I looked at each other in surprise and watched the old man cheeringly dancing and singing on his way back to work.

When you look at these pictures and compare them with those of America's West, they are strangely similar. I mean life was just as harsh in the Iran as in the Wild Wild West. Also similarities in the way both 19th century Iran and the Wild West were modernized and urbanized. We also had our bootleggars but of course not to the same extent as in America.

Religious presence seems to be very important, nearly as important as in Iran today. Sad to see that in certain areas Iran has moved back to that remote time such as for the condition of Woman before Reza Shah's decree banning women from wearing the chador / hijab in public.

It is also interesting to see the gradual evolution of clothes from traditional to the more "modern-westernized" Pahlavi imposed clothes especially at school or in public. The presence of both Mossadegh as Shiraz Governer or Reza Shah are ironically interesting and testify on Shiraz's important historical role.

What I found charmful was also pictures of Shiraz in the 60's. Probably because I was born in the 60's but I really think It was one of the periods in Iranian history and consenquently in Shiraz when people were certainly the happiest.

The oil crisis was not yet on everyones lips. People were discovering the advantages of modernization and not yet confronted to its disadvantages. Clean and straight streets were flourishing in the city.

Movie theaters showed films such as this Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn "Charade" which were dubbed in Farsi. Sellers would sell "Shalgaam" in the streets. Siroos Qahremani, aka "Iranian Hercules" was the towns attraction at the city Zoo, and not the future Bum, after the revolution that everyone was to ignore.

I recall the flower clock in Zand Street, no matter the season it was always working with precision. I always found that the Toopkhaneh "canon" Square, was majestic. It reminded me of the Middle Age Castles I would see in Robin Hood or Ivanhoe films. When the revolution took place I used to wonder what took place behind those close doors. Was it a dungeon or a War museum? I think and believe it was the latter. At least I hope so.

Beyond bearing my name, I recall Dariush Street for its wonderful shops. By the mid Seventies it was much more flourished with cosmetic and jewellery shops held by Armenian and jewish buisiness'. I also recall the Movie posters on the top of Cinemas in that street with the Stars of the Time like Behrouzeh Vossoughi and Malek Mottei

Its funny to see some British diplomats or functionaries sitting on the floor, or the military presence foreign or Persian show an interesting aspect on the cities history

On the whole I really loved these pictures from this book a copy of which was also sent to me by a cousin. This book is a gem not only from a historical point of view but also for any writer or movie maker who would want to make a film on different periods of this eternal town. It is also great to see that the book edition in Iran is reviving the history of our great City.

Darius Kadivar



To top

* Specially enjoyed Shiraz pix

I just visited iranian.com after a long time and specially enjoyed the "Beh Yaade Shiraz" photo essay [Old Shiraz]. Where can one find this book? I bet a Shirazi relative is snapped in there somewhere.

Mariam Ispahani

Reply: Contact the compiler/publisher Mansour Sane. -- Jahanshah Javid



To top

* Great pictures of old Shiraz

Thank you for giving people like me that have a deep love and fascination for Iran's history the
opportunity to see what people of the time dressed and looked like. [Old Shiraz]

I wish more readers would share their pictures especially if they are from the southern regions of Iran. I enjoyed looking at these pictures a great deal.

Azam Nemati



To top

* Did it ever occur to you?

Dear Kourosh khan,

Enjoyed your letter, "No tears here", in the Iranian.com. Very well written and logical. You should get a response from either Wahington Post or New York Times for an editorial spot soon.

Did you ever hear the phrase "gooz beh shaghigeh cheh rabti daareh?" Did it ever occur to you how giving visa to an international director whose movies are frowned upon in Iran (some of them) could support the mullahs? Do you even know Kiarostami? Have you ever watched the controversial movies of this director which convey the message of freedom and reform?

Ba Tashakor,

Agha Sheitoon



To top

* Where do Turkmans come from?

I am an immigration attorney who currently has a Turkman Iraqi client who is seeking asylum in the U.S. It is important that I find out where the Turkman/Turkuman people come from.

A U.S. Customs official testified in court that they are originally from Turkmanistan and are considered natives in Turkey. In doing research I came across your web site and thought you might be able to provide some information on Turkuman people.

Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated.

Lisa D. Ramirez, Esq.



To top

* Good to see you looking happy again

I was overjoyed to see the picture of Farid, his wife and daughter relaxing on the beach (Kish maybe? Or the Caspian Sea?)

I recall his photo essay "Cannot forgive or forget". Like many it was not easy to share his bitter views on Irakians, but I felt that it was his way of spilling out all the pain he had felt because of the war. I think Farid's testimony is important. Many of us have been lucky to have avoided the Army during the Iran Irak War, I had a friend who came to France to study art and he had similar stories.

This war was totally ignored by the West and no one until quite recently acknowleged the heavy price paid by Iranians in their War against Irak. The Same Irakians also paid a heavy price because of their bloody leader. In anycase it was good to see Farid looking happy again with his beautiful family.

Darius Kadivar



To top

* Tabrizis are Iranians


I read with interest the article "Who are Azeris?" by a 26-year-old from Tabriz (hmm!). The author is surprised that most readers were somewhat suspicious of her Iranianness and thought that she (or he) may be working for the Republic of Azerbaijan. Since the start of war on terrorism there is an increasing effort by some to create divisions amongst Iranians.

There is a recent article in JTA for example that claims that Iranian Muslims beat up the Iranian Jews in LA and gives a list of unIranian names ( Daoud Mohammed Mavid and Mohammed Hassan Aref) as the culprits. When the leaders of both communities said that no animousity existed, the article found a single college student that did not like Muslims and spent a large part of the article dwelling on his musings. There is also a recent article in the Guardian that reports increased American activities in Baluchestan to boost cessationist movements. The challenge is to keep a balance; it is to tolerate sensative debate on issues but not allow ourselves be manipulated like fools.

The fallacy of the central thesis of the article becomes obvious if the following thought experiment is performed. I want the Persian speaking readers to close their eyes and imagine Tabriz being looted and bombed by the Russians. Score your outrage out of ten on a piece of paper. Knowing Iranians as I do, all manners of patriotic fervor will course through your veins and your ghayrat will be provoked. Now imagine the same happening to Dushanbeh in Tajikestan. Though you may feel sorry for those innocents in Tajikestan nowhere near as much outrage will be generated by the latter scenario. But wait a second the Tajiks are Persian-speaking unlike the Tabrizis. Who cares? Tabrizis are Iranians.

The author then claims that Azeris are not even Iranians and that somehow Iranians have created this myth to hang on to the Azeri people. Apparently the Azeris are Oghuz. But the central Asian "Turks" are not a mythological race. In Chinese Turkestan the original Altaic races are still very much extant.

They have high cheekbones and small palpebral fissures. They look like Chinese. The Fin and the Hungarians were ruled by the Mongolian Huns who were not of caucasian race. The fact that a non-Mongolian race speaks a Mongolian language is further proof that Azeris are indeed Iranians who speak an Altaic tongue.

But how did Tabriz beome Turkish speaking and Isfahan did not. The answer is that the Ghaznavid, Seljuk and Khwarazmshahis were already Persianised when they attacked Iran. Many years later when the descendents of Teimur attacked India, they took the Persian language to these new lands not Turkish. However Tabriz was occupied at the time of its linguistic conversion by Aq qoyunlo and Qara qoyonlo Turkmen who had little knowlege of Persian.

The relationship of Turkish to Mongolian is dismissed by the author by saying that Turkish is not intelligable by Mongolians therefor it is not related. Well, Persian is not intelligable by Indians or Europeans who do not speak the language. Does this make it a non-IndoEuropean language?

Which brings us to the conclusion of her article:

The south Azerbaijanis are forced to live under an Islamic system in Iran while their brothers in the Republic of Azerbaijan live under the principles of democracy.

Which Tabrizi refers to herself as south Azerbaijani. South Azerbaijan is a term created during the Soviet era when the USSR had designs on the northern provinces of Iran. The republic of Azerbaijan continues to use the same term. I know no Iranian who refers to herself as a south Azerbaijani.

There are 30 million Azeris in Iran, almost as many as this mythical ethnic category of "Persian". Who are these Persians. Does anyone in Iran refer to himself as "Fars". Do Baluchis and Kurds therefor fall in the category of Fars? Furthermore what if you are a Turk from Khorasan are you still an Azeri even though your are not from Azerbaijan? I speak Persian but I am a Qovamloo does that make me an Azeri or a Persian? Isn't Persian a name we give ourselves abroad so people think of us as relating to Persia with its romantic associations rather than Iran with all its troubles?

It is absurd for four million people with a history of little more than ten years to have designs on territorial integrity of Iran. Let us not find reasons to hate each other. Iran is for all Iranians and as one of your letter writers aptly put it: There is only one prerequisite for being an Iranian and that is to love Iran and Iranians.

Arash Salardini



To top

* Far removed from the truth

I have been reading with interest the letters following the articles "Heechee kam nadaaran" by Mr. Jahanshah Javid and "Medieval ignorance" by Mr. Iqbal Latif. Although the majority of the letters have been in support of the question of when are we going to recognize the Bahais and when the systematic persecution against the Bahais by the Iranian government will stop, there has been a minority that have questioned the legitimacy of the Bahai Faith and its follower. In a sense indicating Bahais deserve what they are going through in Iran. My comments are addressed to them.

Although we should always make statements based on facts that we have independently investigated and are 100% sure of, despite the fact that it does not justify it, but I find it a bit more understandable when Iranians inside Iran are ignorant of the Bahai Faith and are under the influence of false accusations. They have a very difficult time finding facts about the Bahai Faith and have been misinformed, misguided and mislead by the clergies, akhunds, for years/generations. There are no access to any Bahai literature in any library or book stores, or any Bahai source.

But my question for my fellow countryman living outside Iran who are ignorant of the Bahai' Faith is what is your excuse? For any Iranian living outside Iran who wants to satisfy his/her curiosity about Bahai Faith which started in Iran, is the second fastest growing religion and has followers throughout the world, there are books in most if not all public libraries, book stores , there are Bahai telephone numbers listed in the local telephone directories not to mention the Bahai Radio in Persian accessible via Internet, bahairadio.org and all the Bahai web sites such as bahai.com. This is not to become a Bahai but to find and know the facts about this religion.

As a responsible individuals we owe it to ourselves and to the readers to express opinion based on facts and doing the necessary research before making a statement. Some of the comments/accusations made are either based on total ignorance, prejudice or false accusations spread by the clergies in Iran. Mr William Collins has done an excellent job in responding to the baseless accusations which there is no need to repeat them.

But I found it disappointing to say the least to see comments presented as facts and being so far removed from the truth by my fellow countrymen outside Iran. So my friends, next time when you are making a statement about the Bahai Faith or any subject matter you want to look into it first and make sure you have all the facts rather then guessing, making things up, or repeating what you have heard that may not have any truth in it.

And for those who wanted to know Bahai Faith's point of view on Iran, a book written by Jamshid Fanaian, titled Iran-i-Ayanadeh, Prospects of Persia, is recommended.

With best regards,
Massoud Fanaieyan



To top

* Another misconception

Dear page editor

This is a letter for Hadi Khorsandi's ham vatan irani ha ham adam boodand and his remarks about capitan Rogers.As you know Hadi's email address is still not accepting massages.

Dear Hadi Jaan

Here's another misconception in your critic/satire about Cap'n Rogers et al.

Following the mistake (which should be called just that, lacking hard evidence to the contrary from either source) an offer for apology and monetary compensation, was made by the US to the IR.for the loss of life and property. This was rejected, off-hand, by the IR.

The islamic government saw fit to milk the event for its political value instead.I remember the staged Ta'zia,all over Iran, in relation to the "Criminal Act of The Great Satan in The Persian Gulf".

I do believe the question of compensation remains open (if it hasn't already been resolved).My suspition is the IR is unwilling to persue this matter- perhaps they fear becoming najess!. I'm glad, to read in your piece, that at least the survivers of "foreigners" have been offered compensation and have wisely accepted that from the US. (See Khorsandi's reply)

Parviz Rastgaran
Arlington , Va.



To top

* My kind of story

I enjoyed this witty and very romantic, yet realistic, piece by Nazanin [Nazanin's great leap]. It's my kind of story because you have a few days of great love and then one of you departs. Now that is a love story.

She did not give us much information about Ali other than his love for Dallas Cowboys (but taste because I hate Dallas Cowboys and so does everyone who likes football). As readers we don't know enough about Ali to decide whether she should abandon everything and follow him to California (provided he has asked her) or should she stay and accept that this was her "Casablanca" moment. It is not as easy as in the romantic stories or is it?

Azam Nemati



To top

* Wanted in Pakistan: Zam Zam Cola

We are interested to market Zam Zam Cola in Pakistan & request you to kindly provide us with the Name, Address, Tel #, Fax # & e-mail address of the Manufacturer so that we can contact with them. Waiting for your prompt response.

With best regards

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL

KASHIF SHAKIL



To top

* Iranian officer must be punished

On behalf of the entire Baloch nation, I want to draw the attention of your rviewers, Amnesty International, and other Global Human Rights Organisations to the awful incident that took place at Village Sergan near Chabahar (Iranian Balochistan). A nine-year-old Baloch girl was brutally raped by an Iranian Air Force officer. As a result of the horrendous act, on the night of September 3, 2002, the minor girl died. [Aayaa tajaavoz jensee hatk hormat ast?]

Despite evidence and eyewitness accounts and the fact that the alleged officer was caught red-handed by the local people and was taken to the police station, he was released without any charge. The Iranian government, instead of taking cognizance of the act and providing justice to the family, has let loose the law enforcement machinery on the people of the area. There are reports of several killings and arrests of the local Baloch.

Incidentally, this is not the first incident of its kind. Because of sectarian differences, the Iranian Baloch are considered second-class citizens. A s a Baloch nation we demand that the government of Iran apologize to the people of the area; ensure swift trial of the alleged person according to the Sharia Law of the country; rhe accused must be punished publicly and the victim's family must be compensated. Otherwise we will be constrained to bring this case to the notice of the International Tribunal through Human Rights Organizations/Amnesty International.

REHAN BALOCH
Turbat, Balochistan



To top

* Parviz Nadimi

I am looking for an old friend, whose trace I lost about 20 years ago.His name is Parviz Nadimi and he worked for Bank Markazie in Tehran, from where he retired around 1978. Any advice concerning the whereabouts of Parviz Nadimi would be very much appreciated.

Peter Amsinck



To top

* America has the right to declare war on terrorism

Mr. Sadri's eloquently written opinion regarding the fight against global terrorism puts much blame on US policy and its failure to make its case [Who lost the world?]. He cites that instead of eradicating the root causes of terrorism, the Bush Administration is ineptly fighting a war without sympathy from the rest of the Western world and alienating the Muslim world.

How come these countries need America's help to become literate, economically stable and civilized ? These countries, which Mr. Sadri explains are not the "Axis of Evil", have dictatorial regimes that undermine their own people, have no room for religious tolerance or freedom of speech, are corrupt and do not offer their people any benefits except harsh Islamic rhetoric to sacrifice themselves for religion and then reap benefits once in "heaven".

In my opinion America has the right to declare war on terrorism; not only was America the target on 9/11, rather fundamentalist regimes in the Middle East have targeted Western civilization.

America is a country which freely discusses what it wants to do and has been in the forefront of helping other countries in need whenever called upon. More important, freedom to practice any religion in this country is a constitutional right, something lacking in the Islamic countries targeted. After the 9/11 tragedies, President Bush made it clear that he supported the people versus dictatorial fundamentalist zealots. He made it clear that the targets are countries that slyly and covertly support terrorists.

If Mr. Sadri believes that America has lost its way, has lost support and is fighting the wrong war, I don't think he (Mr. Sadri) has made his case.

S. Samii



To top

* What can the prince suggest to Aruba?

I saw yesterday an interview on CNN and i think i was impressed by the anwnsers of the Prince Reza Pahlavi concerning the world economy. But, I have a question. Since I follow the world crisis before September 11 and after, what suggestion does he have for a better world?

I come from a small island by the name Aruba and we as a small nantion are also feeling the economical tention. Can you be so kind to give a free, good suggestion? What can we do as a touristic island to get a better economy?

Please respond to my letter if possible. The Prince himself. My name is Magali. I come from a Royal Dutch country in the caribbean.

Magali



To top

* Rumi's poem?

I am looking for the famous statement by Iranian philosopher "Jalal Al-din Rumi" regarding the dialogue between human being. I believe it star by "Beyond the field of right and wrong, there is a space, I would like to meet you???"

Can you kindly assist me with the exact text?

Farshad Fakhari



To top

* Enough is enough, yes!

Thanks for your article in the Iranian.com [International Enough Day]. Enough is enough, yes! It is more than enough! But as long as humanity exists (more lethally now, I am afraid, than a hundred years ago), there will be greed, prejudice, superstitions, dogmas, and atrocities.

The concerned citizen of today should go beyond a naive concept of peace, love, and unity, and be alert in fighting injustice and taking out, if needed, Hitlers, Stalins, Idi Amins, Melosoviches. Saddam Hosseins, Mulla Omars, and Osama Bin Ladens of this world as soon, and not as late, as possible.

A simple holding of hands, singing songs, reading poems, and drawing paintings (as good and necessary as they are) would not simply do it. We must promote peace and peaceful thoughts - but not at the price of protecting terrorists and dictators who cause havoc around the globe. To preserve liberty, we should also be willing to sacrifice pleasures, personal tranquility, and even life itself for a higher cause which is freedom itself.

I count my blessings for living in this great land of freedom where I can think, I can talk, I can dissent, I can write in a civil and reasoned manner without the fear of being persecuted and executed similar to what happens in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Libya, Ruwanda, Brundi, Congo, and other brutalized regions of the globe.

We owe it to the framers of this great Constitution as well as the great men such as Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Emerson, and Thoreau. We, with dual culture, also owe it to Khyyam, Rumi, Saadi, and Hafiz who can help us maneuver through life and difficulties. Let us maneuver through life with awareness and not simplemindedness.

Roger K. Doost
Professor School of Accountancy & Legal Studies
Clemson University



To top

* Why didn't you talk to people are making a difference?

Reaction to ABC television's special news feature on Iran on October 12:

I've lived in Iran for the last 5 years and I am quite aware of the situation there and the people's dissatisfaction. But to show a rich, priviledged girl and her friends complain about life in Iran is not a fair representation of the reality in Iran.

Why didn't you talk to the reformists, and people who are trying to resolve the problems within the means available to them, but who are making a difference? Why don't you talk about the reformists who received more than 70% of the votes and who are active in the Majlis?

Is your answer to Iran's problems the same as the lady in the bazaar, that the US should attack Iran, like they did in Afghanistan? If you believe in democracy, why don't you let your viewers understand that the best way to for Iran to change is to have the international support to persuade it to move faster towards reforms? The way Europe has been supporting that trend.

Persheng



To top

* Hardly enlightening

Mr. Chmosky's views are interesting, but hardly enlightening in as much as he introduces much distortion in the picture he paints of attitudes toward U.S. policies. [Drain the swamp]

For example, he suggests that policies such as the current backing of Musharraf in Pakistan is somehow standing in the way of a return to democratic institutions in that nation.

Ever since the advent of Zia-al-Haq, the democratic tradition has been absent and those who advocate individual choice are living in exile for the most part. The same factions that brought Zia to power are today the leading, or at least, the most violent opposition to Mr. Musharraf.

One must ask whether the Pakistanis have a better chance to return to some sort of respresentative government under another viable political faction in the country. The answer is not clear.

However, there are many more points to question in Mr. Chomsky's thesis. He states, "Much of the world regards the U.S. as a terrorist regime." Pretty vague, isn't it. The U.S., he adds, is seen as "the rogue superpower."

This he claims is substantiated by survey research. First of all, the U.S. is generally regarded, I suppose, as the only superpower, and therefore, to be regarded suspiciously by any cautious person or government. Rogue is a word thrown in to sway the reader to Mr. Chomsky's point of view.

Second, the use of survey research is tricky enough in the Western world, but in South America and the Middle East, it is extremely difficult to obtain accurate results. The art of sampling is in its infancy in less developed countries, and simply put, people lie in interview situations far more frequently than one expects among survey respondents in the West, where we are used to being questioned by marketers, political pollsters, etc.

The one very interesting example Mr. Chomsky brings up is his reference to the former Israeli chief of military intelligence, Mr. Harkabi, who believes the Palestinian question could have been solved by respectful treatment of them and their settlements by the Israelis. I don't doubt this, but unfortunately, Palestinians have not been treated respectfully by Arabs either.

Furthermore, while solving the human condition of Palestinians in Israel might help quell terrorism in that country, it would not necessarily stem future attacks against the U.S. and other Western and Asian nations.

The Palestinian question was not mentioned by Osama bin Laden, for example until very recently. His major gripe was against U.S. intrusion into his homeland and his desire to get them out. This desire is certainly shared by Saddam Hussein and radical groups in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Similarly the French, Germans and Russians have adversaries who would not be influenced by an end to strife between the Israelis and Palestinians. Let us not kid ourselves. Of course one hopes for a peaceful solution in Israel and Palestine, but regardless, we can expect plenty of hot spots around the world for many years.

Terrellapr



To top

* Civilized arrogance

In your letter [Will there ever be an end to this madness?] you wrote: What can and what should the civilized world do about terrorists and terrorist nations?"

Dear Professor Doost,

To "stop this madness" PLEASE, for the sake of our VERY FRAGILE PLANET, look at "YOUR" evil too. Your "civilized" sentence above, in its apparent total blindness to what WE (Americans) are doing to the planet, indirectly causes 9/11s to happen.

I am just a poet. PLEASE look at the "Evin" prison (where I have had several relatives before and after the revolution) within your own soul. Could it be that your "civilized" arrogance may also be a factor in contributing to suffering? -- to 9/11s around this planet?

For the sake of "your holy God" -- not mine (I am a Sufi), since you are an accountancy professor, please take into account the fact that over 65% of the planet's population lives under $2 per day in per capita income.

In order to prevent more 9/11s, don't you think "civilized" people like you should do something about this? In light of this "insignificant" fact I rephrase your question: What can and what should the civilized world do about... the terror of arrogance and indifference to suffering?

Respectfully,

Moji Agha



To top

* Debunking Khatami's deceptive rhetoric

Thank you Mr Bayegan for your article "Fanciful presidential flight" and for debunking khatami's deceptive rhetoric. I am sure that the United Nations also is aware of the nature of khatami's lip service to democracy and the so called dialogue among civilizations.

I know first hand from my own experience that there are forces within the United Nations believing that by their policy of appeasement they can help the forces of reform and moderation to prevail within the Iranian government.

The policy of appeasement however in my opinion only helps to muddy the water and will make it more difficult and confusing for the Iranian people to unburden themselves from their undemocratic government.

E.K.



To top

* Afghan king

Thank you for this editorial "Citizen Pahlavi". This bit -- "The Afghans have been miserable since the fall of their king. Is there any chance of him coming back to power? It's not going to happen." -- seems to answer this bit: "Why even suggest the monarchy as a possible future form of government when most people have no desire for it?"

Thank you, Thak you :-)

Amir Khosrow Sheibany



To top

* Don't agree with Bush? You're a terrorist

Although I agree with most of the issues addressed in President George W. Bush's speeches, I must confess that there is one remark that troubles me every time I hear it. I hear in his speeches repeatedly statements to the general public and the world at large that whoever does not agree with him is against him and is with the enemy, the terrorist.

This notion of labeling people and, in a sense, threatening them that if they dare to think differently is not acceptable, genuinely concerns me. The concern is not about my agreeing or disagreeing, rather it is about the danger of these kinds of statements.

This great country was founded on the virtue of Freedom, so Mr. President should allow people to think. Doesn't he see that these kinds of statements discourage one from exercising his or her ability to see clearly and to think clearly.

After all, 9/11 was not only an American tragedy, rather it was a human tragedy , a Universal Tragedy, the loss of many, many innocent people. I, personally feel that as a member of the world society, I lost many of my relatives and friends on that tragic day.

Of course, we as Humanity as a whole, must continue working toward a world of love and compassion, and above all toward a just world society. Let's hope and work toward World Peace! God Bless! Proud to Be! It is the circle that unites us all!

Bahereh Khodadoost



To top

* Traveling to Iran on a U.S. passport

My uncle is a retired army officer (pre-revolution). He has been a US resident for many years.

He has traveled to Iran many times in the past 10 years & collected his pension. Recently he has had an American passport & is worried about traveling to Iran even with an Iranian passport as he will need to tell the authorities about the US passport. (When collecting his pension and leaving Iran ).

Has anyone experienced similar circumstances? Please let me know if you have had a good or bad experience & how long ago.

Alex



To top

* What have the Black people done against humanity?

In reply to "Disgusting", do we still wonder why there's prejudice towards us Iranians? Do you wonder why they can't see the difference between us and the ones who actually hit the WTC? At least there could be a reason (no matter how stupid and illogical it is) to hate us. What have the Black people -- all over the world not just so-called African-Americans -- done against humanity?

It's so sad to see that there are people who can only find hatred in their hearts and are not able to wish happiness for others. So sad to see those beautiful smiles and bright eyes and still, all you can see is the surface which is as beautiful as the smiles and the sparkles in those eyes and just happens to be different.

We, too, are different.

Sheila Dadvar



To top

* Not much room left for laughter

That would make a great premise for a funny Iranian movie. [My big fat Persian culture] But everytime I go to Iran, this is not what's on everyone's mind, it's the regime, the traffic, the poverty, the revolution that ruined the lives or atleast dramtically changed the lives of all Iranians, etc. etc. that is underneath the skin of people.

It is a sad state that Iran is in, and every day it gets worse, and even if you have the money to have a good life in Iran, you cannot escape the government, the inability to get an ambulance if you need one, the absence of medications for ailments such as diabetes. So maybe there isn't much room left for laughter, even though this is all that may me left to keep Iranians alive anymore - a little bit of fun and joy.

It makes me sad to contemplate this, but maybe this is why all the films and music, is intense, sad and dramatic.

Lobat Asadi



To top

* Info on best snowslopes in the world

Greetings,

I am looking for information about snowbaording in DIZIN, SHEMSHAK and DHARBAND SAR. Can you help me with that, because it is really difficult to find any first hand information.

We, 5 Belgian snowboarders, who want to ride one of the best snowslopes in the world,

Thanks for you help,

Peter Soons



To top

* Iranian producer wouldn't touch it with a 9 foot pole

In response to your essay and the question you pose [My big fat Persian culture], one explanation is that Iranians are not secure enough within themselves to have foreigners laugh at them.

So, they will only make serious movies which would portray them as 'deep thinking'. Something as frivolous as a wedding would give the 'foreigners' too much ammo for laughter and despite the potential revenue, an Iranian producer wouldn't touch it with a 9 foot pole.

JMHO



To top

* I like your features

Dear Mr. Kadivar,


Thanks for sharing this song with us [Oh Champs Elysees]. I enjoyed it very much :)

It's beautiful just like Champs Elysees itself. And thanks for all your other contributions as well. I like your features, pictures, etc. a lot.

Parastoo



To top

* What is the good professor smoking?

Having come back to The Iranian after a while I am amazed that nothing has changed . [Vote him out] The American-Iranians seem to prefer in drown in the sea of ignorance in America rather than face facts about the struggle between Arab and American hegemony. What is the good professor smoking? What rose coloured glasses is he wearing (ie what class A drugs is he consuming)?

Please read LA Weekly's interview with Gore Vidal to see what those Americans with access to the world media and are not brain washed, have to say about the new empire.

Regards
Rostam Beglie Beigie



To top

* Az daste roozgar

SALAM doustan va azizan man kasra solati hastam va az bulgarestan mail mizanam va naam zibay sait shoma keh be iran va iranian miandishad man ra baar in dashet ta darde deli ba shoma azizan dashteh basham. man pass az 1.5 sal tahamol zendan dar inja chand roozi ast keh be neamat azadi dast peyda kardam va albateh azizan man khalaf kar nistam va faghat be khater khorooj gheyr ghanooni va etehamati keh ghachaghchi ma be man nesbat dad majboor be tahamol in modat zendan sakhet shodam.

azizan dard man in nist va in gozashet ama pass az 1.5 sal khanevadeham ra az dast dadam va hamsaram keh be ghoman man be entezar man bood be tour ghiyabi ba estefadeh az ghanoon inja az man talagh gerefteh va man ra az didan tanha kodak man ba estefadeh az moghiyat shohar jadid khod keh az vaziyat khoob mali bar khordar ast va az arabhay moghim inja ast mahroom kardeh.

be onvan yek mard kheyli khajolam keh in masel ra begoyam ama delam shekasteh va tab in hameh kheyanat va in hameh entezar keh dar zendan baray didan rooy jegar gosheham keshidam ra nadaram nemidanam cheh bayad kard cheh mitavan kard pass az azadi az zendan hich jayi baray zendegi nadaram va roozha ast keh dar rah ahan in shar mikhabam va gorosnegi va nadashtan mahali baray zendegi baes shodeh keh ghiyafehi ajib peyda konam.

ama doustan man geda nistam va dast roozgar va sar neveshet siyah man ra be in rooz andakheteh va ba in sar va roo khejalat mikesham be didan dokhtaram beravam albateh har rooz az dour ou ra mibinam va engar keh ghalb man ra tekeh tekeh mikonand ama chegoneh mitavanam ba in sar vaze be ou begoyam keh baz amadam. dousatan va hamvatanan dast yari be rouy shoma azizan daram va har komaki az shoma baes mishavad keh pass az 1.5 sal aziz khodam ra bebinam va hamchenin rahi baray gereftan ou peyda konam .

omid keh be in nimehi az mardanegi keh dar vojodam mandeh komak va yari beresanid.

kasra



To top

* Arrogance

this woman represents EVERY LAST THING that is wrong with iranian culture. [I am the undisputed queen] she is FULL of hatred and spite and feels an instinctive urge to denigrate and put down other iranians with whom she disagrees just to make herself feel better or superior.

she is under the erroneous impression that she's better than everyone else because she has a masters degree (big fuckin' deal; there are thousands of iranian women with PhDs), is cultured, intelligent, and supposedly beautiful (that's what they all say).. not to mention a poet of renowned stature.

let me tell ya somethin' honey, when it comes to how men view women, it's all about attitude and respect. everything else is secondary, and those two things are most definitely not in YOUR repertoire. arrogance and ziadi-goh-khordan are HUGE turn-offs in a woman. and before you can dismiss me as a "simpleton" like you do with everyone else, i'm a 3rd year medical student (beats a master's, doesn't it?). and frankly i wouldn't even give someone like you the time of day.

NN



To top

* Film should never just be about art

Allow me to stand up and shout a vociferous "HALLELUJAH" to this article for nailing it right on the head [So boring, so pointless]. iranian films are nothing but BULLSHIT. i am so sick and tired of seeing these excruciatingly boring, plotless, so-called "art-house" films that i'm ready to beat up the directors. these iranian directors sole aim is to make films for film festivals, that is all. as soon as they're done making a film, you see their ugly faces pop up at the next available film festival.

it's a circuit, and they do them all. no one in iran goes to see these nonsense shit films, for obvious reasons, and then you read an article in The New York Times about the "shocking" disinterest of iranians in their own "award-winning" cinema. i had the misfortune of seeing "Baran" recently. the climactic point of the film is a scene at the end where the film's lead female character gazes into the eyes of this guy who's been pursuing her for the entire film and cracks (barely) a smile. no words or anything, just a faint smile. imagine how backward a society has to be that this passes for an expression of affection and love.

the point is, film should never just be about art and philosophy and teaching us all a lesson. it is also about entertainment. 'Life is Beautiful' did all of the former but still managed to be a very funny, entertaining film. all these so-called film festival awards notwithstanding, these iranian directors need to go back to film school and learn how to direct a proper film.

NN



To top

* This country is called a melting pot

To Mr. Shams, the sicko racist who made the comment about the Iranian girl and the African American guy, [Disgusting]

This country is called a melting pot. If you don't like it, either get on the plane and go back, or keep your ignorant and insulting comments to yourself. Genetically speaking, we're all practically black anyway. Have a little respect and dignity for yourself. A real man doesn't feel threatened like you do.

Bazel



To top

* Artists are our only voice

Mr. Kourosh Ferisian, [No tears here]

With all due respect, I would like to say that you are as we say "part az maajeraa"....There is no denying that there are numerous governments dealing with the IRI which obviously is the cause of suffrage among our nation, however, Mr. Kiarostami is one of the many talented individuals who has been given a platform to showcase some of the suffrage that is brought onto the people of our beautiful country.

At the very least, Mr. Kiarostami, and other active directors, writers, producers, and artists are the only voices that can convey the frustration, and suffering at the hands of this regime. But please, please, I beg you not to be as ignorant as you sound in your letter, and actually give kudos to the U.S. who is the leading sponsor of terrorism around the globe.

You do not need to go that far back in history-as a matter of fact, you do not need to go back at all in order to educate yourself on the support that U.S. lends to some of the most oppresive regimes when there is self-interest involved. I could go on and give you examples, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and hope that you no longer fall victim to the brain-washing news reported on CNN, FOX..etc...and try to use more factual, unbiased sources to inform yourself on the dynamics of today's world politics!!!

Navid Pirouzi



To top

*
Economic pressure?!

Dear observer,

I have rad you article about Iranians in japan... according to you and I quote, "I would like to remind everyone that those who have gotten involved with illegal activities have done do because of economic pressures."

Well,, you are wrong, how on earth you come up with a piece of crap like that?? Economic pressure?????!!! What??? Come on,,they can't find a job so for that reason you have to kill people or sell drug, or do other illegal crime????

I think that what would you do if you go into the same situation... but please at least separate yourself and the rest of those animal from the rest of other good iranian...who would not lower their life or believes for just money...

I have lot to tell you,, but if that how you think or how your Brian works tell you that you are wrong. I have been in the situation where I couldn't find a job or didn't have a job,,,but never in my life thought of doing some crime to get myself even or getting out of that situation. I worked hard and never thought of crime.

Those animal who living in japan,,,don't have family education or the mind of hard working,,for them no work means doing other things to get money,,,anything for them is fine as long as bring them bunch of money...

so don't tell that crap that they are doing that because of economic pressure,,,, you are making me sick in my stomach... if those animal who do the crime in japan,,had a guts or working hard,,and if they were of good type,,then we wouldn't have so much bad reputation in japan.

Open your eyes....

and don't try to cover their Shiite by just saying such a bloody ridicules things.

What you are saying is,, all Iranian are alike and would act in the same manner as those pathetic low level uneducated,whom for money do anything and kill anyone, if they can't find a job....

you are trying to justify their animal behaviour,,, and that is the worth thing to do by saying that... because intentionally or unintentionally you are adding the rest of other good Iranian in the same level as those greedy empty headed Iranian who are living in japan.

I am not living there, but certainly I dislike what they are doing there and bring shame on me.

So I suggest that you correct your wording and please do not try to cover it up by saying such a ridicules things..

i tell you,the japanese goverment should punish all those animal in the hardes was it can,,,to give a lesson to the other animal that , they should chang or get back to thier own nest

have a good day.


Nazri



To top

* Teshneye Demis

har koja hasti dastat ra miboosam keh ahanghaye demis roussos ro ferestadi. modatha bood teshneh shenidane yek paragraf az sedaye demis boodam.

fadayat,

Ali-Mohamad Taleie



To top

* Fragrance of jasmine

Dear Azam,

Read your latest poem on "The Iranian". [Bigaaneh parast] One could sense the fragrance of jasmine in the air while you were reading this to your "beloved" amidst the cool morning breeze , lying in the soft green grass by the tricking stream, as the sun is rising, while your "beloved" sat spellbound , not realizing he is unawares of the depth of your feelings or the potential for his happiness ...

Thank you for sharing it with us , mortals :)

Ramin



To top

* Spelling queen

Madame, [I am the undisputed queen]

You sound suspiciously like a troll out to ruffle feathers for no other reason but becasue you have access to a computer.

Next time do us a favour and run your epistles through a spell check before submitting to Iranian.com. I should think as beautiful and educated a queen as you may be, you cannot be above proper grammar and diction.

NHB



To top

* Prison diaries



Baran Publishers



To top

* Not the last

Dear Mr. Javid,

I would like to thank you for a wonderful night [Forough Farrokhzad documentary in Berkeley]. I and my family truly enjoyed the sincere atmosphere created by you and your team. This was my first time coming to one of your events, it certainly will not be the last one.

Thanks form providing a night of culture, life and love.

With the warmest regards for you and all your team members,

Esfandiar (Essie) Naddaf



To top

* Chera ma irooniha hamishe aghab hastim

DAyi Hamid, [Harf-e beepardeh]

Maghale jalebi bood vali bi parde nabood:) jalebi mozoo in bood ke hame oon chizhayee ke too kale hame pessar iroonihast ghaleb shode, keshidi biparde ya ba parde biroon va neshoon midi ke chera ma irooniha hamishe aghab hastim.....

I had fun with your article.. biparde ya ba parde

Hamvatan



To top

* Brazil: World Cup

What a great picture! [Surrounded by joy]

Diana Hahn



To top

* Remind us that the human life is precious

Dear Shappi, [How about 'God Bless the Whole World'?]

Thank YOU so much for writing this. I really appreciate it to remind us that the human life is precious regardless of borders, nationality or how it was taken.

Mehrdad Mehranpour




To top

* Spent way too much time in trendy restaurants

Ms. Shappi [How about 'God Bless the Whole World'?], You have spent way too much time in trendy restaurants and shopping malls I think. Step back to the real world! You can not get rid of Taliban, Al-Qada, Sadam hussein, Islamic Republic, hamas and the rest of these backward savages, whose hands are soaked in blood of tens of thousands of people, by just singing koonbaya, pray, yoga, dialogue of civilization and half ass none sense like that!

War is some times necessary and unavoidable. Collateral damage is the price you pay for it. Even if three thousand people did die in Afghanistan, it was well worthed. Taliban killed thousands, and would have continued with their killing spree, just as their cousins have been doing in Iran for the past 24 years.

I didn't hear you wining about the people who got killed by taliban? Did you observe a minute of silence for those people? Did you observe a minute of silence for 5000 Kurds who died in chemical attack by saddam Hussein?s regime? And finally, Did you observe a minutes of silence for all he Iranians who were massacred by the Islamic regime in 1979, 1983 and 1987?

Mr. Irani



To top

* You probably don't care, but...

First of all, if you're the man behind the iranian.com happenings, then I send you immense blessings from the Lunar Mansion. All the prophets from Moses to Mohammad are applauding in their silent clamor. This is the one and only Iranian site with fluid heart and good madness. I'm happy there's still a few that know whats up in this convoluted diversion.

Second, I had a comment about the "infallible imam" as it reads in some dream section [Time to reappear]. I dont know who wrote this but the idea of infallibility and imams or prohets is Christian, not Islamic. You probably dont care but if you do, in Islam any human whether temporally connected to divinity or not, is never infallible. at least thats what I've read in many places- best wishes. I admire what you're doing greatly.

Keep it goin,

Bobak out East



To top

* 60's friends

Shafizadeh brothers are eager to contact lost friends of the years 1960's. Thanks.



To top

* Stop all the killing

How good it was to read Shappi honoring the Afghans who died faceless as we remember those who died with names [How about 'God Bless the Whole World'?]. Let's stop all the killing.

Khristopher Kolumbus (KRISKO)



To top

* Natural to grieve for ones' own

Ms. Khorsandi,

I am writing in response to your article "How about 'God Bless the Whole World'?". You make a number of valid points. It is certainly true that the life of an American is intrinsically no more important than the life of anyone else in the world.

Personally, I hate the term "collateral damage." The people who are "collateral damage" are not "damaged," they are dead. If a military action is justified, one should not need to euphemize the resultant deaths in this way. I believe that Americans do sometimes see their own lives as being more important than the lives of others, but this is not a uniquely American flaw--it is a human flaw.

It is the height of insensitivity and obtuseness, however, to blame America for paying special tribute to the victims of 9/11. Every nation feels special grief when its own people are victims of a horrific terrorist attack or any comparable tragedy.

It is completely human and natural to grieve for ones' own people in a way one wouldn't for others. To argue otherwise is like telling someone who is mourning a murdered family member, "Why are you only mourning your relative? Many other people are murdered every day, and their lives were just as important as that of your relative who was killed."

Moreover, it is just and appropriate to pay a special tribute to the victims of 9/11 on the anniversary of 9/11. To do so does not preclude equal recognition of those who have died in Afghanistan, Iraq, or anywhere else, it merely recognizes the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in the same way that celebrating a holiday recognizes a joyous event of the past.

Lee Howard Hodges



To top

* Bush - Saddam duel

Dear Kazem,

I am not so certain that Mr. Bush intends to start a war on Iraq [Vote him out]. He has used the free coverage of his saber rattling to draw the media attention away from all the democratic congressmen trying to run for re-election on domestic issues.

It is a time honored tradition for leaders to draw the focus of their subjects away from domestic issues when there is a bad economy by threatening or starting wars abroad. Bush's media campaign may have worked since Saddam has now agreed to let in UN inspectors which may have accomplished Bush's goals without the expense of an actual war.

Of course at the risk of sounding cynical Saddam is a stooge of the USA anyway since both he and his predecessor Kaseem were both CIA appointees. The former was finally assassinated by the CIA after 8 years of attempts by the CIA for having become a leftist sympathizer.

It must be very confusing for poor old Saddam Hossein since he is the stepchild of the CIA and was given arms and encouraged to bomb Iran by the USA during the "Silent War". In fact one of the reasons he attacked Kuwait was that he mistook former US Ambassador April Glass's comments for encouragement to go ahead and attack Kuwait after having been so encouraged and abetted in attacking Iran.

What indeed makes you think that the Bush administration has any interest in pursuing the spread of democracy abroad? The USA has a "hard on" against Iran for having been kicked out of there by the revolutionaries thus losing big $$$$ contracts not only for oil but telephone technology, helicopters and other military hardware, and many, many other lucrative pursuits none of which were particularly helpful to the majority of the Iranian people. It is reminiscent of the "Boxer Rebellion" when the Chinese nationalists rose up in the 1920's and kicked the American businessmen and all the other foreigners out of China.

I am not proud of US foreign policy which has been mostly determined by the CIA rather than by the US Foreign Service. It seems that this Bush Saddam thing has the earmarks of a personal vendetta to avenge Bush's daddy just like Osama has a personal vendetta against the Saudi Royal family for having been kicked out and having his Saudi citizenship revoked.

Rather than spilling much blood and ending the lives of our conscripted youth and getting a whole lot of innocent or victimized people killed, I wish these personal vendettas could be settled in duels just like several centuries ago when people proudly sported fencing scars since these people are acting like we're back in the stone age anyway. If these hot heads want to fight so much let them have at it but just leave the rest of us the hell out of it!

Cheers,

Brian Appleton



To top

* Iranian version of "The necklace"

Dear Azin,

Loved your story [The necklace]. It is like an Iranian version of "The necklace" by Guy De Maupassant written in the 19th century where a lady borrows a diamond necklace from a friend, loses it and spends the rest of her life paying off a loan she used to buy a replacement for it unbeknownst to her friend whom decades later reveals in a conversation that the original necklace was glass.

Cheers,

Brian Appleton



To top

* From hate to love

A message to all Iranians interested in a REAL CHANGE . The real change is To Change the inner qualities from Hate to Love. Emotions are the basis of our actions, so when hate turns into love, then there is a hope, otherwise this vicious cycle goes on & on.

And this can only happen with awareness or consciousness, which Osho is an OCEAN of. He talks about almost anything and directs us toward self-realization, silence, peace, love and laughter.

My personal experience with this ocean, has been & is a wonderful phenomenon & am glad to announce to you that the following books from Him are translated & available for use. Those who want to read samples, may contact me.

1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am, when I am wit you.

2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.

3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.

6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

8. Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.

9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful.

10. Don't cry, because it is over, smile: because it happened.

11. There's always going to be people that hurt you. so what you have to do, is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.

12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are, before you

try and know someone else, and expect them to know you.

13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to.

REMEMBER: "WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS FOR A REASON."

Mohsen Khatami



To top

* Horrible pictures

The most horrible set of pictures [This is London]. Someone just learned how to click on adobe photo shop and got over excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pirouz Moin



To top

* Glad u're back

just wanted to say i'm glad u're back, cuz your diary [Nazanin's great leap] was the only thing i ever read online -- u know, among the articles they write and what not -- and intrestingly enough i was just thinkg what did ever happen to nazanin and as i was scrolling down the page i was rather suprised to see your article there. i guess i'm starting to sound a little cheezy, so take care, i follow up to see what happens w/ you.

Sarrayee



To top

* The ugliness of bigotry

Yes, I too felt insulted when I read the Editorial in the Washington Post (Thank you Iranian.com for posting it on your web). How dare this Falwell guy, I thought to myself ! Why isn't the White-House condemn this arrogant and ignorant man ! Why .... But then, after a few moments of refection, I paused to read the quote from the Council on American-Islamic relations posted on BBC : "On the issue of bigotry, silence equals consent". WOW :) yah, good job ....

But then intellect (yes, that uncomfortable voice, called "reason") begged a few moments of my attention : have not the majority of Muslim Clerics (the ones I have seen and heard myself) been "denouncing" Christians as "Infidels" for as long as I can remember ? Have they not called "Jews" , as a group, whether they live in Israel, or New York, the "Zionist pigs" ? Have the same not been calling "Bahais" as "Dogs" , "Buddhists" as "Pagans" and etc. etc. ?

And of course, insulting their religious leaders by all kinds of colorful names which are not appropriate for public eyes ... so where was the "Council on American-Islamic Relations", and if they believe their own words, can we then assume that the "Silence" of the Muslim world about the musings of this hatred-filled group would then "equal consent" ? If so, then isn't the "kettle calling the pot .. black " ?. It seems to me that the Muslim world has tolerated (ie, been quiet) in the face of many Thousands of BIGOTS, but now that we are getting a taste of our own medicine, we are asking for "condemnations" ?

Perhaps the best that can come out of the musings of Falwell and his likes, is the recognition of the ugliness of bigotry, and GOD KNOWS that there is a lot of that among us, the Muslims. So may I suggest that for all of us that felt "insulted", we should channel this feeling into making sure that we no longer tolerate "Bigotry" in Mosques, and from our "Clerics", or fellow Muslims. Then , and only then, can we morally be justified to ask the world to condemn the same bigotry when directed towards us.

Ramin

To top



* Disgusting

I was seeing the pictures of iranian of the day wich was everthing was good execpt for one picture that made me upset! I am talking about "Newly weds: Maryam and Daryl". You should take that picture off the sight.

It's disgusting! As a Persian guy I hate an Iranian girl having anything to do with the stupid Negroes! Please don't reply to my email thank you!!

Farshad Shams

To top



* Beh gheyratemoon bar nakhoreh!

In reply to "Muslim extremist gay terrorist Iranian",

I think there is a misunderstanding here... the movie "Labyrinth of Passion" or "Laberinto de Pasiones" (1982) by Pedro Almodovar -- which was Antonio Banderas' first movie -- was REALLY about a Muslim extremist gay terrorist from Iran who was ordered to kill someone from the Pahlavi family.

The whole movie was about that...and many other strange stories... So I don't think either Banderas, or the host of that show on Bravo meant anything subliminal when they had that conversation.

I think we should do our homework before inghadr be gheyratemoon bar bokhoreh! :)

Behzad K.

To top




Email your comments for The Iranian letters section
RELATED

October 2002
This month's archived letters

Letters index
Letters sent to The Iranian in previous months

Email us

Copyright Iranian.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Terms for more information contact: times@iranian.com
Web design by Bcubed
Internet server Global Publishing Group