Wednesday
March 31 1999
* Big elephant
I was greatly interested in an article I read some time ago about what
members of religious minorities such as the Bahai faith followers are going
through to get basic education in Iran ["Illicit
education"].
This is an issue of great importance, and not enough attention has been
given to it. Like racial issues in America, it is controversial, and highly
significant. Ignoring and disregarding such injustice by our fellow countrymen,
is like what a friend said: pretending the big elephant is not sitting
in on the couch in your living room.
We will not attain unity and peace in Iran, unless we learn how to protect
our minorities and our defenseless, until we teach ourselves equality,
love and unity. Until we appreciate our differences, and learn that a garden
with flowers of different colors and fragrances looks much more fascinating
than a garden with only one plant.
Neda Kamranpour
To top
* Pointless
Is it just me, or was the "I'm
no pimp" article the most nonsensical piece written as of late
in The Iranian? I should hope readers will not be subject to such
absurd and pointless pieces as this in the future. Let us continue with
the normally exceptional writing and diverse topics of interest that appeal
to the more intellectual reader.
Behbahani, Massi
To top
Tuesday
March 30, 1999
* Really embarrassing
What is the purpose of posting this story ["I'm
no pimp"]? It's really embarrassing. I am not visiting this site
anymore.
Ali Taleghani
To top
* Best of Iran
[Farah Pahlavi] represents the best of Iran: dignity, compassion, intelligence,
beauty, depth, liberty, womanhood and forgiveness ["Iranians
of the Year"].
N. Ansari
To top
Monday
March 29, 1999
* Could fuel hatred
I read your article on Charshanbeh Suri in Iran ["Fire
with fire"] extensively and appreciate the efforts that you and
your collogues have done. Alas, I also tend to believe that your scrutiny
of such symbolic issues is where the misery of our nation rests.
The fundamental changes that President Khatami is formulating and the
struggle for change is not about "Chaharchanb'e Souri" or other
trivial matters. The struggle for change is about the soul of our nation
and its evolution into a democratic Islamic nation. I could perhaps compare
your efforts to that of a journalist only concentrating on the behavior
of spectators in a vital soccer game.
The actual game Madame, is the one being played out on the corridors
of Mr. Khamenei's residence on Azerbaijan Street and the Presidential Office
on Pastor Avenue. Your posting could only fuel the hatred of Khatami's
enemies while contributing very little on what Khatamisim is all about.
Mahmmoud-Reza Hussaini
To top
* Khatami: worst choice
Iranians are again being fooled by a "progressive" molla.
But as usual religion has never been progressive for their promoters to
be progressive and as such those who are foolishly hoping to establish
a democratic regime under Khatami are again blindfolded with the fact that
first of all he is a molla and as such can not be progressive regardless
of what he says. And the fact that what he does is completely different
from what he says is another reason that Iranians are again chasing their
own tails and are hoping for some good to come out from this very shrewd
and clever clergy who is manipulating Iranians to score points with his
competition who is Khamenei's faction ... FULL
TEXT
Jamshid E.
To top
Friday,
March 26, 1999
* Beyond wonderful
I went to see "Children of Heaven" last Friday night with
my father, and again I saw it Thursday night with a friend. I cried both
times when I saw the film. "Wonderful" can not describe the film!
It had a deep insight of what life is and how we can overcome obstacles
of life without giving up. The entire cast did a superb job; I salute Mr.
Majidi ["Pioneer"]
for his version and drive to tell a simple but rich story of a poor brother
and sister with such heart.
Farhad
(An Afghan)
To top
Thursday
March 25, 1999
* Becoming familiar
I would like to express my gratitude for your interesting articles and
also to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading the book "To See
and See Again". My husband is not Iranian. He has never been to
Iran and I have a nine-year old daughter Ariana who has seen Iran twice.I
let her read this interesting book. It makes her familiar with my culture.
I live in Charleston, SC with my family. I used to live in Washington
DC before I moved here. So I really miss my culture, because in Chalreston
there are Black and White Americans and not too many people from other
cultures. So it makes me feel homesick for Iranians. I had few Iranian
friends here, they all moved out of the area.
Farzaneh Stone
To top
Wednesday
March 24, 1999
* Very peculiar
I read all of the comments you have published several times ["Iranian of
the Year"]. You claim people have sent the comments in about President
Mohammad Khatami being elected Iranian
of the Year.
I find these comments to be very peculiar. There is very little variance
in writing style or content in these writings. Also, they all project a
very well known political and ideological bend!
I have noticed that both these comments, as well as the articles that
you generaly publish lack balance. They eminate from one particular ideological
perspective. I think it is highly unlikely that different people wrote
the comments you have published about President Khatami.
And I doubt that you will publish this letter for your readers.
Why can't you present a more balanced picture of Iran and Iranians?
Amir Sadri
To top
* Overglorification
I read the very interesting comments that people left when voting for
President Khatami as the Iranian
of the Year. I agree with most of them, but at the same time, they
have a major problem. I don't mean all, but a great many of the comments
are unneccessary praises. We have a bad habit of elevating a fellow to
the heavens, and then dropping him!
I agree with what Khatami is doing, I voted for him, and I like his
policies, but he himself said that people should not praise him. He said
don't show my picture very often in the tellie, everytime he goes for a
speech and people cry "shoars" in his supports, he always asks
them to stop, and unlike many others who pretend, he really does not like
being praised without reason, or even being elevated as a saviour or anything
of such.
So please don't call him Lech Wallesa, Gandhi, Amir Kabir, or so on.
These names just increase your expectations of him, and when he does not
achieve what you think is right in the time you think is neccessary, then
you will be disappointed, and start calling him traitor, or Gurbachev,
or Schroeder, or Major!
Khodadad Rezakhani
To top
Tuesday
March 24, 1999
* Can we compromise?
I think one point missing from this article ["Towards
national reconciliation"] is the particular nature of the ruling
elite in Iran and that is its religious and ideological nature. The current
regime has genuine roots amongst the population and hence has always been
closer to a Fascist model, rather than a oligarchic model such as Chile
or Argentina, where a small portion of population in the form of landowners
and comprador capitalist class, in partnership with the military ruled.
There is also a large military and para-military force trained and war
tested, who I believe in spite of the inroads that the reformists have
made, will step in and crush any serious attempt at overhauling the present
situation in Iran. And who can deny the fact that many of the present reformists,
including President Khatami, were either at the helm or approved of the
gross violations of human rights in Iran, which by the way still are going
on.
I believe that is the reason why so many of the opposition group who
have lost the most number of sympathizers in the past twenty years find
it difficult to bring themselves to embrace Iran's Gorbachov. They have
invested too much in the blood and guts of their people to now say let's
forgive and forget.
As horrendous as the past has been another cycle of violence seems hardly
the solution. Revenge is sweet in spite of what the politically correct
mantra these days seems to be, however its consequences are always more
of the same in the very bloody history of Iran. If anything, the Northern
Ireland seems to be the closest to the situation in Iran; Iran too has
been experiencing what amounts to a civil war. And a civil war as anybody
from the southern U.S. can tell you, is the most difficult form of conflict
to recover from. Still Iran needs a clear plan for its current transformation.
If Arabs and Jews can sit around the same table with their ingrained
hatreds and distrusts; if Blacks and Whites can reach a compromise with
decades of blood and hatred behind them; and if Protestants and Catholics
can set aside decades of vicious stomach churning infighting to prepare
for a better future, surely Hafez and Sa'di loving Iranians can swallow
the bitter pill of compromise. Or can they?
Iran needs its own model, and this model like the post Holocaust trials
and compromises could become the model not only for the Islamic world but
for the whole world . Good luck.
Asghar M.
To top
* Dead bodies... on Noruz?
It is definitely my personal taste, but I thought putting a photo of
3-4
executed men in the first issue of The Tranian Times in the
new year wasn't very enchanting! :-) even though I have great respect for
the historic value of the photo.
Majid G.
To top
Monday
March 22, 1999
* One more "seen"
Here is one more "seen" for your haft-seen: Satl-e-aashghaal
(trash can) ["THE
IRANIAN haft-seen"].
Houman M.
To top
* Where were you in 1979?
I would love to stand up for Kadivar, despite the fact that he is a
molla ["Molla
or not"]. But where were you and the rest of the Iranian nation
as people like my family were being slandered, and looted, and unjustly
tried, and murdered in and after 1979? Your silence/inactivity (and perhaps
even complicity) at that time is what has emboldened and enabled these
people to do what they are doing now without fear of accountability.
Boroumand
To top
Thursday
March 18, 1999
* Between East and West
Laleh Khalili's ostensible description of Iranian women and men ["To
live or to be alive?"] is a brilliant
exposition of the confusion that reigns supreme in the minds and hearts
of those of us who are lost in the wasteland between the East and the West.
Amir Sadri
To top
* Intriguing photos
I would just like to write to you and say that these photographs are
beautiful and intriging to examine ["Women
in Iran:Tradition meets today"]. I am writing a senior thesis
about women in Iran, and these photographs have helped me visualize what
it's like.
Darcy Brennan
To top
Wednesday
March 17, 1999
* Not going to happen
Realistically speaking, it is very unlikely that a Kurdistan will ever
happen ["The
last country"]. There's not a chance in Jahanam that Syria, Iraq,
Iran, and especially Turkey will ever relinquish territory. Ultimately,
I think that Kurds need to wake up to reality and realize that this will
never happen.
Most Iranian Kurds I know of, including my mother's side of my family,
are both Kurdish and Iranian, and they're proud to be both. They are more
than content to allow their Kurdish roots to simply be just another ethnicity
in the rich melting pot of ethnicities that we have in Iran ... FULL TEXT
Nariman Neyshapouri
To top
Tuesday
March 16, 1999
* Big difference
[Response to: Cheer
up, James Bond]
Perhaps I should clarify;
Firstly, there is a big difference between paying £30 [for a UK
visa] and £200 to get a visa [to Iran].
Secondly, having your finger print taken is slightly more annoying from
being followed around by police, having a gun waved at your head and being
given racist abuse by random strangers.
But yes, I did indeed have the time of my life and it was worth spending
18 months scrimping and saving leave and money to go ["Waking the
friendly giant"].
Given the chance I would happily return tomorrow and stay!
Ben Moores
To top
* Zoroaster's birthplace
There is no unanimous consensus among the Zartoushti community about
the birth place of Ashoo Zartousht. However, when you say [AP news: "Iran approves ancient
fire festival for first time since revolution"] that Zartousht
was born in "where... today is Afghanistan", for many Iranians
who do not know the history of their land it can be misleading. Why? Becuase
in 555 BC, which is an incorrect date, Balkh, and the entire Afghanistan
was part of the Hakhamaneshi Empire.
R. Azarmi
To top
Monday
March 15, 1999
* Write about a tree
I am so glad finally someone responded to Laleh
Khalili's articles ["To
live or to be alive?"]. I am also delighted
that this
person was a female writer.
During the past few months, I have read all of
Laleh's articles. I enjoyed her first two articles but since then I have
been very disappointed with the way that she expresses her opinion. Her
recent articles are very hard to follow (even my American friends could
not finish them entirely before they fell asleep).
I am puzzeled about the points that she is trying
to make. Maybe she is praticing her English. If that is the case, it is
better to write about a tree or a river rather than offending so many people.
Guohong Liu
To top
Friday,
March 12, 1999
* She didn't apologize
I think sending harsh, impolite and indecent rhetoric to U.S. Senator
Boxer for her insult is the least and most instinctive fair response ["U.S. senator has
"deep admiration" for Iranians"]. After all if we were
Jews we could have accused her of anti-semitism and would have sued her
for billions of dollars.
According to her, we are such an unimportant nation that she decides
to correct herself not by apologizing but by some formal routine non-sense
of reminding us of our heritage! We leave this to the conscience of the
world and do not really need people reminding us of our bright past.
This prevailing general arrogance amongst American politicians is revolting
and dangerous. But to Sen. Boxer's credit , she is not only arrogant but
also extremely ignorant in international relations. Perhaps this is not
a surprise for a political system proud of being the ONLY nation of the
world achieving the MOST of everything.
Politics in this country is controlled by America's first man of morality,
President Clinton, as well as Bob Livingston, and the arrogant Jesse Holmes
and Newt Gingrich, coupled with the ignorance and illiteracy of Ms Boxer.
Ms Boxer: I would like to remind you that for a country that advocates
democracy, an extremely narrow-minded comment like the one you have abused
the media for, is very dangerous and leads to mistrust amongst people --
a gap that real people try to narrow and politicians try to widen!
K. Manavi
To top
Friday,
March 12, 1999
* She didn't apologize
I think sending harsh, impolite and indecent rhetoric to U.S. Senator
Boxer for her insult is the least and most instinctive fair response ["U.S. senator has
"deep admiration" for Iranians"]. After all if we were
Jews we could have accused her of anti-semitism and would have sued her
for billions of dollars.
According to her, we are such an unimportant nation that she decides
to correct herself not by apologizing but by some formal routine non-sense
of reminding us of our heritage! We leave this to the conscience of the
world and do not really need people reminding us of our bright past.
This prevailing general arrogance amongst American politicians is revolting
and dangerous. But to Sen. Boxer's credit , she is not only arrogant but
also extremely ignorant in international relations. Perhaps this is not
a surprise for a political system proud of being the ONLY nation of the
world achieving the MOST of everything.
Politics in this country is controlled by America's first man of morality,
President Clinton, as well as Bob Livingston, and the arrogant Jesse Holmes
and Newt Gingrich, coupled with the ignorance and illiteracy of Ms Boxer.
Ms Boxer: I would like to remind you that for a country that advocates
democracy, an extremely narrow-minded comment like the one you have abused
the media for, is very dangerous and leads to mistrust amongst people --
a gap that real people try to narrow and politicians try to widen!
K. Manavi
To top
Thursday
March 11, 1999
* Cheer up, James Bond
Mr.B.Moore, in reference to your anger at having a
hard time obtaining a visa to go to Iran, we Iranians have to pay to get
a visa to England too, even if we it is pnly for transit through London
Heathrow.
The UK embassy in Los Angeles has a new gimmick for us Iranians. They
say we have to get multiple visas for entry into the UK, but it is impossible
to get a multiple visa.
As for being labeled a spy, don't feel too bad, James Bond. What about
us? We get finger-printed when we arrive in the U.S. because of the so-called
[threat of] terorrism.
Cheer up. I am sure you liked Iran ["Waking the
friendly giant"].
Ali Chaquorzahi
To top
Wednesday
March 10, 1999
* Farhad, the God
As I was listening to "Ayeneha", I happened to come across
your report on Farhad's concert in San Francisco ["Welcome
back"]. The only thing I can say is RIGHT ON BROTHER. When I was
young in the 70s in Tehroon, Farhad was GOD and he still is. Thanks for
your well written piece.
BarrsBad
To top
* Hope some day...
It's a great pleasure to read your elections are going well. Maybe some
day we'll see American and Iranian friendship develope politically, culturally,
and accademically. The feeling that some day the American embargo on Iran
will be lifted is a dream. Hope our ties can be a genuine sincere relationship.
Enjoyed The Iranian web site.
Melba Block
To top
Tuesday
March 9, 1999
* What is wrong with democracy
Of course they are happy. During the time of Shah we were selling our
life blood, the oil, at as much as $40.00 a barrel. How much do we get
for it now-a-days? About $11.00 a barrel, if that? Of course they are happy.
During the last 10 years of the Shah's rule they could not dictate to us
about our policies, internal or international. For the most part, we were
a proud bunch of people. Today, we are belittled, looked down on, treated
as second class people, and the worst thing I can think of about Persian
democracy is the fact that any government in the world can buy enough votes
to put their man in the office! To change the laws or bend them to benefit
one country or another. To benefit all but the Persians. This is what scares
me. Aren't you scared? ... FULL
TEXT
Fereidoon Eimen
To top
Monday
March 8, 1999
* No visa, no tourist
I have just returned from Iran after a months
holiday in the country and thus your article ["Waking
the friendly giant"] was of great interest
to me. As a first-time British visitor I believe I have an interesting
angle on the debate. I have a few points, beyond the obvious, as to why
tourism in Iran is so limited.
1) Getting a visa is all but impossible in the
UK unless you are prepared to pay £150 + to an agency. Being continually
accused of being a spy doesn't help either! In fact, unless you have relations
in Iran or you pay an agency you cannot get a visa.
2) Whole system of foreign prices is ridiculous.
It really annoyed and frustrated me. Why should I pay more because I am
from Engalnd? I imagine it annoys others as well.
3) Ignorance: Iran isn't a visited spot because
to a generation of European travelers it is unknown. Once Iran is "discovered"
again it will be overrun by travelers. Not good for me, but good for Iran.
4) One final point: State-run hotels will have
to sort it out. The one in Dizin is appalling - I have never had hotel
staff being so rude or ignorant in all my travels!
To top
Friday,
March 5, 1999
* Iranian women are mature and aware
You have made a number of assumptions and generalizations ["To
live or to be alive?"]. There is more to life of Iranians than
the relationship between women and men and even your look at that has been
one-sided. On the issues that you have raised, there is a wide spectrum
but your contacts included only a certain group. Who cares that there are
women who haven't experienced going to a party until they are 22? Do you
know how many men live in Iran who never experienced the joys of parties?!
In my visit to Iran in April 1998, on a number of occasions, I was delighted
and proud to hear young women discussing literature, movies and plays everywhere
(even while waiting in line to see a play). I really wonder how many girls
their age in America are able to see things at this level of maturity and
depth? They looked at men straight in the eyes and were very much clear
about what they have and what they need to fight for ... FULL
TEXT
Yassaman Mottaghipour
To top
* Insulting & inaccurate
Ms. Khalili's portrayal of women ["To
live or to be alive?"] in Iran is an insult to all Iranian women
who despite deep-rooted social and political constraints, have made great
strides for representation and participation in the society. A bourgeois
reflection of Iranian women as portrayed by Ms. Khalili is unjust and inaccurate
... FULL TEXT
Jafar Javan
Washington DC
To top
* Poetry - not lifestyle - made the difference
Forough Farrokhzad's fame came from her poetry and not her choice of
life style, meaning if she had not written a single verse of poetry, would
she still be the "Magnificent Living" in Laleh Khalili's commentary
["To
live or to be alive?"]? it goes without saying not every woman
who chooses to leave her husband and child, etc.., is a poet nor becomes
famous, at least not for poetry!
Sepehr Sohab
To top
Thursday
March 4, 1999
* Too long & descriptive
I first learned about Tara Bahrampour, the author of "To see and
see again", from excerpts
in The Iranian magazine. Then a couple of weeks ago I heard her interview
on the U.S. National Public Radio. Finally I met her at Politics and Pros
bookstore where she read parts of her book .
My husband and I both read the book (I have not finished it yet) and
we both think that the book is lengthy and too descriptive. A lot of times
it feels like I am reading a detailed dictionary of Farsi words in English!
One can easily skip paragraphs even pages without missing the story.
When she explains about her childhood I don't feel that I am reading
about a young girl of this generation. It easily fits my time and my childhood
rather than my daughter's (I am in my forties).
Of course this is my take from the book. Maybe because I am too familiar
with the culture. I am sure the book would be more interesting for my daughter
or the younger Iranians who are not as familiar with Iranian culture.
I admire Bahrampour's interest and effort in searching for her Iranian
heritage and wish that all young Iranian are as enthusiastic about their
motherland and their root as she is.
Simin Habibian
To top
Wednesday
March 3, 1999
* Owpatan to Obbadan to Abadan
I was born and raised in Abadan
although my father and mother were Zoroastrians from Yazd. I like to give
you a brief explanation about the name of our hometown: Abadan.
When I was a young boy I asked about the meaning of "Abadan"
and people always interpreted it as "a place that is aabaad"
(flourishing). Many years later when I went to university I found a book
named Iranvij by Dr Bahram Frahvashi and there was a short explanation
about Abadan's name.
According to this book: there was a small castle and light tower near
the mouth of Arvand river, built to protect the waterway and guiding boats
or small ships in and out of the river. This place initially called OWPATAN
which is combination of OW (aab=water), PAT (pad=defend or protect) and
AN (jaa/makaan=place). Put together OW-PAT-AN means the place for protecting
water.
"P" changed to "B" during the Islamic period and
the name became Obbadan and finally during recent times it turned into
Abadan.
Daryoush Mehrshahi
Geography Department
Sheffield University
England
To top
Tuesday
March 2, 1999
* Silicone
Dear Angylina,
Silicone parts are made for toys. Also, next time try having someone
proofread what you write. Say hello to your "attourney".
Nariman Neyshapouri
To top
* I was born in [BLANK]
Since [you quoted part
of Angylina's biogrpahy] she has taken out the part that says she is
from Tehran, Iran.
Simin Habibian
To top
Monday
March 1, 1999
* Things have improved
Dear Khodadad,
Based on your article ["Waking
the friendly giant"], I am to assume that
you have not been to Iran for quite some time. I had an opportunity to
travel with 12 foreigners last year and we saw all the mid to southern
parts of Iran by car. We camped where we could and stayed at hotels in
locations which were dangerous due to smugglers.
I was quite surprised to see that the Iranian
historical conservation society has started to preserve historical locations.
It also charges the tourists (foreigners pay dollars and Iranians rials).
Also, there were souvenir shops and beautiful traditional coffee shops
where you could rest and have anything from cold soda to cappuccinos. I
was also amazed at the number of tour buses full of Japanese, Italian and
German tourists.
Another point is that on Iranian TV they have
a program called Good Morning Iran. It takes you to different parts of
Iran every morning and shows the best parts of the country. This way people
get to learn about their beautiful country and make plans to visit these
locations. There are well-organized tours provided for Iranians as well
as foreigners.
Here is the downside: The hotels in Iran are not
privately owned and have been operated by the bonyads. So they have not
been maintained in over 20 years. Also in you can only travel with your
family members. If you are a female you cannot travel easily either.
But over all, there is a shift in the attention
given to tourism.
Ferial
To top
Related links
* Letters Section main
index
* Cover stories
* Who's
who
* Bookstore
Copyright © 1997 Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights
Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form
