Persian mummies must be returned to Iran - Letter
Please provide your comments regarding the following letter. Moreover, if you
are interested in signing the final version of this letter, please send an e-mail
to Professor Mohammad Ala (mala@calstatela.edu)
In addition, please provide your ideas (e.g., a name for a website) to Professor
Ala to track the stolen properties. We need as many as you support this initiative
as possible. Here is a draft letter for your comments and support (See
updated note):
We, the undersigned are advocates of Iranian historical heritage. Over the years,
many significant archeological finds have been smuggled out of Iran or simply stolen
from Iran. In the past few years, these clandestine activities have presumably intensified
to a point where jewels, royal crowns, and other historically valuable artifacts
are taken out of Iran. Iran's history and its vast artifacts must not be sold in
the streets of Karachi, London, Tel Aviv, or New York.
Those who visit Takhtah-e-Jamshid in Perspolis and Pasargard can easily notice
that parts of the ruins have been taken away and the places where they are obvious
have been covered. When guards were questioned, they indicated that these ruins are
being repaired. Because of economic hardship, when incentives were given to these
guards, they indicated that parts of the ruins have been taken to smuggle out of
Iran by some agents in Tehran.
Recent visits to Iranian museums also demonstrate the disturbing fact that many
historical finds are absent or taken away from these museums. Tourism is a major
source of income for many countries. Iran must protect its historic assets at all
costs.
An effort is underway to create an Internet Web site to document the stolen properties
which now are transferred to locations and museums in Western countries. These archeological
finds do belong to Iran and its people. Other countries and citizens of the world
value them, but Iranians deserve to keep them in Iran. Besides source of revenue
in tourism, they can provide many answers to contributions of Iranians to the world.
According to the UNESCO Convention 1970, legal actions can be taken to return the
stolen properties to Iran.
Recent news of
five mummies in their sarcophagus which were stolen from Iran, and at present
time are in Pakistan, concerns us a great deal. These mummies with the jewels and
other valuable artifacts must be returned to Iran. If present museums in Iran are
not interested in preserving and displaying archeological finds, there are millions
of private Iranians and anthropologists who are very interested in preserving and
keeping them in Iran.
Smuggling and stealing ancient historical finds must carry a heavy penalty so
that no one will dare to steal or smuggle them out of Iran either because of economic
reasons and/or trying to deny the historical contributions of Iran to the world.
Respectfully submitted by over twenty individuals
(A sample of signatures):
Dr. Mohammad Ala
Professor of Management
Director of Productivity Center
Dr. Davood Rahn
Professor of Chemistry
Pace University
Dr. Pake Parsi
Medical Doctor
Texas, USA
Dr. Mohammad Navab
Professor and Researcher
University of California Medical School
Los Angeles, California
Mr. Javad Fakharzadeh
President, ATE Consulting
Lexington, Massachusetts
Mr. Abbas Bozorgzad
Student Financial Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Dr. Farzad Jahromi (See
updated note)
Lecturer, School of Agriculture
Charles Sturt University New South Wales,
Australia
Mr. Khasha Ostovany
Updated note
Februyary 3, 2003
Dear Editor,
I received this letter by email from an Iranian-American academic (Prof. M. Ala),
who asked me to support the statement. Naturally, at the time, I offered my support
to this letter for the return of the mummies to Iran as I was willing to put an effort
to salvage the Iranian historic heritage. These mummies were later discovered to
be forgeries and, probably, an act of crime and murder.
Regards,
Dr Farzad G. Jahromi
School of Agriculture
Charles Sturt University, Australia
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