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Taking hold of our fate
Or watch someone else dictate it their own way
By Nema Milaninia
April 9, 2003
The Iraniana
I write as an American student studying in Egypt. I write
as an Iranian Muslim. Most importantly I write as a man struck with pride,
loyalty, and fear to his culture and heritage. No doubt iranian.com is
read by many of you who reside in the US, who may or may not keep up with
the war against Iraq, and for the most part receive your information through
CNN, Fox News, ABC and so on.
What you may not see, is what I have the unfortunate privilege of witnessing.
Al-Jazeera and other arab networks save no time televising Iraqi bodies
bloodied, torn, mangled, and shot. Protests, which wage every day with
thousands of people, ranging from students of the elite to fundamentalist
such as Muslim Brotherhood, calling together for an end to war, an end
to occupation and an end to Saddam. Most of all I am not restrained from
witnessing the destruction bombs cause on buildings built over years and
artifacts sustained for centuries only to be destroyed in a second. In
so many words, I see war and what the word truly means.
If we, and I speak of Iranians around the world, were born any other time,
any other place, maybe we would understand the realities of such an occasion
as war and why, as so many diplomats and politicians say, “war must
be a last resort.” Beyond all this, it is clear we live in a very
interesting time. A decisive turning point where we have the opportunity
to make great things happen and to shape not only our futures but those
of our families and friends. We live in a time where war wages next door
and threatens to pull us in. In a time where hundreds of our family and
friends are denied entry into our country. Where talks of reform are shouted
louder every day against a government run by a minority and backed by
a minority. Most importantly, we live in a time where it has become crucial
that we unite and become vocal in our countries.
Iranians, has too long been apathetic. It is a shame on
two fronts. One because we deny our intelligence and opinion to the world
around us when we have proven to be the more educated, if not the most,
minority in the US and abroad. Second, because through our lethargy we
bring prolonged suffering. Throughout history, it has been the inaction
of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have
known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most;
that has made it possible for evil to triumph. And still we remain a silent.
I will argue that our silence comes from our fear. Iranians,
specifically us living in the US, are afraid to discuss politics. We believe
that is a dividing force and that it breeds animosity instead of friendship.
If there is any evidence of how benign Iranians are, it is certainly through
their persistence in avoiding anything which would allow tension or anger.
However, let me say now, there is no fear in discussing
politics. I have been told too many times that politics divide instead
of unite. Despite the arguments, tensions, and divisions political discourse
brings we must allow ourselves to participate peacefully and respectfully.
If we cannot discuss politics without remaining united how do we plan
on ever bridging our differences? More importantly, how can we ever strive
for truth? It is only through discussion of those things we hold most
true that we can either discover their faults or reaffirm our beliefs.
It is time for us to embrace politics and not be afraid of confrontation.
Yes, it is difficult. Today, debate rises anew about the role of Islam
in democracy, and the role of Islam in Iran. There are divides amongst
those who support the emergence of a constitutional monarchy and those
who are disgusted with the idea of a new “shah”. And of course
there is a more recent debate amongst those who want a US war against
Iran, and others, like myself, who are afraid of its very possibility.
There is a war in Iraq and it teaches us lessons that we should never
forget. It teaches us that unless we take hold of our fate, and those
of our family, friends, and culture, someone else will and dictate it
their own way. I ask you to always remember that it only through discussion
of our differences that we can unite and that it is only through our unity
that we can ever progress. We must look to Iraq and remember what it means
to be Iranian and American. More importantly we must look to remember
why we must be resolved to unite for it is only through this unity that
we can ever prevent Tehran from becoming another Baghdad.
Author
Nema Milaninia is a Graduate Student, International
Human Rights Law at the American University in Cairo.
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