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Tehran 2000
... where chaos rules
Written & photographed by Rasool Nafisi
October 2, 2000
The Iranian
Chosen by the Qajar dynasty as the capital at the bosom of Alborz Mountains
with a view of the scared Damavand peak, Tehran became a beautiful and
modern city in no time. The aristocracy settled in the northern hills,
while the poor were exiled to the south. Everything had its own order.
But nearly two centuries and two revolutions later, Tehran -- a third world
metropolis of ten million people -- is ruled by chaos >>>
GO TO FEATURE
Outlook
Ataollah Mohajerani resigns
BBC Persian Service
Sources close to the Iranian pro-reform culture minister, Ataollah Mohajerani,
have confirmed that he has resigned from President Khatami's government.
But there has been no official confirmation or denial of the reports. If
Mohajerani's resignation is confirmed by the authorities, it will have
serious implications for the reform movement in Iran. Sadeq Saba reports
>>> LISTEN
HERE
Iran opens international trade fair
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's biggest international trade fair opened Saturday
with Japanese, Germans and Italians prominent among the participants, evidence
of Iran's recently improved relations with Europe and Japan. Hassan Habibi,
first vice-president of Iran, presided over the opening ceremony of the
26th Tehran International Trade Fair, which included business representatives
from 1,200 foreign companies in 73 countries that are displaying products
and services >>>
FULL TEXT
Black-and-White Issues in Video
Neshat's Iranian culture looms large
By Kenneth Baker
The San Francisco Chronicle
September 30, 2000
Iranian-born Shirin Neshat works with video as if she were innocent
of American television's oafish first five decades. In fact, she has lived
in the United States since the early '70s and attended the University of
California at Berkeley.
Neshat's "Turbulent" at the Berkeley Art Museum, awarded a
prize at the 1999 Venice Biennale, wrings high impact and near universal
import from elemental technical moves. Its casting and language characteristically
echo her reaction to her Iranian upbringing >>>
FULL TEXT
Letter to The Iranian:
Dear sir,
We are very much glad to inform you that we are intrestingly gone through
your web pages. It is very much useful for business peoples like us.
We are basically from Kerala in India. We are doing some import/export
business on various commodities. Now we are looking for a WHITE CEMENT
manufacturers web address of IRAN.
Thanking you, yours faithufully,
Rajesh M.K.
M/S.KVN IMPEX (P) LTD
More Letters
* No Iranian concert -- for a while
Farhad Nikkhah
writes: My wife and I went to Ebi's concert in London last night -
billed as "aasheghaaneh-tareen konsert-e saal". It was supposed
to start at 8, after the doors opened at 7. It was not until 9.15 that
Ebi and his band came on.
The venue was not right. A seated concert hall would have been better,
but it was in one of London's bigger discoteques. We had managed to position
ourselves upstairs in the balcony area overlooking the dance floor and
stage.
Within 10 minutes there was fighting at the front of the crowd by the
stage. The floor was jam packed (sineh-be-sineh). Ebi was saying "be
jadetoon ghasam, ye nim metr berin aghab, aakheh man ghorboonetoon beram
..." >>>
FULL TEXT
* Clinton will receive much credit
Kambiz Ameli
writes: Thank you for your insight ["Clinton's
legacy?"]. If you look back on the previous U.S presidents you
shall notice that many of them had extra marital affairs. In fact FDR,
Eisenhower and JFK were openly carrying on with their lovers.
However, the legacy of all former U.S presidents are about what they
accomplished during their terms in office. I strongly believe that Clinton
will be remembered as a shrewd politician and a pragmatic manager. I further
believe that he will receive much of the credit for his relentless efforts
towards the upcoming peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
* Depressing comments
H. Jalili writes:
Reading Mr. Kadivar's reminiscing his trip ["Requiem
in Cairo"] and observing the 20th anniversary of the death of
Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi was very heartwarming and enjoyable...
While Mr. Kadivar's article was enjoyable and impartial I was so disgusted
and yet depressed to read some of the responses from the distinguished
visitors to this wonderful site. I was astonished to see how after twenty
years Mr. Bardia Saeedi, Neda and Babak Arminian can find it so easy to
"throw up" at Mr. Kadivar's trip to Cairo. Immediately after
reading their letters, I began to think about all that has bothered me
through the past 21 years both in Iran and in the U.S. >>>
FULL TEXT
Vote: Online registration for U.S. elections
Voting is the only sure and effective way of expressing your opinion
in a democracy. If you are an American citizen and have not yet registered
to vote, please do so conveniently online. Here is the address: //www.beavoter.com/register.html
Books
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Poem
Translation of today's poem by Zara
Houshmand:
My life is lost, my world is lost--all lost.
O moon, I've lost the earth, the sky--all lost.
Don't pass the wine, just pour it in my mouth.
I've lost the very way to my own mouth.
* Also see more Rumi
translations
Rumi book
Rumi:
The Life Teachings and Poetry of Jalal al-Din Rumi
By Frankin D. Lewis
Copyright © Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved.
May not be duplicated or distributed in any form
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More
news
Reformist Culture minister resigns: press
TEHRAN,
Oct 2 (AFP) - Iranian newspapers reported Monday for the second time in
a week that reformist Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ataollah Mohajerani,
bane of the conservative faction, had resigned. Ahmad Borghani, a former
press department head at the ministry, told the centrist daily Khorassan,
"Mohajerani has resigned. The president has accepted." >>>
FULL TEXT
Khamenei calls on Islamic countries to
"support the Palestinians"
TEHRAN,
Oct 2 (AFP) - Iran will always support the Palestinians and all Muslim countries
should do so, Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday,
after a fourth day of clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. "The only solution to the current conflict
is to continue the jihad (holy war) against the enemies of Islam, and that
will not stop," he said >>> FULL TEXT
Khatami wraps up Cuba visit; bilateral
accords signed
HAVANA,
Oct 2 (AFP) - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up a visit to Cuba
Sunday, amid praise in the state-controlled press for his commitment to
co-operation among the world's developing countries. The Communist Party
newspaper Granma said 15 bilateral co-operation accords were signed during
Khatami's visit, and another nine are under negotiation. It did not provide
further details >>> FULL TEXT
Daily paper banned for picture of nude
man
TEHRAN,
Oct 1 (AFP) - A conservative Iranian daily newspaper aimed at children and
young adults was suspended by the press court for publishing a picture of
a naked man, press reports said on Sunday. Gonbade-Kaboud was ordered closed
for publishing the picture of the man in its last edition on Saturday, the
Tehran Times reported, adding that managing director Mohammad Safizadeh
would soon face trial over the photo >>> FULL TEXT
Students protest against lack of housing
TEHRAN,
Oct 1 (AFP) - Some 100 students staged a sit-in Sunday in front of Tehran's
University of Science and Industry to protest the lack of student accommodation,
the student news agency ISSNA said. "Officials had promised dormitory
rooms, but the promise was not kept," said the agency, close to pro-reform
students >>> FULL TEXT
Jews celebrate New Year while relatives
languish in prison
October
1, 2000, SHIRAZ, Iran (AP) - The Jews in this southern Iranian city went
to synagogue Sunday to celebrate Rosh Hashana, the New Year. Some visited
the local prison to meet relatives who have been convicted of spying for
Israel >>> FULL TEXT
Iran boosts oil production by 116,800 barrels
a day
TEHRAN,
Oct 1 (AFP) - Iran increased its daily oil output by 116,800 barrels per
day (bpd) Sunday, in keeping with recent decisions by the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries, the daily Entekhab said. The daily output
is now 3,843,800 bpd, up from 3,727,000, the paper said >>> FULL
TEXT
German economics minister arrives in Tehran
TEHRAN,
Oct 1 (AFP) - German Economy Minister Werner Mueller began a three-day visit
to Tehran Sunday, aimed at confirming the recent reopening of economic ties
between Iran and Germany >>> FULL TEXT
After easing restrictions, Iran looking
for foreign investment
TEHRAN,
Sept 30 (AFP) - Iran wants foreigners to invest in the country, Vice President
Hassan Habibi said Saturday at the opening of Tehran's 26th international
fair, which was attended for the first time in two decades by US companies.
"We must first develop non-oil exports and cut the cost of trade. Iran
encourages and wants to help foreign partners invest, in particular Iranians
living abroad," Habibi said >>> FULL TEXT
No permit needed for music albums
Tehran
(Hayat-e No) -- Musicians no longer need to submit their work to the Ministry
of Culture for approval. They can release their albums directly to the market.
Even so, there were no new album releases last week >>> FULL PERSIAN
TEXT
"Private Ryan" at Iran's war
films fest
Tehran
(Hayat-e No) -- Organizers of the "Holly Defense Film Festival"
plan to screen Steven Spielberg's World War II film, even though they haven't
asked for permission >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Comedy fest
Tehran (Aftab-e yazd) -- A comedy film festival will be held later
this month in Shahr-e Kord >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Iran's players for Asian Cup
TEHRAN, October 1 (Iran Sports Press) -- The Iranian Football Federation
released the names of 23 players that will represent Iran in the upcoming
Asian Cup finals in Lebanon. See list >>> FULL TEXT
Complaints against Talebi's team: too harsh?
Tehran (Iran Varzeshi) -- After Jalal Talebi annouced the names
of the national team platers for the Asia Cup, critics began to complain.
But how far should critics go? Is it worth weakening team morale? >>>
FULL TEXT
Mahdavikia scores against Schalke
HAMBURG, September 30 (Iran Sports Press) -- :Schalke lost for
the first time this season when they went down 2-0 to Hamburg on Saturday
in front of 51.366 fans. The second goal came late in the second half when
Iran international Mehdi Mahdavikia pushed in after a goalmouth scramble
>>> FULL TEXT
BBC
Tehran Trade Fair opens
The 26th international trade fair in Tehran
was opened on Saturday. The Iranian Vice President , Hassan Habibi, in the
opening ceremony called on foreign businesses to invest in the country.
Saeed Yekta examines how successful this annual trade fair has been in attracting
foreign investment and increasing Iranian non-oil exports >>> LISTEN HERE
BBC Persian
Service
Exchange rate
Updated September 28
Buying: 814 to 818 tomans per dollar
Selling: 823 to 828 tomans per dollar
CALL TOLL FREE: 877-SEHHATY (877-734-4289)
or 800-995-0264
Mention this code for a better rate:
FA 37 B
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Ajgen:
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Mojgan Kahen (Cohen?) gives you online psychological
advice.
Beyond Iran
Heroine:
For Women of Substance
As editor Joan Osborne puts it, "Magazines
about women have some great articles in them, but those articles are surrounded
by words and images that reduce women to their bodies, their wardrobe, their
spending habits.
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Quote Unquote
Might as well
Razors pain you
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
-- Dorothy Parker
1893-1967
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