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Iranians
The twelve rules
... of surviving Iran & Iranians
By Elaine Sciolino
October 13, 2000
The Iranian
Over the years, I have developed a code of twelve rules that have helped
me survive the setbacks and embrace the surprises of Iran.
RULE ONE: NEVER SAY NO TO AN INVITATION
Iranians by habit operate in two worlds, the public and the private.
Traditionally just about everything meaningful in both social and political
life happens behind closed doors. That is the way Iran has always been,
whether its leaders were kings or ayatollahs.
The contrast is much sharper, however, under the ayatollahs, who have
set strict limits on what constitutes acceptable behavior in public and
sometimes even in private spaces. An outsider can't just open the door
and peer in. The only way to get the door to open is to be invited in first
>>>
GO TO FEATURE
Cemetery
Dust to dust
Zahiroddoleh cemetery
By Nader Davoodi
October 13, 2000
The Iranian
Photographs of Zahiroddoleh cemetery, the resting place of some of the
most famous politicians and artists. Click on images to see larger photos
>>>
GO TO FEATURE
Iranian of the day
Who we are
Any Iranian, anywhere
October 13, 2000
The Iranian
From today there will be a new feature called "Iranian of the day".
It will be a photograph of an Iranian. As simple as that. You can send
photos of anyone, anywhere in any pose for tis page. It can be a woman
in her office, a child at school, a man swinging on a tree or... >>>
GO TO FEATURE
Outlook
Kharrazi in Baghdad
BBC Persian Service
The Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi is in Baghdad for talks with
Iraqi leaders, the first such visit for more than a decade. Relations between
the two countries have been strained since the 1980s when they engaged
in a gruelling war which lasted eight years. Jim Muir reports >>> LISTEN HERE
Unreforming - The Resignation of Mohajerani
The Economist
October 12, 2000
THE saga of Ataollah Mohajerani's resignation reveals quite a lot about
Muhammad Khatami, Iran's president. Eighteen months ago, when Iran's popular
minister of culture and Islamic guidance came close to being impeached
by the religious conservatives then running Iran's parliament, the president
defended him stoutly. Now that parliament is dominated by deputies who
support his reformist message, the president might be expected to back
his ally even more determinedly >>>
FULL TEXT
Heard the one about the Rashti as a contestant on "Who wants to
be a millionaire"? They ask him, "How long does is take for you
to satisfy your wife during sex? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? 45 minutes or
an hour?" The Rashti thinks a bit and says, "I'd like to ask
the audience."
(Can't remember who emailed this one)
More Letters
* American authority on Iran
Yashar Hedayat writes: Tonight,
as I was driving home from my office -- which is only six blocks away (yes
I am living the Los Angeles life), my ears perked up when I heard "Iran"
on National Public Radio. I raised the volume and listened intently. The
woman being interviewed was Elaine Sciolino an American journalist who
has covered Iran for over two decades ["The
twelve rules"]... She is an American authority on Iran, if you
will.
She has just released her second book "Persian
Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran". What I love about her is that
she does not go the route (at least in her interview and the parts of the
book I have read) of most Western journalists ...
I hope you all have the opportunity to read this book and I look forward
to hear your comments. The one thing I must caution is that sometimes journalists
and authors may write or say something that you believe is contrary to
your observations and beliefs. Don't get angry and discount the validity
of the book or report, often people only see certain things and can' get
everyone's viewpoint >>>
FULL TEXT
* You are all sick
Thomas Byrne
writes from Sydney, Australia: I am an Australian gay man who saw your
paper on the Internet, and the article by Yek Irani ["Acceptance"].
You people live in a dreadful country, full of oppressed people. Your women
are treated as animals, and your gay people are beheaded/burnt at the stake.
You are all sick, those who advocate this.
Your religious ideas are indefensible when they demand the deaths of
persons engaged in private sexual acts. I engage in homosexual acts, they
are great! Maybe thats what you all need? A strong dose of anal sex!?
By the way, there is a thriving Iranian gay community in Sydney! What
should happen to them?
* At least he's a man with an opinion
Shatooni werites:
Mr. Rafat's article on Iranian brides ["Real
Iranian girls?"]is astounding and shocking! I can't say that as
an Iranian woman raised in Los Angeles whether I am truly offended or mezmerized
by his outlandish chauvanistic story, until of course I searched and found
his responses to the issues
of Afghans! ... But I have to hand it to him, he is at least a man
with an opinion and not afraid to voice it >>>
FULL TEXT
Rights: Signatures in support of Eshkevari
From: Arien Mack <mackarie@newschool.edu>
Hamid Dabashi and I have written a statement about Hojatoleslam Eshkevari,
for which we are gathering signatures. I am attaching the letter below,
along with the list of those who have already signed, and I hope you will
post it so that those who do not send a letter of their own may add their
support to this one >>>
DETAILS HERE
Books
THE IRANIAN
Bookstore
Music store
Poem
Translation of today's poem by Zara
Houshmand:
I've tread in your path until I'm downtrodden.
I'm worn out from being worn out by your love.
I can't eat all day, I can't sleep all night.
Your friendship's the enemy I now must fight.
* 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
|
More
news
Iran says it is fighting "unprecedented"
rise in human smuggling
TEHRAN,
Oct 13 (AFP) - Iran has arrested 21 smugglers since the beginning of the
Iranian year in March as regional trafficking in human beings has risen
sharply, the head of Iran's Interpol bureau said. "This figure is unprecedented
in the past 20 years," said Arsalan Monaem, quoted by the state IRNA
news agency late Thursday. "This has become one of the most profitable
professions." >>> FULL TEXT
Kharrazi arrives in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iran's foreign minister arrived in Baghdad
on Friday to talk about prisoners of war, reparations and other issues lingering
from the 1980-1988 war between the two countries. Both Iranian Foreign Minister
Kamal Kharrazi and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf expressed
hope that their discussions over the next several days will lead toward
normalizing ties >>> FULL TEXT
Iran says world community must take serious
action against Israel
TEHRAN,
Oct 13 (AFP) - Iran said Friday it expects the world community to take serious
action against Israel after the Jewish state bombarded Palestinian cities
in retaliation for the lynching of three Israelis. Foreign ministry spokesman
Hamid-Reza Asefi, quoted by state radio, condemned the "Zionist army's
barbaric aggressions" which he said had "once again ... reduced
the Palestinian people to blood and dust." >>> FULL TEXT
Cleric blasts US as inhuman, wants Muslim
support for Palestinians
TEHRAN,
Oct 13 (AFP) - A conservative Iranian cleric on Friday blasted the United
States as inhuman and said it was the duty of Muslims worldwide to cut all
relations with Israel and rise up against the Jewish state. "Palestinians
are being killed ruthlessly," Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said at weekly
prayers at Tehran university, a day after Israel bombarded Palestinian cities
in response to the lynching of three Israelis >>> FULL TEXT
Republicans hit Gore on Russia arms to
Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans attacked Vice President Al Gore
(news - web sites) on Friday over Russia's failure to meet a deadline for
ending arms shipments to Iran under a 1995 agreement that Gore negotiated
with Russia. Disclosure of the missed deadline and previously unpublicized
terms of the pact -- assuring Russia it would not face U.S. sanctions for
the shipments -- drew Republican charges that the Clinton administration
had improperly withheld details from Congress and destabilized the Middle
East >>> FULL TEXT
Oil prices tick down
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped just below 10-year peaks
on Friday as the market warily watches developments in the Middle East where
Israeli military attacks on Palestinian-ruled cities threaten the peace
process. U.S. benchmark light crude futures leapt more than $3.70 to a peak
at $37 a barrel as news of the violence filtered through on Thursday before
retracing back to settle in New York dealings at $36.06, marking a gain
of $2.81 >>> FULL TEXT
War writer moves on
Tehran
(Aftab-e yazd) -- Hassan Ameri used to write books about the Iran-Iraq war.
But he has three new novels coming out soon which have much broader topics.
"A real writer shouldn't limit himself to a specific subject,"
Ameri says in an interview >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Foroutan in new film
Tehran (Aftab-e yazd) -- Veteran actor Mohammad Reza Foroutan will
star in Kioumars Pour-Ahmad's latest film, "Shab-e Yalda" >>>
FULL PERSIAN TEXT
Iranian artist's work in London
Tehran, (Hayat-e No) -- A gallery in London is exhibiting the works
of Shirazeh Hooshyari, an Iranian painter and sculptor >>> FULL
PERSIAN TEXT
Watch Iran's goals
Beirut Oct. 12 (Iran Sports Press) -- Watch Iran's four goals
against Lebanin in the Asian Cup championships >>> FULL TEXT
Daei: "Lebanon will not make it through"
Beirut Oct. 12 (Iran Sports Press) -- With video: In a post
game press conference following Iran's 4-0 defeat of Lebanon on Thursday,
Iranian captain and star striker said the Lebanese team will have problems
ahead against Iraq. "The Lebanese team is too young for these games",
Daei told reporters. "I hope they player better but Lebanon will have
problems", he said >>> FULL TEXT
Briefs from Lebanon
Tehran (Aftab-e Yazd) -- News briefs from the Asian Cup in Lebanon...
Free tickets from Lebanese fans... bonuses from Irqais... 15,000 Iranian
fans... >>> FULL PERSIAN TEXT
BBC
Is Middle East Crisis Spreading?
Following over a fortnight of violence between
Palestinian and Israelis, Israeli Prime Minister has decided to include
Ariel Sharon in his "cabinet of national unity". In an interview
with David Hirst, Guardian correspondent in Beirut; Maria Sarsalari asks
about the consequences of Mr. Barak's decision: >>>
LISTEN HERE
BBC Persian
Service
Exchange rate
October 13
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
Business
news
The Web
Iran
American
Global University
This is the only university in the West I
know of that has so many Iranian faculty members. Heck, even the president
and the VP are Iranian.
Beyond Iran
Not
Proud
Go ahead. Admit you've been a jerk.
More
web sites
Quote Unquote
Concealment
Concealment makes Iranians very different from Americans. Americans live
in houses with front yards that face out to the street. They sit on their
front porches and watch the world go by. Iranians live in houses with front
gardens hidden behind high walls. There is no connection to the street life
outside. It is no accident that figures in Persian miniatures are often
seen peering secretly from behind balconies or curtains or half-closed doors.
America's heroes are plainspoken, lay-it-on-the-line truth-tellers who love
relating their life stories. For Iranians, Jimmy Stewart would be a chump.
-- Elaine Sciolino
"The
twelve rules"
The Iranian
October 13, 2000
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