The Iranian Times

Wednesday February 28, 2001 / Esfand 10, 1379, No. 1175


ARCHIVE

Culture

Art of kissing
Kissing guys on the cheeks is something I needed to learn

By Siamack Baniameri
February 28, 2001
The Iranian

As I returned to my homeland after twenty years, I was faced with two major dilemmas. The first was to re-learn the lost art of using an Iranian-style toilet in a squatting position with efficiency and deadly aim. But the most intimidating dilemma, which I would like to focus on, was kissing guys on the cheeks >>> GO TO FEATURE

Moment

Highlight
He walked into my secluded coffee shop

By Maryam Khosharay
February 28, 2001
The Iranian

Coffee shops have indeed become the "in" place to study -- the nucleus of true intellect where one can have a profound thought, a heated conversation, even a flirtatious rendezvous >>> GO TO FEATURE

Life

We went home
Shiny lady in blue and gold told me it will be okay

By Mary Haidari
February 28, 2001
The Iranian

I met my husband in college. I was asked by a professor to help some of the international students with English. My husband was in the first group. I'll call him "John". He was from Abadan, Iran. We dated for a while, and finally married. We made plans to go to Iran and live. In preparation for my journey, I learned Farsi, learned about the culture and began to study Islam >>> GO TO FEATURE


Outlook

FBI: Terror Group Members Arrested

By ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Seven members of an anti-Iranian terror group have been arrested for collecting money that was used for weapons including mortars and rockets, the FBI said Wednesday. The seven members of the Mujahedeen Khalq Organization of Iran, or the People's Holy Warriors, were arrested Tuesday following a three-year international investigation, the FBI's James DeSarno told reporters >>> FULL TEXT

Tension in parliament

BBC Persian Service

The Iranian parliament has been the scene of strong tensions between the reformists -- opposing interference by judicial bodies -- and the conservatives. Bahaodin Adab, MP, explains to Afshin Amirzadeh the reason behind >>> LISTEN


    Anyway

Bigger is better

Three months ago, my 21-inch Apple monitor died. Just like that. I couldn't afford a new one, so I had to use my cousin's spare 13-inch monitor. At first I thought it was going to be impossible to work within such a tiny space. But I got used to it. I had no choice. Then my sister, Iran Javid Fulton, called last week and asked if I needed a new monitor. She paid $400 for a new 19-inch ViewSonic. I feel I've been liberated from 10 years of solitary confinement.



More Letters

LETTERS ARE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED. THEY ARE NOT SELECTED

* Power of unity

Kamar Kallaantar writes: I would like to appreciate the initiatives of the author of "Petition by one" for encouraging over one million Iranian Americans to write personalized letters to their senators and congressmen in order to oppose the regulations of fingerprinting and luggage searching of Iranians at U.S. airports. This is a highly effective and extremely productive campaign. However, I would like to suggest that such personal initiatives not be considered as a substitute for collective actions such as petitions >>> FULL TEXT

* Commendable approach

Masoud Neshat writes: I would like to commend Mr. Mirfendereski's approach toward bringing discrimination against Iranians to the surface and even sharing it with the rest us via this forum ["Petition by one"]. I am hoping other Iranian - Americans will follow suit >>> FULL TEXT

* Get your priorities straight

Sara Moussavi writes: Not to disrespect or belittle the comments/concerns of the readers, BUT does it REALLY make a difference whether or not Americans say Farsi, instead of Persian? Or whether or not Iran is "Iran" or "Persia"? ["Bring back Persia"] My point is, with all of the country's problems and present issues, the last element of concern should be titles. This energy could be better utilized in other, more meaningful areas >>> FULL TEXT

* Semantics

Cam Amin writes: An important consideration in the choice of an official name of a country is whether or not it is a reflection of that country's culture and heritage ["Bring back Persia"]. The choice of "Persian" versus "Iranian" cannot erase the parts of our history that trouble us, nor can it distance us from the problems we confront as Iranians or Iranian-Americans today >>> FULL TEXT

* Fallen heroes

Quincy Irani writes: Twenty-two years after the brutal murder of Generals Rahimi, Khosrodad, Naji, and Nasiri by the barbaric low-life savages (revolutionizes as some call them), the memories of all these fallen heroes are still alive in our hearts and our minds ["The general's widow"] >>> FULL TEXT

* Lots of kids

H. Hakimi writes: Though I enjoy Saman's cartoons very much (at least some of them ) I do not agree with his view points ["Kings are for kids"]. Some 75 million Britons are all kids chasing their tails! >>> FULL TEXT

* Wrong information

Hedieh writes: Obviously, Eli has not spent much time in Iran and has written what she was told before traveling to Iran ["Not going back"]. Many women including myself wear make-up and colorful scarves or rousaries. More women work than they did before the revolution. Some 52% of university students are women! >>> FULL TEXT


Noruz: AIC festivities, Washington DC


    Poem

    Translation of today's poem by Zara Houshmand:

    As long as I have my own cup of milk,

    By God, I won't covet anyone's honey.

    Beat me with canes till death if you will,

    I won't sell my freedom for slavery.

    * 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

News

The news section is under construction. Meanwhile go to >>> IRANMANIA

The Web

Iranian

Tabarzadi's "Democratic Front"

Heshmatollah Tabarzadi is a student leader who has caused a lot of headaches for the regime. His site will cause more.

Beyond Iran

Human Spell Check

Weekly roundup of minor and not-so-minor language snafus in newspapers, periodicals, and web sites. Check the "Daley Wurd Deathmatch" for commonly confused words.

More web sites


Quote Unquote

Kissing

Living abroad for so many years, I have developed social skills which do not include physical contact with males other than a simple handshake or high-five. Although, the majority of my social interactions revolve around my Iranian friends, we simply do not kiss each other. I know it's a form of greeting, brotherhood, tradition, affection, or what not. But the sheer fact of kissing another man is extremely revolting to me.

-- Siamack Baniameri
"Art of kissing"
The Iranian
February 28, 2001


Photo of the Day

MKO suspects arrested in LA


Iranian of the Day

Saba & Parisa: Birjand


Music

Bijan Mofid's "Shahr-e Qesseh" and "Mah o Palang"

Music artists index


Art

Ebrahim Saheb-Ekhtiari
Land of dreams


Books

Cultural Schizophrenia
Islamic Societies Confronting the West
By Darius Shayegan

Simaa-ye eqtedaar-geraaee
By Majid Mohammadi

Books this week

THE IRANIAN
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Staff

* Publisher/Editor: Jahanshah Javid -- jj@iranian.com
* News & the Web: Payman Arabshahi -- payman@neda.com
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