|
Vahshi Bafqi
NEW column
Save the Squirrels Society
And other issues we really care about
By Mansoureh Haqshenas & Koorosh Bayat
- You know, I'm sick and tired of this whole Persian Gulf thing.
- What Persian Gulf thing?
- You know: this Persian
Gulf vs. The Gulf vs. the Arabian Gulf crap. Why is this the biggest
issue in the world for some people? Haven't we got more important things
to worry about? Enough already. We got the message. go home. Relax baabaa.
- It's the Persian Gulf, that's why. If we don't raise our voice,
it will be commonly known as the Arabian Gulf and before you know it, the
Persian Gulf will be history. Do you want that?
- Baabaa! I've heard that argument ten million times. No I don't want
the Persian Gulf to be called the Arabian Gulf. But what I'm worried about
right now are those poor writers who've been killed in Iran. And what about
Daryush and Parvaneh Foruhar? I don't see these Persian Gulf fanatics sending
emails and faxes all over the world in order to stop these murders from
happening again. Let's get our priorities straight.
- Some people care about some issues more than others. Beh to cheh
... GO TO FEATURE
Outlook
Arrest of secret agents boosts Khatami
By Jonathan Lyons
TEHRAN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The admission on Tuesday by Iran's secret
police that its own agents were involved in the murders of dissident intellectuals
marked a stunning victory for President Mohammad Khatami and his campaign
for the rule of law.
The Intelligence Ministry said in a statement that its investigation
into what it termed ``hateful murders'' had prompted it to arrest some
of its own agents in the killings that had shocked the Islamic republic.
``It (the ministry) clearly understand the dimensions and depth of this
catastrophe,'' the statement said.
The intelligence service, long a mainstay of the conservative clerical
establishment, also pledged to root out the sources of political violence
and to safeguard the security of all Iranians.
``This confirms what many in Iran have long suspected but no official
would say publicly -- that hardline (Islamic) elements inside the system
were involved,'' said one political analyst, who asked not to be identified.
``Khatami is the big winner. The hardliners are discredited and he can
show that the system works for all, not just (for) the right but also for
dissident writers.'' ... FULL TEXT
Down with Beatlemania!
This is one of the stranger articles in the domestic Iranian press:
A feature in a youth magazine condemning The Beatles and their "hollow"
(nihilistic?) poetry. One wonders why the Beatles need to be trashed so
thoroughly in Iran... And by the way, notice the cool circular tiedye background.
Groovy!... Read
here
Iran Javan article forwarded by Pedram Messaghi
More Letters
* Democratic bullies
Shahrzad Irani writes: I went back and re-read both "Where
are the Strategic thinkers?" and "Freedom
not to react." Previously, I had enjoyed reading both. Mr. Roshanravan
expressed his dissatisfaction with those Iranians who had not spoken out
about the recent murders in Iran. Mr. Mirfenderski's commentary made a
few things crystal clear for me. Why are we waiting for intellectuals to
tell us what we should do or think? Why not think for ourselves? Why expect
others to carry our burden? I should carry my own cross and be responsible
for my own life. I liked his punchline the best: DO IT YOURSELF! Mr. Mirfenderski
also reminded me what freedom and democracy is all about. We have the freedom
to react or not to react ... FULL
TEXT
Shahrzad Irani
irani.s@worldnet.att.net
* Language: Summer Persian course at
the U. Texas, Austin
Possible Interest to Persianists with Students Finishing a First-Year
Course during the Spring of 1999:
The Summer 1999 Second-Year Persian Course at The University of Texas
at Austin meets four weekdays a week (M-Th) for eight weeks, from June
21 to August 13. Each class session lasts three hours, from 8:30 to 11:30
am. That amounts to about 95 classroom contact hours in the six-credit
course. This intensive, intermediate course is designed for (serious) American
and Iranian-American students who have completed a year of university Persian
study or its equivalent. The course aims primarily to increase efficiency
in reading Persian and secondarily to improve Persian listening and speaking
skills. It also aims to help dramatically increase passive vocabulary and
familiarity with Persian cultural terms. The course leads to student proficiency
in dealing with texts of academic and cultural interest to course participants
and in learning how to improve Persian language skills through self-study.
In-class work and conversations with the instructor in and outside of class
take place exclusively in Persian ... DETAILS
HERE
Book of the Week
To See and See Again
A Life in Iran and America
By Tara Bahrampour
From A beautifully written memoir that delivers much more
than the story of a young woman's life. Bahrampour, a Princeton Ph.D. candidate
in sociology, grew up in two culturesAmerica and Iran very much in conflict.
The daughter of an Iranian father and an American mother, she claimed American
habits as her early norms. However, the young Tara grew attached to Iranian
ways, so when the family returned to the U.S. due to the Islamic Revolution
(she was 11), the author's sense of dislocation only heightened. - Kirkus
Reviews
Also read the New
York Newsday review of Bahrampour's book
Recent
featured books
THE IRANIAN
Bookstore
New! Bestsellers
New! Books on Rumi
|
More
news
Iran officials arrested in slayings
Tuesday, January 5, 1999, TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran has arrested
a number of Intelligence Ministry officials in the slayings of five dissidents,
the ministry acknowledged Tuesday -- a rare admission of official complicity
in the killings of government opponents. The ministry announced ``with regret''
that ``a few of our colleagues -- irresponsible, devious and obstinate persons
-- were among those arrested.'' ... FULL TEXT
"Huge blow" to hardliners
BBC Middle East Correspondent Jim Muir says
the revelation is a huge blow to the hardline faction in its current power
struggle with the reformers ... REAL AUDIO
Judicial official survives assassination
attempt
tehran, jan. 5, irna - head of tehran province's justice department
hojatoleslam ali razini survived an assassination attempt on his life on
tuesday. the car carrying razini were attacked by armed assailants in one
of tehran's central streets. his general condition is reported satisfactory
... FULL TEXT
Iran requiring military training
Tuesday, January 5, 1999 TEHRAN, Iran (AP)
-- Iranian boys between the ages of 13 and 18 will now be required to undergo
military training courses, a newspaper reported Tuesday. Under the ``defense
readiness'' training program, boys in junior high will receive one hour
of training each week, while high school students will have to take at least
one military training course, the daily Abrar newspaper quoted Iranian Education
Minister Hossein Mozaffar as saying ... FULL TEXT
Russia tightens export controls
Tuesday, January 5, 1999 MOSCOW (AP) -- President
Boris Yeltsin has tightened government controls over the export of Russian
technology that may be used to develop missiles. Yeltsin amended and broadened
the list of items that will be banned for exports in order to prevent the
proliferation of missile technologies, the presidential press service said
Tuesday. It did not name the items ... FULL TEXT
Rostam & Sohrab
Tehran, (Hamshahri) - "Rostam and Sohrab"
has been turned into a play that is currenly being staged in Tehran Vahdat
Hall ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
Pourheidari will keep his job
Tehran, (Hamshahri) - Mansour Pourheidari will remain
the head coach of the Iranian national soccer team, the head of soccer federation
announced ... FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
Soccer players wanted in Germany
Tehran, (Hamshahri) - Ali Mousavi and Daryush Yazdani,
both members of the national team and the Esteqlal club, will take part
in negotiations that may lead to their entry into the German league ...
FULL TEXT IN PERSIAN
Human Rights
New mailing list
I have started a new mailing list called "Ascent." The aim
is to address humanitarian issues on the verge of the 21st century. I am
trying to promote it and attract members. Email me at camcamak@usa.net
Camelia Akbari
$ Rate
The
dollar now offered at up to 713-715 tomans
Source: Sehaty Exchange (U.S.) Tel: 602-595-0777
Business
news
The Web
Iran
Javanan
The popular Los Angeles-based magazine has the latest news
about Iranian Pop stars, along with lots of music.
Beyond Iran
Obsessive
Fan Sites
"Excess that only the Internet can provide."
More
web sites
Quote Unquote
Our colleagues
A few of our colleagues -- irresponsible, devious and obstinate persons
-- were among those arrested.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry statement
"Iran
Officials Arrested in Slayings"
Associated Press
January 5, 1999
Photo of the Day
Hills of Masjed Solaiman
More
photos
Music
Musician of the Week
Googoosh
* Kaj Kollah Khan * Hamkhooneh * Khoob meezani * Naameh-haayam
raa bedeh
Music
artists index |
