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Can't keep my promise, mother
24-Aug-2007
Since 1979, the government of Iran has systematically sought to deprive its largest religious minority of the right to a full education. Specifically, the Islamic Republic of Iran has for more than 25 years blocked the 300,000-member Bahai community from higher education, refusing young Bahais entry into university and college.
Eventually, in response to an international outcry over this oppressive behavior, the government officially announced in late 2005 that it would drop the declaration of religious affiliation on the application for the national university entrance examination. Consequently, the Bahai students could take the examination in 2004 and 2005.Yet, later in the admission procedure, Bahai youth were passed over and not accepted.
In 2006, for the first time in 29 years, more than 200 Bahai students could enter national universities. However, from the very beginning of the school year, gradually most of these students were expelled according to a previously planned strategy.
This year (2007), however the government has employed a new tactic. Most Bahai students have not yet received their test report cards. Not receiving their results, they are now even unaware of their scores and the fact that whether they have passed the test or not.
According to the web site of the national Educational Measurement and Evaluation Organization (EMEO), 800 Bahai students whose report cards are not issued lack enough documentation. Contact have been made with those officials in charge; nevertheless, no reasonable answer was given. Right now, the Bahai students who have not been informed of their exam results face an unclear situation
When I was a child, I talked about my dreams with my mother. One day I wanted to be a teacher; the other day; a scientist or a physician. My mother would look at me and tell me "try to love everybody. Whatever you become, try to help others."
So, seven years ago when I decided to become a physician, I was sure that I would treat my patients with love. Days have passed and I have learnt a lot. At first, the dream of becoming a physician was the most real and beautiful dream of my life. However, later I got to know my mother who was denied to finish the final semester of her studies at university. I saw my brothers who could not even take the entrance exam of national university.
Then, one day I heard the hopeful voice of one my friends who had a new story for me. He told me of his courses, of the entrance exam that he was going to take, and of the test preparation classes. He shared his dreams, hopes, worries and fears with me. I felt his excitement. I felt his preoccupation and anxiety. However, I was happy that being a Bahai is not any more an obstacle for continuing our education.
Today, my friend called and talked in a voice that showed no trace of that anxiety. He told me of his report card which has not been issued, and of his result which is not clear. He told me of the answers which were not given to him. He told me of his more-than-ever-strong determination to revitalize his country, Iran.
I cried. I cried to the extent that no tears remained for me to shed. I cried but not because of my mother who could not fulfill her dream; not because of my brothers who did not envy their non- Bahai friends even for a second; not because of my friend who was deprived of continuing his education, not even because of myself and my lost dream of becoming a physician. I cried only because I still remembered that day in my childhood when I had promised my mother to love everybody. It was only then that I understodd why I made such a promise in the prime of my dreams. I cried, and I feared that I might not keep my promise.
But weren't these people -- who I try to love -- once children? Haven't they promised their mothers to love me?
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hilarious
by dariushabadi on Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:05 PM PDThide behind your screen name, but we know who you are. that is why we created the IRI, so that people like you would one day go to Iran and we could take care of you there.
And for your information, you have not insulted me, because my family are as anti-religious as you are, so therefore they don't wear hijab.
And you showed that you are an illiterate backward person by resorting to fosh, instead of articulating yourself with beautiful words.
Did not the Zartusht you praise tell you "Good Words, Good Deeds, Good Thoughts." Which one of those THREE did you follow when you wrote that response?
At least our Prophet (S) had good manners, lets see you at least try to be better than our Prophet (S) in manners. Or just continue cursing like an illiterate boy in the ghetto with no education. Your money has spoiled you. All you can respond with now is CURSING and bad akhlaqh.
Bareekallah.
We should respect all
by cyclicforward on Fri Aug 24, 2007 05:56 PM PDTWe should respect all humans regardless of their belief, gender and race. There is really no justification for denying the most basic human rights to a sector of population just because they are not part of our doctrine. Also, I never defended Shah's regime in any way. My problem is today and the fascist government that runs our beautiful country. We are all longing to the day that Iran becomes once again a free and democratic country and all Iranian citizens are treated the same. If you think Hejab is a necessity for you and your family, then more power to you and live by that standard. I will never have a problem with that. I Hope this clarifies a few things for you.
Choke on that Kit Kat Bar
by Kaveh Nouraee on Fri Aug 24, 2007 05:42 PM PDTMartikeh Ahmagh, What the hell does any of this have to do with the Shah? This has to do with your heroes in turbans, that IRI that you worship so much. Thank GOD Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah forced them to get rid of the hejab. Woman was created by God as He created man, correct? Well then, based on that alone, Aghaye Arab-Parast, by covering a woman in a sheet like a piece of furniture you are denying what God Himself created. If you cannot walk past a woman or her past you without you losing control of your hormones and undressing her with your eyes and drooling, that's not because she's not wearing a hejab, it's because you have no character or self-respect. What a woman chooses to wear or not to wear is none of your damn business. Even if she walked around topless, it's not your business. You have the option of looking away. Do you think THAT much of yourself as to be under the delusion that a woman is going to deliberately dress a certain way to elicit a response or reaction from YOU? Or are you that fundamentally weak that you can't control your behavior in the presence of a female in public? Aghaye Arab-Parast, the reason those millions of women didn't go to school is because their parents, who were and are even less educated than their children, have no sense of values. They place no importance on getting an education, perpetuating ignorance generation after generation. They had nothing, their parents had nothing, and so they set out to make sure their children have nothing. THAT's why there was such a disparity between the social classes. Everyone has the right to an education, regardless of religion, and regardless of whether they are male or female. But then again, what else should anyone expect from an Arab worshipper like yourself.
Women with HIjab = Whores = Jendeh...
by Abgousht on Fri Aug 24, 2007 05:02 PM PDTDaruishabadi;
All women with Hijab inculding your mother and sister are whores and jendeh. By forcing them to take their hijab off, Shah tried to give them dignity.
Prophet Muhammad was a pimp = Jakesh.
Khadijeh = whore = jendeh.
Ali was stabbed in the head while he was eating up Ibn'e Muljam's wife.
The rest of 12 Imams were all koonees too.
So, all of your heros were all pimps and jakesh.
All mullahs are jakesh.
All of their wives and daughters are jendeh.
In fact all mullahs supporters are jendeh.
The only way to get rid of you and the mullahs is to...
!
Are you happy now?
Yet you forgive the Shah?
by dariushabadi on Fri Aug 24, 2007 03:12 PM PDTJust take out "religious" from your paragraph, and you would sound like a Hezbollahi who is talking down on the Shah. Would you say the same thing about the Shah, who ruined hundreds of thousands of lives for their political, social and economic ideas that weren't in line with the "Shah's vision". How about the millions of women who didn't go to school because the Shah and his father forced them to take off the hijab, something even Western countries don't force women to do (with the exception of France)?
Give me a break, break me off a piece of that kit kat bar.
When will this nightmare ever ends
by cyclicforward on Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:31 AM PDTThis is another chapter in the tragic history of this regime. These atrocities against Iranians will not be forgotten and forgiven. People's lives are ruined for their religious, political and other ideas that are different from the doctrine of established theocracy.