Going back to Iran

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Fred
by Fred
28-May-2010
 

In these times of despair that Iran and Iranians are put through, keeping the dream of a democratic Iran alive makes all the difference.

Were Martin Luther King an Iranian exile, alive today and on his way back home he would have delivered his famous 1963 Washington speech, I have a Dream, which he gave before heading back to the Segregated South, thusly:

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the Iranian dream.

I have a dream that one day Iran will rise up and live out the true meaning of her creed thusly:

Of One Essence is the Human Race,

Thusly has Creation put the Base.

One Limb impacted is sufficient,

For all Others to feel the Mace.

I have a dream that one day on the green hills of Gilan, the sons of former murdered political prisoners and the sons of Islamists will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day Iran, a country sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression; will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that our little children will one day live in an Iran where they will not be judged by their gender or creed but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Kahrizak, with its vicious murdering rapists, with its warden having his lips dripping with murderous words-- one day right there in Kahrizak little Iranian boys and girls will be able to join hands and in remembrance to the nation’s fallen heroes tour their sacred memorial there.

I have a dream today!

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to Iran. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to Iran with.

//www.mlkonline.net/dream.html

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more from Fred
 
Mort Gilani

Off Topic

by Mort Gilani on

Fooladi,

I wholeheartedly agree that it is a folly to apply lessons from USA’s civil right movement to present day Iran when the country is on the brink of falling into a violent war. Most bloggers in IC underestimate the scale of psychological damage to average Iranians in the past 30 years, and are reluctant to admit that the bar for violence to get rid of Mullah is already set so high. These are the good days of Islamic Republic no matter how dark they look.

...Keeping the dream of a democratic Iran alive makes all the difference


بت شکن

Come on Fred you are going NOwhere!

by بت شکن on

This is one of your many little cheap tricks to open a new front - Eastern Front. You just want to give credibility to your views, after this no one can accuse you of sitting in the US and telling others how to fight your IRR regime. Now you are going to analyze the situation based on your "personal and close" observations!!! meaning from your base 12000 miles away from Iran.

 

Nice try buddy!


reader1

Ashpal & Stoli? No .. no ..

by reader1 on

Passerby

This ex-peasant will only offer Khaviar and unlabelled vodka from Mashda Agha's vodka distillery for that special occasion.

PS: Fooladi: Point taken. Wish you prove me wrong one day.  

 


Anonymous Observer

Actually SP

by Anonymous Observer on

On one of my previous visits, I witnessed frustration of customers, arrogance of IRI terrorist "employees", and on annoyed customer who almost [rightfully] punched the hezbollah operative at the window. Other  customers had to physically restrain him from attacking the guy.

As far as your bleeding heart for other nations, all I have to say is that there are injustices everywhere in the world.  There have been more than five million dead in Congo in less than a decade.  They  literally made human stew in Siera Leon and Liberia.  Here, read this:

 //www.slate.com/id/2253842

And frankly, I really don't give a rat's a## about a Saudi national who gets caught with a Kalashnikov in the mountains of Afghanistan.  He couldn't have been possibly up to anything good there.  I think that GITMO is too good for those creatures.   As Iranians our first priority should be about our own people.  Let the rest of the world sort their own problems out. 

And it's not just about head scarves.  It's about lack of basic freedoms, a dictatorship, rape, murder, oppression, etc...    


fooladi

History has tought us....

by fooladi on

That fascist dictatorships, especially the ones with their back agaisnt the wall, like the IRI velayate vaghih version can only be overthrown through a well planned, well led bloody and violent revolution. It is a folly- at best- trying to learn lessons from USA's civil right movement to apply them to present day Iran! Good news is that strong revoloutionary political leadership with solid popular support is already in place in Iran , as seen by brilliant one day general strike in kurdistan recently. Also IRI leadership are pretty good at digging their own graves. So, just sit tight and watch the space....


Sargord Pirouz

They're pretty helpful at

by Sargord Pirouz on

They're pretty helpful at DC, aren't they. Many years ago, my Aunt had a lot of problems with them. It used to be really expensive, too. But these days it's pretty easy. I was there right after Norouz, so there were plenty of treats.

Hey, if headscarves are that big of a deal, stay away.

Since you're so ornery about the perceived injustices of Iran, how do you cope with Guantanimo, Abu Ghraib and the Gaza blockade? I mean, do you simply negatively dismiss everything about the US like you do the Islamic Republic of Iran? Or do you resort to double-standard?


Anonymous Observer

SP

by Anonymous Observer on

Anon, when is the last time you've had any official dealings with the Islamic Republic of Iran? Have you ever even been to the Interests Section in Washington DC?

Last year.  I had to get my Iranian passport renewed so that I could travel there.  Everything went smooth.  What's your point?  They're paid to do a job.  

You haven't answered the real question.  Could your aunt, or could she not, walk up to a Basiji, or just be on the street, and take her headscarf off if she wanted to?  What would happen if your aunt had a case against someone in an IRI court?  And what would happen if her opponent was a man?  Wouldn't her testimony be worth half of his?  What would happen if your aunt screamed on the top of her lungs on the street that she didn't like the color of Khamenei's turban? What would happen if she wanted information about the atrocities in Kahrizak?  

See, SP, being an Iranian is not just about dining in North Tehran restaurants or basking in [fake] joy about a repainted half century old F-5.  It's more complicated than that. But who am I kidding?  How would you know?   


oktaby

SP, with you, everything is just you.

by oktaby on

Do you take classes or special training to come up with this arajif, or is it an allah given talent? 

Did you get the Evin jacuzzi when in Iran? did you visit DC 'interest' section for a visa or they have issued you an IRR passport already? Or is is a special education pass for wannabe studies?

OKtaby


Sargord Pirouz

Anon, my aunt wasn't a

by Sargord Pirouz on

Anon, my aunt wasn't a tourist. She was/is an exile returning to the motherland. Sure, her hosts were hospitable, but she also had business to conduct with government authorities. In fact, just six weeks ago, all of us had official business to conduct, including me. It all went smoothly. During the past five years, we've even had multiple dealings with Iran's civil and criminal justice systems. Again, it has gone remarkably smoothly. 

Anon, when is the last time you've had any official dealings with the Islamic Republic of Iran? Have you ever even been to the Interests Section in Washington DC?

So Fred, if you don't mind divulging the particulars of your upcoming trip to Iran, will it be happening this Spring or this Summer? Personally, I prefer Iran in winter, but that's just me. 


Fred

Stoli & اشپل

Fred


Reader1 in part says:

I have not been home for over 32 years.”

Perhaps if you had first hand experience of what kind of hell IRR has made out of Iran for Iranians, you  could if not agree with my point of view, at least understand where it is stemming from.

Stoli and shpell would be great.


reader1

Is this really you Fred?

by reader1 on

Passerby



If it is you, I owe you a big apology for my past misjudgment. This is the
first time I have managed to read your blog from start to finish
without being irked. In fact, I found it quite touching and moving. I
have not been home for over 32 years. Despite our difference, when
the time comes, I would love to take you out for a few glasses of
vodka in a café on the beautiful green hills of Gilan.

 

 

 


Darveesh

Ze most beautiful place

by Darveesh on

Iran

Some one needs to pay a visit to Vatican.


Fred

Hidden "realities"

by Fred on

Mien Führer in part says:

"I hope it truly opens your eyes to the realities of today's Iran"

What are those "realities" which I apparently don't know about?


Khar

I've (we've) been to the Mountain Top!

by Khar on


masoudA

I share the Dream

by masoudA on

Thanx Fred it was beautiful


Anonymous Observer

Tahgord

by Anonymous Observer on

The reason why your aunt enjoyed Iran had nothing to do with the anti-Iran IRI terrorists.  She experienced what travelers have experienced with Iran for millinea: the hospitality of the Iranian people.  And that means REAL Iranians.  Not the ones who were rasied and bred in South Lebanon and Najaf.

Now if your aunt wanted to experience the "Islamic Republic"--which you are so fond of--she should have walked over to her neighborhood baisji and taken her headscarf off for a five minutes.  She would have then learnt the hospitality of said thug in the form of a club over her head or in the form of being insulted, humiliated and being dragged into a police car.

Now if you were Iranian, or if had EVER been to Iran, you would understand the difference.  


Sargord Pirouz

Baloney, Farah. That's just

by Sargord Pirouz on

Baloney, Farah. That's just a big cop out.

No one could be more the archetype exile than my aunt. She really thought the experience of returning was going to be a miserable one. All her exile friends admonished her not to go. But there was business to take care of, so off she went.

She ended up enjoying herself so much, she extended her stay. It was totally unexpected for her. While it didn't change her political orientation, it did change her social perceptions in a big way. That is to say, the country and people were very much different than she had imagined.

Fred's the most outspoken anti-Iran person here at IC. (Sometimes I tease him by calling him the Ted Kaczynski of IC) I think it's a great idea for him to make a return trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of us that return once, actually end up returning multiple times.

 


Farah Rusta

Why I do not go back to Iran

by Farah Rusta on

I am only speaking for myself and do not advise others. The reason I cannot see myself returning to Iran is best said in the words of a Christian saint, Pope Gregory VII:

 "Amavi iustiam et odivi iniquitatem; propterea, morior in exilio"

"I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore, I die in exile."

FR


MOOSIRvaPIAZ

Good luck with that.

by MOOSIRvaPIAZ on

I really mean it. If you really are going I hope it truly opens your eyes to the realities of today's Iran.


Genghis Khan

Sargord

by Genghis Khan on

Beyond north Tehran, is a totally new city, now.

No wonder, your aunt did fit in Shahr-e-noe.

If my body dies, let my body die, but do not let my country die.


Sargord Pirouz

So you're going back to

by Sargord Pirouz on

So you're going back to Iran? Hallelujah.

I suggest you suspend blog posting until your return (no need for any additions to the long list of "foot in mouth" comments you've been making for many, many months now).

Be sure to expand your trip beyond north Tehran, too. 

It should be a positive experience. My aunt thought she was going to have a dreadful time upon returning after 30 years, and much to her amazement she had a wonderful stay. Here's hoping the same for you, Fred. 


hamsade ghadimi

fred

by hamsade ghadimi on

i think this is the first time that i'm commenting to your piece.  well done.  it's good to read blogs that are positive and meant to unite iranians of all background.


Mona 19

Great read before heading out ...

by Mona 19 on

Beautiful dream, and it will come true...I'm leaving home with a smile on my face, and more hopeful about better and bright future of my beloved land.Thank you Fred.

Regards,Mona :)

"Her darksome soil will become luminous and her land will shine resplendent"


Cost-of-Progress

Fred, Great Piece

by Cost-of-Progress on

Thanks 

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


Mardom Mazloom

Khodemooneem,

by Mardom Mazloom on

It's the first time I enjoyed reading your blog!

 

Dast Mareezad.


Maryam Hojjat

This is most meaningful of all your blog!

by Maryam Hojjat on

Fred:  it is great blog.  Thanks