To: British Museum
To: Mr John Curtis
Keeper, Department of the Middle East,
British Museum
Sir,
Given that the Iranian government has confiscated Nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi’s medal, we are writing to humbly and respectfully urge you to reconsider the loan of the Cyrus cylinder to Iran.
The protection from seizure laws that the British Museum is counting on to protect the cylinder are unlikely to be respected.
You will also be aware of 2007’s go-ahead for the Sivand dam, which threatens to ‘drown’ Pasargadae and Cyrus the Great’s tomb ‘ in line with the Islamic Republic’s history of hostility towards Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage.
It cannot be trusted with such an important artefact.
Also, given the Islamic Republic’s continuuing use of violence against peaceful demonstrators, the denial of this loan is a necessary act of solidarity with the injured, the detained and the dead of Iran’s ‘green movement’.
Please do not lend the Cyrus cylinder to Iran.
