People to remember
Other Iranians of the year
April 11, 2000
The Iranian
Here are all others who received votes in the Iranian of the year
survey.
Iranian
of the year 1379/1999 main index
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Women
* Changing world opinion
Amanpour: Producing TV news segments, reports, and special programs,
that were broadcast worldwide, with a major impact in changing world opimion
about the Iranian people. Her contribution can have a major impact on improving
Iran's relations with the rest of the world and expedite the changes within
the current regime. See feature here
F.A.
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* Wonderful program
My choice is Christiane Amanpour for her comprehensive coverage of the
parliamentary elections and her wonderful one-hour special on Iran that
was aired on CNN. See feature here
Mohammad Hassan Dehghan-Pisheh
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* Extraordinary efforts
For her extraordinary efforts to bring the U.S. & Iran closer together
by portraying Iran as what it really is, despite working in a heavily-biased
environment -- the American media.
Marty Zargar
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* Did her best
Amanpour did her best in the portrayal of the ever-surviving elite of
Iran -- the "hezaar faameel" -- as normal Iranians having a normal
night-life at their soirees.
Triumph
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* Courageous critics
Shirin Ebadi, along with some others like Ms. Mehrangiz Kar, were the
most honest and courageous critics of the current legislature in Iran,
asking for equity of the sexes and protection of the family. Ebadi is also
following the case about the chain murders in the fall of 1998. See
feature here
Seyed Bahram Zahir Azami
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* Conviction
Simine Behbahani: For her courage, conviction, expertise and fight for
human rights. See feature here
F. Safari
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* Excelled despite...
My choice of the most significant Iranians of the year are all the Iranian
women who withstand and thrive in an atmosphere of injustice and discrimination
within their families and communities , and have not had the benefit of
legal support throughout the patriarchal history of the "modern"
human, yet have managed to excel in the arena of arts and science and family
planning and primary education and are closing the gender gap in every
society every day.
Azin Nezami
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* All women in Iran
All women in Iran for standing against discriminations, segregation,
and extremists, and supporting new ideas. And also all "degar andishaan"
who lost their lives for standing in front of all kind of inequalities
and censorship.
F. Safa
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People
* Those who stayed
The Iranian of the year is the common man in the streets who has lived
in Iran while those of us elsewhere have spent 20 years complaining. Those
in Iran made a living and built the country! The Iranian people persevered
and never let anyone control them, even those who were against the government
and stayed in Iran. They did so out of love for the nation and hoped to
better it, these are true patriots, not those who left and now complain.
Those of us who left have no right to criticize what is happening in Iran
today. We gave up that right along with our Iranian passports. So the Iranian
of the year is THE ENTIRE IRANIAN NATION!
Reza Velayati
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* Bold measures
I believe the Iranian of the year should be the people of Iran. They
were insulated in a stringent and hopeless situation without clear direction
in a country at war with itself. Through a grass-root movement, an influential
leadership emerged. Hand-in-hand the new found leaders and citizens took
bold measures to authoritate and control their current system and the future
of their country. These people united are the country's heroes and its
light of hope. It is time to give credit were it is deserved most.
Shirin Rassool
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* Come to their senses
All the people of Iran for having finally come to their senses and questioned
the lies of the mollas.
Hamid Boroumand
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* Blow to ayatollahs
Iranian people for having dealt the ayatollahs a very heavy blow, and
defeating the right-wing and its beloved candidate, Rafsanjani !
Nima
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National soccer team
* Never emotional, except
This soccer team representing my country has not failed to bring tears
of pride and excitement to my eyes every time I saw them play. That is
quite a sensation for a 45-year-old man who almost never gets emotional.
See feature here
Amir Badakhshan
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* Ambassadors
Because I watched them play at Rose Ball and they were fantastic and
good ambassadors for Iran. Not to mention they showed America that we RULE
in soccer.
Niloufar Pourzand
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* Azizi the Great
Not only is Khodad Azizi one of the greatest athletes in the history
of Iran, but he has single-handedly instilled spirit, hope, pride and a
feeling of unity amongst all Iranians worldwide! See
feature here
Bryan Raassi
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* Symbol
A symbol of the attitude of a new generation. Peace + Respect + Being
the best they can be internationally.
Khosrow Hassibi
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* Showed the world
They showed the world that Iranians are freindly, kind, janivan (?)
and have a big heart.
Mike Tabrizian
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* Iran's best
They are the best Iran has to offer.
Abdoh
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Abbas Kiarostami
* Cultural bridge
While his importance is not limited to this last year, he did just finish
one of his most wonderful films which was once again lauded worldwide.
I feel strongly that throughout a period where strain and conflict has
reigned in Iran's relationship with the West, Kiarostami's work has been
a bridge showing the world the wealth and beauty of Iranian culture in
subtle cinematic forms. His work is not only considered groundbreaking
fillmmaking by some of the world's foremost directors (Werner Herzog considers
him a master of the cinema whose talent is matched only by Kurosawa's),
he has also been able to transcend the issues of politics and territorial
identity to create magnificent humanistic works. Paradoxically he has done
this by always delving into the most Iranian of details throughout his
body of work. I continually am humbled and inspired by his talent and insights.
See feature here
Dorna Khazeni
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Kamran Elahian
* Need more like him
There are many successful Iranians in the world. Unlike Israelies, they
seldom try to help their country. Elahian is a man who has. We are proud
of him and we need more Iranians like him. See feature
here
Mehdi Farid
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Hamid-Reza Jalaie-Pour
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* Not afraid
He is tenacious and persistent and not afraid to push the envelope.
See feature here
Kavous Roumina
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* Remains religious
While he stands up to the conservatives on certain issues of freedom,
he remains very religious not forsaking his faith in God.
Gina Jordan
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Ayatollah Ali Kahamenei
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* Wise realization
Ayatollah Khamenei: Because his curiousity, wise realization, and timely
intervention against the excesses of the hardliners since last summer allowed
for the reform movement to blossom. After all, the tree of freedom also
casts a shadow of peace under which he too can rest. Were he had acted
otherwise, blood would have replaced the ballot.
Guive Mirfendereski
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* Hardliners, IF...
My men of the year are the leaders of the hardliners IF they accept
and respect the resault of the Majlis elections. That will include Mr.
Nategh-Nouri, Mr. Bahonar, and Mr. MesbahYazdi.
Mehiran
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Others
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* Really really super
Hassan Soltani: Because I said so and he is coolio. Seriously though,
he is nice and considerate and really really super.
Ali
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* Taxi drivers
A collective award to Iranian taxi dirvers for their incredible driving
skills in the face of severe adversity, ie other drivers.
Simon Jeans
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* What about me?
I am greatly disturbed and disappointed that my name is not on that
list.
Joonevar
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* Football team? Come on!
It's sad that we are limited to political crookss, greedy capitalists,
religious fanatics, and anarchists. The national football team? come on!
My choice for the Iranian of the year is Dr. Mohammed Homayon Bozorgnia.
His leadership, dedication, hard work, vision, and athletic abilities have
been inspiration to all Iranians in Arizona.
Mack Baniameri
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