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| April 10, 2002 * Stunned by your courage Dear Setareh, [Aghaye Hosseini] I read your article while taking a short break in the midst of my never ending day. I am stunned by your courage. Only if there were more of us writing about what really happened in Iran instead of so carefully hiding the 'shameful' incidents. I congratulate you and your mother for being such brave women. Wishing you all the best. SV To top * Avoid Hossein Agha This is in respond to Setareh Sabety's article "Aghaye Hosseini". This article could have not been written at a better time than these days when the Catholic Church in the United States as well as in Europe is under fire and huge lawsuits followed by allegations, accusations, prosecutions and convictions of Roman Catholic priests for child abuse cases. The latest accusation came last Friday against Archbishop Roger Mahoney of Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles. I also read in an article in the BusinessWeek that despite the popular belief the majority of abused children are not the choir boys and are indeed girls at age 9-12 and also women! Praise the Lord! So much for the men of God! I remember when I first got my hands on Jean Jacque Rousseau's "Confessions", I was only 12 or so. A rather difficult novel for that age to understand, but among other things I clearly remember his confessions and references to sexual abuses by the Catholic priests in then France's Catholic Church. It clearly took centuries for people to dare to come forward and speak up about such abuses. It's in the face of blind trusts, irresponsibility and naive evaluation of others that parents leave their children in the hands of the predators. The reason I started my references with the Catholic Church was to let Setareh know that despite her strength to share this article and somewhat portrayal of herself as a strong Tomboy girl, I believe there is still a fragile child in her soul that hurts and that innocent child prompted her to share her grievances with others so that others learn how to protect their children. To learn that the wolves come dressed in many ways, as men of God, uncle Ben and Ms. Smith the teacher or the gymnastic coach and you name it. It's in the face of reading Setareh's article and the current events in the "Church" that I truly have found a grim and sad meaning for the famous phrase " Being more Catholic than the Pope?" What's that suppose to mean now? And obviously I am being sarcastic. My advise to Setareh is when you go back to Iran, avoid Hossein Agha, don't have a tea with him and don't interview him. He is a sad piece of the past, better to erase him from the memory if possible and move on with the beautiful life ahead. F.A. Ashtiani To top * I thought it is just here You are very brave to share your childhood story with us...thank you. [Aghaye Hosseini] Before I came to the US I never knew that there can be child molesters among people who look like me and, in the public, act like me. And then I thought it is just here that things like this happen but then I heard from here and there that it happens in Iran too. It is just that no one talks about it. It is always considered bad for the abused kids to come out and say what has happened to them specially for girls. I still don't have any children of my own but I really appreciate your honesty and will be much more careful when I do have children. Thank you again S To top * Facing old demons Dear Mrs. Sabety, It takes great courage to be so honest and to face old demons, [Aghaye Hosseini]. Through your honesty you have gained strength and this has led , most probably, to a sensitivity to be compassionate. I wish you well. Shahla Samii To top * Breaking another taboo That was a gut-wrenchingly difficult article to read... and I'm sure many times more so to write [Aghaye Hosseini]. Tip of the hat to you ... for your bravery and ... ummm... bi-riyaaee! Hopefully your article will help break yet another of our many taboos. M PS: if you ever do run into mr. hosseini, don't be shy to slap him... you've earned it... get it out of your system. To top * Our "luty" driver Mrs. Sabety, [Aghaye Hosseini] If you would like to know about my childhood, honestly, when I was a 5-year-old boy I used to finger our "luty" driver and he always kept telling me that I should touch his front but not his back. Unfortunately, I never listened to him when I was a kid. But about your case, I think "luty" and "shir zan" are almost the same idea but one refers to a man and the other to a woman. I think they both experienced the similar thing in their childhood. The source of this kind of abuse is about TOO MUCH self-confidence in a kid. They let themselves experience anything. However, that's not something new and unsual. Many kids are exposed to internet abuse every day. Look To top * Significant contribution I appreciate your courage for writing this piece [Aghaye Hosseini]. It is a culturally important step for you to share this with us. You have made a significant contribution to the evolution of our culture. Thanks. Reza To top * Don't trust nokar and kolfats I really admire Setareh Sabety 's courage for being able to share her story with Mr. Hosseini on the net [Aghaye Hosseini]. But I think it's better for her to forget the idea of going after this guy and trying to talk to him. Why would she want to do that? I understand Mrs. Sabety is a very bright and educated lady. But that's probably not the case with Mr. Hosseini. He probably doesn't even think what he did is wrong and it would be useless of Mrs. Sabety to try to understand why he did what he did. Not only that but he might even try to cause trouble for our capable writer if she goes after him, especially if he has connection with the Islamic Republic. So my advice is to stay away from this man and never try to contact or interview him. But I want to add that it's wrong for the Iranians to trust these nokar and kolfats with the lives of their children. One never knows where these people came from and what they are all about. We had lots of nokar and kolfats back in Iran and I must say even after years of service one still could not trust them. Not only that but some of them like our maid Zari Khanoom were so porrou that one could not tolerate them. She worked in our house for five years and every day she made my life miserable by being mean and vicious. As a child I did not have the courage to tell my mom to fire her. But she eventually quit and went away. I saw her one more time and I never wish to see the b--ch again. I must say she left our house under suspicious circumstances claiming she was getting married. She showed again after a few months with a limping leg. My mom did not take her back of course. I never saw her again although I understand she visited my grandmother a few times after we left Iran. But my point is that the Iranians should be careful on who they are selecting to be their maid or servant. A lot times these people have shady background and could cause trouble for a family. Ali-reza Kasra To top * Not become bee aaberoo It took a great deal of courage for you to write this piece and I respect you for that [Aghaye Hosseini]. You have not become bee aaberoo rather a courageous woman who has the guts to share an experience that maybe made her who she is it today. All the best, GS Former CHS school mate To top * God knows how many Very well done! [Aghaye Hosseini] i always struggle with self-censorship and i admire ur courage for over coming urs and publishing the piece... god only knows how many of us have these stories but never talk about them! it's amazing that people think this sort of thing only happens in emrika! jallal khAlegh :-) thanx for sharing, S To top * Human rights abuses What a well-stated, cogent piece about the current onslaught by Sharon [Palestinians will not go away]. The Arab world does need more spokespeople. CNN, for example, has had little to counterbalance the Israeli view, and I wonder about the relative absence of Hanan Ashwari, for one, from the media. Civilians who are sick, who are dying, have been blocked from using Red Cross/Crescent ambulances by Israeli troops, and where are the voices in my country speaking on their behalf? Suicide bombers -- what a horrible waste of young lives, both bombers and victims -- and perhaps it is because of those attacks (and previous incidents) that many in the U.S. media have not voiced sufficient outrage about the human rights abuses occurring in the occupied territories. Yet, if Israel claims to be a democracy, better than its neighbors, that it should act accordingly both within its own territory and that of the Palestinians'. To do otherwise is to breathe the stale air of hypocrisy, and to never be at peace. The United States has been a partial democracy throughout much of its history, gradually extending citizenship, voting rights--humanity--to blacks, women, Native Americans, and others. We have not yet reached perfect governance, but we must act as though it is an achievable goal. In Israel, it is long past time to grant Palestinians their independence (hopefully under U.N. monitors), and to seek within Israel a democracy that is real, achievable, and vitally necessary. Sincerely, Kelly Sinclair To top * Jewish voice Thank you for this article [There's a difference]. It is so important to hear the Jewish voice on this issue which has been muted by forces of the media that do not wish the world to know that there are those brave enough to speak out. It is also important in that it is easy for Muslims to become frustrated with all Jews just as the West tends to see all Muslims as militants. There are people of conscience on all sides and their voices need to be heard more and more. Kathleen Taheri To top * Only one kind of terrorism What is the differnce between state and indivudual terrosism? [There's a difference] There is only one kind of terrorism. lets consider the fact that this so called individual terrosism is in fact just another kind of state terrorism. A terrosim against both the victims and the brain washed terrorist by thoes who send him or her to become a martyr (if being killed for the benefit of Arab rulers is considered martyrdom for God). Children are sent to become martyrs while the boss is sitting in the back and enjoying his power. I am not a politician and don't know why all these arab countries are trying to use palestinians against Israelis, and destroy the lives of both people. Isn't it strange that palestinians who live in refugee camps do not want to move to another Arab country and live their own lives? isn't it strange that many Arab countires dont' give them visas and don't accept them as citizens? And all this pity for depressed young people who are commiting suicicde. when was the last time when you heared the mother of a young depressed person who commits suicide says that she is honored to see her son is martyred and she wants to see the same honor for her other kids? Here I only hear the voice of a brain washed child and mother who was a child herself when they made her believe that death is the best way to get close to God( thoes leaders know well that nobody has ever been back from death so the big lie is safe enough to say). As an Iranian living in Iran during the 8 year war I remeber well how khomeini made the young Iranians children, sometimes even 13 or 14 year old volunteer for going to war, through all the brainwashing in schools. Many poor parents couldn't even say anything against the brainwashing policy to their children because they were afraid their own children may report them to authorities for being against Isalm. It took a long time after the war with the infidel Iraqis, for Iranians to wake up and see that they were only like puppets in the hands of politicians who were maybe worried about oil prices or something else. but it was too late. the dead children never came back. The palestinians may also wake up someday but it will be too late for them too. They could have even have their own country next to Israel years ago but Arab rulers thirsty for the destruction of Israel didn't let them decide for themselves. Now that Israel has sent its troops inside the palestinian cities all Arab countries are complaining that this is terrorism and agresssion. I wonder what should the Sharon government do? should he do nothing and wait until Israeli people get really tired of all this suicide bombings and blood shed and when angry enough decide that enough is enought and the people themselves start killing and maiming every Arab who lives in Israeli cities? Then who will blame the Israeli people? Consider the fact that already a lot of Israelis believe that all Arabs who live in Israeli cities should be thrown out of the country so that they won't be able to kill people anymore. They have lost their hope for a lasting peace with palestinian because they see there are too many Arab countries who dont' like to see the peace in this country and as khomeini also used to say, their only wish is to destry Israel and throw all its people into the sea. How can there be any peace while one of the countries who is providing palestinians with explosives and teaching them how to brain wash their children says (the ex.presiden, Mr. Rafsanjani) that the Moslem countris should destroy Israel with Atomic Bomb. Is there any room for peace here? The author of this essay cannot see these facts. Roya To top * Arrogant or ignorant I commend you Dr. Ginsberg [There's a difference] and I assume that you are a jew in which case I am more proud of you even though I am not one. By writing this article you have proved that we will never have such a thing as Jewish and Moslem clashes if we educate and enlighten our people and write and tell the truth rather what sells and makes us the most money. When Thomas Jefferson said "enlighten people and the tyranny of body and mind will disappear like evil spirit in the dawn of a day", he was concerned that hypocrisy and falsehood had the potential of annihilating peoples, nations and the world. While hypocrisy has been fueling the fire of wars for selling arms to all sides, there are enlightened people of completely different religious persuasion, including Moslems and Jews who have been good friends, good business partners and have intermarried for centuries. Those politicians who legitimize state terrorism and condemn individual ones are either arrogant or ignorant of history or play in the hands of profiteers for whom money making is the primary object. That includes fueling the fire of wars and making money by any means including selling arms to all sides of conflict. The great founders of America like Thomas Jefferson should be spinning in their graves to know that in the nation that is proud of "the truth made us free" such a mockery is made of truth, freedom and democracy. If upheld, the American ideals are still the best, the most effective and the cheapest weapon against domestic and global terrorism. A. Parsa To top * Missing the point completely To imply that the suicide bombers do it for Islam is to miss the point completely. [Martyrdom is for lesser men] The masters of obfuscation first led us to believe that the Palestinian/Israeli conflict was a Hebrew/Arab matter. Later it was labeled Moslem/Jew conflict; then it was a Moslem/Christian and now it is a clash of civilizations. They can expand the thing all they want, but it remains a simple love for the land you feel you belong to. No Moslems from Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan etc. has ever gone and blow himself (or, recently, herself) up in Israel. Why? Because the place is not part of the land they feel as theirs. Plenty of Pakistanis (read Kashmiris) sacrifice themselves for Kashmir, Iranians gave their lives against Iraq, Afghanis against Talibans and the invading Arabs (Al Qa'edeh) etc. The murderous and tragic event of September 11 was largely undertaken by Saudis, because it is them who feel their country and land is taken by the infidel. Islam is an excuse propagated by all sides, each for its own reasons. However, it is Patriotism (the love for your land) and revenge (the love for justice) that drive these people to the ultimate sacrifice. Hashem Farhang To top * Could not care less Leave it up to Paki's and they will bore you to death by talking or writing about Islam and how great it is! [Martyrdom is for lesser men] To me the most interesting aspect of this article is: All these mullah's are called "mufti" or "grand mufti" which is probably shortend for "muft khor", which is quite appropriate title for them! as for what these muft khor's think or say I personaly could not care less, I don't know about you guys... Mr. Irani To top * Start expressing solidarity Thank you for sending me Iranian times. But you know I am a Muslim (I don't know if you guys are). And I am very distressed by what is happening in Middle East, to my Muslim brothers. I enjoy your jokes and light heartedness. It's all ha ha ha, but I would certainly appreciate if you start expressing solidarity with our Muslim brothers. Thanks, S. Wasti To top * Seems dumb Why are all the Arabs, including Iranians, afraid of Israel if they have so many more people and more land. Seems dumb to me. Cowtipper To top * Nothing new If I am spending some time reading editorial [Desperate times], I am hoping to hear some thing new. Your comments seem to be a simple cut& paste from news that circulates all around us. Perhaps on your next one, you try to add some thoughts/comments from YOURSELF please. Regards, Mehrdad Mehranpour To top * Biased against Israel Your article is biased against Israel [Desperate times]. If you study the history of the region, you may change your opinion. On the other hand, I do not think so, you are a mislem right? another Anti-semite! FlexiPik To top * Palestinian state never existed While I agree with you one hundred percent yet I have to point out that, there never existed Palestinian state as a sovereign entity [Desperate times]. After the First W.W. It was made Palestine Mandate by the rascal Brits. Look at Balfor Declaration. Best regards, Hashem Hakimi, From Norway To top * Dome khoroos Any one who is slightly familiar with the Middle East, knows that the number one reason behind all the problems specifically among Arab and Moslem countries is the issue of the Israel and Palestinian conflict .In fact, most Moslems believe that the right of the Palestinian people has been greatly undermined by the United States. For the first time in history, since the establishment of Israel, ther has been a great effort by Arab countries to unilaterally put an end to this conflict. In the Arab summit they have proposed a peace plan which not only is very promising in terms of its offers to both sides, but also is respectfully accepted within all Moslem countries. Now here is my problem: The United States which has started it's great campaign against terrorisism and the regimes that support them and promises the world that they would put an end to terrorism and bring peace on earth, is ignoring this opportunity to put and end to the conflict of Arab - Israel. Instead they are seeking war in all new areas including Sadam Hosein( who frankly I have no regard for) and Iran. Again, anyone with common sense would know that the main reason behind terrorism, especially among radical Moslems is the Arab/Israel conflict. So wouldn't it make sense to put an end to it by trying to rectify this problem first, which I believe would ultimately bring peace and stability to the whole region. At times like this ,when President Bush says that this is not a war against Islam and it is a war against terrorism I wonder whether Dome khoroos ro bavar konam ya ghasame robah ro. If that is the case why doesn't he make it his priority to finish the issue of terrorism by ending its source instead of seeking new wars which end in killing and hearting of more innocent Moslems. I hope you publish this on your site. Thankyou, Khosro H. To top * Why so hard to understand? I don't know why it is so hard for Prs Bush to understand this simple situation . When some one put a big bomb in a plane and drop it in the populated city and kill hundred men women and children he is not a terrorist. But when a young boy (or girl) carry a small bomb under his arm and drop it in the side walk and kill himself and a few others, he or she is a terrorist? The answer is simple. There are million Jews in the U.S.who pay millions of dollars, and vote in the election. When the Japanese Kamikaze pilot hit the ship and kills thousand , nobody called them the terrorist . When American dropped (The Bomb)they did not called themselves terrorist. Now some one tell me who is terrorist and who is not. Ata To top * Exhibit these great pictures I loved some of the images Mr. Davoodi has capture and I loved the theme he had chosen as well [Moments away]. I sincerely think all the people who have submitted great pictures to Iranian.com should encourage Mr. Javid to sponsor an exhibit of these great pictures (in the Bay area) and copies should be available for purchase by the visitors. A portion of the proceeds should go to Iranian.com and the rest to the causes the artist may prefer. Regards Azam Nemati To top * Never understood how I have not been back to Iran for 23 years [Sill in denial]. As the years have passed, Iran and its people and all of us outside have become an enigma to me. I have been amazed at my own disrespect for those of us in the West who are so well described by you. I have never understood how my own compatriots can go back and forth and rave about the "pol havais", the high-rise apartment buildings on land that was taken (confiscated) from which poor devil, about the bountiful fruits and vegetables that are too expensive to be bought by everybody unless it's cheap with the dollar exchange rate. What about the pollution in Teheran that chokes the elderly, the babies and everyone else day in and day out? What about prisons overflowing with innocent people who spoke or wrote their mind? How about the plentiful foreign goods smuggled in by the people with the right connections, but which again are only available to themselves or those who have foreign money? What about the young who are becoming brain dead due to the use of drugs? What about girls and women who find some pleasure in sex and lose their pride and dignity without knowing the difference? And what about those who go back to sell a property, or whatever they can, and get the money out as soon as possible? Are they not adding to the plundering of what the mullahs have been doing to our country for 23 years? I hate what this regime has done to our country and all of us, inside and out. I am ashamed to what has happened to us. We are all a bunch of hypocrites with no principles. Hope To top * Focusing on the stupid things I really enjoyed reading the article, "Sill in denial". I think that Mr. Razavi made some very good points in his article. I just wanted to say that i feel sad about the fact that the iranians in Iran are becoming so westernized without even knowing anything about the West culture. Of course i have been one of those teenagers living there and for me America was nothing more than the images we saw on MTV. Unfortunalty most of us iranian women instead of trying to fight for our rights for more freedom in the society, and more educational rights focus on the stupid things such as getting more freedom to wear make-up or show our body. I just wish those people knew better, but i guess you never realize how good your own culture is until you leave it all behind. Thank you, Sarri To top * Standing up for what you believe "Sill in denial" written by Reza Rasavi was one of the MOST REFRESHING articles I have read in a very long time. I want to thank him for it!!!!! "Denial" is the key word here. I am sure with more data / information on the going-ons in Iran, it would bring many people out of the "denial" phase. It's a shame how hypocritical the society has become under its current regime. It certainly does not fit the Islamic Republic mold. In any case, no country should be ruled by religion or as here...lack of religion! (Note the contradiction!) Anyway, I hope that Iranians in Iran and out of Iran start to believe in themselves again. It seems that young people have lost hope, and figure that no matter what they do will be pointless anyway. I say it's not pointless. In the case of the young people who are currently living in Iran, there are some who have not given up hope for change. I heard of the incident where a group of young people spray-painted pro-Reza Pahlavi slogans on the walls in a meydoon. They were fortunately not caught, but BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!! Standing up for what you believe in and not being afraid to say it, is one of the GREATEST characteristics of Iranians. I still have hope, and the more I hear about the unjust ways of the IRI, the more determined I become. No, not angry.....but no longer tolerant. Thank You Reza! Dalia Salvador To top * April Fools: Profound expression and rebellion Sakineh, [Nothing is sacred] Your work is a sign of defiance with regards to the limitations already set. The magnifying element is your passion for making your statement... The pictures are complete on their own and make quite a statement. The artistic work done in this exhibition is a profound concept of expression and rebellion internal to your inner most thoughts and how you perceived the result of your arguments with your own father whose presence in Iranian politics may be of an issue with regards to personal freedom . I guess your father would say, personal sacrifice is a must to save the society. An Islamic republic government who does not mix religion and estate may be a tough bet. How can you not mix religion and estate when you call it the "Islamic republic". The point is as a "Gharb zadeh" I should have nothing to say about my beautiful country. Please tell your father, there must be Thousands of people like me who miss their country who want to come back in bring back their passion and life back to Iran. But the world has become a very strange place these days... Mixed reports about everything in Iran.. Lack of freedom of speech and living under the Iron fist is not a way of life.. it is ignorance to personal freedom and how GOD would like all of to live. Freedom of expression is the key element in your exhibit. Although the pictures are enticing the message was clear. Long live Iranians whose willingness to make a public statement may result in furthering the cause of our revolution. Freedom! We wanted to get our freedom back from the secular democracy set by the old regime ( The Pahlavies). If the TRUE democracy can ever be achieved, it will be by the "people and for the people". My roots are in Persia where the land is short of its people. And its people do not appreciate the Land... ARH To top * April Fools: My aunt Where did you get these pictures of my aunt who lives in Mashad? [Nothing is sacred] Siamack Salari To top * April Fools: Very brave woman I find the image on Iranian.com fantastic. [Nothing is sacred] Even more interesting are your comments about your father. He is a very dangerous and powerful man. How does he respond to such comments from his daughter? I think you are a very brave woman... I know showing your work, that men such as your father would find unacceptable, takes a lot of courage. Do you have your own site? Do you ever travel back to Iran? Sorry to ask so many questions but I find your situation to be unique and interesting. The picture of you posted on Iranian.com is so conservative and "Muslim" yet your work so sexy and modern. Respond if you wish and thank you for sharing your work. RI To top * April Fools: Touched I was touched by yr photos in iranian.com [Nothing is sacred]. Thus i added your e-mail to my list of friends.I can chat with you if you add me to your e-mail chatting list. I am Muslim 47 male... artist.. scientist... author and fond of the islamic culture and writtings. Congratulation on your bold openion... let me know if you had recieved this e-mail. Salaam and Khuda Hafiz. Your photos...specially #1 is KHaylee Qashang. FAN To top * April Fools: Brat-philosophy as art Sakineh Khamenei holds that nothing is sacred. [Nothing is sacred] Well, obviously that is true with regard to the honour of her father, to say nothing of the woman's body she was willing to prostitute for the sake of her art. Presenting this brat-philosophy as art does not make it any more acceptable to a civilized person. I just hope she is consistent in her views when loud-mouthed people ignore the sanctity of her person, her freedoms, her privacy, and anyone whom she may actually love and cherish. The disrespectful attitude that finds it somehow justifiable to trample on the modesty and moral sensitivities of others is ultimately the seed-bed of every conflict. What an awful price there is to pay for our perceived "right" to say and do as we like. PM To top * April Fools: Did you hire the model? Hi Sakineh khanoom [Nothing is sacred] I enjoyed seeing your art photos and I respect your personal ideas regarding freedom of thought. Good luck to you and I wish this year to be end of Taliban regime in Iran. By the way did you have to hire the model for you photo shots? Parviz S To top * April Fools: Twisted bitch You're obviously a sick and twisted bitch... but I kind of like that! [Nothing is sacred] Happy April fools day to you too! BB To top * April Fools: Gives me hope Dear Ms Khamenei, [Nothing is sacred] I congratulate you on your work, and it certainly gives me hope to see that there really are people such as you who could force some change for the better in the future. Keep up the good work, self expression is one of our greatest God given assets, your father should know this, and thanks for expressing it. Regards KO To top * April Fools: GREAT LAUGH I HAVEN'T HAD SUCH A GREAT LAUGH IN A LONG TIME, KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB OF ARTISTRY. [Nothing is sacred] REGARDS, Nina N To top * April Fools: Continue your journey Good idea but I am a little confused at your photos. [Nothing is sacred] You are saying you cannot support your father's ideas but your designs are not clearly displaying your argument, which I believe could be substantial and provoking. I hope you continue your journey and hopefully you will make it here to the US to share your ideas. Joyce To top * April Fools: Perhaps a book? Are you really the Ayatollah's daughter? [Nothing is sacred] Have you considered writing about your experiences, perhaps in an essay or book? Many many people would be fascinated to hear about your perspective. Unless, of course, it would put you at risk. Best of luck in everything you do, Norouz Mobarak. RS To top * April Fools: Fooled me again I hate you. Here you go again. You managed to fool me again. [Nothing is sacred] By the way happy Norouz. Sima To top * April Fools: Mindless Shame on you and your mindless "Nothing is sacred" campaign. Especially with all that's happening in the middle east. This is what happens when "nothing is sacred": //www.zmag.org/content/Mideast/FiskBethlehem.cfm Safoora Sarvestani To top * April Fools: Better than last year After alI these years I now understand the meaning of your motto! [Nothing is sacred] As Guive Mirfendereski suggested once, you should add "tongue in cheek" in brackets. Excellent choice for "dorooghe sizdah". It is much more eye-catching than last year's [Not without my mom]! Have a great "sizdah bedar". Parviz To top * April Fools: No Iranian equivalent Now, if only people would remember it is April Fool's day. Of course there is no such equivalent in Iranian culture, so I bet you will be doing some explaining .... ! Best, M.M. Eskandari-Qajar To top * April Fools: I mean c'mom Great dorough seezdeh ( AKA April fools).[Nothing is sacred] Beautifully done. You started to fool me until I read the last line and even after seeing the pix I knew for sure that this was your " Dorough" for this year. I mean c'mon there is no way in hell they would put THOSE pix in Iran's museums. any of them contemporary or traditional. But I should tell you again that you did a great job like any other year. God bless and keep up the good work Sheila Dadvar To top * April Fools: I'm Haji Feerooz You are Sakineh Khamnei and I'm Haji Feerooz. [Nothing is sacred] B To top * April Fools: Could it be? Nawww... You know, for a second, just for a second, before I looked at your "work," I thought, "What if???? Could it be??? Nawww.." [Nothing is sacred] And then I saw the photos and knew that of course it couldn't be!! Funny stuff though! Mehrdad To top * April Fools: Possible I suppose Assalamu Alaikum, Sakineh, [Nothing is sacred] I find it hard to believe that someone from such a religious background would have such a view, but everything is possible I suppose. Coming from an American upbringing where girls are primed from the beginning to be used as sex objects, the photos you used represented to me a backward step for the liberation of women. Women and girls here in the US die every day as a result of eating disorders linked to image building - such as the images you displayed. Perhaps since you are so restricted in Iran that you felt compelled to go over the top. I do not beleive it is healthy for society to impose extreme environments on its people - for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was never extreme or forceful, otherwise Islam would not have spread so quickly. He was a mercy to mankind, and to disavow the words that were transmitted through him is to shun the mercy he emodied. Everything is sacred - even the bug crawling past my plate is a sign from the Almighty. We need to respect ourselves as women and not get caught up in being reactionary. Was salaam, K T To top * April Fools: Go girl! I am an artist too, just with a different view [Nothing is sacred]. Iranian but further from your father, and sorry to say this, with little respect for his opinion. I was at the same university you were. The rules made me so tired, and I left the country now I am a write and a photogarapher but I loved your work. Keep UP! Go Girl, hope to see more of your work! Sincerely from Canada, S G To top * April Fools: For a second Just enough "realism" to fool me for a second. [Nothing is sacred] Rock On, Cam To top * April Fools: Bad taste I certainly doubt that the daughter of the leader of the regime in Iran would dare to draw the images that we saw here under the title "Nothing is sacred" . Unless this was an April Fool's Day joke, I think it was of bad taste to imply that she drew those images which look like cut outs from magazines. As much as it may be fine to mess around with the leaders of the Arab Invasions in Iran but it's bad journalism to get their family involved. Every time you want to write something, stand back and think the way Persians used to think before the first invasion of Arab's in Iran: Pendar-e' Neek Goftar-e' Neek Kerdar-e' Neek This website provides freedom of expression but we should not abuse it by sneaky libels and slanders, knowing that sometimes articles may get skipped from full editorial reviews. Just a thought F. A. Ashtiani To top * April Fools: Not funny Your April fool joke of "Nothing is sacred" IS NOT funny. Not fucking funny at all. Get a life, Boy. ISSA HAJJIZADEH Vegas To top * April Fools: Ageh raast meegee cheraa...? Sakineh khanom - salam [Nothing is sacred]. man dishab asebani boodam va be shoma bad o birah goftam . tanha be in sabab ke rast ya droogh neveshteh boodid ke dokhtare khameneei hastid ! khosh hal hastam ke natavanestid an harfha ra bekhanid - emshab ba vejdane rahat tary mi khabam!! rasty shoma agar dokhtare molla ALI hastid chera bejaye AREBI be zebane inglisi mi nevisid? babaye mohtaram shoma ham inglisi midanad ? az harf haye shoma booye vezarate ETTELAAT mi ayad - shoma az sarbazane gomname emam zeman nistid ? khoda roozitan ra jaye digary havaleh befarmayad !! N To top * April Fools: Surprising tobeh Dear Writer of Sarvenaz Diary, I am suprised about "Tobeh" story. While she was doing "fesgh o fojor", next day she make a commitment to not do these things any longer. It reminds me of 18 years ago, about a person that I knew. She was a tak-paroon (i.e., sleeping with a guy or two in a month for money or durg, but might have sons and daughters or even a husband.) Well she was a tak-paroon, and during Moharam, she had dinner (sofreh) and a Ghaari (rozeh khoon). After the month of Safar, she was back to her normal tak-parooni. I guess this Sarvenaz would do the same thing. Even Zahra would be her body and would do the samething that Sarvenaz would do. Have you read Baasharafhaa by Emad Asar. I have read this book 20 years ago, and re-read it later. Your story is like this book. Just place and time is changed. The story goes back to late 1940s in Tehran. I am not sure, if you can buy a copy of this book, but if you are in NYC, you will find a copy of it at 42nd public lib. in Persain section. You actually can find all books that are printed in Iran over there. Have a good day, S To top * April Fools: You found your way Zaynab, [Tobeh] Congratulations that you found your way. But remember it is a very long way ahead of you this is just the beginning, be faithful and do not quit, this is only way to happiness and there is no other way. All answers are within you. Good luck. F To top * April Fools: Radical change Sarvenaz, [Tobeh] u could have finished part nine just by implying sarvenaz was impressed and decided to change, not changing her name. the character of the story, sarvenaz as u described her, has "depth of intellect on the one hand and the superficiality of hedonism on the other" so she is smart enough not to change her name after a 'rozeh khooni'. i believe this hurts ur style. as though the story-line has been consistent so far, a radical change in the character make the story look 'abaki'. ur mastery on english is admirable. Ali To top * April Fools: Bought it. Damn Wow, I wasn't expecting this at all. [Tobeh] I just LOVE the way you write and turn things around. You're a great writer. Second email: April Fool's Day isn't it? And I bought it. Damn. MS To top * April Fools: Na in vari kheili, na oonvari i read ur article about what happened that changed ur life i think u r over-reacting [Tobeh]. having fun is part of our lives we shouldn't fuck it up though by doing it too much .. HICH CHIZ ZIADESH KHOOB NIST .. i always try to keep my life balanced .. na in vari kheili na oonvari... ill be waiting for ur answer. Ali To top * April Fools: From Jendeh to Zeynab chi shod? az jendeh yedafeh shodi zeynab? [Tobeh] let me tell ya something, my friend. i, probably like you, grew up in america. lived my whole life here and was educated here. i'm as liberal and progressive-minded as they come. and yet STILL, i recognize certain sacred values in our iranian culture-values which are actually part of most cultures in the world. in our culture, as in any culture, you are a whore. that is the single WORST label that you can attach to a girl, because when you are viewed as a gendeh, then no one ever respects you anymore. being a whore is like being subhuman, like filth. even if these stories you wrote are purely fictional, obviously they're based at least in part on experiences you've had (or would like to have, which means you will have them at some point)--or else you wouldn't have written them. dropping your panties for a guy after a few lines of conversation?? FUCK, i don't know very many AMERICAN girls who would do that!! toh zireh dasteh tamameh dokhtarhayeh amrikahi zadi. i just feel sorry for your dad, who probably doesn't know that his own daughter is a slut. i really feel for him, because i know how much it would break his heart and destroy him if he knew. wait till you're a parent one day. oh wait, but then again NO respectable Iranian man would even give you the time of day, much less want to marry you. this is our culture, whether you like it or not. NN To top * April Fools: I completely protest To Our Dearest Sarvenaz, I read with shock and horror your 9th installment and your decision to Tobeh, and I must say, if I could talk, I completely protest this act of, for lack of understanding, sheer and utter selfishness. I mean, how are we to go on, to subsist without chance to live, fully, if vicariously, through the musken journeys of your diary? Oh for the day when all chadors combust spontaneously putting an end to all the foolishness! I curse the God who would take you from us! Leave the light, Nay turn it off! And come back to bed, here in the dark, so we can watch you once again, and, Honey, please let this all be an April Fool's joke gone horribly awry! BB To top * April Fools: Great idea It was a good joke [Who wants to marry a...] and you got me reading till the end, although all the while I was thinking... no, it can't be!! But I should say that this show would be such a great idea, toned down a bit obviously, when TV is so dull and boring in Iran. Keep it up Niki. Susan To top * April Fools: What was your source? Salaam.... did the interview between Christiane Amanpour and David Nasser actually happen on television, or was it never broadcast [Who wants to marry a...]. I did a quick search on CNN.com, but couldn't find anything. Can you tell me what was your source for this article? E To top * April Fools: No way what kind of bullshit are you trying to play off as a real interview... there is no way that christiane gave that interview [Who wants to marry a...]. can you please tell me why you wrote this and how much of it is true. Mehrdad To top * April Fools: He is the best I appreciate your great job today [Reza Pahlavi's picture]. He is the best, educated, modest, democrat, and patriot, nationalist, from a great dynesty. BP To top * April Fools: Reza Shah Dovom ba doorood haye faravan be shoma, [Reza Pahlavi's picture] az be chap resandane aks alahazrat reza shahe dovom khorsand shodam, be omide roozi ke zire saye rahbari cho oo azade bozor gihaye gozashte ra baz yabim. (?) To top * April Fools: You know who's a dork? I was unable to understand the point of your joke (under Reza Pahlavi's picture), entitled: "Hi. My name is Reza Pahlavi. And I'm a dork". Is this because in his whole life as a prince in Iran and living here in the United States, nobody has been able to find anything negative or wrong about his personality. According to your type, if he was living and conducting his life your style, then he wasn't a dork. You know who's a dork? The person that has used his whole life tricking people from one job to another, one city to another, one style of writing to another, and still is confused. That is a dork. Please check around yourself, and see who really needs to be called brain dead. These titles are out of desperation, very childish, for low level people, and shows lack of understanding. Over the past few years, your site has gone down so much that is almost sad and one feels sorry for you. At least when you directly supported Mullahs in Kayhan or Aftab TV, people could see you clearly your sick points. Please use some intelligence, and try not to use low-level titles and "Fohseh Khaaro- Maadar", when you can not find wrong things about the person you are writing about. However, if you find wrong doing share them with us. You might come back and say these are humors. But please, don't act stupid. People are aware of "Trickeh Nabeh Akhoundi". These tricks don't work any more. Regime in Iran will be changed soon, and whomever work toward establishment of real democracy will win. This is what present generation of Iranian people is demanding. No matter how many of young people from last generation were destroyed, while you were reporting for Kayhan, or how many young people are forced to use drug which is sold in Tehran's corner of streets for 100 tooman a pack (heroin), while you were working in terrorists owned medium (Aftab), people still will win. Simple, and no trick. Kourosh Ferisian To top * April Fools: Tit for tat In response to Reza Pahlavi: Iranian of the day  K. S. To top * April Fools: Mossadegh Here is my vote for Iranian of the day: The Iranian of the day should be Dr. Mossadegh and we should not forget him from our memories as he represented Democracy and Oil nationalization in 1953 the American coup. [Reza Pahlavi's picture] This time America will not stand in the way of establishment o fsecular democracy in Iran; instead they are going to support us Iranians in overthrowing the mullah corrupt regime and establishing a Secular Democracy in Iran for ever to come. Freedom To top * April Fools: Tanhaa raahe nejaat ba dooroode faravan bar shoma ke ide man ra roshan kardid, shahzade reza pahlavi tanha rahe nejat baraye rahaii iranzamin az zolmat ast, oo ra setayesh mikonam, be oo doorood miferestam ke baraye mellate iran delsoozi mikonad har chand ke in mellat be pedar va pedar bozorgash khoob nakardand va nasepasi kardand. [Reza Pahlavi's picture] AM To top * April Fools: News headlines On April 1, I was not able to access the below links posted on Iranian.com: * Iran bans women from shitting * Bush-Khatami play first round of golf * Tests show Reza Pahlavi is not brain dead (I wondered if they were a "April Fools" joke...especially considering the title of the first article.) Below are the links I tried to access from Iranian.com and response I received when trying to access each of them. Please let me know if they were only a "April Fools" joke or if indeed they are actual articles (I still was unable to access them on April 2). Please let me know. Thank you. MB To top * April Fools: Worse than Islamic government Dear editor, I can't believe you have the picture of Fereydoun Farrokhzad, who was cut in pieces and killed in here as who is this women ? There is limit to jokes and humor, I think this is passed and way behind that. Even more saddening is where you have Masoud Rajavi's picture as what a man he is ?. I think you guys are worse than Islamic government of Iran. Neda To top * With an open mind The topic of Nowruz versus Ashura 2002 [Hossein in Norooz] has been discussed in the Iranian community. Unfortunately, many are displeased by the religious and Iranian custom of "seeneh zani", chest beating that occurs during the Arabic month of Muharram. Due to the fact that the Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar and the Iranian solar calendar is a solar one it so happens that once in a blue moon Farvardeen, Iran's solar calendar new year and Muharram, Islam's calendar new year and the Shia Muslims month of mourning might fall in the same month. How should Iranians around the world view this? With an open mind. The Iranian solar new year celebrated for 13 days and called Nowruz is a fairly ancient holiday dating back to the sassanid empire. The first day is the vernal equinox. Iranians set up a "sofreh", a picnic blanket and put on it seven items that begin with the Persian letter "S". We call this "haft seen". There is also a mirror, a pomegranate, a Koran, a book of poetry by the Shirazi poet Hafez put on the picnic blanket. One important item is the "sabzi", the green grass. This green grass is usually grown form lentils or wheat seeds. On the 13th day Iranians put this green grass is a flowing body of water either the Caspian sea or the Persian gulf. In the Persian gulf coast its kind of tricky due to the amount of sharks. But, I hope to dear God those Khuzistan residents get rid of their sabzi in a safe way. In conclusion that is a summary of Nowruz. Ashura is the 10 of Muharram. Muharram is the 1st Islamic month. During Muharram Hossain the Prophet of Islam's (Mohammed) grandson was butchered in Iraq. This massacre occurred because the Arab Caliph of Syria, Yazid son of Muawiya ordered it be done. Hossain could not accept the leadership of Yazid as the leader of the Muslim community. Yazid wanted to obtain Hossain's acceptance by force. Yazid was an alcoholic, a womanizer, and practiced bestiality. To Hossain such actions were un-Islamic. Hossain made the stand and said "No" to Yazid. For that action Hossain and 72 of his companions were tortured and killed in Iraq in the town called "Karballa". To this day Shia Muslims respect Hossain as the man who stood for is right according to Islam. Sometimes, a human being sticks his neck out for justice. Sometimes, the head is chopped off. The decapitated head of Hessian was sent to Yazid in Syria. Over 90% of Iran is Shia Muslim. Don't they have a right to practice their mourning rituals? I ask you, don't they have a right to freedom of expression? In conclusion, if we want to progress as a society we should stop the name calling. When your neighbor is sad you don't throw a party. It's just not cool. Maybe I'm too politically correct. Beats me. I'm a New Yorker. Sincerely Yours Allen Alagheband New York, New York To top * Remarkable linguistic work Great, remarkable, and wholly acceptable linguistic investigative work by Dariush Gilani.The examples and premises he intoduces are quite convincing and insightful.It is small wonder that a major branch of world languages is titled Indo-Iranian, from which a good many other tongues and derivations emanate. Just to add to the histo-linguistic examples, long ago I came across this premise, that in prehistoric times the Caspian Sea covered a much larger southern areas below the Alborz mountain ranges, and thus the name of the city of Qazvin/Kaspin/Caspin dates back to those ancient times. The possibility is there. Bruce Kermane To top * Doing good Dear Mr. Gilani, [Linguistic connection] That was indeed very interesting. Please continue. It will do good to our ( JAFAR KHAN AZ FARANG AAMADEH )! Thank you. H. Hakimi, Norway To top * Persian, rather than Iranian Dear Ms. Tahmasebi, I read your online article, "I Speak Farsi". I found your article interesting because I have had a couple of friends who wanted to be identified as Persian, speaking Persian, rather than Iranian. I try to go with whatever anyone tells me is their self identity, though it helps sometimes knowing the history and why some identities have different associations, good or bad. Do you have any sources that might help explain some of this? Sincerely, Sandy Hoar To top * We forget our true activists Recently, I got an email from a particular news site (Iranpeace) condoning Reza Pahlavi's position and somehow predicting his political success amongst Iranians. Before he steals the election like W! I just had to make these comments, you can post it if you like: For this free forum, I would like to express my opinion in regards to the widespreadly so-called and hypothecized Enigma of Reza Pahlavi in the Iranian media and society. Reza Pahlavi's enigma is very much concocted and propogandized by American Media and it's definitely an overrated phenomenon like most publicities here due to an intellectually hypnotized, manipulated, and naive immigrant society. If one is in touch with the realitites of living in Iran and what our younger generation (post-revolutionaries) has gone through and had to tolerate, they would immediately and profoundly understand why Reza Pahlavi is NOT a qualified and authentic representative of a country whose young citizens makes almost 70% of its population according to current statistics. Having Reza Pahlavi respresent Iran's majority and its politically active and aware youth (who have been tortured/murdered/massacred) is truely absurd and somewhat comedic. How come Mr. Pahlavi willingly refrained from his due political/financial responsibilities during the first two decades of post-revolutionary Iran and now that Taliban has been overthrown by Western allies, suddenly he is reminded of a fore-saken country named Iran? (Does he expect to be dropped off in Mehrabaad airport by his personal jet and walk on a red carpet woven by the pained and bruised hands of people he knows nothing about?) Most of this hype about Reza khaan is contributed to by retired and nostalgia-stricken stratum of immigrant Iranians who are still emotionally invested in the "Good Old Days" and can not synchronize themselves with the hands of time. They seem to neglect the fact that if the "good old days" were sooooo good, they would have been missed by the majority and not a select group of people who had the means to wealth and social opportunities. The fact is if they dare to step out of Tehran, the capital city, and go to surrounding villages even (not far from Shemiraanaat!), they'll find that the daily living condition and standards of the villagers have not much changed since pre-revolutionary Iran. Tehran only makes approximately around 16 million of the population and its ignorant to disregard the rest of the homeland. Reza Pahlavi's political activities have been seemingly escalating, publicized, and glorified by foreign and almost all Iranian media whose aim does not involve the liberty and free-will of its devastated younger generation. Is it fair to have self-sacrificing individuals such as Tabarzadi(ha) give their all through relentless struggles and have some one who has been physically absent and occasionally and insufficiently devoted to elect as a "democratic" leader of a suffocated land? We forget that our true activists have not been in castles but in prisons throughout history. No one deserves an unearned trophy, specially the one he/she has not proven to be worthy of during the toughest and rockiest times. My generation has lost too many legs, hands, heads, and hearts to be deceived again. Leila Farjami To top * You write so well I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR GREAT STORIES IN IRANIAN.COM AND I MUST SAY, YOU WRITE AND TELL STORIES SO WELL [Sarvenaz]. PLEASE DON'T STOP, EVERDAY I LOOK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ADDED ANYTHING NEW. ALSO MUST THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PRIVATE MOMENTS / THOUGHS. REGARDS DARIUSH To top * What makes YOU so special?! I am really sick of those pseudo-intellectuals who want to show off their "class" by criticizing everything there is in Iran. From the traditional Bazaar to the most modern parts of the city! To people like you Mr. Vassigh [Ugliest city around], everything related to Iran is "UGLY" yet you wouldn't mind sweeping public toilets in the US. People like you are just "angals" who just criticize without having any productivity themselves. People like you speak of Iranians disgusting shoes, yet wouldn't mind licking boots over here. People like you mock everyone in Iran with your silly sarcastic tone: From the Mayor who has worked hard to improve the city to the parents who want their children to become Doctors or engineers! yet you haven't done anything to contribute to the situation yourself. What makes YOU so special?! Thieves like you have stolen from Iran, lived abroad in tranquility and peace, while others have suffered war and oppression over there, yet you find a way to call them "selfish and anti-social". People like you go "visit" Iran every once in a while, sleep in their best hotels, eat in their fanciest restaurants, wear their most expensive clothes, travel from North to South, come back with a nose job and yet find a way to trash everything on your way back! And you think you have "class"! I call people like you MADAR GHAHBEH, and you Mr. Vassigh, fit the definition so well. Reza N To top * Chastity and virtue Dear Dayi Hamid, Me and all my friends enjoyed your frank and somewhat profane words put forth in your article [Harf-e beepardeh]. While I believe that my friends did enjoy it, I think that most of them will more or less unconsciously stick to their own traditional way of pondering which has been imposed upon them by the surrounding ommol and putrid culture around. And as for Mr. Hossein Beheshti-Zavareh and similar people who are irrationally offended by sensible profanity (please take a look at Masnavi-e-Molavi, you will see that profanity is at times more than useful in hands of an expert) who has demanded this issue to be explained by better words lemmi express the whole thing instead of dAyi Hamid who is supposedly sensed it better comprehendible to be informal rather than utilization of words "dar hadd ķe- kot-o-shalvaar!": When a community perceives chastity and virtue of a girl as "not indulging in act of coitus" and "defloration of an intact hymen" becomes the ultimate goal or at least parallel to other goals of marriage (as is still seen among some Iranians by positioning the infamous napkin underneath the bride during the consummation [zafaaf]) - which are by all means a concept of the dark ages of savagery and barbarism- ladies will turn into disposables with a moment of thinking of them as sex toys; I'm not going to discuss here how much of this perception is a souvenir of Arabic culture. This mentality has made the majority of Iranian young females looking for males to act as if they were expendable and males to search for disposable and sometimes recyclable material! (Yes, circulation of females among some associates is no extraordinary issue). People, who are not innately promiscuous, will develop unnatural behaviors and pathologically think of their libido as insatiable. About the infamous hymenorrhaphy (dookht-o-dooz!) and certificates of virginity (govaahi-ye-bekaarat) issued by the forensic medicine centers in Tehran; there is nothing to hide about them. We see and hear such matters during our everyday life and amongst every layer of the society; poor or rich, intellectual or illiterate; doesn't make a difference. These are not fairytales tossed out of the 10th century towards today. These are trails of a culture which has endured inside a patriarchal society and restrictive families. There are many aspects to this matter that should be challenged by the will of the community and passing of time and perhaps many generations. I hope this has served the purpose for the ornate gol pesars who think that bad words were forged in the Abyss. Everything is relative my son, everything! By the way, I hate Kleenex, not because of what Dayi Jan mentioned. After all, napkins are more environment-friendly!!! Chaaker-e-Hamegi, Behzad To top * Hamash raaste Salam dAyi Hamid, omidvaaram ke haaletoon khoob baashe. aasheghe chizaayi am ke minivisin, hamash raaste, hameye aadataayi ke irooniyaa daaran ro, hame chi, aslan kheyli aaliye. omidvaaram maa hamishe betoonim in neveshtehaa ro bekhoonim. dayi hamid u r the best, love u all, w/ great wishes Hasti To top * Very different Your drawing are very different with ather Iranian artist [Solitude]. I love them all, as simple as they are, they got feeling. Unfortunatly I can't afford them, atherwise I love to have them all!! Good luck and wish you the best. MK To top * Admiration I just wanted to let you know that I truly admire your work [Saman]. Keep it up. Regards, Nader Tehrani To top * Big preppy pussy Quit whining you big preppy pussy!! [Call me] And stop publishing things that bore the hell out of my grandmother. Reza (That's KING Reza to you, ya damn leftist mama's boy!) To top * You pathetric imbecile I have read more of your stories [Call me]. Why did you leave Iran after helping the mullahs to come to power? Didn't they pay any more? You pathetric imbecile went on to the US for your study with probabely Iran money and turned against the very regime that made it possible for you to have a good education outside Iran. Of course from someone like you, one couldn't expect more about how they feel about their names!! I think we can simply add a lot of more names to what you already are called: trator, badbakht, bichare, vatanforosh, etc. You even didn't have the guts to stay in Iran and see what your deeds have caused in Iran. People like you should never ever be allowed back again in Iran. How dare you even talk about the Shah! You don't even have the brains to understand what the Shah actually did for Iran. Homayun Homayun To top * We have all been through that How interesting your article was "Call me", I guess we have all been through that! Imagine people butchering your name (my name) and calling you Fairy! Have a great day good man. Fariborz (Fred for the ones that can not pronounce it!) Norouzian To top * You think people are fools? Apparently you are not happy with your name as Jahanshah, also you mentioned that your parent paid a $20 to get that name for you. [Call me] I wonder how do you remember that. Did you know about that before Islamic regime come to the power or this is another story made by you. I remember some times before this you mentioned that your name was something else "probably Mohammad something" and you changed that to this name, so what you are up to? Are you thinking people are fools?!! Anyway you can change your identification again if you are not happy with this name but please don't give people such bull shit. Thanks a lot. Best regards, Arash Mandegar To top * Caspiani? You really made my day today. I always thought I was the Mr. Confused. But no. You are worse then me or at less you are on the same level. My family name is 'Adl' I got a son. I named him Daniel. Daniel Adl But Daniel Adl seems like there is something missing. After many nights's bad sleeping, I came with the idea. A middle name which can cover a little the very short family name. Now his name is: Daniel Caspiani Adl But I still don't feel good. Something is wrong. Hamid Reza Adl To top * Don't be born on June 4 I read your article, Call me. It is really good. I enjoyed it. Do you know that no one can be born and get a birth certificate on my birthday - June 4 (14 khordad)?! That's because Khomeini died on this day in 1989 and so it is forbidden to celeberate life on this sad day!! I read it again... it is really funny! I had a good laugh... I always thaught people become their names...I think Jungian psychologists believe in this... imagine you are called Hossein for a life time: wouldn't you want people to mourn for you?! I, on the other hand, am called Elham - inspiration. I wished my parents would name me "Poshtekaar" or something like that...because it seems to me that I have been waiting for divine inspiration all along and maybe I need a little poshtekar afterall! Elham To top * I am forever correcting Dear Anything You Want (Perhaps this could be your Lakota name), I really enjoyed your column on names [Call me]. I am Camron (not Kamran or Cameron) because of a bi-cultural debate between my American mom and Azeri-Iranian dad. The goal was a name that could work on both sides of the world, but neither parent could really let go of the "right" way to spell my name (oddly enough, they both say it same way). I am forever correcting state officials and utility companies on the spelling of my first name and it is usually clear that they are also trying to correct me. "Well, sir, that is not how you spell that name ... normally." My sister, Melanie, is also very fortunate to have been born a girl. Mom had absolute rights to name a daughter (this by virtue of some elaborate naming pact my parents must have signed), otherwise there was going to be another negotiated name: Steve Hasan. Melanie Marie still shudders at the thought. As for my son, he is Caelin Robert Michael Amin ("That's my full name. Actually, it's Mister Caelin Robert Michael Amin."). Folks are usually expecting a different last name, "O'Toole" or "Connery." But he remains a testament to the half of my father's family that opted for "Amin" as a last name (from the laqab, Amin ot-Tojjar) in the 1920's. The other half apparently went for "Isfahani." My wife, Amelia, has always preferred that to "Amin" but she takes some solace in that "Amin" is best translated as "trustworthy." Anyway, digar mozahem-e jenab'ali nemisham. I beg to remain, Successful, Trustworthy Camron Amin To top * I don't believe you In part when you claim that you paid for your name to be what it is now, I don't believe you [Call me]. You are not the only one with this name. Our neighbor was Javid Jahanshahy and they never had to buy their way to this name. There was one name unique then, and that was "Pahlavi". Parviz Shoar To top * It's music dude!!!!!!!!! [Call me]. ur name is awesome!!!!!! and i'm glad that u finally like it and can live with it and be pround of it... i mean who has a cool name like jahanshah javid????? it rhymes... it's music... it's very very nice and "shik" :-))) and whoes name even abbreviates to JJ??? see... that's another cool thing... and it totally matches ur occupation... signing ur article as jahanshah javid! that's awesome... ok... maybe... just maybe... the only name that may top urs is mahdiyeh javid... yet another very very respectful and strong name... anyway... my 2 cents :-) SZ To top * Mahdollah Hey Jahanshah.... I totally loved your article!!! [Call me] I always wondered why you named your daughter Mahdiyeh.....you know I love her, but I don't like her name....my cousin in Esfahan is very religious (his mom is of the black chador gang, if you know what I mean and so is he) and he goes by Mahdi but when me and my brother and sister go to Iran, we always quite purposefully call him Mehdi.... NO QUESTIONS ASKED!... but recently we've taken to making fun of him and calling him Mahdollah!!! (his little brother's name is Mostafa and we call him Mostakhforella!!!! I'm cracking up just writing it!)..... your name is Pakistani, I always thought....since I think you said you're from that part of Iran that's bordering on Pakistan.....You know, you could always change your name to Parviz or Houshang or something more Persian if you want!! SS To top * Now you have to write a book It was really funny (your "Call me" article). It actually shows how much our nation has bent... almost 360 degrees. Now you have to write a book and call it 360 Degrees with some ending like In Hell, With Stupidity, or Brain Damage and so on....... Thanx for your sense of humor, Alireza Alikhani To top * Obviously I like "Mammad Agha" for obvious reasons! [Call me] Moji Agha To top * Rassoul to Russell Salam Jahanshah e aziz! [Call me] Firstly I'd like to say " saale noe shomaa mobaarak! " It was amazing to read your article in The Iranian. I almost had and "still" have the same problem with my name here in Germany. My first name is Rasool which stated in my pass, but my iranian friends call me Rassoul and the german Rasul (which in englich voice heared as Razool !) and my business name for my new german and or the american business friends is: RUSSELL! Which is as a well know first and surename name in England and the united states. But in spite of all these I'm almost the same guy as before but I must to say that I actually prefer my new modern name "Russell" as my call name. Mostly the american call me "hey Russ ....!" Fortunately in parties when I introduce my self as Russell the positive attention of the people is much more than I was called for years just Rasul! I think the name is very impotant for somebody when introducing himself to the poblicity and it is similar to a product as a nice or pompous trade name in the advertising on the market! My suggestion is for a shorter name: Jasha! There is a mens name in Germany "Sascha" (in English heared as Zasha) which is almost a cross for "Jascha" isn't it?! Whatever the people call you keep cool and think about the just "one" identity is nothing than boring!!! *gggg* Best regards from Hamburg, Russell PS. I hope you could be able to understand my wrong English which I could not checked out for a correction of the numerous mistakes in the letter body, sorry...;-)) To top * Reminded me of another story Dear JJ or..., [Call me] Man, you are lucky to have both world under your belt by virtue of your name. Jahnashah Javid for this world and Mohammad for the coming if any! But your "Call Me" story reminded me of another story, (az in shir, sheer Karbala yadam oftad). I was looking for one my old university classmate's office recently. In the hallway I asked the people: I am looking for my friend Fakher, you mean "Fucker", they replied. I said no Mr... Fakher ... Then I was told he has changed his name from Fucker to Richard which we call him Dic. Take care H Alizadeh To top * I like Tandeese (goddess) I think Mr. Javid's parents were patriotic and had pride in choosing an Iranian name for their child. [Call me] We are Iranian and should have names that reflect our national identity. I chose the name Aryan for my child and was honored every time someone on asks me if it was okay to name their sons yet to be born Aryan. I wish my parents had chosen an Iranian name for me but they only did that with their last child and that was because I demanded it. I hope all the parents to be will pay attention to this delicate matter so their children would not have to deal with the problem I have. I am the personification of "Iranian" because I make sure I adhere to all the good Iranian manners and repeatedly say "I am Iranian" yet I am embarrassed because my first name is Arabic. I am lucky that the English pronounciation of my name sounds much better ( non-Iranian always say ooh what a beautiful name!) but, I wish I had an Iranian name such as the one I like Tandeese (goddess). Oh well no such luck! Azam Nemati To top * Wonderful Mohammad, [Call me] I loved your piece. I have always enjoyed your writings and have been a fan from early days of Aftab TV program. That is why I call you "WONDERFUL". Abbas Saffari-Fard To top * STOP IT To all authors in this site who insist using "Gulf" instead of "Persian Gulf", STOP IT. Would you please use the word "Persian Gulf" instead of "Gulf"? Mass media in the US keeps using Gulf or Gulf War in their prints and/or broadcasts. OK, maybe they do not know better but what about you my fellow Iranian/Persian? Pirouz Bashid, G.H. Massiha To top * Looking for parents I am trying to help my husband find his real parents. He was born in Iran on May 16, 1972 and was left in an orphanage in Tehran with his sister with only their names and birthdates on little bracelets on their wrists. He knows his first name was Hassan, and he and his sister were adopted by an Iranian woman whose maiden name is Zahra Sadrai (who was a pharmacist) and her husband, a French doctor named Pierre Arquembourg. They moved to the United States (Louisiana) and raised the children there. That is all we know - what I want to find out is, did the orphanage in Tehran keep records about who the biological parents are? Is this search hopeless? Thank you for any help you can give me, Mary Borowiec To top * Soleiman Abdolrasouli Help Dr. Granville find his old student. Soleiman Abdolrasouli was a student of Architecture at "Kent State University" in Ohio before Islamic Revolution! His father was the person whom used to read the Koran for the Shah. Soleiman passed a course in scupture with Dr. Granville. Email here To top * Hamid Tabassian I am looking for an old friend Hamid Tabassian, who used to be my companion and roommate in the late 70's . He came to US in 1978 , studied civil engineering at the university of Kansas and lived and worked in Kansas city for a few years . His familly lived in Mashhad , He went back home in the 80's. I have not heard from him since then . I would appreciate any information regarding him . Javad Dehaghani To top * Mansoor Jafari I am looking for Mansoor Jafari who used to live in Abadan. Please send email to shahram_najm@mentor.com Thank you To top * Contacting Reza Baraheni Hello Dear sir/madam I'm an Iranian girl, a praiser of Reza Baraheni. Would you give his email address to me.Or would you help me in any way to make contact with him. Regards, Leili Golafshan From Tabriz To top * Restaurant in Great Neck Can you please assist me in trying to sell a restaurant in Great Neck, New York? It could be advertising, broker any ideas please the community has a big Persian population. TOL To top |
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