Letters
December 2005
December 21 -- December 23 -- December 5 --
You can not change history
In response to Mordechai Kedar's "Nucleotheism":
State of Israel gives a new meaning to the word Perversion. With all the peace that state of Israel brings to Middle East in general and to Palestine in particular, it is only human to reciprocate. Just like the Palestinian suicide bombers, the Mullahs are but a perverted response to a perverted world state of affairs.
Mr. Mordechai in true colors of a Messianic Zionist wants us to believe that the Mullahs are motivated by concept he phrases as "Wilayat al-Faqih". To the contrary, the truth is much simpler. The Mullahs are motivated by one principal and that is "Self preservation". They will do what it takes to preserve their status. As I recall in the 80s, they did not have any problems going through back doors to negotiate arm deals with who ever provided it.
I like many people, I hope to see justice for Palestinian people. The Mullahs bank on this sentiment to rally people in their support. Though, I do not support this regime, I do think it is the best that Iran can come up with at this time. It takes a "Rend" like a Mullah to deal with "Rend like Zionist".
What than motivates a Zionist to acquire 200 nuclear war heads. Well let's see, the principle motivation is Messianic and cloaked in democracy and freedom. But for Messiah to show, we have to make sure the world is doomed. While, in a broken world, the messiah's task is to end the Jews' exile and reestablish David's kingdom in his capital. The claim is that God gave state of Israel the land, but the citizens happen to be on a 2000 year European tour. Therefore, the religious believes gives Israel the right to DEMOCRATICALLY kill Palestinian children and destroy Palestine.
The fact is, now, the world knows who you people are and how far you are welling to go. You can not change history. You can not undo the things you have done and the images you have created.
The question is would you compromise for peace. For your sake and the rest of the world, I hope that you do.
Indecently, how is the real estate business these days in Israel; A God given piece!
Now it is Iran's turn
In response to Mordechai Kedar's "Nucleotheism":
Here is a list of short answers to your good questions:
1. Iran lives in a very dangerous neighborhood. We have zionists with their gun towing war criminal leaders with nukes on one side, Palestanies with nukes on the other, and American government whose heads are stuck in the ass of zionists running all of them all around Iran. These American leaders don't hear or see anything unless zionsists tell them it happened, precisely because their heads are stuck in their asses!
2. As the history of 8 year war with saddam shows, unless iran is self sufficient and powerful, it does not matter whose weapons it has bought. When it needs them, they can say "no". It does not matter what the "contract" says, we just won't give it to you, as the US government did during the 8 year war.
3. Iran is a country with lots of potential and opportunities, very smart and hard working people. Unlike the arabics and the zionsists, it is very forward looking, and not backward looking. It needs the technology and the power to be able to materialize those potentials, create job opportunities for its youth, and have nukes so that noone can even think of attacking it. Zionists specially threaten Iran every 3-6 months. They should be put in their seats..
4. That "World" that is "gainst" Iran in its nuclear quest is not really after iran's interest, and not even interested in its existance. Don't forget Iran is under economic sanctions by the "most powerful" nation on earth!!!!. Why should iranians care what they say? Again you remeber the 8 year war? Weapons and support were going for Saddam from communists, and the USA government, and their clients everywhere (inclusing chemicals, etc.).
Again, who was even lifting a fingure to say, what we are doing is wrong and we should stop this aggression? No one. Now it is Iran's turn to say, get your ass out of my way and let me defend myself, and stop your perverted idiology.
Ali from Iran
Finding a father
I am looking for Masoud Mir Mohammad Sadeghi. He was born in Isfahan. His father owned ALA International in Terhan. He is 39 years old. Born in December. He is my daughter's father and she would like to contact him. He spent some time in England at Oxford. Also living in the United States for a few years. He has a brother Kamal. There are no Iranian phone books that I can find.
Women pioneers of Iranian aviation
On Farah Ravon photo essay of funeral for pioneer aviator Sadighe Dowlatshahi, "Flying high":
I was very saddened to hear that Ghodsieh (Sadigheh) Dowlatshahi has passed away. Now, unfortunately, all the three brave women pioneers of Iranian aviation, who made history, have passed away. Only few days ago I learned that Ina Avshid has died only few months earlier, on March 31 of this year. Effat Tejaratchi, the other member of the trio, died in 1999.
I had the pleasure of visiting Sadigheh Dowlatshahi early September, 2002, just few days before my article about Iranian women pilots was published in Iranian.com. What an interesting multi talented lady, a pioneer in many respects. About the same time that she was attracted to flying, she was involved with sports too. She was telling that at young ages, she used to participate in bicycle racing with boys. At 90, she was extremely lively and energetic. Being very sociable, and popular, attended most local gatherings in Toronto and used to drive around on her own.
Later when she wrote me a note with some pictures she sent me, I also noticed her beautiful hand writing. Here are couple of pictures (1) (2) I took of her, at her home in Toronto.
May her soul rest in peace.
Tired frat boy
On Siamack Baniameri's "The second coming of Elvis":
You need to get rid of Siamack Baniameri. His writing, if we can call it that, offers nothing at all, is not funny and strives to be shocking while sounding like a tired frat boy at 4am on a Saturday morning after getting completely obliterated. What do you consider he offers? He makes Iranians look like posers. He is utterly annoying. Does he think he is some cute 10 year old boy amusing his mom's friends?
Please offer me your views. I am sure I am not the first to complain.
Payman
Raised in toxic environment
On Guive Mirfendereski's "The Ahmadinejad in us":
I read with curiosity and dismay the article written by Mr Mirfendereski who seems to love to pretend being an encyclopedia (these days just about anyone who is familiar with Google can write such articles about anything). I think a clarification is due since the article claimed to represent a whole national culture.
About the author's "childhood impression" of "... the predominant Iranian culture is profoundly anti Jewish" I am just dumbfounded. I for one and thousands of those that I have personally known in my life in Iran are far from this kind of feelings (and I am a grandson of an ayatollah).
I believe either 1) this gentleman has suffered a bad upbringing (no offense or getting too personal here, but son of a father who was a diplomat in Shah's regime would be exposed to limited and special encounters rather than real people and real world) like having been raised in such a toxic environment perhaps mixed with the impressions induced by his teachers ("[he] attended a school managed by Catholic priests...." ), or 2) ... I can't think of anything else than I am from Mars!
The article is not well researched in technical terms either "... audience before Ayatollah Khamenei, Ahmadinejad described how when he was addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York that he felt an aura of light surrounded him ....", that statement was made in a meeting with Ayatollah Javadi Amoli.
Dogmatic 'republicanism'
On Hassan Behgar's "Benaame etehaad baraaye tafragheh: Iranian opposition's meeting for unity in Berlin brings more discord":
Dear Hassan Behgar:
I am disappointed about widespread skepticism and ongoing mistrust between opposition groups. While all opposition groups share similar concerns and interests, misconceptions and misunderstandings are the source of social mistrust and ensuing lack of cooperation between democratic forces.
I would like to highlight the fact that Reza Pahlavi, in contrast to public misperception even from pro-monarchist groups, never uses the title 'prince' or 'crown prince'. He is first and foremost a public figure, a former crown prince, with academic credentials (BA in Political Science), and a distinguished record of over 26 years of opposition to ruling theocracy in Iran. Reza Pahlavi is a recognized Iranian opposition leader in exile who tries his best to unite opposition forces. His first concern is to bring about democracy to Iran through non-violence.
Reza Pahlavi's views are well documented on his website www.rezapahlavi.org and in his book Winds of Change. I urge my compatriots to do more research and read his book before publishing biased opinions. The Farsi version of Reza Pahlavi's Book Winds of Change is available on www.todayonlyunity.com.
At this critical moment in our nations' history, every Iranian bears a personal responsibility to overcome past differnces and hatred, forgive enemies, and reach the hand of friendship towards to pave the path towards democracy. Interestingly, many opposition groups share the desire for peaceful transition from theocracy to democracy. Nevertheless, they find it difficult to overcome historic differences.
I urge you and every Iranian to avoid dogmatic discussions on 'republicanism' vs 'constitutional monarchy', individual leaders, and past heros. Let us focus on the bigger picture: 'Secular Democracy in Iran with free, fair and transparent elections, and a referendum on the future system of governance'. A democratic Iran must be home to people from all walks of live, all ethnic, political and religious groups.
To this end, I urge all (nearly 300) Iranian opposition groups and parties to realign their position along moderate centrist ideas, and form a united coalition of democratic parties to defeat the ruling theocratic government in Iran. I salute the efforts of Reza Pahlavi, all political groups from left and right to join forces and overcome past differences. Let us remember: We can only strength in unity.
God Bless Iran.
Everyone bad, except monarchy
On Kia Atri's "Divine mass psychology":
Mr. Atri in "Divine mass psychology" tries very hard to conceal what his real and only motivation to critizise Dr. Shariati is: He is a die-hard monarchist. He thus dislikes nationalists, socialists, communists, intellectuals, mojaahedin, the clergy - in other words everybody who is not a monarchist.
He could have saved himself and the readers of iranian.com quite a bit of time, had he limited his pseudo-scholarly account on Dr. Shariati to a simple statement about his state of mind: I'm pro-monarchy, ergo I'm anti-Shariati (and anti-everything but monarchy for that matter).
Right to dignity and self-respect
On Iranians of the day for December 16th, 2005, specifically "Suheil Bushrui: With Prince Charles" and "Persia DeCarlo: Porn star":
Thank you very much for having posted the photograph of Professor Suheil Bushrui, a figure who is highly regarded and respected in scientific circles around the world. Also thank you for having accepted it and deemed it worthy of presentation.
As a Bahai I respect and greatly value people's opinions and the right to freedom of expression, this being one of the reasons why your site addictively attracts me.
Each contribution made to Iranian.com reflects the character and personality of its author. If one such contributor as Mr. "Richard Tehrani" (with the essence of whose contributions we are all well aware of) wishes to be envisioned in the way he portrays himself, if it satisfies his needs, I cordially congratulate him for his achievements.
All authors and contributors, including Mr. Tehrani whom I respect for his uninhibited and "honest" views have the right to expression which even I myself take part of although I do not share his style and taste.
As a Bahai though I would additionally claim and cling to my right to dignity and self-respect.
After having seen nude pictures of porno star Persia de Carlo posted next to that of Prof. Bushrui's and the Prince of Wales', momentarily the foundations of my belief in Iranian.com were shaken and I wavered upon making any further future contributions.
Obviously no-one who has put great effort and enthusiastically brought to pen his thoughts and meditations and written an article would want to find himself or herself discredited by readers the way I felt I was. I believe contributors to your site and readers alike would appreciate a more considerate categorization of postings which would be viewed as a refinement of an already fine work. A rough classification discourages more weighty contributors who would perhaps vacillate before forwarding their works to Iranian.com. We choose our readers the way we choose our friends.
I have no aim of criticizing your hard work. Your site is too lofty and divine to be overshadowed by critics and any attempts would end up in failure. Furthermore, I will continue visiting Iranian.com, share its contents with others and encourage more people to visit it.
Sincerely Yours and forever an admirer ,
Dr. Pejhman Rahimi
Budapest
Take her pictures off
On Iranian of the day "Persia DeCarlo: Porn star":
to whom this may concerm: i have been a dedicated viewer of iranian.com for several years now. i was just viewing the iranian of the day section and found myself absolutely shocked and outraged that you would feature a porn star as iranian of the day AND put her porn shots on the site. there are many respectable people who visit the website, not to mention teenagers and children, who would feel disappointed to see what i've seen. please take her pictures off or at least block her naked images. this would be what an honorable publication would do.
sincerely,
disappointed in you
Ignore him
A few night s ago I was struggling to piece together my scattered thoughts about the IRI president Ahmadinejad. When I went to spell check, Word highlighted his name an offered no suggestion about a correction except to ask what I intended to do with this name for future reference. First, my impulse was to click on "Add" as I have a nagging suspicion that this guy will be around. Then maybe not. So I chose the best alternative "Ignore." It dawns on me that perhaps the best antidote to his poisonspeak is ignoring him altogether. Like a child in tantrum, the more attention he gets the more monstrous he may become.
Guive Mirfendereski
Mumbo-jumbo
Please somebody tell this idiot, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, why is it that a very recent world event which has been audibly and visually recorded, taped, and written about and witnessed by sores of survivors a "myth" and yet a bunch of mumbo-jumbo crap nonsense about a bunch of rag-head Arabs (i.e., the 12 Emams and the gang grazing the deserts of the Mideast) injected into the brains of the uneducated Muslim masses by the Akhoonds is the "absolute truth" and everyone must abide by?
Every year people are forced to observe Ashoora and Tasooa in order to beat the crap out of themselves just because some dude according to the Mullahs tried and succeed in kicking Emam Hossain's ass. Are there any documented and valid data on the Ashoora and Tasooa event!? Now, that's not a "myth!"
I bet if you excavated the graves of these so-called religious figures (all 12 Emams, I guess except the escapee dude ) and performed DNA tests, you would find remains of animals. Now, that's not a "myth!"
Of course
In response to "helping emam zaman's bowl movements.... ISNA: Jamkaran Mosque sewer project gets under way"
Does "nothing is sacred" mean that it is ok to insult other people's sacred figure?
True religion is anything but convenient
On Sasan Seifkar's poem, "What do you believe?":
Dear Sasan,
I liked your poem very much. It does exactly what poetry is meant to do: make the reader reflect upon their experiences or way of looking at the world. It did that for me, and my conclusion was this: I disagree with its portrayal of religion as "comforting" or "simple."
I'm not a dogmatic religious man myself. I do not believe in other dimensions where the bad burn for eternity and the good play harps in the clouds. Additionally, I agree that too many "religious" people use religions to make themselves feel better at the expense of others with the age-old conviction, "I am saved, and those who do not think as I do are damned."
At the same time, I truly respect those who are deeply religious and don't use their religion as an excuse to justify a feeling of self-righteousness or superiority. Believing that one's actions determine for eternity whether one will enjoy bliss or suffer beyond imagining is anything but "cozy homelike comfort."
I watch my religious friends cope with the daily struggle to determine what is right or wrong. True religion is anything but convenient. Is it comforting or easy to be celibate until marriage, abstain from alcohol or tobacco, go to the church, mosque, temple, or synagogue every week or every day? Is the belief that one mistake in life can lead to an eternity of pain convenient? I do not ask you to believe in a religion, but I ask you to respect those that pursue it with honesty and sincerity.
Also, I realize you have the qualifier "most" when making these generalizations about religious people, but your poem places the blame on religion itself. I hold no respect for those that use their so-called "religion" to trample on others, and I share your disappointment that so many people use religion as an emotional band-aid, but i do not blame religion. When scientists invent newer, more horrific weapons, do we blame the scientists or Science itself? I think it silly to blame religion for the actions or attitudes of those that abuse it.
Once again, I enjoyed your poem for the thought it provokes, though I disagree with one aspect of its message. Thank you for writing it.
Self-centered loud mouth
On Azam Nemati's '"I love you" instead of "ghorboonet beram"':
Dear Nahid:
Azam Nemati is self-centered loud mouth, who tries to make up for her own shortcomings and inadequacies by attacking others. In all her letters it's always "I'm so this, I'm so that, I do this, I do that, I, I, I, I."
Would any confident person talk so much about herself?
Gender please?
On Sarvenaz's "Napoleon mon amour: The Zoroastrian professor":
Isn't it strange how people read stories through such completely different lenses. I red this story whit despise and I am almost sure this was written by a man and not a woman as claimed and appeared.
Though I understand your position (iranian .com) with regards to publishing what you receive and the flexibility needed in such profession, I can not understand the lack of research / investigation in what the writer's gender is. This story would have had a completely different influence if known to have been written by a man.
Abdy
REPLY: I know the author and I'm pretty sure she's a woman. -- Jahanshah Javid
Low-grade pornography
On Shana Yazdi's "My story":
I've been a frequent reader of iranian.com for some years now and I truly appreciate your efforts in keeping a wonderful site for us.
Today I was appalled by one of the writings posted on your site, "Experimental" by Shana Yazdi. What was this low grade noncreative pornographic piece doing in there?? Was this an attempt to attract more readers? Are you changing the guidelines for iranian.com? Last but not least, I wonder what would your beloved mother say in her eloquent words if she saw this "Shana Yazdi" article on your website?!
Could you define your audience through iranian.com? Not only I have been considering to post my writings on your site, as my friends are, I also need to know because I'm a parent encouraging her kids to write and post on your site and surely you can relate to my considerations. Do you suggest I should expand my parental supervision to your site as well?!
Of course I select what I read and I do realize we all have choices to make according to our priorities. But seriously, the non-ending barrage of Yazdi's or anyone's sexual adventures does not belong on your intelligent website.
MTS
This story is a fake!
On Mina Azadparast article about marrying off young Iranian girls to men living abroad, "Darse ebrat":
Psychology 101 would help you to know that this story is a fake! If you don't feel like analyzing , then give the story to any psychiatrist (actually any boy or girl with good common sense will do the job) and expect the following analysis about the author of the fake article:
Who wrote it and why? A 35-45 years old Iranian woman living in the USA, single and angry at single men. She is actually hates men , she has some masochist desires very similar to what she described in her story ( particularly rough anal sex). At the same time she probably hates intercourse (because she hates men). She is horny, yet inapproachable. the Iranian community has presented many of these gifts to the world!
I wonder why did you publish the story. yes, I am talking about you Mr. Iranian.com. Mr. Jahanshah. What is unsettling you? Why are so MARD_SETIZ ? Ar eyou naive enough to believe that story? You can not tell me you bought that story. You can not. Or maybe you did. After all you have a history of ideological attachment: socialism, Islamic radicalism, now liberalism and feminism.
Let me tell you something about male feminists: Other than politicians who follow their political goals, other feminists are often in two categories: One group consists of young males who are afraid of women and are so needy at the same time. This group thinks that by being a pathetic feminist they can get some female companionship. Therefore, fear and need is the motive of the first male feminist group.
The second group of male feminists are those who are trapped in awful marriages and are totally powerless with their family. This second group hates other men, specially those men who happily and proudly are regarded as heads of their family. In other words, pure jealousy is the motive of the second male feminist.
I am trying to find out what is wrong with you Mr Iranian.com.
You are not gay, we know that. When you were single, we thought maybe this is your pathetic way of gaining the women sympathy. But now you are apparently married. What is bothering you? What is it with you and feminists? Do you like your woman? Is she treating you well?
At any event, it is enough already. Give your soul peace and come on join us: the group of ordinary proud males.
Besides, publishing such a harsh fake story does not have any justification. I deeply felt sorry for those folks who go to Iran to pick up their bitch and may be affected by shits like this. [Mina Azadparast's reply]
Dr. A.T.
I had to share my story
Minza Azadparast author of "Darse ebrat" responds to to A.T.'s "This story is a fake!" :
For your information, I am happily married to the most wonderful man walking on this planet. He gave me a new life. I was able to go to school and I have a great life of my own. I have kids too. I am a brave mother and a brave person now. I hate no one. I had to share my story because I do not wish for any one to go through what I did.
I am copying your nasty emails you sent me so people could see what an animal you are. Sounds like you are one of those sick guy and abusive who got no life and think has the right to analyze people's mind. You need help. Wouldn't that be something if you would have been a woman involved in an abusive relationship?
God bless you.
Mina Azadparast
Dehumanizing Iranian men
On Mina Azadparast article about marrying off young Iranian girls to men living abroad, "Darse ebrat":
The writer "Mina Azadparast" has generalized Iranian men as criminal, abusive, sodomizing and psychopathic. This general accusation raises a red flag, which signals not only a one sided story but also a misguided analysis of people's behavior. Or in my humble opinion: the story is trying to play to people's sentiments for an objective other than altruistic "Darse ebrat", the subject of "Darse ebrat" is trying hard to show a dehumanized image of Iranian men who have chosen to reside outside of Iran.
Among the inconsistencies, it is very interesting that the "victim" is rescued by no one other than an Iranian woman of Armenian descent, who of course differentiates from an Iranian woman of indigenous descent in the sense that the former is prone to criminal, abusive, sodomizing and psychopathic acts, and is likely married to an Iranian man of Armenian descent who lacks the flaws! The objective of "Mina Azadparast" is beginning to clarify.
The objective is clear. The writer "Mina Azadparast" is not real. "Mina Azadparast" is another concoction to spread fear among Iranians as often witnessed in the past. As we know brothels have thrived in Iran in the past years and the sex trade is presumably a major industry in Iran, in addition to the brothels of Iran, wife beating, sodomizing and psychopathic behavior is perfectly legal. Should we be looking at wife killing statistics of Iran?
Courage to come forward
On Mina Azadparast article about marrying off young Iranian girls to men living abroad, "Darse ebrat":
God what a compelling and heart breaking story. I cried so hard and wished I knew the man and would arrange for giving him a beating he would never forget and I would personally take part in beating him senseless.
I am always angry at the parents who think juts because the potential groom is Western educated that means he is a civilized person. They never ponder for a second why this great catch could not find someone in the area where he lives considering there are so many single Iranian women everywhere.
I admire and am proud of the lady who came to her rescue because I know many of us do not have the courage to even acknowledge that someone we know may be a woman beater.
A few years back I came across a tall and attractive Iranian woman who took advantage of a few minutes her husband was away playing volleyball to tell me she was being beaten. I had only met the man for a few minutes in a park. I asked for her number and what would be best time to call her. I explained that my phone number was in a different area code and would show up on their phone bill and I also explained that I would use a phone card instead of calling direct so their caller ID would not show my number and he would assume that an out of town marketing company had called when he saw no number on the caller ID.
I was so outraged I had to walk away in order not to attack him.
I called her and what she told me was horrible and the worst part was her two brothers living in the same town knew about the bearing but told her repeatedly that she had to stay. He had never let her have a bank account or to be on any account. She was not allowed to go out (did not have a car even though she had gotten driver's license in Iran) and she was not allowed to have any friends or talk to anyone without his permission. He beat her up in front of the kids which she tolerated but he had begun to beat on the kids which is why she was concerned and now found the courage to tell me.
I was furious when she told me that two years before another Iranian (a Lesbian who always asks what we are doing for women) had found out about the situation but did not want a confrontation and had kept it to herself!
We called the girl's mother (in Iran) a vivacious and smart lady who was petite yet fearless. She had closed her beauty salon in the city she lived in and flew to the US. She took her battered daughter and her two children to a shelter for battered women and later we found the daughter a job at a clothing store as a clerk and she began attending school at night. We all pulled together by using the mother's talents and experience as a hairdresser by going to the small apartment and paying her cash. The court granted the mother custody with weekend visitation. Even though we made sure the stupid judge knew he had beaten and abused the kids the judge felt he had the right to see his children. Well, you guessed it right. He took the kids to Iran and nobody knows where to.
The battered woman used her earned freedom the right way and attended school and became a computer technician and moved to California where she met a great Iranian man and she is happily married but the ordeal taught her to be independent and learn about all the resources.
She was one of the fortunate ones beastie her brave mother left everything in Iran to come and help her daughter but there are many who keep silent.
We have a moral obligation to all human beings especially our Iranian sisters. Please pay attention to the women behavior when you are among Iranians. If she acts frightened and constantly looks at her husband that is a clue that she is afraid of him. Play it reverse and talk to the husband. Find out what he does and you may be able to pretend that you or people you know could use his services. If you are good communicator you will be able to gain his trust and soon he will say something or do something that will confirm your suspicions.
I know an Iranian man whom everyone thinks is a model citizen. He is charming, cultured and knows all the right Persian expressions to come across politically correct. He used to bring his wife to some events but despite her beautiful appearance and eloquence there was a sense of uneasiness about her.
The man is into {Persian history and music so I began to have small conversation about those subjects to make him feel he had someone who shared his interest and after a short time he said something derogatory about his wife which I let it slide. The wife had said from the beginning that she liked me before we even met and her reasons where her own and not necessarily the truth but I was glad that she knew I was trustworthy. I had spoken to the wife a few times in gathering and once I gave her the toll free number (where I worked then and my boss did not mind my speaking Farsi because we did have some Iranian clients) to call me and calmly said that I knew he beat her.
She called me and opened up about the truth. She could not leave because she had two small kids by him and two teenagers from a previous marriage in Iran and she had brought them here and wanted to give them a better life. Staying with this man was the key to the kid's success (they have finished college now and have their own lives). I did not play the politically correct Iranian and simply told the guy I knew what was going on and if it did not stop I would expose him to the community (and everyone would believe me since everyone knows I tell the truth). I threatened that I would make sure the wife gets full custody. He stopped the physical abuse and now periodically resorts to sarcastic verbal comments which she ignores and laughs it off.
I also know of an Iranian older woman whom everyone used to refer to as an exemplary woman who had raised successful kids. Nobody would have ever guessed that not only she condoned her older son's beating of his wife at times she had joined in.
Again the battered wife reveled to a few of us and we helped her by getting her a job first in a dry cleaning place and later at a department store. Never mind that no good S.O.B. later came and apologized and asked her forgiveness. She never went back and now is a manager in a department store and loves her peaceful life. The mother-in law moved to California with the younger son and I have no doubt if you met her in person you would never believe that such sweet and eloquent lady is actually a monster.
It is my sincere hope that other women who are abused find the courage to reach out and I pray that we are all compassionate and brave enough to get involve and not fear backlash from the man or his family. Most domestic violence units in the United States are just interested in helping the victims and not finding out who exposed the case. I also pray that physicians in the emergency room do tryst their trainings as well as their intuitions and report signs of abuse even though the victim may claim that she had accidentally fallen or done it herself.
You may find this amusing but I am notorious for running into things because I am always rushed and I always find bruises which even surprised me however, I was impressed that a few of my friends pointed out those bruises and asked if I had a secret Iranian boyfriend who liked playing rough (they were not worried about the abuse because they now if a man ever dared to even threaten me would not live to regret it) and I had to remind them that I am the clumsy middle-aged woman who still knocks into things without looking. I was touched that they were so observant.
I hope the parents as well as the girls who think a man educated in America or Europe is decent simply because he has a degree do a bit of work and allow the man to spend sometime with their daughters because most often these men would involuntarily say something or react a certain way that may signal troubled behavior.
All of you Iranian sisters who dream about marrying an educated Iranian man and going abroad, please make sure you learn a profession in Iran and study the language of the country you plan to go to. Knowing the language and having survival skills will save your life. Knowing the language will enable you to reach out to someone and having any type of skill will help you to begin working and start a new life should you find out that you have married to one of these sick monsters.
Thank you for having the courage to come forward and share your horrible expeince and thank you to the lady who came to your rescue. Your story reminded me again not to take anything for granted and call my dad and thank him agian for having told me and my sisters since childhood to try and be educated and independent so we would only marry for love and if the partner turned out to be bad we could walk away and not stay because our survival depends on him.
I wish every Iranian father is as wise as my father and remembers to raise children who are aware and self-sufficient.
Cooperation with the women of Iran
On Golbarg Bashi's "Helping hand":
I like Ms. Golbarg Bashi's article and I couldn't agree more with her position regarding the need for a wider cooperation with the women of Iran including non seculars. It is by engaging the collective effort of all Iranian women that their situation can progress both in relation to their Islamic neighbours as well as within the country. I believe that Shirine Ebadi is striving in that direction however it is not without difficulty.
As for racism which exists in Iran as everywhere it is a plague that has to be fought against at all costs. However it is not Ahmaninejad's comments on Israel or the Holocaust or his suddne visions of a Holy Light during his unmemorable speacj in the United Nations or even the current policies of the IRI that will help move in that direction.
Couldn't agree more with Ms. Golbarg Bashi's quoting Sa'adi's famous poem which I believe in also in front of the UN building in NY, all the more that my Father was from Shiraz.
Darius KADIVAR
Nothing but an afterthought?
On Jahanshah Javid's "Heechee kam nadaaran":
I am a Baha'i who lives in the U.S. and recently had the opportunity to read an article of yours from July 2002. Wow! I am not used to reading articles like yours. Although it seems you attempt to be fair-minded, at the same time it seemed that the article was a bother even just to write it.
Your internet was down. You were bored. So you wrote about a group of people that you say "have no rights whatsoever"; who you aknowledge have been persecuted, excluded and descriminated against, and systemically dehumanized. How can these sufferings be nothing but an afterthought? Were you embarassed to show that you really cared? Because when reading your article I felt that you did care.
You said, "I can't make heads or tales out of the Bahai faith or religion or whatever they call it. But what's the difference between that and Islam and Judaism, or Christianity, or I don't know... Hinduism or any other faith? Who's to say which one is more authentic? "
You have adressed one of our major concepts without even realizing it. We believe all these religions are authentic. All are correct. We believe that the only differences between them are that the social laws change according to the current needs of humanity. The spiritual laws do not change. An example of a spiritual law is the golden rule, which exists in all major world religions.
Can I give a quick summary? The Baha'i faith was founded by Baha'u'llah. It revolves around the concept of unity. Baha'is believe in the oneness of God (same God no matter what religion), oneness of mankind (the races are equal, the sexes are equal) and the oneness of relgion (all religions are one). We have an international web site that anyone writing an article about us should at least glance at (if their internet is working, ha,ha). Thanks for writing about us. We definitly exist: bahai.org.
Will Canada be forthright?
I found Nakissa Sedaghat's article on "Polite Racism" very thoughtful and well researched. There has been continuing research and documentaries about the false promises given by Canada's immigration system. It is a fact that within the next twenty or so years in Canada, there will be a large shortage of people for jobs from the professional industry such as medicine to blue collar jobs such as transportation and construction. There has been a decline in Canada's birth-rate since 1972 but jobs in our workforce have been steadily increasing without people to fulfill all those positions. Thus Canada will be forced to further open up their borders to allow more immigrants to fulfill these demands. But here lies the problem, will Canada be forthright to people who apply?
More than twenty years ago, Canada had a very ethnocentric policy of bringing doctors, engineers, teachers who were educated in other countries into Canada with the false promise of them being able to practice here only to be told that they would have to go back to University here and start all over again. In effect thereby consigning these people to manual labour jobs because when you start a new life in a new country you have bills to pay, a family to take care of, who has time and money to go back and take over a course that they spent many years studying in a University abroad. This policy has not changed by much in the year 2005, we have skilled foreign doctors not being able to practice, even though we have a shortage of 2,000 medical doctors in the Ontario region alone. This practice does not make sense and is having a negative effect on all Canadians.
As a University student myself, I would be devastated if I moved to a new country and found out that all those years of educating myself to become a professional would not be accepted simply because I went to a University that was not in their country. And let's be honest, math is math, no matter where you studied. So simply, it comes down to Canada wanting people to fulfill their needs for cheap labour, which is fine, since Canada has the right to pursue their own best interest but they need to be honest about their policies and not create false hopes for people seeking to prosper in Canada.
As for Brock MacLean's response to her article, I found it very uninformed. He refused to do any research to respond to her many arguments and simply provided one example, which happened to be his wife. First off, you need a collective example for it to actually be an effective study or sample for society. Secondly, I don't understand what his comment about the one or two Iranians in his building complex had anything to do with Sedaghat's article. All it showed was his apparent dislike for people of other cultures who are critical thinkers and shed light to injustice policies.
There are lazy people in every culture so what is his point? For his one example of Iranians being lazy, I can provide 30 examples of them being doctors, professors, lawyers, etc. Canada is a wonderful place, it is my home and I love many things about my country, however that does not mean we should not be critical of institutions that have unfair practices.
I concur with Mr. MacLean that for many immigrants who are illiterate and who have no opportunity back home, Canada does provide a wonderful haven for them to re-build their lives successfully. However, we can not ignore the many educated immigrants who have a difficult time coming into Canada and then are mislead to believe that they can practice in their field. As for his comment about the many millions of immigrants who are on welfare, Mr. MacLean has no basis for this argument since very little statistical research has been done to determine how many immigrants are actually on welfare. In fact, Don Devoretz, an economist from Simon Fraser University did statistical research that demonstrated the average immigrant family during a lifetime gives more than $20,000 in taxes than they use in social services.
Furthermore, the Council of Canada did a study that found immigrants are less dependent on social assistance than native-born Canadians. Thus, we can choose to educate ourselves and better our institutions like Ms. Sedaghat does or we can simply ignore it and insult people who dare to make a difference as Mr. MacLean demonstrates in his response. But I guess we cannot blame him, for ignorance can be bliss for those who choose it.
Bergis
>>> More December 21 -- December 23 -- December 5 --
>>> All past letters