THE IRANIAN
Letters
July 1998
Letters section main
index
Evolution Lobby 4th of July Persian Art Photo Poetry Childhood Khalili |
Iranian Women Terrorism Mojahedin The Iranian Persophile Khar Home |
* Pragmatic generation
Abbas Soltani's "Evolution not Revolution" was a breath of fresh air. Most of the political commentaries that are written abroad come from a different generation. Only a few pose values such as tolerance, realism, pragmatism and optimism -- things our political culture is so much in need of.
Soltani also distinguishes himself from many others among his generation, i.e. the children of the revolution, who have emigrated by caring passionately about the future of Iran. -- passionately enough to write an iconoclastic commentary that some older exiled commentators may brand as "too political" or "too compromising."
I welcome his wisdom, commitment and courage. The only minor issue I would like to bring up is the fact that I fail to see how the performance of the Iranian soccer team is related to prefereance between reform and revolution. But this is a minor issue. As far as the rest of the article is concerned "jaanaa sokhan az zabaan-e maa migouyee" (you speak my language).
Amir-Mosaddegh Katouzian
katouzia@johnco.cc.ks.us
* Love , whatever the gender
Having read both articles "Loving an Iranian Man" and "Loving an Iranian girl", I would like to express my enjoyment, for their entertainment value as well as their humourous tone.
As an Iranian man, I found the article by Laleh Khalili extremely amusing. I was not in the least bit offended by her generalization of Iranian men, although I have nothing in common with her portrayal of the Iranian man (I drive no expensive car, dislike mobile phones, and rather not discuss or boast about my profession when I go on dates, to name but a few).
As for the article by dAyi Hamid, my first impression was of a rather harsh (and somewhat personal) response to Laleh Khalili. As I read more I found some truth in his portrayal of Iranian girls living in the West (and indeed in Iran). Although I can understand how some of the comments may have caused offence to some readers, we must not lose sight of the fact that they were primarily written for the purpose of light-hearted amusement, and I for one took both articles with a pinch of salt. I never assumed a serious tone to either article and am rather surprised that so many readers have responded negatively.
From a psychological viewpoint, it may be that these individuals find some aspects of either article too close to home for comfort. For all those who may just feel offended, I beg you to refer to Laleh Khalili's own response to dAyi Hamid. Although she could have interpreted some of the finer points of his article personally offensive, she has shown a level of understanding beyond that exhibited by most other readers.
So, I thank you Ms. Khalili; you are one classy lady, and I for one look foreward to reading your articles in the future.
Peyman Adjamian
padjam@essex.ac.uk
* Learn courage from a molla
I have read the debate on Iranian men and women with much interest and amusement. I am one of those Iranian women whose enlightened father believed that an educated woman was better company than an uneducated one. Despite the stereotypes surrounding Azarbaijani men, I owe my future as a commercial lawyer to my Ardebili father.
It is also ironic that while a molla, Mohsen Saidzadeh, gets arrested in Iran (at his home in early July) for writing articles upholding the rights of women, certain members of our supposedly "liberated" and "educated" male community living outside Iran, continue to perpetuate ridiculous generalizations about Iranian women.
Mr Saidzadeh has written articles opposing the introduction in the Majlis of bills that ban the publication of photos of unveiled women in the press and banning male doctors from treating female patients. Even more daringly for a clergyman, he has written a piece arguing that the Islamic laws which deny Iranian women their rights are based on dubious interpretations of Islamic law.
I wonder if Mr Hamid ["Loving an Iranian girl"] and his friends in those Swiss night-clubs can ever exhibit as much intelligence and courage.
Katayoun Jarrah-Layegh
katy-j@jnocld.japanglobe.net
* Boycott no, lobby yes
Here's some additional information regarding the closing of the accounts of Iranian nationals by Bank of America. The Iranian-American Republican Council has contacted Bank of America and demanded an explanation. Basically B of A is implementing an order from OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control) to close the checking accounts of Iranians nationals or transfer their funds into a savings account.
In theory, checking accounts can be used for "commerce" with Iran which is illegal according to Executive Order #12591 as imposed by President Clinton and the Congress. Bank of America identified these accounts by their "Iran-based" mailing addresses.
Initially they sent out 420 letters informing their customers of this rule and requesting further instructions. Most respondents either opted to transfer their funds into a savings account or did otherwise. The letter which was published in The Iranian Times was sent to only 90-100 people covering those customers which they had never heard from or those which had sent letters postmarked from Iran.
According to a second-hand report from OFAC, some banks have not even bothered to send out such a letter and have closed down the accounts without notice. Bank of America has been forced into this position, since declining to comply with this Executive Order bears heavy fines and criminal charges.
We understand that some members of our community have suggested boycotting B of A and closing active accounts. While this is certainly a choice, we believe it would not have the desired effect. This law originates from the Congress and the White House and it is there that it needs to be rectified.
We urge all our fellow citizens to contact either by mail or by telephone their Senators (especially) and Congressmen and inform them of their position. We cannot stop these laws if we as tax-paying constituents don't make our positions clear to our representatives.
You can find the names and telephone numbers of representatives in Congress on the IARC web site at www.iarcnational.org as part of the "Political Links".
Goli Ameri
Vice President -- Communications
Iranian-American Republican Council
ameri@pop.mindspring.com
* Liebe Samira!
Liebe Samira ["In wonderland"]! Ich schreibe aus Rochester, N.Y. einer Kleinstadt im westlichen Teil des Staates N.Y. Ihre "pages" haben mich sehr beeindruckt und auch die von Ihrer Frau Mutter. Sie sind also halb Ungarisch und halb Persisch. Jetzt in Wien? Meine Toechter sind auch halb amerikanisch und halb deutsch erzogen. Ich habe eine Schwaeche fuer alte Kulturen. Jetzt Persisch und fand ganz durch Zufall diese Kunstseite unter Tehran.standford.edu.
So lucky!
Ich wuensche Ihnen den ersehnten Erfolg - Greetings from Lake Ontario
Ihre Helga und Familie
Frejus@aol.com
* Gharb-zadeh?
The controversy over the Farsi vs. Persian usage goes on, it seems, and that's just fine. Things of this nature which appear to touch a raw nerve with some people need to be hashed over. I was in particular pleased to see that Vaughn Fisher in his letter admiring Persian culture and the Iranians in general favors the use of Persian as the language spoken by us.
A few weeks ago, I dropped you a few lines expressing my preference for the use of Persian as well. Well, I got a couple of emails accusing me of being too gharb-zadeh,or too Westernized, I suppose. There were a few other explanations in these letters, nothing substantial, but it struck me that we often have a tendency to jump to illogical conclusions and accusation whenever we have little or no solid arguments to back up our points.
And of course the easiest label we can give someone are things like gharb-zadeh, or racist, or sexist, or whathaveyou.
But to put my last two cents worth in on this topic, I'd like to raise a point not noted previously: Can you think of any other country with an ancient and world-reknowned culture or civilization that has changed the name by which it has come to be known through out the world?
What I mean is this: Have the Egyptians asked the rest of the world to refer to their country as Al-Mesr, since that is what they themselves call their country? Have the Greeks requested that the rest of the world call them the people of Hellas, the name they give to themselves? Is India known as Hindustan? Are the Chinese referred to by others as the Middle Countrians? Of course NOT!
These ancient countries are happy for themselves to called by the historically significant names that ring with the connotation of the past. And lest we should forget, our country had from the earliest recorded history of Herodotus been called Perse or Persa.
Yet, on the other hand, when it comes down to it, and realistically, as Juliet aptly told herslef while Romeo was listening: What is in a name anyway? What does it matter what others call us? What matters of course is what we do with the name and with the people and the country.
B. N. Kermane
bkermane@earthlink.net
* Thinking about Iran, regardless
I fully support your argument ["Evolution not Revolution"]. I wished all Iranians think as you do. It was fantastic to see that we are still thinking about our country regardless of where we are. I look forward to see the day that we can live beside each other without any egg or gun throwings.
Ebrahim Naderali
E.K.Naderali@liverpool.ac.uk
* Leaps and bounds
Dear Mr. Soltani,
I agree with you in principle that the nation must evolve its way into the twentieth century ["Evolution not Revolution"] . However, we are in vast disagreement concerning the actual progress which has been made.
The Islamic Republic launched Iran back to the 14th Century with executions and imprisonments as a matter of course. Intolerance was the order of the day in a nation that has been a tolerant sanctuary for all fleeing from hunger or oppression for centuries. If Iran is in fact going to catch up , it must move with lightning speed. Mere token liberties, lip service, or public relation stunts may improve the perception, but do not address the underlying problem.
Iran has suffered a severe brain-drain as well as its material wealth. I am affraid that true progress won't be realistically possible for the next two generations unless the leadership begins to move forward by leaps and bouds and opens its doors to foreign trade and investment. No significant foreign investment will be forthcoming unless Iran's leadership reduces the rhetoric and presents a stable and accountable judicial, and executive structure.
As you have so astutely observed, history does have a tendency to repeat itself. let us hope that we do not repeat the mistakes of others, but learn from them.
Soltani Law Office
munilaw@tds.net
* No time to sit silently and wait
Whilst I agree that Iran is not ready for more bloodshed, and that revolutionary action is unjustified, I do believe that we would be fooling ourselves if we were to believe that being patient with the government would be enough ["Evolution not Revolution"] . The government constitues both hardliners, and moderates. The current trend of hardline intervention in politics must be opposed, and such demonstrations as those in Tehran demanding Karbaschi's release should continue.... FULL TEXT
Farzad Moshfeghi
farzad.moshfeghi@nomura.co.uk
* Persian as Persepolis, too
["Fireworks"] is my silly sentimentality that manifests itself in, well tears, when I become emotional over a gesture, an issue...whatever. The same thing happens when I see the movie "A Taste of Cherry" as when I see ":Air Force One"... I am (cliché comming up:) a product of two societies; both of which I see a great deal of merit in for different reasons.
I can be as American as Apple Pie, sometimes; but by the same token, I am as Persian as Perspolis. I will never deny that I love them both - for different reasons - and I don't think I can reconcile the admiration of one's culture for the admiration of another's system.
I write as a hobby (for a while as a correspondent out of Iran). My written expression is my emotional outlet. At times my thoughs, as such the subject of my written expression, can be slighted one way or another. But these are the fulcrums of being a thoughtful human being.
My piece on the fourth was just my attempt to let out some of the sentimental steam that had built up after a glorious weekend, tucked away in the country somewhere, watching fireworks in the rain, after a perfect evening, in the arms of the man I love. It felt very nice. I wanted to express it in writing, and well...you read the result.
I do, however, think the American national anthem is a catchy tune, and always makes me emotional. Possibly because I remember the hope my parents had when they got here in 1979, that this would be the only land of opportunity left for them, given their age at the time of the revolution, and the fact that they had to start all over. Possibly beacause I am old enough now to realize that all sorts of people cross these borders every day in the hope of being able to be "free," or at least less restricted than wherever they were before, and hopefull that their golden opportunity is waiting for them here in the "land of opportunity."
I may not think these expectations are always realistic, or that this land lives up to its legend, but the fact is that these are the myhtic lures that bring broadly divergent people to these shores generation after generation. That's just a fact. It's not my opinion or interpretation, it just is. I am proud if I can be a part of sustaining such a wonderfull thing. I would be happier if I could one day be a part of sustaining a similar set of expectations for my own nation.. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Maryam Shargh
mzsnyc@interport.net
* What evolution?
This is a response to the article "Evolution not Revolution" by Mr. Abbas Soltani. I left Iran the same time as Mr. Soltani, and I also was the same age as he was at that time. So that by itself was interesting enough for me to read into the article.
But I would have to disagree with Mr. Soltani in one respect. Evolution happens when one or more genes mutate from their normal variation to result in better and more adaptive features that can help the living organism survive. With that said, do you really believe there are enough "good genes" in the current Iranian government to raise your hopes for the few mutations to result in an evolutionary way of life? Well, if you believe a snake is better capable of evolving into a creature that can achieve flight than a chicken, then perhaps you have bought into what "Islamic Republic" wants you to think.
There are better forms of government than what they have in Iran. The Islamic Republic really is not a government. It is a way for a few people to scam the majority of others, with no planning what so ever. I do agree with you that the Iranian presidency of 1998 has come along way from 1988. But at this rate, we can expect a less than perfect, but tolerable government by say, the year 2998!
I believe that the problem is not the current government or the revolution. The problem is the way most Iranians believe in the religion that was forced to them over 1,300 years ago. Ayatoolah Khomeini once plagiarized former U.S. President J. F. Kennedy and said we should never ask what Islam has done for us (or in our case, to us), but just ask what we have done for Islam. I am proud to say that I have never done anything for Islam. At the same time, I have never expected anything from Islam.
I worked hard in my life to succeed. I worked my way in and out of high school and college, while taking care of my family, and found a good job for myself after I graduated. Did Mohammad do it for me? Did Christ do it for me? Or did I do it myself? I really don't know the answer to that, but if I want something, I set a goal and try to achieve it.
I am not here to insult anyone's religious beliefs, but until we get over the fact that we don't have to conform to a certain set of rules, without asking any question about their validity or reasons, then we cannot "evolve". So next time you hear a person talk about Iran and it's problems, think back and reflect upon what has happened to our dear country, since the conquest of Omar, who I am sure is burning in hell if there is such a thing.
So it is very simple for me. Take the Islamic part out of the Islamic Republic, and then we can talk about evolution.
Gallyard Mard
gallyard_mard@yahoo.com
* Ordinary life
I loved the Photo of the Day, the one of the Iranian couple having lunch on a city bench. I just found it so refreshing and endearing to see a such a simple event memorialized.
For those of us with only dim memories of Iran left, the only clear images of it we have these days are the sensationalized and often unflattering photographs that tend to run in mainstream American media. So thanks for slipping in the occasional scene of ordinary life.
Jasmin Darznik
jasmind@hooked.net
* Starting with Rumi
I usually start my read of The Iranian Times with the passage from Rumi. This single feature alone is worth the small price of subscription --- to say nothing of the breath of fresh air that is the writings of your contributors.
Reza Shadmehr
reza@bme.jhu.edu
* The terrorist egg attack
One of your s front page news in the July 16 issue of the Times struck me as sublime and ridiculous at the same time. It had to do with IRNA's report of a "terrorist" attack on Mr. Gholamreza Shafei, the minister of industries in Paris.
The sublime side of the report, in my mind, has to do with the fact that the political atmosphere has deteriorated so much that even in a foreign democratic country, the best a segment of the organized opposition can do is either to treat the other side as eggheads or to throw eggs at their heads. The result is a dialogue of eggs and not a dialogue of heads.
What is on the more ridiculous side, is the way IRNA has reported this -- as if there has been an attempt on the life of Mr. Shafei. Only after reading the second half of the news, one fathoms that the weapons of this brutal attack have been eggs rather than bullets. This in not to condone in any way an act that is in bad taste. In fact I regard them as unconstructive. But come on! What is in bad taste, is not necessarily a heinous terrorist attack.
The recent pie-throwing in the face of Bill Gates was not a terrorist attack. The death of Ayatollah Mottahari was a result of a terorist attack. It could be argued that the suicide bombings that lead to the deaths of Ayatollahs Ghoddousi and Dastegheyb, the bombings that lead to the deaths of Ayatollahs Beheshti and Bahonar and the stabbing to death of Dr. Kazem Sami were terrorist attacks in Iran.
Outside Iran, the assasinations of General Oveissi, Shahriar Shafigh, and Dr. Shapour Bakhtiar were terrorist attacks. So were the assassinations of Drs. Abdol-Rahman Ghasemlou; Kazem Rajavi; Sadegh Sharafkandi; Cyrus Elahi, Zahra Rajabi, Gholam Keshavarz, Nouri Dehkordi...etc.
I have only selected a few among tens of others because the victims of terror belong to all political factions of Iran and mostly to the Iranian opposition as a whole. So if IRNA is really interested in unbiased and objective reporting regarding terrorism (and I welcome this if it is really the case), there are plenty of more important stories to write about -- including the terror Iranian political prisoners have been facing on a daily basis, since the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Stories that have been overlooked by IRNA.
Amir-Mosaddegh Katouzian
katouzia@johnco.cc.ks.us
* Immigration court document
The author seems to have finally achieved only one goal according to this story ["Fireworks"] and that is her obsession with being an American. It seems as though her life was never complete until she sang the U.S. anthem louder than the rest.
This piece is more like an [U.S.] immigration court document. It is as if she was told to write a letter to convince INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] officials why she should be allowed to stay in United States. You have convinced me. You are as American as apple pie.
It is true that this land is a free land...well, somewhat...and you can do what you want, but remember that much of it has been at the expense of other countries' pride and freedom. I am happy that you are proud of what you feel is the right thing but never forget the history books either.
Abbas Soltani
abbas@globalserve.net
* Affinity for Iranians
I just came across the article "I Speak Farsi" and several similar pages that debated the Farsi/Persian question. I was searching for more information about the language as I am attempting to learn what I have come to know as "Persian."
I live in Atlanta, Georgia and my family first immigrated to the United States from England over 350 years ago. My heritage touches just about every country in Western Europe.
When I was in Middle School one of my best friends had an uncle who lived and worked in Iran. He was one of the hostages and that was all I thought of Iran until a few years ago. They held my friend's uncle hostage for over a yearand they seemed to hate Americans.
A few years ago when I began my professional life I met several Iranians. I got to know them well and I slowly learned about their culture. Now I have numerous clients and good friends who are from Iran. I recently visited with some clients and we met in the UAE. (I'm still not prepared to travel to Iran. However, I do want to.)
In any event, I have an incredible affinity for the Iranian people and their culture. I actually attended the ceremony whereby one of my friends was sworn in as a citizen of the United States and couldn't help but think, and remark, how fortunate we were to welcome him and his family as permanent members of the United States.
In any event, I often find myself explaining, to the best of my limited ability, Iran and its people to other Americans who are ignorant on the subject. Many of them have distorted views similar to the ones I once held as a teenager. One of the first things that I explain to them is that the Persian culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world. I quickly try to move them away from a focus on what they have come to learn about Iran and the way that we have been persuaded (government / media / disgruntled Iranians / etc) to believe over the last two decades.
In any event, I do understand how rich the Persian culture is. I therefore use the word Persian when I refer to the language and I think that helps people to draw positive associations with an ancient people that they may have heard about at another time in the their lives but failed to realize that those people are now Iranians. Until today I had no idea there was a debate about whether to use the word Farsi or the word Persian.
Vaughn W Fisher Jr.
vaughnfisher@msn.com
* Theeeeee ugliest guy!
Hello from Texas,
First of all let me tell you: I saw your picture and lord have mercy, I think you are theeeeee ugliest guy I have ever seen in my life ["Loving an Iranian girl"]. Where the hell did you get that biiiiig ugly nose from?
I think you have a big attitude problem that needs to be adjusted! Well that's my two cents worth.
And ISDN? BEEN THERE DONE THAT!
Susan
susu@internetwork.net
* Crude, sweeping generalities
In the course of applauding dAyi Hamid for finally telling the truth about us Iranian women ["Loving an Iranian girl"], one of your recent letter writers made the point that all but a select few of us are low-life low-achievers. We hunt for husbands who have attained what we presumably haven't got the balls to attain for ourselves. Now, here's a fine, intelligent addition to the debate!
I hope Mr. Dadfarmay has had the encouragement of his family in seeking out his education and career because it is the most valuable gift they could have given him. It also happens to be the gift so many Iranian families have expressly or tacitly begrudged their daughters, leaving them to rely, quite unfortunately, on their sexual desirability to secure their happiness and prosperity.
Blind to the advantages men have traditionally enjoyed in our culture as well as to the multiplicity of Iranian women's actual experiences, Mr. Dadfarmay resorts to crude, sweeping generalities, insults and recriminations.
Two of my best friends would fall into that scant fifteen percent of medical students Mr. Dadfarmay writes about, and they would be the first to tell you that the hardest part about getting to where they've gotten has been overcoming the sexist double-standards that neither he nor Mr. Hamid will so much as acknowledge in their analyses of Iranian women. Indeed, Mr. Hamid, for one, would have such women and their experiences careening over the edge of the pickle jar, if not yet fully submerging them, because they haven't been defining personal freedom in terms of "pigging out" sexually.
Iranian women are materialistic? Vain? Sexual hypocrites? Give me a stereotype I haven't heard! Your male readers are very quick to defend themselves against unflattering stereotypes, but when it's time to trash Iranian women, they're crying out, Go Hamid, baby! Right on!
I think many Iranian women would acknowledge that such stereotypical attitudes really exist, if not in themselves, then in other Iranian women they have known. What I fail to understand is how obscenities and insults enlighten the debate. And neither do I think "lashing out" at each other get us any closer to understanding the sometimes undesirable ways our traditions act upon us all, men and women.
Jasmin Darznik
jasmind@hooked.net
* There's room, even for dAyi hamid
There is a rather heated debate going on worldwide, with its epicenter in the U.S., regarding freedom of expression on the Internet. The issue is not quite as simple as "It offends me therefore it should not be." (Surprise to those who wrote the letters suggesting "Loving an Iranian girl" be banished from The Iranian).
I may not have liked the man's article, or even the picture. I may have thought it bordered on crass and certainly lended itself to lewd, but it was one man's expression, and I would never advocate its elimination. To take the article off the magazine because it offended the fragile sensibilities of some (the many or the few) would truly be a heinous act. To "censor" is ultimately far more dangerous to society than to allow the free expresion of one man.
I wish that the Iranians living in this country would at least try to grasp those anchors on which this nation is built and srtives on. (This being one of them). Folks, you are here because you may freely be as you are in this land. To ask an editor to essetially sensor another man's view is to undermine what makes this country the global lure that it is. What are you doing here if you can allow yourselves to overstep those precepts that have built this nation as it is today, and, in fact, provided you with the freedom to access the internet?
Ironically, the committment to the freedoms of information, expression, speech etc... is the reason we have the Internet to begin with (developed largely by the United Sates to serve its military establishment). How do people allow themselves to presume that their interpretation of what is good/bad, correct/inorrect, fit to read/not fit to read should be accepted by all?
Did you like the shoe when it was on the other foot? If any of you still feel that the article should be taken off the net, I suggest you key in the search words "freedom of expression" and read up a little.
Maryam Shargh
mzsnyc@interport.net
* Where are my eyes
I live in Norway and I was very happy to see my piture as a Photo af the Day. But why have my eyes been left out?
Mahmood Kafili
mkafili@online.no
* Short trip to childhood
Your Mulberries brought so many wounderful memories of my past, when every day was eid and so simple. When you could be Rostam if you jumped from one wall, and Doukhtar-e Shah-e Parian from the other. When you could sing "baroon miyaad yaar yaar" without kowing who Shamloo was.
Thank you for the short trip to childhood.
* Mama's boy
I am a Persian girl and I was terribly offended by ["Loving an Iranian girl"]. I think you forgot that not all Persian girls are the same. You only described one type. I am sure I could write you a book about how obnoxious, macho , selfish and mama's boy some Prsian guys can be. Don't you think you are giving the wrong image of a Persian girl to readers who might very well not be Persian?
I am a Persian girl and I am nothing like the girls you defined so please next time you are writing a disapointing article like this one, don't use such general terms. You can narrow it down to Iranian girls YOU know.
A.Amini
PISHIES@email.msn.com
* Learned something, but...
I wanted to keep on reading and reading about dAyi Hamid's exploits, trials and tribulations in loving an Iranian girl. Maybe he will write more on the subject, with the same satire that pervaded this work. I learned something more valuable in reading his piece ["Loving an Iranian girl"], however -- Often the best point can be made anectodally and with humor, instead of intellectualizing about matters that have a reason all onto themselves, such as the matters of hear and dAyi Hamid's dingdong. Bon courage...
Guive Mirfendereski
Guive@aol.com
* Blaming women
Sure enough dAyi Hamid is a sincere person and writes about who he is with the assumption that his character is well-accepted and his moral views are justified as normal ["Loving an Iranian girl"].
Most Iranian men I have encountered outside of Iran think that having sex is life's true liberation and freedom. When they can't have this "freedom" easily with an Iranian girl they start complaining and putting them down, and they come up with all kinds of excuses to blame the women.
Also, they start being rude and they think it's being open.
Unfortunately but not surprisingly, Hamid's article fell in line with all of this.
Soroush Motahari
SORA@chevron.com
* "What do YOU do?"
dAyi Hamid really nailed it with this article ["Loving an Iranian girl"]! Bravo! Right on!
I think it's time that we Iranian men came out with our frustrations with Iranian women. I have been living in Washington DC for a year now, and I've been to all the Iranian nightclubs and concerts. A vast majority of the womem show up with their "high-status" appearances; their high heels, and their shit attitudes and then walk around as if they were Queen of England. If you're lucky they will only say "no" when you go up to them and try to start a conversation; you just might be spared the dirty looks.
But the shockingly pathetic part of this whole picture is that, once you set aside all the arrogance, the rudeness, the makeup, and the perfume, there's practically NOTHING left. From an intellectual standpoint most of these Iranian women are stupid (there are exceptions; you know who you are); they know nothing about the world, they're far from being well-read, and even further from being intellectually-minded; ie, they're just a bunch of superficial kids.
That's why they ask the questions they ask: "What do you do, what do you study?". That's why they go around looking for doctors and engineers, because they can't hack it themselves. They have a qiyaafeh (good looks, sometimes not even that) and they think that's all they need in life. And unfortunately these Iranian guys, desperate for an Iranian girl, fall for it. I don't know why these guys don't turn around and ask them, "What do YOU do, what do YOU study?". Of all the Iranian students in medical school in the U.S. probably less than 15% are women.
As if all this wasn't enough, as Hamid mentioned, they LIE a lot. After five minutes of conversation they expect marriage.
At any rate, I have decided I prefer Latin women (never American). They are at least as good-looking but a HELL of a lot more down-to-earth and pleasant to be around, without all the superficialities and complexities. And they may not be "intellectually-minded", but at least they don't pretend to be someone or something that they're not.
Sina Dadfarmay
zerangi@hotmail.com
* Feeling connected
[When The Iranian Times stopped for a week], I started to sense a feeling of loss which I was not sure where it all was coming from. I read the news and browsed the pages of "Hamshahri". But it all did not feel the same.
So I did a little soul searching. I started to wonder what is it I'm missing? I guess a sense of "connectedness," if I can call it that. Reading The Iranian is different from reading other sources for news and other things.
Here in this island (I call Australia an island not just because it is one but also this is how I feel living here), I just don't go through a lot of emotions in relation to what goes on around me and I don't feel connected to my surroundings.
Getting The Iranian Times every day is my connection to Iran? At least one of them? Am I all depended on The Iranian Times?
Yasaman Mottaghipour
yasamanm@flex.com.au
* How low can you go?
I had read dAyi Hamid's writings in the past and found some of them quite interesting. However, my wife and I were appalled by his last shameful masterpiece: "Loving an Iranian girl".
How low can you go to show your frustrations and obsessions with the opposite sex? Hamid khan, you seem to be day dreaming too much in your radio station cell. Don't get me wrong, As an Iranian guy living in the U.S.for about 21 years, I do agree with some of your sentiments, but for the most part I was disgusted by the vulgarity used (in the article).
Quite frankly I am ashamed that someone could go out of their way like this to say about Iranian girls that "Their eyes and ears might well be closed, but be sure there's been traffic through other cavities." This is total insult to Iranian women.And Hamid referring to his private parts in an article that you know will be read by female Iranians, is totally uncalled for.
Don't get being modernized confused with becoming decadent. I am no "ommol", but let's not forget that we are still Iranian and we don't publicize everything that's in our however deranged and perverted minds (hey I have one too).
This is how guys might talk amongst themselves, but please my friend, as somebody else put it, we don't need an Iranian Howard Stern.
Mehrdad Koohian
Mehrdad@softrepair.com
P.S. Jahanshah khan, I suggest that a warning be put above articles such as this to let people know they might be offended by its contents.
* Cheapens the magazine
I strongly recommend you take out dAyi Hamid's "Loving an Iranian girl" out. It's too vulgar and low-life. I had a bad feeling after I read it. It cheapens the magazine which is of such high quality. If I feel that way, I'm sure other people do too. Please, take it out.
You know what, it's not funny and Hamid is taking advantage of you by thinking you'd print anything he's going to give you. You should be above that and I'm telling you that article brings down the quality and reputation of your magazine.
An Iranian woman
* Right on the money
Hamid baby
As I did with Ms. Khalili's article ["Loving an Iranian man"], I sent your "Loving an Iranian girl" to 'faraa-sooye donyaa' to everyone I knew and everyone who was electronically connected. There is even one that lives in the Aurtralian back-lands.
Your observations were right on the money and superbly done. I loved it.
Two things: Cut the gees. Go for the girl.
Ramin Tabib
rtabib@worldnet.att.net
* I LOVED "Iranian girl"
Dear dAyi Hamid,
I LOVED your article ["Loving an Iranian girl"], and considering that we are separated by an ocean, and despite the fact I am one of those torshideh girls whose studies ARE mucho important to her, and despite the fact that I have not had the great fortune of meeting you or hearing your sexy voice, I am being completely, unabashedly honest.
It was by far the most humorous response/critique/rebuttal I have received to my (unintentionally controversial) "Loving an Iranian man," and I have to say that I couldn't stop laughing out loud.
Thank you so very much for your insight and for your sense of humor.
Laleh Khalili
LalehK@aol.com
P.S. Good luck with your cousin.
* Disgusting: The Iranian Howard Stern
To claim shock upon reading "Loving an Iranian girl" would no doubt only gratify the author of the most crass, self-indulgent, and hyped up-piece of writing this publication has yet condescended to publish. I hesitate to respond at all for fear of providing such pleasure. The truth is, Mr. Hamid's article did not shock me at all, but it did make me laugh -- in disgust.
I'm no prude by Iranian or any other estimation, but I do draw the line where a writer displays not the slightest shade of intelligence in the course of airing his vulgarity. Terms like "torshideh," which appears several times in the author's descriptions of women, have become obsolete except among the most inveterate neanderthals among us, a group in which Mr. Hamid has now publicly advertized his membership. I imagine he meant to disarm all criticism by labeling himself a pig. Not even close to good enough, I say.
The most glaring fault in this article is that in lashing out against Iranian women for their superficiality, Mr. Hamid does not once linger over the question of what might be at the heart of some Iranian women's materialism and sexual hypocrisy and how heavily invested some (but, thankfully, ever fewer) Iranian men have been and often continue to be in the very conventions that produce these attitudes and behaviors. But then such monumental narcissism as his does not allow for much in the way of critical inquiry, let alone sympathetic understanding of gender relations.
It looks like Iranians in Switzerland have their very own version of that American abomination, Howard Stern. These two ought to meet and talk over both their shared love of misogyny and accompanying fascination with the size of their male private parts. In the meanwhile, at least Mr. Hamid has faithfully documented his own idiocy for us, and though I've yet to appear on the Iranian marriage market, good riddance to this one.
Jasmin Darznik
Larkspur, California
jasmind@hooked.net
* Hilarious
Please relay the message to dAyi Hamid ["Loving an Iranian girl"] for the nicest and the funniest article I have read for a long time. He is hilarious.
Ahmad Akrami
aaakrami@theonlynet.com
* Fan for life
I have read some of the finest English prose ["Absence"]. Ms. Khalili certainly is a worthy addition to my list. She not only writes from the heart , but has the command and mastery of both languages to deliver precisely her intellectual message. She can evoke emotions through the mere use of words in the tradition of the greatest American authors. She has earned a fan for life.
Soltani Law Office
munilaw@tds.net
* Not just the Mojahedin
There are many groups -- not just one -- as well as individuals who have recently been involved in public verbal and physical attacks [on people with different views abroad, "Attacks on free speech condemned"].
I am sure you are aware of the attacks on Iraj Gorgin [veteran journalist in Los Angeles] who participated in a panel discussion in a conference where a representative of the Islamic Republic (I think Mohammmad-Hadi Nezhad-Hosseinian, Iran's ambassador to the U.N.) was also present.
Many of these verbal attacks were made by the California-based Iranian media and/or their viewers and listeners. Some notable poets or writers were also involved in attacks on those who promote the idea of dialogue among all those who are involved in Iranian politics -- a dialogue that should, for obvious reasons, include the Islamic Republican-leaning individuals, tendencies or factions.
Although Mojahedin Khalq take the lion share of these attacks, many of the others who are involved sound monarchist or leftist. (This is not to say that all or even most monarchists and/or leftists feel this way).
Amir-Mosaddegh Katouzian
katouzia@jccc.net
* Pictures from home
I just would like to thank The Iranian for displaying old pictures from home. It really brings back memories and the connection which has been lost for many years. I would encourage everyone who has any picture which would represent a moment or any period share them with us in The Iranian. Many of us are looking forward to them.
Pejman Asgarpour
Pejman.Asgarpour@mci.com
* Need Persian dictionary on the Net
Just wanted to point out our misfortunate lack of Persian-international dictionaries on the net!
There are so many iranians out there seeking a "working" idea, I thought you guys in the U.S. might have a better chance of using this one; pull in advertising money on a Persian Dictionary Page, and of course NON SEXUAL!
And just to give you a better motive, please take a look at the following
URLs: //www.xs4all.nl/~pdvsfh/ita_eng/index.html
//www.bucknell.edu/~rbeard/diction.html
...and of course, where the Iranian one SHOULD have been: //www.bucknell.edu/~rbeard/diction3.html#swedish
Note that the first address has its main part, lower down on the page!
Well, I guess my feeling ashamed for not seeing any Iranian dictionaries on the Web, or finding better resources when it comes to shameful sites like "iransex", contributed to this letter - I mean it's better than letting the pimps get their crowd!?!
In the past we Iranians were foremost in most things - be it killings or development. Now lets see if we can at least come AFTER the other very small nations, in developing such functional tools. What IS it that's happening to us? It seems like we're falling behind, even outside Iran! Iranians USED TO make good music, literature, business, arts, you name it! But now...? I hope you help me make this letter into more than our usual 'sigh'!
Nader Saddigh
e3nash@etek.chalmers.se
* Khar khodeti
I read your article about donkeys, the Iranian khar [Iranica's "Khar"]. Unfortunately, donkeys are the most mis-understood animals in the world. I own three donkeys and I must tell you that I used to think donkeys were stupid animals as well. But since I have had my donkeys, my attitude towards them has changed.
They are in fact very sharp and intelligent animals. They have an incredible eye-sights. They can see thing from miles away. They are excellent guard animals. All farmers around here (Texas) have a few donkeys on the field to guard their cows and sheep from coyotes.
I think khar are the people who never tried to understand these magnificent animals. As usual, humans are the ignorant ones not the animals -- the same human beings who label wolves as man killers.
I thought I needed to put my two cents in.
Brian Motamedi
bmotamedi@cio2000.eds.com
* Thank you, White Cloud
I really liked the poetry and the paintings by White Cloud. Could you please forward my appreciations to her. Also, I like to thank you, Iranian.com, for providing such a great service to the Iranian community here.
Majd
majd@interactive-computer.com
www.geocities.com/athens/forum/7179
* Letters Section main
index
* Cover stories
* Who's
who
* Bookstore
|
|