Letters
December 20-24, 1999 / Azar 29-Dey 3, 1378
Today
* Culture
- Not the center of the world
* Zoroastrian:
- Sacred marriage
Previous
* Discrimination:
- Voter anger
* Intolerance:
- Stop telling us what we should be
* The Iranian:
- Whoever your are
* Nostalgia:
- Good old days
* America:
- Due credit
* Poetry:
- Way to go
* Iran:
- Charming Tajrish
* Kish:
- Contradictions
* Names:
- Arabic names
email us
Friday,
December 24, 1999
* Not the center of the world
I truly appreciate Ms. Shashaani's earnest attempt to demonstrate yet
another "borrowed idea" taken from good old Persia and enacted
in the West ["Borrowed
ideas"]. But her idea of Christmas being a borrowed Persian concept
is at best questionable.
May I suggest that Persians were not the only ancient civilization that
worshipped the sun and celebrated the winter solstice. Most ancient civilizations
did! As they worshiped the sun, there was common fear among people that
the shorter days during the winter solstice meant that the sun was about
to abandon them or punish them with bad harvest....
Ancient Persian civilization was rich in tradition and festivities,
but may we all accept that we are not the center of the world and never
were >>>
FULL TEXT
Ramin Tabib
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* Sacred marriage
I was indeed interested in your summary of Zoroastrian divorce laws
["Zoroastrian
divorce"]. I am a Zoroastrian and do believe that marriage is
a sacred contract that should not be broken. The majority of times, Zoroastrians
do not get divorces, very few. Well, it was great to read your article.
Nikan
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Thursday
December 23, 1999
* Voter anger
I truly appreciate the fact that The Iranian Times is providing
a forum for the Iranian community around the world in general, and the
United States in particular, to voice their opinion and protect their legitimate
interests and rights.
A vivid example is allowing people to learn about and petition
regarding the discriminatory practices of finger printing and photographing
Iranians upon arrival in the U.S.
Well, let's go back to the origin of this practice. It was enacted in
1995 by the Clinton Administration (and I am non-partisan) when it declared
Iran as a country supporting terrorism. In the past seven years the Clinton
- Gore Administration has consistently and systematically demonstrated
their staunch anti-Iranian stand. Their behavior towards Iranians is unprecedented
compared to previous U.S. administrations. Mistreatment of Iranian nationals
upon arrival is only the tip of the iceberg.
Well folks, there is an election coming up next year and all of us should
remember the manner in which this administration has dealt with Iranian
nationals. There are no indications that if Al Gore is elected he will
make any changes regarding this racist policy. I believe that the Iranian
community living in the U.S. should make it known and absolutely clear
that they will not support any politician or administration adhering to
this racist and discriminatory practice.
Masoud Neshat
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* Stop telling us what we should be
Your letter "Allah
knows best" is the very example of narrow-minded people who live
in the past. I and many young Iranian boys and girls who grew up during
the revolution feel under pressure from people like you because you want
us to be as you think we should be.
Fortunately we have found a very good way to deal with people like you
and the fascist hezbollahis: WE IGNORE YOU. But I cannot guarantee what
would happen if you loose power in Iran. The gap is wide and the hatred
deep.
I left Iran 11 years ago. I used to think Islam meant fascism. But I
met other Muslims in France and I realize that you can read and interpret
the Koran as you want. If your are intolerant you will be like the Taliban.
The main problem is that you always refer to Islam's golden age that
ended centuries ago! Be what you are but stop telling us what we should
be!
Amin Naraghi
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Wednesday
December 22, 1999
* Whoever your are
The other night my son who has never been to Iran came home and told
me that he had met another Persian guy at work. He was very excited. Then
he said to me, "You know dad, I don't know what it is, I have never
been to Iran, but whenever I meet another Iranian I feel something special,
something different."
I still cry when I repeat that story. And everytime I log on to your
site I weep uncontrollably. I don't know why. I don't know you, and I don't
know what political philosophies you hold. All I know is that you are from
the land that I miss so much. I hate what has been done to my generation
and to my son's generation. I hope those responsible are brought to justice
one day.
In the meantime, I love what you have done and I am so proud of you,
whoever you are. Thank you for keeping my childhood memories alive.
Siamak Masoudi
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* Good old days
Thanks for reminding me of the good old days. Where did you find this photo?
I had never seen it myself! Name of the film is AATASH-O- KHAAKESTAR, directed
by Khosrow Parvizi who lives in Los Angeles. He could give you lots of
unique and first hand information about the film.
Vida Ghahremani
Note: Vida Ghahremani also has a web
site where she offers jewelry and greeting cards. Thanks to Ramin Tabib.
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Tuesday
December 21, 1999
* Due credit
I often read the letters section of The Iranian with great interest
and amusement. No letter has provoked such a reaction as "Semi-detached
house". The author describes the Untied States as a "non-cultural"
society which seems to have no culture in relation to Iran. This portrayal
misses the point.
First, Iranian culture is not particularly unique. Many advanced, creative
cultures developed contemporaneously or shortly after Iranian culture.
The cultures of China, India and some parts of the Arab Peninsula would
argue with the unique position of ancient Iranian culture.
Second, U.S. culture is strongly rooted in the Western and English tradition.
The literary heritage of such poets as Shakespeare and Milton, still have
a dramatic impact on American culture. On an independent basis, the U.S.
has developed a rather complex layer of cultural makers. Literature by
Poe, Irving, Anderson, Cather, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck
and Tom Wolfe sell widely world wide and have been recognized with Nobel
prizes.
The poetry of Walt Whitman and Robert Frost are great. Political philosophy
as developed by Jefferson and Madison are accepted worldwide. The drive
of invention from Edison to Bill Gates is internationally recognized. All
of these accomplishments have common philosophic threads of personal responsibility
and initiative, equality, mobility and honesty.
You may not agree with some of the results, but American culture has
produced an economic powerhouse, superior technological position and an
unrivaled military. Credit must be given when due.
Macco
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* Way to go
Loved the poem ["Sipping
lattes in diaspora"]. Way to go Shafagh Moeel.
Calpac
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* Charming Tajrish
I used to live in Tajrish for so many years ["Maydoon-e
Tajrish"]. I loved every piece and corner of it. I still do. It
had a charm and beauty of its own in the evenings of summers. Could I be
fortunate enough to see those streets and "koucheh haa" one more
time? I don't know, but I'm hoping. And I say it with the sincierest feeling
that we all can travel or stay there in confidence.
Kumar Sahadpour
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Monday
December 20, 1999
* Kish contradictions
I have just got back from Kish island in the Persian gulf. It had been
many years since I last visited and I was keen to see the changes. I went
there for a few days with 14 other colleagues from various nationalities.
We stayed in the Shyan Hotel that was built in mid 70's. The decoration,
carpets, curtains and everything else apart from few small items were all
in the 70's style. But they have not been maintained. I was told that the
hotel was closed for 10 years during the war. You could see that the building
has many sad stories to tell.
The whole island looks like one big building site. There is a huge development
by a private investor by the name of Sabet who is constructing a theme
park. I was allowed to see it; he has good ideas. Like all Iran there are
few foreign tourists that are prepared to wear the scarf and tolorate other
difficulties and travel to Iran. Kish was no exception. But most Iranians
go there to buy duty free goods. In the hotel most were carrying goods:
TVs, computers, radios, cosmetics, etc. In a beautiful island with a crystal
clear sea and corol reef; there's hardly anyone on the beach. It almost
look deserted; no swimmers in site, not even with the Islamic dress! >>>
FULL TEXT
Reza Mousoli
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* Arabic names
I don't have any problem with "pure" Iranian names and I mostly
agree with your article ["No
plain Jane"].
BUT what about those Arabic names that got into our history and culture
forcefully? Why do we have ABDOLHAMID or AHMAD? Even your last name is
MOHAMMADZADEH. Does it not sound strange? Do you find it acceptable? Why
is anything that sounds Western so strange to you?
I named my son Cameron but I was criticized by my friends and even relatives.
They said why not Kamran!? I think it's just prejudice. Remember: Persian
is Indo-European and NOT Semitic like Arabic!
Adanzan
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