let's fix it once and for all
>>>
How Islam was formed and changed in 23 years
>>>
بهروز جاوید تهرانی از بند در آمد و در نتیجه به اعتصاب خود پایان داد
>>>
UNDERSTANDING
Photo essay: Mansour Taeed on his one-man play “Ma Jaasoos Neesteem”
by
Nazy Kaviani >>>
VOTE
چرا باید فقط آن روزی در خانه خود بنشینیم که به عنوان شهروند دارای بالاترین میزان قدرت خود هستیم؟
چرا مدافعان تحریم فقط هر ۴ سال یک بار، در روز انتخابات ریاست جمهوری به یاد مشروعیت نظام می افتند. اگر مشروعیت نظام را قبول ندارند، قاعدتآ می بایست در تمامی اموری که پای نظام در میان است راه نافرمانی مدنی را پیش بگیرند. پس چرا هنگامی که بچه های خود را در مدارس آموزش و پرورش جمهوری اسلامی ثبت نام می کنند، یا در طول مدتی که بر اساس قوانین نظام به فعالیت های تجاری می پردازند، یا زمانی که ازدواجهای خود را به ثبت رسمی می رسانند، یا هنگامی که با گذرنامهء جمهوری اسلامی سفر می کنند، فرم های کارت ملی را پر می کنند و یا از بانکهای دولتی تقاضای وام می کنند، مشروعیت نظام و قانون اساسی را زیر سئوال نمی برند و از تمامی قوانین پیروی و از مزایای آن استفاده می کنند؟ مگر می شود نظام سیاسی و قانون اساسی یک کشور، فقط هر ۴ سالی یک روز فاقد مشروعیت باشد؟
>>>
ELECTION
Presidential hopefuls saw curbs on 'free discussions'
Iran restored access to Facebook on Tuesday, two days after the government's efforts to block the social networking site became an issue in the June 12 presidential election. Candidates opposing incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had earlier condemned the government, charging that blocking the site was meant to interfere with their campaigns by confining news to government-controlled outlets. "The government wants to prevent all free discussions on the elections," said Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a former vice president and adviser to Mehdi Karrubi - one of two reformist candidates running against Mr. Ahmadinejad
>>>
RELATIONSHIPS
Excerpt from "Sexual Politics in Modern Iran"
One of the best-known examples of love and reciprocity in mystic circles appears in an account of the life of Rumi, the greatest Sufi poet in the Persian language, whose followers founded the Mevle known for its ritual whirling. While living in Konya in 1244, Rumi forged an intense bond with Mawlana Shams Tabrizi, a mystic and accomplished teacher who claimed to have reached union with God. Theirs was a unique relationship since both were mature and renowned masters. Franklin Lewis writes that contemporaries defined their relationship as falling in love, which Franklin qualifies as a “Platonic love of a disciple for his teacher.” Rumi took Shams home, “ where they lived happily for a year or two before the disciples of Rumi became to act on their jealousy”
>>>
Our historical need for leadership and our vulnerability to being different is a measure of our collective fears and our dependence. We demand answers to questions we dread to ask!
>>>
SONNATI MUSIC
Homayoun Shajarian and Dastan Ensemble Concert
Traditional Persian music, otherwise known as Sonnati music, has officially entered a new era; an era where creativity and unconventional thought have intertwined together to surpass the limitations of tradition. As his father steps down from the throne, the Prince and soon to be the Master of Sonnati avaz (singing), Homayoun Shajarian, has prepared himself for this moment: to inherit the style of music that has been dubbed by most first generation Iranians-Americans as dull and dreary. He provides a new vision; a hope that Sonnati music, through his youthful heart and voice, will gain its inspiration through imaginative innovation, while maintaining true to its traditional roots
>>>