TRAVELERS

Why ?

Dear JJ,

there was also one comment on this posting by a member wich you deleted when you woke up Saturday morning!

one last word on this subject!

we all have seen in last 30 years what sort of fanatisem can religeons cause. In a city that every stone and every square meter of land is holly to some religeon, it can only be ruled by a democrtaic strong government (like that of Israel). All others such as a palestinian one, can only cause bloodshed.

Payandeh Iran

Your comemnt was not published?

There was at least one anonymous comment for this posting which I deleted by mistake when I woke up Saturday morning. Instead of clicking on "approve", I deleted a whole list of comments for various articles.

Kheyli bebakhsheed.

Please repost.

The pope:

This is my last word:))

The pope!

I wonder why you are trying to change what I meant!!!

Yes our daughters are being sold in Dubai, and it is not really sexual it is about them lowering the status of Iranians to be onlyas good as a good sexual servant. that's how they treated our females on the days that they attacked Iran a few hundred years ago!

Your brain is so twisted!!

for looking at our young girls being used like animals and thinking sexual thoughts. As you may not know rape is not a sexual act you moron!!!

You are so pervert!

I meant she lives so close to those Iranian girls being sodomized by arab men and she writes about plight of Palestinians.

I am not afraid or intimidated by your ignorance.

Peace

My heart goes out to you all and I am praying for peace for the Iran and Irag. I hope all goes well for you and send all my love from the deepest part of my soul for my fellow man/woman. Peace for Iran, Peace for her precious people, Peace for the world. May we all see a ray of light and remember the word is mighter than the sword. Peace neighbors. An old hippie chick. Oh yes and I am not alone as there are at least a billion of us that wish you the best.

Zeynab, Sakineh khaanoom or whatever...

Rasti "Zeynab", esmet kheyli behet miyaad. Hatman miyaaei payeh computer zer bezani, ye chador-am be kamaret mibandi. Ey, paacheh-varmaalideh!!

"Zeynab", now you're are trying to deceive everybody? Dear little "zeynab", the viewers on this site ARE NOT dumb as you might think. Just cuz you are, doesn't mean everyone's like you.

You try to explain yourself by saying the following:

1- "My comment was not suppose to be interpreted that way, but after reading it, I can see that "it could be interpreted that way"."

So my question to you "Zeynab" which one is it after all?!! What are you trying to say?!!

2- "As for my real intention..."

Well, next time "zeynab" try to express yourself more clearly so we can understand your "real intention" and by doing so you won't have to come up with lame excuses and put the blame on others for your stupidity. But still, nice try...!

3-"...things could be non sexual!!"

So "zeynab" what did you mean when you wrote:

"...our daughters of our tribe being sold to the rich men from Dubai's tribe?" or "...our girls being auctioned there..."

If your stupid irrelevent comment was "non sexual" then what does the above-mentioned mean???

You're such an idiot "zeynab". Can you "handle" that too? you looser.

-cheers :)

begoftaa garcheh Zeynab bad zabaanast

valikan dar in 'site' mehmaan ast

nabaayad bish az in khoon dar delash kard

GOHI khordast mibaayad velash kard

Sanazi:

Oh, are you as sweet as your avatar?Meow:)))

Zeynab

Either you didnt think well before you made your comment to Ms. Bahrami
or you are trying to throw the blame on others for what you said.

In either case, YOU should apologize to Ms. Bahrami, not ThePope.

Even when i read your comment below, i had the impression you were insulting Ms. Bahrami.

The pope ,you have a twisted sense of humor!!!

My comment was not suppose to be interpreted that way, but after reading it, I can see that "it could be interpreted that way" .But as they say beauty is in the eye of beholder!!! so that's how you SEE things:))

As for my real intention , I meant her loyalty to Arabs , it could be her employer.

See " The pope" things could be non sexual!! now you have to apologize to Ms Bahrami for having such a twisted mind. As far as me, I do not need apology from anyone!! I can handle it:))

Zeynab

That's SO rude! Outrageous.

Did you say:
"I wonder if she is getting to used to "Arab trib"?"

That's an Unbelievably ill-mannered remark.

Horrendous. Why, such a terrible insult???

Ms Bahrami lives in Dubai I wonder how she feels about....

our daughters of our tribe being sold to the rich men from Dubai's tribe?

I wonder if she is as passionate about our girls being auctioned there , as much as she cares about the tribe of Palestine!!!

I wonder if she is getting to  used to "Arab trib"?

Jerusalem, the legacy of peace...

Thank you Mahin Bahrami for the very nice pictures. It's good to see pictures of the ancient holy city without any signs of hatred, violence and war, for once!

Unbelievable how this city resembles Qom! And we thought nothing is sacred!!!

Fred: Precisely

The cited antidotal example of Christian missionary couple forgetting their troubled U.S. and opting to establish the American Collage in Iran which later became Alborz High makes the question inevitable, is the Lady traveler a religious missionary with grand projects too.

Good catch my friend! Taqiya at work...

Thank you

Dear Mahin

Thank you for the photos. They bring back nostalgia from my childhood in Jerusalem, the city where my heart belongs. I used to be in the same scout as the boys in pictures #11 and #12.
I'm a Palestinian Christian born in East Jerusalem, but unfortunately I cannot go back to my own home city because I left in order to pursue my studies in the West. I am now waiting to get a Swedish passport so that I go back and see my family again.

Jerusalem is a very beautiful city, and Im glad you enjoyed it but also recognize some of the atrocities that are committed against its indigenous people. I pray that we will find REAL peace in that region, where noone feels like they are living in a prison.

Just marvelous

The presumably highly cultured non-tribal “boundary crossing” lady traveler says:” Samuel Jordan, an American missionary was a devout activist during the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.  He set up the infamous Alborz high school and the most fashionable street in Tehran is named after him. Should he have stayed in America and worried about their own (SIC) problems?”  The mysteries behind the reasons for the “infamy” of the Alborz high aside, there are nagging questions that beg answers. The cited antidotal example of Christian missionary couple forgetting their troubled U.S. and opting to establish the American Collage in Iran which later became Alborz High makes the question inevitable, is the Lady traveler a religious missionary with grand projects too. Or, since apparently in her post-tribal world charity does not begin at home, does that mean everything is fine and dandy or not that bad in the Islamist heaven on earth so the indomitable lady humanitarian crusader can concentrate on the Palestinians who have shown not to harbor any love for Iran? 

Islamist/Anti-Semites and their likeminded lefty allies are just marvelous.

Dear Mahin

.

I don't see where I called you any names or used derogatory words
against you. If I did, can you please specify which words were
derogatory? I may have been very cynical because I did not think what
you said and how you said it was very smart. So please do not try to
make your self a victim. You have picked a very sensitive issue and
if you are not careful on how you express yourself, you should expect
a response like that.

By the way, your reply to me did not even address my main issue
which was with your choice of words when talking about the two sides.

As to your comment:

"Regarding the issue at hand, correct me if i'm wrong, but it
is my understanding that even if Israel pulls out from all of the
Palestinian Territories and the right of return is granted to the
Palestinians, there will still remain one issue which is very
difficult to solve and that is Jerusalem whose signaficance is mainly
due to Temple Mount which contains the rock/cave. This is why I
said this hollow cave is essentially the center piece to the
conflict."

1) Israel has not agreed to pull out of "all" the
territories. More like 95+% with an agreement to provide land from
current Israeli territories to make up for the difference. The actual
details are still being negotiated by the parties..

2) The "Right of Return" is a dead subject. There have
been recent surveys by Palestinians- I believe over 75% would not go
back. Remember, this happened 60 years ago. Most of the generation
that lost their properties are either dead or dying fast. There
are a few formulas being discussed. From what I remember, perhaps
30,000 to 100,000 would be allowed in and the rest would be
compensated and remainder could go into what becomes the Palestinain
State.

3) As to temple mount/Dome of the Rock and Jerusalem. Jews are
prohibited on going into the site (this is by Jewish law- has nothing
to do with Israeli law). However, up to the last known negotiation in
Tab in 2001, Both sides accepted in principle Clinton's suggestion of
having a Palestinian sovereignty over the Arab sections and Israeli
sovereignty over the Jewish Sections. Both sides liked the idea of
Old Jerusalem as an open city. The Israeli side accepted that
Jerusalem would be the capital of the two states: Crushable,
capital of Israel and Al-Quds (mainly in OLD Jerusalem),
capital of the state of Palestine. Both parties accepted the
principle of respective control over each side's respective holy
sites. Israel's sovereignty over the Western Wall which is on the
bottom of the Dom would be recognized although there remained a
dispute regarding the delineation of the area covered by the Western
Wall. Both sides agreed that the question of the Actual Dome
has not been completely resolved. The actual status of the Dome will
not be that hard since its status has not changed since Israel took
control of the City in 1967. Its still under Muslim rule. DID YOU SEE
ANY RABBIS PRAYING INSIDE THE DOME? WE DID NOT SEE IT IN YOUR
PICTURES :) As far as I understand, there are a small minority of
religious fanatics in Israel who want to make this an issue who would
like to destroy the Dome and replace it with the 3rd Temple. I think
Israel wants acceptance by the Muslim Authority that the area of the
Dome is also sacred Jewish property/site and for Jews to be able to
pray at certain locations during special times. I do not think that
the Dome of the Rock will be the greatest issue to resolve if the two
sides finally decide to give up on all the none sense.

Actually, the biggest obstacle to peace in the region today
is the IRI

Sounds to me like you need to do a little more reading on this subject of Muslim/Jewish claims to the area. Look at Zion. He/She knows the history very well. You do not have to agree with Zions politics or conclusions but his/her history is the accepted history for everyone except for Muslim fanatics.

Zion

I am puzzled. You want to help the Iranians? How? By promoting Bush's ideologies and war?

If I believed that Iran would possibly attack Israel or anywhere else, I would be the first to stand by you. By propaganda and Fox news style preaching or so called "information" handling, not only the Mullah regime will not become weaken but on the contrary, they would gain momentum and power, as they have.

Israel has many wrong policies that has helped the region including the Mullah regime stand tall and validate their "ideologies" to those who consider themselves oppressed. Once that's realized to you, then you might be a help to those who want to advance Iran to the next level, if you care that is.

Sugarcoating perversity

Mahin,
You can call it whatever you like. I call it reality.
The truth is Iran is going through one of its worst periods, it is not a normal situation for Iran and Iranians. So one would assume any reasonable Iranian at least at such a juncture in history would not waste her limited resources on others, especially those who already have all the world's attention. Iranians inside Iran however are suffering in silence. I don't see any Christians selling their house and spending its money to buy stuff for Iranians who now live way under poverty lines, do you?
I don't see global demonstrations with Iranian shawls around people's neck all over the world against what is happening to them. In such a situation what you do is perverted, like it or not. And no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it with proclamations of universal love.

Asghar, Indeed! Haven't heard something so out of touch with reality from -what? a journalist or something?- for some time. The Israeli's did liberate the Temple Mount in 1967 when Jerusalem finally became part of Israel, where it always belonged and will always belong:

//www.hameir.org/temple/RavGoren-Temple-Mount...
//www.daylife.com/photo/00wpfrc4GG4nK
//www.keshertalk.com/images/blogpix/gorenshof...
//farm2.static.flickr.com/1328/533488892_bc15...

Although the Temple mount is the holiest place in the world for Judaism, the Israeli government gave its administration back to Islamic waqf as a gesture of peace and respect for all faiths, and to safeguard the secular nature of the Israeli system of governance. The Waqf has been systematically destroying historical artifacts of the Temple by bulldozers and other methods to destroy the Jewish past and Jewish links to their land, and has been denying Jewish connections to the Temple Mount ever since.
Typical.

Also, the rock is seen by Jewish religious tradition as the foundation of Earth, where Adam and Eve came to live after expulsion from Eden, where Abraham tied Isaac for sacrifice, where Jacob had his dream of Angels ascending and Descending and his first direct contact with God when he was fleeing his brother, where David chose and Solomon built the Holy of Holies of the Beit Mikdash (Temple) where the Mishkan (Ark of Covenant) was situated.... The story of Muhammad Mi'raj being connected to this rock was a later invention by Ummayid dynasty to give precedence and importance to their reign in Syria versus their rivals in Kufa in Mesopotamia and Medina in Arabia, even according to the traditional Islamic history itself. It is not mentioned even once in the Koran. Now according to Palestinian authority it has always belonged to this magical "palestinians" in history, and Jews have never been there or had any connections to it. Again typical.

She sounds even more ridiculous when she talks of Sharon's visit. A Jew decides to visit , just as a tourist, the most holy site in his tradition, which was liberated by his people but given back in good faith to this "peace loving, hospitable, tolerant and compassionate community of saints", and what do these lovely arabs do? They use it as an excuse to murder people, even infants, in the streets, in buses, in cafes for years. Very harmonious and peace loving, right?

And what is the best excuse this lady comes up with:
They were annoyed because he came with bodyguards. D'oh!
He is a well known Israeli official, target of all possible attacks, and she expects him to have come without bodyguards so as not to insult these lovely people (why should they be insulted by bodyguards for an official in any case?). After such an insult of course people get mad and start blowing themselves up, what do you think?
Coming with bodyguards is another of those Nazi things after all, at least in our neutral correspondent's opinion. Naturally.

There is only one issue at the heart of this conflict. Arab and muslims refusal to accept the historical reality of Israel being a Jewish homeland and the Jews legitimate ties to the land. Israel has been willing to live with Arabs, beside a Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian and Lebanese state. Israel has provided Arabs with citizenship and equal rights inside Israel, as they have MPs, judges in the supreme court, students in universities and so on. Arabic is one of the recognized official languages of Israel. The problem was, is and will be the arab and muslim refusal to live as equals with Jews.
As case in point, just compare the Israeli attitude to the Jewish most sacred site to that of Arabs to theirs. No non muslim is even allowed to enter Mecca let alone go near the Kaaba. A bit "racist" don't you think?

You can keep twisting and spinning all you want, it simply won't change the facts on the ground.

Abarmard,

I am here because, thank God, most of the Jews no longer live under oppression of fascists and other sorts of religious or ideological tyrants. They live in freedom and prosperity either in their own land and their own democratic state or in other democracies around the world. The few who live in tyranny also have the protection of the state of Israel behind them. Unlike your people.
I am also here to be able to have direct contact with Iranians who are suffering from a band of fascist thugs who also happen to pose the greatest existential threat to Jews and Israel since the Nazis.

So I suggest you instead sort your own priorities.

Dear Asghar

I don't know how old you are but if you are under eighteen you can be forgiven for the name calling otherwise I think you should know that even if an article is completely disagreeable to you there is no need resort to deragatory terms which only serve to degrade yourself and the author.  There are more suitable words available to make your point effectively.

Remember we're not in competition here to prove that one of us knows more than the other.  We're here to share our knowledge and learn from each other.  If you have an issue with an article just talk about it as you would face to face.  Surely you'd be more polite in person.

Regarding the issue at hand, correct me if i'm wrong, but it is my understanding that even if Israel pulls out from all of the Palestinian Territories and the right of return is granted to the Palestinians, there will still remain one issue which is very difficult to solve and that is Jerusalem whose signaficance is mainly due to Temple Mount which contains the rock/cave.  This is why I said this hollow cave is essentially the center piece to the conflict.

I hope that is clear. If not please let me know and I will clarify myself better by email.  And please remember this is not a race and I don't claim to have all  the answers. 

بابا دعواها سر یه سوراخه...

Asghar mothar bebin Ms Bahrami chee migeh...

بابا دعواها  سر  یه   سوراخه...

Very analytical!!!!!

I just love the one sided views of the Author

She says:

"It's where Mohammad ascended to the heavens and according to Jews it's where Abraham offered his son to God"

So as if "Muhammad asending to heaven" is a fact and where "Abraham offered his son to god" is a claim because its "According to Jews". No "According" for Arabs or Muslims. Hmmm. Very smart.

And her knowledge and mastery of history is also very impressive because she says:

"Believe it or not but that hole is essentially the center piece of the arab/israeli conflict.".

Oh really? So before 1967, when Israel did not control this piece of land, it was the center piece of the Arab/Israeli conflict and that is why Arabs were fighting Israel?

Zionism was created to control the Dome of the rock and Arabs are fighting Israel because it cntrls the Dome of the Rock?

Israel and Arabs can't settle their issues because the Dome of the Rock? The Israelis built the separation fence because the Dome of the Rock? There are check points all over, because Israelis want to hold on to the Dome of the Rock? So the Arab Israeli issue is now actually Jewish/Muslim issue?

Very smart and educated!

Dear Anonypishi

When you enter the Dome of the Rock you will see a huge rock in the middle of the hall.  The rock is actually hollow and those stairs that you see descend into the cave. Believe it or not but that hole is essentially the center piece of the arab/israeli conflict.  It's where Mohammad ascended to the heavens and according to Jews it's where Abraham offered his son to God.  I do recommend anyone who can to go and visit the place.  It's quite fascinating.

Lastly-for some of your hate mails

Could you imagine if the Cyrus the Great who freed the Jews from Babylonian, said, well, the Jews are backward and their land is not developed enough!

Could you imagine any great man in the history think or act as Zionists do? What would become of humanity. Scary right? well Zionist don't see that. That's the scary people that we all should watch and make sure that they don't grab the power.

A healthy debate I can do, with historical documents. I am not against any nations or religions. I do not agree with atrocious acts whether it's in Iran or Israel or US, and I will never kiss ass. An ideology that is anti human won't sit with me. liberal lefty? proud of it. Just don't ever call me a Zionist, IRI or Neo con.

What 's your next mission?? Bosnia and Herzegovina??

خواهر مهین چه سنگ فلسطین‌ها را به سینه میزنه!!!!

شده کاسه داغ تر از آش :))

اجرت با امام حسین مهین

Mahin, dont' mind Zion

As you can see he is an Israeli Zionist who is concerned with IRAN! but can't understand the coin flipping against his ideologies. A true democratic Neo Con, similar to his president, mr. Bush.

Zion should then be concern about his own country rather than Iran, based on his own logic.

So you really do not need to argue with those who after eight years agree with wrong policies of a man just because he is a Zionist. In my book, they have absolutely no right to complain about the Islamic Republic or Mr. Ahmadinejad since they breath the same air to survive.

Zionist argument is "dig beh dig migeh root siyaah" or "garlic tells the onion: you smell!!"

Ms. Bahrami: Interesting pictures and a little advice from me

Please don't waste your time convincing the professional haters on this website. They are trapped in their idealogical viewpoint. Don't let them to drown out your voice. The whole world agrees with you. Just this morning I read the following news:

"An Israeli commission has approved the building of 920 new homes in occupied east Jerusalem, the municipality said on Wednesday, in a new blow to shaky peace talks with the Palestinians."

And the report indicates: "This project is part of a plan to build some 40,000 new homes over the next decade in neighbourhoods in both east and west Jerusalem, that the housing minister approved in June, a ministry official told AFP."

So this is where we stand. What do you expect from the people whose system of government is so corrupted that all their leaders are in and out of court on corruption charges on a daily basis? Mostly for bribery charges and even rape of employees. Do you think they have any compassion for Palestinians? They don't and we all know it. Thank you for sharing your feelings. 

sam sam I am telling you :

The lady is an intellectual, she is so humanitarian , that is going beyond her genetic make up, defending Palestinians rather than defending her genetic make up and tribal community( oh , big words for my small mouth and brain!!).

Ms Bahrami, have a nice latte today and start worrying about intellectual matters, leave the small little things to us, small and non intellectual people:))

Dear Zion

Your argument has first order accuracy. The general population does operate in a tribal manner. We tend to promote or favor those with similar genetic make up.  I assume it's an instinctual tool for group survival. 

But when humans advance beyond their tribe other orders appear which you are disregarding.  In this mode of thinking humans are considered equal regradless of their tribe. You then choose the plight to voice based on convenience or a personal  preference and not on ancestoral ties.  If you value human survival then it makes sense to talk about any group's problem or even several groups at the same time. 

Most people do stick to their own group which is fine but if you study history you'll find many instances of individuals crossing bounderies and defending an outside group.  Samuel Jordan, an American missionary was a devout activist during the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.  He set up the infamous Alborz high school and the most fashionable street in Tehran is named after him.

Should he have stayed in America and worried about their own problems?

Mahin

You can't escape the logic of what Samsam is telling you, because he has a very valid point. The issue is this: Human resources are finite and limited. When Iran is faced with such monumental problems, when Iranians are oppressed, tortured and executed to this unbearable degree, It is perverse for an Iranian to spend her energy, her voice and her chance of making the world hear to some other fancy problem. It is perverted as it would have been perverted for Jew in the face of the Third Reich to spend his/her time on the situation among Tibetans say.

Perverted.