No face, no name, no number

I wrote this days before Ramadan (Aug.2009). some friends said, it may be interesting for my blog readers too.
Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting is on the way. The change in the mood of the society can be tracked in many ways. Among them; people tend to shop more foodstuff and store as much as they could. Chicken and meat in particular increase demand considerably during the fasting month. As a result price of some foodstuff get higher and even a few groceries become difficult to find. I do not know what to name this event, what ever it is, Fasting is no good name for it.
The Office hours are change too. Radio announced last week that the offices open one hour late and close one hour earlier. This procedure is an attempt to reduce the hardness of fasting process.
Another interesting thing is the huge number of marriage gatherings carnivals on the streets before the month of Ramadan. Usually by tradition wedding parties will not be scheduled within the month of Ramadan and also the two months of Moharam and Safar, which witness various mourning rituals commemorating the Martyrdom of Hussein the third Imam. I attended in two wedding parties in two consecutive nights this week. One in Lorestan another in Karaj.
The Lorestan party was held in a saloon located in a garden ten minutes drive to the city. Upon arrival we were guided to a beautiful newly made Villa. On the entrance the route for ladies and gentlemen were separated. About three hundred men were at the tables helping themselves with fresh fruits and sweets. There were no sounds except the hum of people talking. There was a mixture of everything people from four months babies to 100 years old men. A number of them had ties, a few actually fitted, some just a t-shirts and there were others even did not bother to change their daily garment and seemed to have come to party directly from the field. Minutes later a group of three people entered the saloon, which by their belonging we found they were traditional musicians. One with a piccolo-like wind instrument and another one with a big drum hang on his shoulder. The third later I found was a partner to collect money from audience who wish to contribute to the Band (which of course had nothing to do with the contract with the Wedding owner). Though this was not strange in this part of the country yet we were told the Bridegroom, a religious military man, did not want to make a sin by playing western music. Therefore, this traditional music considered not to be against Islam. I can not tell where he got this idea and how does he know which of the music is sin another is not. On the other hand the women on the first flour had a CD player and played different pop music and had danced to it the whole night. Of course, we men just heard this due to separation and heavily curtained women section. I do not really understand where in Islam is said that some sins can be implied only to men! However, one can say, at least this I found to be one of the little discrimination here that women profit more. In the party, there was an argument between one Musavi fan and a retired military man who supports Ahmadinejad in a great deal. The pro Musavi ironically told the retired military man that the tie he is wearing is on the sake of Musavi's efforts. The tie story has an unimaginable background here in Iran. Mainly after the 1979 revolution when this out fit labeled the wearer a pro-west person, wearing tie was a taboo. The pro-Ahmadinejad responded to the Musavi supporter nervously: "will you stop that". And while trying to change his sit uttered dirty words to Ahmadinejad, Musavi and even to Religion! The Musavi supporter was next to me and whispered, "His salary has sharply raised and that's why he is supporting the government strongly". Wedding went on and men mostly younger ones danced Lori in round groups to Kurdish tune. The third man I talked about earlier seemingly under the effect of some sedatives like liquor or opium, strolled around and loudly asked for contributions to Music band for the health of the owner of the party! How these two items may possibly relate, only himself knows. The bridegroom singly accompanied by close friends playing his chaperon role came on each table and welcomed the visitors one by one. Then after a while a simple and very well prepared food was served on the same tables. The food was one plate of plain steamed rice with a well fried chicken leg or chest seeped into Barberries fried in saffron and butter mixed with slices of pistachio and almond served. The management preventing fritter was admirable. The celebration was over; the participants got to their cars and some on motorbikes while blowing their horns accompanied the bride and bridegroom to their house. A participant told me during post electoral unrest in Tehran hundreds of these bikers are sent there to calm down the Tehran people. The same man, dishonoring his own negligence, explained how the whole country is putting its hope on Tehran citizens to fight the totalitarian regime. The bride sitting next to bridegroom driving a hired Mazda was completely covered with cloths that no one saw her face. Her name was not on the invitation card either, only: Miss. I remembered a song from Modern Talking; No face, No name, No number!
The second wedding party was in a garden close to Karaj. There were 200 people men and women mixed. Older ones were sitting around on the tables in a circle leaving a place for about 60 to 70 boys and girls and young couples to dance. The men were in typical black coats with ties and semi naked girls had heavy make ups. A young DJ with his two colleagues performed Iranian and western disco music. Dancing lights and fog had no harmony with the music. The visual special effects were going on all together at the same time and a powerful camera flash projection corrupted their intended effects. Lemon and orange juice was constantly served by both men and lady servants. The wedding couple visited all tables one by one and welcomed the participants. The Swine flu prevention public messages had stopped the traditional kissing in the gathering, but yet interestingly a relative excused for not kissing me because he was ashamed to smell liquor.. By chance I sat beside a middle aged lady whom they said was the garden's owner. I felt her career may have many interesting memories for her and stories for me. So, I asked her what was her best and worst memories in this business. She replied, "I do not feel talking about such things, my mad son almost strangled me today"! Moments later I changed location and stood where I could see the crowed of young people dancing. A relative who did not look very cheerful told me, "Did you see my daughter's appearance"? She was referring to her Hijab-less daughter. I explained to her that change is good. "Just look"! I said, "The Holy Prophet of Islam changed the direction of his prayers, so then the whole Muslim community from Jerusalem to Mecca in one praying venue, because there was a need to change". I do not know why did I say this but this was the first thing coming to my mind. She admitted and added "Oh, yes, Jamil (Her husband. Known as a fanatic Muslim) believes that Islam wants us to live in time". Then what was the problem? I did not understand. I sat next to a relative, a man whom I had not seen for a long time. He told me that his brother's family has just come from Canada. They had told him that Canadian like Ahmadinejad for his strength and stubbornness. I asked, "How this could be? Does your relative means some individuals or some certain groups there in Canada?" He did not know. Loud speakers invite people to dance Tango. A woman wants to go and dance with her husband but stopped and told us, she's ashamed of her father who was around. She added, "I always promises to God to observe my Hijab but then I can not keep my promises". The loud Speakers announced dinner was ready. The self service style served steamed rice with vegetable with beef. Plain steamed rice with fried chicken soaked in saffron with pistachio and chicken Kebob both with bones and without bones. Also lots of deserts and fruits were served. There were many fruits shaped only for decoration with tens of candles. People who finished eating started to leave the place in groups. Hotel California was played. It was beautiful and stays so for years to come even in the heart of Islamic republic. Then the elderly of the party holders stayed at the gate and made the good bye custom and thanked people for coming. Outside I saw to military men patrolling and nothing happened for the bad Hijab and extremely loud music. I supposed it was some arrangements with the district police or else all participants may have been detained.
What can we call this, a stereo type society, perhaps. Or a nation with no name, no face and no number?

Fun in Bosnia!

As I wrote for you in my previous posts, October 20 to 26 Tehran hosted 16th international festival. I was the translator for Bosnian Booth. There were many people coming to the booth and asking different types of questions. My booth comparing to booths like Germany and India received few visitors. Yet, there were some interesting topics among them. A tall and good looking young man came to our stall and wanted to know about how things are in Bosnia. Then after 2 or 3 questions while lowering his voice he got closer to me and said, "Could I be open to you? I thought he is going to inquire about some political matters like Green movement, how it is received abroad or Holocaust denial or even asylum concerns or even my earnings as interpreter. But to my surprise, he was a gay and he wanted to know if he could have some fun in Bosnia?

Tehran Struggles, who cares?

The day was 13th of Aban (Nov.4-09). The occasion marked the 30th anniversary of US Embassy seizure by a number of university students believing the embassy can harbor a potential coup against Iran's new revolution. Some analysts relate this conception to the bitter memoirs of 1953 CIA-MI6 Joint operation, some others dismiss the idea and believe the Iranian leftist were behind the case and wanted to eradicate any remaining possibility for pro-western Iranians to return to West block. Nevertheless, Ebrahim Yazdi the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim government quoted saying, "Imam Khomeini earlier in the morning had asked me to expel the occupiers out the Embassy but in the afternoon he acknowledged the move". Thus, the event announced to be the second revolution, to convey the momentously importance of the student's triumphant operation.
Now, 30 years had passed. Many hundreds and even thousands of people had gathered in front of former US embassy that now serves as a high school to Islamic Revolutionary Guards, to commemorate the occasion by protesting against western totalitarianism and chanting "Death to America". But stone through away from this official ceremony, in streets clogged with cars and sank in gray smoke of improper combustions; there were others who found a chance to display once again their anger with the result of the 12 June presidential election, shouting totally different slogans. "Death to dictator" and "Death to Russia" are what the protesters demanded. The dictator that they think has stolen their votes in the 10th presidential election, and the Russian government that has been supporting the government they think to be unlawful. What are the differences between these two communities? Why the Iranian official media massively broadcasted the news on one side and ignores the other? Why is it that the world should know about one side through if not hundreds but tens of Iranian and semi Iranian Radio and TV stations but the other side owes its existence to mobile phones captured videos streaming out unprofessionally by ordinary people?
Demonstrators mostly were women consisting from all folks and a wide range of ages. At first they were tolerated by the anti riot Police. The Police out numbered the civilians remarkably. Dressed in full protection gears perhaps not a means of safety but utilized to frighten the protesters, because they did not even carry shield guards. But later when the chanting Death to Russia spread out -as if the phrase functioned as a code- then the attack began. This was the moment that the anti riot police cleaned the street from the so called unauthorized demonstrators. This is what the present government claims. Article 27 of the Islamic Republic Constitution states, People's gatherings and processions without carrying weapons is free on the condition that it will not damage the essence of Islam. Yet the Police are not to contemplate the law but to obey the authorities' commandments which apparently were pounding every single insurgency. People escaped as fast as they could to walkways and narrow alleys. Police batons came down to legs and bodies of mostly youths, resembling farmers harvesting wheat: that to harvest food and this to plant hatred. But yet the elderly and slow moving persons were observed more or less. People massively were hit with the baton and frightened them by tear gas and shooting seemingly in the air (which I only heard the sound). There were many empty buses parked in the middle of street and cars in heavy traffic jam, some of which blow their horns frequently.
There were now less plain cloth government forces in the streets comparing to the last unrest breakouts after the June 12 election. The military and disciplinary forces seemed to have been more organized and therefore relaxed. I saw 2 police Van occupied by women police in the main sq. where all the things were happening, and yet the ladies inside were much busy talking and their vehicle had no protectors at all and of any kinds. As tough they may have been out for picnic. In the other scene I notice a very young anti riot police, much larger than average in size who attempted to hit group of people in front of him. And people crouched on top of each other preventing receiving the stroke. All of a sudden I remembered a renowned photo from some days before the 1979's revolution, in which the photo depicts a soldier aiming his gun to a demonstrator trapped in a dead end. The photo was later named, "don't shoot Soldier". I shouted at him, "don't hit soldier"! And he stopped. We stared at each other. He was young and his face was of a simple lad leaving no grounds to despise him by far. Why was he doing this? Are our wills of the same genre or of the same origin? What has he been told before coming to this arena? Is he a patriot, a true believer of Islam, or merely a young man trying to support a family? These are exactly what he could ask every other players of the game.
Roaming around, I saw many young people being arrested. The others including myself just witness the event lifelessly. Moving down in a street in front of a Catholic church in a basketball lot a number of young boys and girls were detained. A fainted mother awaits one of the detained girls. She could hardly talk. Her eyes even begged to me, only a passer by. Who can save her? Who knows what will happen to her. The mother said that her daughter's offense was wearing a green wrist band. Was it really a crime? But what could I do, was it my business? If it was not mine then whose business is it?

To: generations to come

This morning, on the eve of 13th of Aban and upcoming people's gathering in streets, I got a sms from a number I did not know. The message said: "On the basis of information received, you are under the influence of foreigners, and if you attend the rally tomorrow then…". At first I was not sure what I should do, but then replied by a "Damn u" note. The message failed to deliver. So I guess most probable this was not a joke. But then on the way to office I saw on the front pages of newspapers on press kiosk that the government authorities invite people to participate in the 13th of Aban, the student's day tomorrow. So, was not I and others who received similar message considered to be, the people?

13th of Aban (November 4th) is named Student's Day here in Iran, after some university students took over US Embassy in 1979 in support of Iranian fresh revolution. The event was named by western media as the hostage crisis which lasted as matter-of-fact more or less to this day.

Back to the message I received this morning, I was reviewing and asking myself what the people want to achieve by making rallies and chanting anti-Regime slogans in streets. And why is that the Islamic Republic's authorities believe whoever among Iranians dissatisfied with how the country is administrated is a puppet of foreigners. I remembered the Soviets and how they treated their opponents criticizing their authority. They used to send people challenging their regime to mental hospitals with the pretext that, one should be mad to criticize a system in which everything is excellent!

Now, as I see it, Iran and Iranians comparing to world's standards deserve a better economical and cultural position than they have now. I believe Iran is run by a minority that pursues its own priority than the national's interests. The autocratic bureaucracy does not provide the analysts with enough data to support the ruling class delinquency. Only we, the people, once in a while will be informed by the existing authorities that the former managers were not faithful to people and revolution. But if the same managers were criticized when holding office then critics would have been labeled foreign puppets.

I as a father of two want a better future for my family. I know the Oil and Gas revenue is not eternal, I expect the decision makers who spend from it, invest instead in productive industries to provide job for generations to come.
I love to travel abroad and get to know new people and cultures without first having to battle the prejudice originating from Ahmadinejad's controversial statements. I want to be free to express what I feel toward things which I like or despise. I wish to be free to display my qualities and of course my deficits without fearing accusations. I do not want my children to wish "Death" for some other countries every morning in school. I do not want to host some foreign political actives that their outputs are not clearly evaluated. I do not wish to see mosques spring out mushroom-like in every corner of city whilst our young children have no recreational places to go to. I am troubled every time I imagine Iranian families will be exposed to Nuke sites in a country that protection requirements for even Gas stations are not observed properly.

Ahmadinejad once coming back from UN General Assembly said, "People in New York were pointing at Iranian delegation in wonder". I do not share this idea with him. There is no pride in people's speculation for me. After all I want my family to be just an ordinary member of the world's community, no more no less.

Then now, am I under influence of foreigners?

Armenian flag saves Russian Booth,

Tehran's Media International Festival is experiencing its 16th round from October 20 t0 26-2009. The festival is held in a huge area called Mosala. The place which was initially built for public mass prayer. According to the official announcements, foreign press and news agencies from 34 different countries participated in the festival. Yesterday was its forth day and Friday the weekend for Iranians, so many more people visited the exhibition comparing to previous days. At about 16:00 people unhappy with the June 12th presidential election found an arena to display their dissatisfaction by chanting slogans like "Death to dictator", "Karubi, Musavi (opposition leaders)we support you", "Death to Russia(the country which has been strongly criticized for helping pressurizing the opposition voice both technologically and politically). I was at the Bosnian Booth two doors away from the Russian booth, when I heard people- perhaps a thousand, chanting "Death to Russia". At this moment the festival's authorities, kept the booth's Russian attendant out of sight, lest he gets hurt and covered the Russian flag board on the top of booth's entrance with the most immediate object, which was an Armenian Flag.

Hypocrisy, an individual asset or a social Cancer

We were planning to distribute posters to people taking part in our work seminar and we used green tape to hang them up. I guessed that our boss might worry that this would raise a few eyebrows higher up, so I felt I should let him see what we had prepared. On seeing the first poster, he immediately ordered a different colour tape. As I was leaving the room, he added: "And take your green pen from your shirt pocket". I have been putting a green pen or comb in my pocket since the start of Green Movement. I said nothing at the time, but the next day, when he passed by my office I asked if he had time for a short story; a memory of mine from the years before the 1979 revolution.

I was in high school. Summer vacation was on the way. Our class was given activity lists to fill out. I chose basketball for my summer free time. What a waste of time! Our forms turned out to be our membership registration for the Shah's new "Resurrection party"! The monarch had announced that all Iranians must join his new political movement, or to leave the country. So on a summer day, we were asked to give a hand at the launch ceremony held in a park close to our house. I was about 14 and such a gathering was an unusual event for a boy of my age. For the first time I saw top officials like the Minister for Education (She was later executed in the early days of revolution). I also saw a close relative. "Uncle" as we called him, was acting like the host of the event. Up close he whispered to me that it was the time for me to show off my involvement. He asked me to be active and gave me some jobs like distributing and filling out forms.

30 years passed. Iran underwent its biggest historical transformation and we all know the story. Suddenly there was no Shah and no Resurrection Party. We were living in an Islamic Republic. I was a government employee and a novice publisher. "Uncle" was a retired government employee, and a fanatical hard liner, a member of the Islamic faction that claims ownership of the Islamic revolution and boasts the biggest contribution to overthrowing the Shah's throne. At a family gathering he confided that he wanted to write a book, and since I was now in the publishing business, he expected me to help. I welcomed his plan and we chatted, but then he announced: "I want to write of my record in fighting the Shah's regime". I was shocked. I couldn't believe he was saying this to my face. As far as I knew he was a pro-Shah to the end of Monarchy, and now he was telling me, he wants to publish his memories of his resistance to Shah's tyranny.

Back in the office, I reminded my boss that in an unknown future when he is showing off the sacrifices he made for freedom and democracy - I might be around. "Ok! Put back your green pen", he said.

Qods' day

The bus is going to one of Qods' Day procession starting site. The Qods (Jerusalem) day ceremony established in 1979 by the Imam Khomeini in which people as a sympathizing gesture with the Palestinians rally in the streets every last Friday of Ramadan. It is the first time I come to this occasion alone, I used to come with my mother and it is some years now she can't walk undemanding. On the way a group of young people rode the bus and seconds later started chanting "Ya Hosein, Mirhosein", (one of the famed slogans pro-Musavi used during the June presidential campaign and its aftermath). The bus driver stopped the vehicle and warned if they continue chanting he will not move the bus. A man around 60, next to the chanting boys in scorning tone said "why you disturb people". The young boys gave up and bus continued its route.
Still far from destination the Boys got off the bus and one of them, while stepping down said, "Green Wave meets at 7th Tir square". The opposition supporters call their protesting movement, green wave. A voice in the bus said, "Why did not they wait for 7th Tir station? The same man who blamed them for disturbing the public explained, "They do not come for the ceremony, only they have Rendezvous with their girls". An even older man who was wearing a green wristband (a sign for opposition supporters) under his sleeve answered back politely, "what do you mean? People want their rights, why do not they (government) give any chance to Musavi to talk during past two months".
Hundreds meter far from the university due to police restrictions, bus was stopped, the passengers dropped. Before getting off, while paying my fare (which before was usually free), I asked the driver, on quieting the lads if he was doing some instructions or it was self-motivated. "Self-motivated", he said mockingly.
Just where bus stopped a man was distributing government sanctioned posters in 6 different designs fitting the occasion. I had no idea where people were going. I knew the University of Tehran's Platform where usually hosts the Friday prayer was to host customary Qods Day sermon. This was unprecedented, said to avoid losing mass control if there was a demonstration. But the crowd passed by the route to University facing Valiasr square, and I followed the crowd.
Near to the square from north came another flow of some thousands of demonstrators wearing mostly green objects. Joining others calmly marching in Boulevard. A shabby looking man got close to these green marchers and called on them, "Then go to the British Embassy and get your wage". No one cared. They also were indifferent to the man whom with a handy camera was shooting them. I guess this man was one of the so called plain cloths, since he moved like more of a professional wrestler rather than a mere photographer. He did his job quite unreservedly open. Despite knowing what can happen to the faces recognized in these videos none of protesters tried to stop him. Though I saw one or two facing back to camera, almost all behaved determined of what they were doing. I remembered Ebi's song "The Hunt". The music criticizes a deer hunter who assaults his hunt in an unequal war!
Few meters ahead military guards lined up in rows and stopped the protestors getting closer to the square. I moved on from the sidewalk to the square. A platform was organized to act as a stage for performing entertaining programs for participant of occasion. Some speakers and entertainers were performing programs like group reciting the Holy Koran and giving emotional speeches concerning the Palestine resistance.

I went down the square in southern direction. Another crowd of protesters was going down opposite the square. There were also scattered government supporters and some tens of uniformed anti-riot guards around. Walking down I heard loud speakers, this was the sign of government supporter groups. They were coming up in opposite direction. In sidewalk, near to a narrow alley I noticed people at my back were running; I started to run too. I never expected myself doing so at my fifty. But Kahrizak horrible tragedy has its psychological effects as Savak left scars on our father's conscience. When I was distanced enough I really needed something to drink. I got a bottle of water from a near by –surprisingly- open store. While drinking I found my hand was trembling.

I walked up to Zand Street; I again faced another huge mass of green protesters. I tried to cross them going to other side of the street. Amid thousands of young, old, women and men I felt cool. I no longer felt afraid. Voices were chanting: "Do not fear we are together"!
From east to west too, in Zand Avenue the mass getting closer to the square center where the Platform was. Here I witnessed an awful and tragic scene, which was indeed disgusting. I saw a young cleric who was overwhelmed by holding a walky-talky, discounting his much venerable outfit. Upon seeing the TV cameras people started to shout, Our TV, Our Disgrace". Loud speakers in the square would not permit one to hear their slogans clearly. There were slogans people chanting unconnectedly "Ya Hosein Mirhosein" and "death to dictator". But when a presenter at the stage shouted through a very loud amplifiers "Death to America and Israel", people in a harmonic tone with the speakers, in one voice replied chanting, "Down with Russia". I recalled Putin's recent tough circumstance elaborating to pass up an apology for the shameful atrocities committed by the Soviet Union towards Poland. I imagined the day in future, when other Russian leaders can not escape a history long apology to Iranian nation.
Around my two hours of roaming tour, though Kahrizak terrible accounts frightened people to death, and a big number of people who expected to join the procession went to their last summer vacation due to a 4 days holiday opportunity, all I saw were mostly opposition demonstrators. The pro-state marchers I encountered never outnumbered the opposition demonstrators. Despite IRIB's announcement that 190 foreign journalists will visit Tehran for the Qods' ceremony. I did not see even one foreign reporter. Meanwhile a reporter from Associated Press writes from Tehran, that; "Tens of thousands of Iranian government supporters and dozens of opposition activists poured out Friday onto the streets of Tehran for coinciding marches marking an annual pro-Palestinian commemoration". This may have been true in some demonstrating sites, including where this foreign correspondent has been barred. Obviously this narrow definition of observance may damage the press he works for and deceive the ordinary foreign readers as well. However, the accustomed follower of the issue can figure out the situation, where opposition demonstrators may get a harsh penalty for his or her presence in the streets. On the contrary, a franchised state supporter conveniently attends the meetings without any slightest threat.

The incomparable risk of two opposite participants tells again the story of an old poetry:
Barefooted of squatters
And stripped people on the beach,
Where is their similarity?
Even if both are naked

the Bus Driver

After minutes of waiting the bus came. I got in and there were no seats so I stood right behind the driver. The driver's face I could see in the mirror was different from the photo on the license pasted on the bus above his head. He looked much younger in the photo. There was a hand written piece of paper pasted above the front glass showing 12 percent of fare increased. I asked the driver that if the raise is a general fare increase or only this line added to its services. He said; "No, Only long routes." And continued: "this fare raise was planned months ago but there was a halt for [presidential] elections, and the aftermath unrest, until last Thursday, we were told to imply the raise". I think he really needed to talk, because usually this folks do not enter such conversations, but he continued. "People have hard time. I myself fail to pay 4 of my loan payments". "What payments"? I asked. He answered, "3, 5 years ago I was dismissed of my former workplace and got this bus by installments. And now there is no liquid Gas for this kind of vehicle, only very few left working in Tehran". "Why", I asked. Because the gas installations are from the Germany and France, since we are under sanctions and we do not have enough equipment, so the government has to get spare parts from the other installations". To find out if I got it correctly I said; "You mean the existing installations are working on the price of closing others."Yes" he replied and added;" I have to commute a long way to the gas station. I wake up 04:30 and go home midnight. My colleague who had no fuel wanted me to trail him to the station yesterday, on the way he could not control his bus and bumped into my bus. The back glass broke; its price is 200,000 Tuman [$200]. I went home last night and was deeply depressed. My four-year-old wanted to have fun with me; I pushed him aside his face hit the frame of the door, he fainted and his chick got swollen. The whole family including my father began to scold me for that. Then I found a place to be alone and cried". I was now next to him and this time I looked at him directly instead of through mirror, his face crumpled and I was not brave enough to continue watching him break. I already was there in my destination but I was in state of shock and could not move.
Walking to office, workers were rebuilding the pavement in the park, which was no longer charming to me. New buildings were rising up and printing money for their owners around the street. The face of the bus driver was in my mind. I felt I was nothing. I could not do anything, nothing.

Iranian Journalist's Day

August 8 is the anniversary of Mahmoud Saremi, the Iranian journalist killed in Afghanistan. He was murderd in Mazarsharif by Taliban armed men in 1998. Since then, Iranian people in particular media concerns commemorate their deceased comrade by naming the day as Journalist's day.
In this day, different associations, public or governmental, hold ceremonies with a vast variety of contents and qualities every year. Mostly aim to reflect and echo the journalist, reporters and other media related issues to the people and authorities. On the other side, the authorities too, try to orient or sometimes dictates the objectives and strategies which the state pursues.
At times, depends on the country's atmosphere and who runs the event, the number of participants and the quality gatherings differ remarkably. However, what so ever will be the observance of the day; it is significant that by honoring Saremi's loss, the country expresses its respect and admiration to journalist's contributions to the life of society.

A PhD from Kualalampur

It is now 02:30 am. I again cannot sleep. It has been the case ever since I watched reformist's confession in the court.

I have another concern to lose sleep tonight. An old colleague who has been studying PhD in Malaysia since 7 years ago visited us in the office. He was explaining to us why he admires Ahmadinejad's Government. At first, we thought he was joking, but to our surprise, he was very much serious. In the beginning, our colleagues got mad but I could manage to calm them down and tried to open a logical discussion with him. I asked if he could name what exactly attracted him in Ninth administration. He replied the condition of poor people and rural dwellers is improved. I asked for his source of information. He replied, "I". Then again I asked: "Oh! Have you done any systematic research on this"? His response was negative. "Then how did you reach to this conclusion". I asked. He answered "my own observation". Then I continued, "but you have been away for long". He explained: "Anyway the news reach to us". I added it is not better to refer to some economist's learning. He said: "those economists are all Capitalist oriented and I do not approve them!???

Why is this Election important?

The election fever is up once again here in Iran. Every body familiar with Iran's power structure inside and outside the country is very much sure that electing a president other than Ahmadinejad will not really change state's international and local politics. Iranians know the supreme Leader is by constitution and under present situation, the ultimate power. He is the one to decide for anything important, and west is well aware too, that the Islamic republic stands radically to its main concerns like Nuke and Arab Israeli issues. Then why is the tenth presidential election so important that the Media actively follow the agenda?
We know since establishment of Islamic republic in 1979, Iranian presidents (except for first two cases in which one was ousted and the other assassinated) all have been twice elected. But this time, Ahmadinejad, the current president is believed to have a big challenge winning the second turn of presidency. As well, he was the first Iranian president that won his presidency in second round of the election back in 2005. On the other hand, supreme leader forcefully has supported and approved the ninth government ever since coming to power. Several times and occasions Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader openly expressed his satisfaction toward the achievements of Ahmadinejad's government. This makes the election sensitive because saying "no" to Ahamdinejad now is a kind of questioning the Leader's evaluation of statesmen.

Nouruz

Nouruz with different kinds of literalizing like Nowruz, Noruz, Norouz means "New Day" in Persian language. The occasion is Iranian's New Year, or any other ethnic affiliated to Iranian traditions irrespective of the political distribution. The split second of shifting the old year to the new one, is the event's ultimate excitement. The day proceeding Nouruz is the first day of Iranian calendar and it is considered to be the most important event during the year. A number of customs before, during and after Nouruz are practiced among Iranians. One of them is to pay visit to family, friends and colleagues. For the family and friends these visits typically take place during the two weeks Nouruz vacation. When offices and working places will be opened then comes the visits at work place. Staff normally try first to pay visit to the direct bosses and then to each other's rooms. In these visits the priority goes to the elders in family and friends and seniors in office. And after these visits then begin a second round which the visited people should pay back the visits by lower in rank and age. This Saturday I mean the first day at work, onward, most of times we have been involved with these visits. It may be interesting to you that some of these visits should be in groups. For example one head office with his staff pay visit to another office. If you wish to know what we say during the visits, well! There are series of sentences and words like, "I whish coming year to be a prosperous year, I hope you had a fine and joyful vacations". Then a mass of kisses will convey from cheek to cheek. The number of kisses has no standard. It may be from two to even five or six, but broken from one cheek to another. Amusingly, usually the higher the position is the touching are weaker, to extend that some high authorities will barely touch the other's face. Trivia for the occasion is that, after kissing tens of men some of them with a mass of hair in their face wondering where to kiss! Teasing between buddies could be heard, the murmurs: "hope we had some kisses from the ladies too".

Contradictions in our culture

I think Iran, perhaps like every other nations with antiquity, suffers from some sort of cultural contradictions. Some examples:
After the 1979 revolution, the first things to be changed were the indications of anything pertaining to ex-regime, and also all things considered to be not Islamic. Among them was a little street's name Meikadeh in Keshavarz Boulevard, meaning "place serving wine". What was really in the minds of revolutionaries of earlier days? We are not sure. But; when Imam Khomeini died ten years later, it was then we found out that in the poems which he himself had composed words like Meikadeh "place serving wine" are used. What does it mean?
Again, sample in relation with the of Founder of Islamic revolution. One of his very close relatives, Dr. Borujerdi, was quoted saying in Iranian TV that, he was barred entering a ministry for wearing a short sleeve t-shirt, which he used to wear while visiting Imam Khomeini!
Another, but even more interesting is, if you have you ever asked a waiter for a bottle of Abjo (beer) in Iran's restaurants? The reaction may vary but almost all are in an astonishing atmosphere. How about if the same drink is asked with its Arabic name: Ma'oshaeer. Surprisingly, nothing noticeable happens. Why?
The same question can be raised when a publisher requests printing permit for the very famous and widely read classical books Masnavi and Golestan in several thousands of copies, in despite of their many inappropriate words and contexts for Iran's society today. The Ministry of culture and Islamic guidance will generously grant the permit. In contrary, one can not even imagine to be allowed to put the same words in a one thousand copies contemporary work.
Should we look into these and more cases like these with eyes a little wider?

The Controversial me!

Every shop we, I mean me and my family proceeded, as soon as the shop keepers see me -a bearded man costumed like what the government employees usually do- they turn off the music that is being played in the store.
Times like that I really feel people in my social group are isolated from the rest of the society. One day we entered a boutique, a heavy music was being played quit loudly. The shop-keeper did not bother to move and turn off the music or at least lower its sound while we were there. We were leaving the store that I found myself murmuring "how rude this lad is!"

Blessed Malfunction

"She can't donate Kidney", my wife shouted. She was just talking with Majid's wife in the phone. I met with Majid in a NGO managing Kidney transplant in Iran; he had donated one of his kidneys just two months ago. He says he did this because he thought he was saving a life. Majid is a skilled construction worker but since last year things got dull and he tried a more encouraging and promising carrier. He decides to open a Kebob eatery. Majid worked hard and passionately but after 9 months he realized that he is in debt for 12 thousands Tuman (Tuman=$0.01). No choice left. There is no one that he can borrow money from and the state supported bank loans do not cover such categories and are a complex and far reaching goals. One needs to process a long bureaucratic labyrinth, which is almost a dead end and a vain attempt if you know no one, in particular; finding two qualified persons who can -and of course want to- guarantee you. He is a man of honor and he most come up with his pledge. He has heard from TV and Radio about a NGO which involves with the kidney stuff and has heard he can donate one of his kidneys, while that will not harm his own health. He even believes that the one kidney left will accordingly be larger in size and more active in function. In return he may gain considerable amount money to pay back his debts. Although, naming this money is a taboo officially, "Selling kidney" idea has found its way to colloquial literature, exemplifying the final choice for the one who needs money and has no alternatives. Two months has passed. Majid is back to his normal life, even though he himself opened his tens of stitches personally, avoiding some more hospital bills. But, generally he has an acceptable condition. He is only advised to avoid cold and heavy lift.
And now, the rest of the story. Why then still he is wandering in the NGO? The so called compensation payment only covered half of his debts, and he still owes a lot to a number of people. So what now? Must another kidney be sold? But he got only one and this time his 23 years old wife must do the job. She does not agree for many reasons obviously, mainly because she was told that she can not bear a child any more. Tough arguments took place and she even received some beats. I visited them with my wife in their little room in North West of Tehran. My wife insisted to help them by selling some of our belongings. But there are 2000 kidney donators each year and most of them do that for money. How can we save all of them? At last Majid's wife has started preliminary tests for transplanting her kidney. No one of the relatives and friend knows and should ever know about this. The process occurs swiftly. Husband and wife planned to reason wife's hospitalization to relatives and friends, an appendicitis case. The next week -if the entire test results positively- she will be operated and….
Wait! The test results were not satisfactory, some parts of her body showed abnormal functioning. So, she was not able to DONATE one of her kidney.

The Lady in Room 1424

Gravestones at Dulab cemetery have many things to say, at least for the lady in room 1424 Enqelab hotel, Tehran.Exactly, 60 years ago a group of 114000 polish people, a combination of military and civilians left Soviets and came down to Iran. Most of them left the country soon after to join the war against allies, some sought refuge in other countries and very few established new families and preferred to stay in the land, which they found it to have plenty of sunshine. But, some 3000 fell victims of ‘‘War’’ as the worse human-made disaster and the most foolish and ignorant decision made by politicians.Among the tragic casualties was the mother of 12-years-old Krystyna whom 60 years later, in a 2 weeks visit stays at the room 1424. Krystyna Sass, a senior lecturer recalls the time when she used to walk the distance between the camp where she lived with her family and the hospital where her mother was confined. ``I never forget the hospitality of the people and their goodness, which helped us to regain our life``, she said. After a 12 days tour in Iranian cities; Anzali, Isfehan, Shiraz, at their good-bye party she told me that people behaved toward them as if they were celebrities and even had asked her autograph. I was there to hand them my two reports published in Iran daily and Iran newspaper (Persian) on this occasion. They were surprised and very happy seeing their photos and interviews on the press.They are gone now to continue their lives, which had a very tough beginning. And what is left is a series of questions that I’ve asked myself several times; do I owe them? What am I striving for? Perhaps, the notion of such destiny for my own 7 and 13 years old children is the very motive of my concern. Or; I as an Iranian whose nation is named axis of evil by U.S. officials, am trying to bring into west’s public opinion that, we are the kind of people whom irrespective of religion, colour or nationality received those needed shelter and escaped inhumane treatment. To remind inexperienced Americans and Britons, how it is to be a subject, what is the feelings of a secondary citizen in a so-called global village. No matter how civilized one may be, every nation or even man has his ups and downs; a period filled with wealth and glory, and inescapably times to be down. Undoubtedly generations to come shall judge us, and surely not for things, which the weak did not do, but of course for the decisions the strong made.