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?