Two Birthdays and a Film

Women leaders of the environment gathered in Helsinki to discuss ways women could contribute to the improvement of the state of the world's environment in 2002. We were about 28 Ministers and Satu Hassi was the Finish Minister of Environment, at that time. In addition to my keynote speech , I had asked for some time to screen a short film on the life of the Virgin Mary and the Birth of Jesus Christ, based on the narration of the Holy Quran. The film was originally a popular TV series broadcast on Iranian TV and it was later transformed into a movie . I had asked Mr. Ali Akbari, the producer, to produce a short excerpt for screening , with English subtitles in this session. The short film was screened during one of the break sessions. I did not think it would be so well appreciated by the audience. Many were surprised to learn that the Quran has devoted so many phrases to the life of the Virgin and her Son and some were moved seeing the egalitarian approach of the Quran openly expressed in this narration. The beautiful description given in the verses of the Quran about Mary's inspirational role against the prejudices and injustices of the ruling system of the Jewish Rabbis was well portrayed in this film.

There is so much that Abrahamic religions have in common, there are so many reasons for getting along, for working to eradicate poverty , injustice, ignorance and protecting nature. We should wish ,on Christmas eve , for peace and security and for a future to which our children everywhere in the world could look up to.

But there is another birthday party tonight as well. It is the first anniversary of Persian Paradox which was born exactly this night a year ago. I wish to thank all those who visited the blog during the past year and particularly those who left me their messages and notes. I hope Persian Paradox has made a connection in the vast skies of the blogosphere.

Celebrating the Tree

When I was a child and we lived in Philadelphia I mingled easily with American children and naturally at Christmas time I wanted a decorated tree with real presents. I finally got the tree and a few presents but I also learned that traditions among religions are different. I learned that as Muslims we regarded Jesus as a Divine Prophet,a human being chosen as a Messenger. As many Muslims and Iranians living there, I enjoyed celebrating both Islamic and Christian occasions but also Iranian as well as American festivals. I was taught to cherish my religious identity but also to appreciate diversity.

I later learned that the tradition of celebrating with a Christmas tree probably originated in Iran , more than a millennium before Christ, the sarv (cedar), a coniferous indigenous species was decorated and celebrated. The bent sarv tree is a common art design in many Persian paintings and artistic works. Many references indicate that the forces of nature were highly honored in ancient Iran and the tree was considered to be sacred. Islamic teachings actually came later to fortify those beliefs and to further elaborate on nature protection and wise use.

Today, I read in our local papers that the Armenian Christians in Iran, who celebrate Christmas with their exquisite ceremonies, have announced that they will use artificial trees this year as a sign of respect for nature and the environment. In reply I wish to tell them, thanks for protecting our fragile environment and Merry Christmas !