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.
Showing posts with label Persian Paradox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persian Paradox. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 24, 2007
A Persian Story
In the Name of the Creator
Classic story telling in Persian begins with a simple phrase : " One existed, one did not exist, no one other than God existed". Every Iranian child is familiar with this phrase. This is the primordial truth that every child understands. The essence of life and existence is here, in this short opening of Persian stories. Actually, there is a Persian paradox in this opening, there seems to be a baffling secret in the meaning behind the words.
As an Iranian who has lived in Iran for the past 4 decades , and has lived in the US for during some of the years in the first decade, I think there is much to say and hear about Iran. I belong to the most misunderstood nation of this age. I come from a generation which has undergone major upheavals and faces innumerable paradoxes, some resolved and many unresolved. I have joined the blogger community as a global citizen who believes in the need for objective dialogue and understanding as the framework for peace and prosperity for all in the world.
As a Muslim I find it fascinating that "Persian Paradox" begins on Christmas eve, a couple days after Yalda the Iranian celebration for the longest night of the year(the birthday of Mitra, the Sun Goddess), and in the week between two major Islamic Eids or celebrations, destiny has brought me to this moment ... We are in search for those threads, that connect us to make that beautiful fabric of human civilization today.
Classic story telling in Persian begins with a simple phrase : " One existed, one did not exist, no one other than God existed". Every Iranian child is familiar with this phrase. This is the primordial truth that every child understands. The essence of life and existence is here, in this short opening of Persian stories. Actually, there is a Persian paradox in this opening, there seems to be a baffling secret in the meaning behind the words.
As an Iranian who has lived in Iran for the past 4 decades , and has lived in the US for during some of the years in the first decade, I think there is much to say and hear about Iran. I belong to the most misunderstood nation of this age. I come from a generation which has undergone major upheavals and faces innumerable paradoxes, some resolved and many unresolved. I have joined the blogger community as a global citizen who believes in the need for objective dialogue and understanding as the framework for peace and prosperity for all in the world.
As a Muslim I find it fascinating that "Persian Paradox" begins on Christmas eve, a couple days after Yalda the Iranian celebration for the longest night of the year(the birthday of Mitra, the Sun Goddess), and in the week between two major Islamic Eids or celebrations, destiny has brought me to this moment ... We are in search for those threads, that connect us to make that beautiful fabric of human civilization today.
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