I will be attending a workshop on Sharing Experiences Women Equality and Peace in Oslo on Monday. The event is organized by the Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilizations , The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights , The Club de Madrid and The Center for Peace and Environment in Tehran. The Center for Peace and Environment is playing an important role in organizing the event and the Iranian delegation who will be attending. The workshop will be opened by President Khatami and Prime Minister Bondevik ( Former Norwegian Prime Minister). Scholars and politicians will discuss , gender equality in Islamic thought and Western civilization, family rights and women' s challenges in these societies.
I have been given the moderation of the first panel with this topic. Ms Tarja Halonen the current President of Finland will also speak in this panel. Other panels will deal with the role of women in inter religious dialogue and conflict resolution and the effect of war on women and how women can play an important role in international peacemaking.
The workshop has coincided with two important events, first the anniversary of the birthday of the daughter of the Prophet of Islam Fatima Zahra or Women's Day in Iran and the recent resolution of the United Nations Security Council on the condemnation of sexual abuse of women in times of war. I think this coincidence points to the importance of our work in these times. I will post more news about the event and inform you about its resolution.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Iranian bloggers and NGOs
Last night I was invited to the sixth birthday of Persianblog. In addition to this blog I have a blog in Farsi now for over 18 months. I write about the environment , politics , women's issues and everything you could think about . Here is the address http://www.greenebtekar.persianblog.ir/ . Persianblog is one of the largest Iranian blogger societies. They claim to provide services to over 800,000 blogs in Persian. There was a recent survey done on Iranian weblogs by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. The survey indicated the diversity and large number of Iranian bloggers and the various topics that they deal with.
You could see some of that enthusiasm and fervor in the ceremony last night. Bloggers had polls chosen and preferred some weblogs and they were asked to come up to the scene and receive some gifts and talk about their blog. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of people mostly youth, and they were quite energized and applauding the elected blogs.One of the most attractive blogs was one belonging to a soldier/teacher from a village in south of Iran, a region called Dayyer. The village has 35 inhabitants. The village elementary school has only 4 students and the teacher has managed to get a computer from a local governor and now his blog reports the activities of the smallest school on earth.
I spoke for a few minutes about blogging and how the human factor is still alive in Iranian blogs . I meant the compassion and values which we lack so much in today's industrialized and computerized world.
Earlier in the morning I had spoken in a NGO gathering to appreciate the efforts of journalists and media directors who had reported on environmental challenges we face. I mentioned the importance of freedom of speech and and freedom after speech for informed decisions that we need to make to protect our precious environment.
I enjoy being among these young and enthusiastic people who will lead Iran into a new era of advancement and prosperity. Those who contemplate the notion of attacking Iran are totally ignorant of what goes on in the heart of the Islamic Republic.
You could see some of that enthusiasm and fervor in the ceremony last night. Bloggers had polls chosen and preferred some weblogs and they were asked to come up to the scene and receive some gifts and talk about their blog. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of people mostly youth, and they were quite energized and applauding the elected blogs.One of the most attractive blogs was one belonging to a soldier/teacher from a village in south of Iran, a region called Dayyer. The village has 35 inhabitants. The village elementary school has only 4 students and the teacher has managed to get a computer from a local governor and now his blog reports the activities of the smallest school on earth.
I spoke for a few minutes about blogging and how the human factor is still alive in Iranian blogs . I meant the compassion and values which we lack so much in today's industrialized and computerized world.
Earlier in the morning I had spoken in a NGO gathering to appreciate the efforts of journalists and media directors who had reported on environmental challenges we face. I mentioned the importance of freedom of speech and and freedom after speech for informed decisions that we need to make to protect our precious environment.
I enjoy being among these young and enthusiastic people who will lead Iran into a new era of advancement and prosperity. Those who contemplate the notion of attacking Iran are totally ignorant of what goes on in the heart of the Islamic Republic.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Who is to Blame?
World leaders have committed themselves to the environmental agenda in paper. In action however, they have proven that there are other priorities. They initially questioned the scientific basis of the findings thereby delaying the commitments, now they are looking for other scapegoats. The realities are painful and striking . The rich bloc is consuming the world's resources at an alarming rate, environmental degradation, pollution and natural disasters are all taking their toll initially on the poor and disadvantaged, although I believe the rest of the world is will also suffer eventually. The urgency of issues like food prices and hunger, as well as fuel prices (the rise of taxes in the North and the decrease of subsidies in the South) all indicate how things can easily get off hand even in the prosperous industrialized countries.
For years environmentalists have been warning decision makers about the consequences of unsustainable policies and the great economic and social losses that their societies will face. For years now in international fora politicians have been committing themselves to conservation and environmental standards. Unsustainable trends and the disruption of the ecosytem balance continues.
Why do we not see the results , why do we not see any improvement in the status of the world's environment? Is it not because politicians , private and corporate sector forces all see their profits before anything else? Is it not because the capitalist -materialist view leaves no room for human and environmental concerns? Is it not because deep inside the material minds and hearts there is no respect for creation , for nature or for the will of God?
The world is facing environment crises one after the other, global warming is just starting to take its toll. Science and technology can provide some of the solution most of the solution lies in the attitudes and mentalities of those who are leading the world and therefore in the minds and mentalities of the decision-makers.
To prevent the disaster we need faith, resolve and change of direction. We may, other wise, decide to be the first species that has played a major role in its extinction.
For years environmentalists have been warning decision makers about the consequences of unsustainable policies and the great economic and social losses that their societies will face. For years now in international fora politicians have been committing themselves to conservation and environmental standards. Unsustainable trends and the disruption of the ecosytem balance continues.
Why do we not see the results , why do we not see any improvement in the status of the world's environment? Is it not because politicians , private and corporate sector forces all see their profits before anything else? Is it not because the capitalist -materialist view leaves no room for human and environmental concerns? Is it not because deep inside the material minds and hearts there is no respect for creation , for nature or for the will of God?
The world is facing environment crises one after the other, global warming is just starting to take its toll. Science and technology can provide some of the solution most of the solution lies in the attitudes and mentalities of those who are leading the world and therefore in the minds and mentalities of the decision-makers.
To prevent the disaster we need faith, resolve and change of direction. We may, other wise, decide to be the first species that has played a major role in its extinction.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Legacy of Imam Khomeini
The legacy of Imam Khomeini is, on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, still very relevant to contemporary global issues. Imam died on this day 19 years ago after leading the Revolution for several decades and establishing the first modern Islamic Republic as an independent and viable system of governance. The personality and character of Imam as a progressive thinker and inspiring political leader, who led his nation through a peaceful revolution, facing a major global power with empty hands and only hearts filled with faith and resolve is worth studying. Imam set an example of integrity and high ethical standards for political leadership. He revived a modern and forward -looking interpretation of Islam that resonated with the concerns and aspirations of the young generations.
Imam relieved the followers of the religion from both backwardness and westernized alienation at the same time. During his leadership he provided a practical and viable model of governance and moral, spiritual as well as political leadership. Contemporary Islamic scholars and leaders could not match Imam's progressive insight into modern challenges such as economic policy, music, and women's rights. Imam believed and fought for the democratic values of the Republic at the same time as he stood for the Islamic quality and values.
His perspectives were not limited to the realm of the Islamic world alone but he addressed humanity in many of his statements ;as he felt that they faced common challenges and sufferings . His legacy provided inspiration for the downtrodden and oppressed, he identified with them as a religious leader and questioned the unjust world order that had undermined their existence for the benefit of a few.
I can never forget the numerous instances where in different parts of the world I have witnessed how Imam Khomeini had conquered the hearts and minds of millions.
In 1985, I was in Kenya for an international event and we had some time to visit Mombasa in outskirts of Nairobi. When the local people realized we had come from Iran they gathered to welcome us and while one of them took me to her small hut to show me how she had a picture of Imam on the wall of her room another young boy ran back home only to bring back a black and white copy of his picture carefully pasted in a wooden frame.
Imam was rarely depicted realistically by the major world media which were mostly American and a few European. He was designated by Time Magazine as Man of the Year in 1979, yet in a clearly biased and distorted manner. His message however, had spread and his vision of a rational and progressive Islam which was revolutionary and motivating but not reactionary and violent was welcomed by people who identified themselves with those values.
Influenced by maligned propaganda against the Revolution, scholars and academia in the West have rarely been able to objectively address the issue and to study and assess his personality and lifetime achievements. Only after the advent of Talebanism and Al Qaeda did they realize how inherently rational and reasonable the campaign and Revolution of Imam Khomeini stands today.
Imam relieved the followers of the religion from both backwardness and westernized alienation at the same time. During his leadership he provided a practical and viable model of governance and moral, spiritual as well as political leadership. Contemporary Islamic scholars and leaders could not match Imam's progressive insight into modern challenges such as economic policy, music, and women's rights. Imam believed and fought for the democratic values of the Republic at the same time as he stood for the Islamic quality and values.
His perspectives were not limited to the realm of the Islamic world alone but he addressed humanity in many of his statements ;as he felt that they faced common challenges and sufferings . His legacy provided inspiration for the downtrodden and oppressed, he identified with them as a religious leader and questioned the unjust world order that had undermined their existence for the benefit of a few.
I can never forget the numerous instances where in different parts of the world I have witnessed how Imam Khomeini had conquered the hearts and minds of millions.
In 1985, I was in Kenya for an international event and we had some time to visit Mombasa in outskirts of Nairobi. When the local people realized we had come from Iran they gathered to welcome us and while one of them took me to her small hut to show me how she had a picture of Imam on the wall of her room another young boy ran back home only to bring back a black and white copy of his picture carefully pasted in a wooden frame.
Imam was rarely depicted realistically by the major world media which were mostly American and a few European. He was designated by Time Magazine as Man of the Year in 1979, yet in a clearly biased and distorted manner. His message however, had spread and his vision of a rational and progressive Islam which was revolutionary and motivating but not reactionary and violent was welcomed by people who identified themselves with those values.
Influenced by maligned propaganda against the Revolution, scholars and academia in the West have rarely been able to objectively address the issue and to study and assess his personality and lifetime achievements. Only after the advent of Talebanism and Al Qaeda did they realize how inherently rational and reasonable the campaign and Revolution of Imam Khomeini stands today.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Nuclear Energy and Democracy
David Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, and Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, have stepped up warnings to Iran to come clean about its nuclear programs soon or face new sanctions. There is nothing irregular about Iran's nuclear program nor is it a big deal. This is what the IAEA has been saying for several years now and the global community has heard it . In addition, Iran is only opting to provide fuel for its nuclear power plant and to develop a technology that would ensure its self reliance and dignity. Its no big deal when compared to the dozens of nuclear weapons that the Zionists regime wields , or the hundreds that the Americans and Russians hold today.
The sanctions and political pressures inflicted on Iran under this pretext are however a big deal. They have, for the past years, only resulted in a delay for democracy and economic growth for Iran. They have given a pretext for more radical elements to strengthen their rationale and to bring more pressure upon the civil society and restrict social and political freedoms. That does not mean we do not have political or social freedoms, which are a relative matter any how in any society, but it means that foreign pressures against Iran have not contributed to the democratic processes which have taken shape in the country.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the beginning of the reform government, there was no government recognition , reformist parties however did celebrate in various forms. Today, the country is celebrating the freedom of Khorramshar, a strategic port in south western Iran, from occupation under the Saddam aggression twenty four years ago. It was an historical feat performed by courageous young men who fought valiantly against an aggressor who was armed and encouraged by most western powers including particularly the American government. Iran won the war based on its faith and national capabilities , Saddam lost the war on the basis of its distance from its people and sheer dependence on foreign support.
The sanctions and political pressures inflicted on Iran under this pretext are however a big deal. They have, for the past years, only resulted in a delay for democracy and economic growth for Iran. They have given a pretext for more radical elements to strengthen their rationale and to bring more pressure upon the civil society and restrict social and political freedoms. That does not mean we do not have political or social freedoms, which are a relative matter any how in any society, but it means that foreign pressures against Iran have not contributed to the democratic processes which have taken shape in the country.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the beginning of the reform government, there was no government recognition , reformist parties however did celebrate in various forms. Today, the country is celebrating the freedom of Khorramshar, a strategic port in south western Iran, from occupation under the Saddam aggression twenty four years ago. It was an historical feat performed by courageous young men who fought valiantly against an aggressor who was armed and encouraged by most western powers including particularly the American government. Iran won the war based on its faith and national capabilities , Saddam lost the war on the basis of its distance from its people and sheer dependence on foreign support.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Persian Gulf
President Khatami leaned over and told the Environment Minister of Qatar that " Historical documents prove that the Persian Gulf is the correct term, so do UN documents." This was in 1998 when we had a Ministerial Council Meeting of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) in Tehran. The Qatari Minister had made a remark about the reference made by the President to the term "Persian Gulf" and he had received an appropriate reply. I was the revolving head of the Council at that time. We always tried to work together in the Council and to put aside differences for the sake of our nations and the future of our common sea area. Dr. Al Awadi who is still the Kuwaiti, Executive Director,with Iranian origins like many people in that region, was also very conducive to this atmosphere of collaboration and mutual trust. Political issues however sometimes overshadowed this atmosphere.
The Persian Empire is over 2500 years old and most of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf are less than a century old. Therefore ,it is natural that this region would be named after its greatest and oldest civilization . There are several international documents and maps that prove this historical fact . I have a replica map in my room in the City Council which dates back to 1840 and the term Persian Gulf is written on that body of water. The systematic attempts made to change the name of this body of water are obviously in contrast with the atmosphere of brotherhood and peace that we need so dearly in this region. Tensions have escalated in the region due to different reasons including the instigation perpetuated continuously by Zionist elements.We need logical and rational diplomacy in this region to protect us in face of common challenges , discord, it seems only serves our enemies now.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
George Clooney in Tehran
One of the recurring themes in the US presidential debates is how to deal with Iran. The sheer misconception that American politicians have about Iran, categorizing and stereotyping it in a way that it would fit their narrow minds, is fascinating. I do however hear them, once in while, confessing that they do not have a comprehensive understanding of the intricate and complex interplay of social political and economic factors in Iran.
For example, would they believe that today , in Tehran the capital of the Islamic Republic , in one of the major freeways which is now practically always congested with traffic, there stands a large billboard advertising for Omega watches by depicting a picture of the American celebrity and writing in English George Clooney's Choice. I've recently seen the ad on the back of a local magazine as well. Although I am sure the local Omega dealers and Iranian municipal authorities are well aware of Clooney's critical stance vis a vis the American administration, nevertheless here is an American advertising for a Western brand in the political and economic hub of the Islamic Revolution!
What I mean to say is that Iran is a country with diverse climate and landscape, rich diversity in flora and fauna and above all a diverse social and political fabric which depicts a complex interplay of views and attitudes. Iranians are now more literate, more educated and more informed about local and global affairs than ever before.Those matters need to be kept in mind in dealing with Iran.
Iranians today are proud of their identity , their national heritage and their revolution, however their leaders realize that much needs to be done to fulfill the expectations of the people and that of the youth who aspire much more.
For example, would they believe that today , in Tehran the capital of the Islamic Republic , in one of the major freeways which is now practically always congested with traffic, there stands a large billboard advertising for Omega watches by depicting a picture of the American celebrity and writing in English George Clooney's Choice. I've recently seen the ad on the back of a local magazine as well. Although I am sure the local Omega dealers and Iranian municipal authorities are well aware of Clooney's critical stance vis a vis the American administration, nevertheless here is an American advertising for a Western brand in the political and economic hub of the Islamic Revolution!
What I mean to say is that Iran is a country with diverse climate and landscape, rich diversity in flora and fauna and above all a diverse social and political fabric which depicts a complex interplay of views and attitudes. Iranians are now more literate, more educated and more informed about local and global affairs than ever before.Those matters need to be kept in mind in dealing with Iran.
Iranians today are proud of their identity , their national heritage and their revolution, however their leaders realize that much needs to be done to fulfill the expectations of the people and that of the youth who aspire much more.
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