The Timeless Message of Hussein: A Time for Contemplation

The timeless message of Imam Hussein the younger grandson of the Prophet, is now a dynamic source of inspiration for many. Ashura has become an opportunity for contemplation on the plight of humanity. 

Sixty years after the advent of Islam and the Hejira, fearing a serious deviation from the authentic teachings of  Islam ,Imam Hussein did not pledge allegience to the tyrant of his time. Being a charismatic and popular figure, Hussein was under tremendous pressure to approve thetreacherous  policies of Yazid .Branded as a rebell by the regime and based on the invitation of thousands of Kufan residents he departed from  Mecca before Hajj. Along with his companions and household, he faced a full army prepared for war in Karbala. He attempted to prevent war and bloodshed but the enmy was relentless. He was martyred along with his sons and companions leaving his sister Zainab and the children to pass on the message of Karbala.

  His was a life of love and inviting all humans to embrace the qualities of virtue.  The account of his legendary life and Ashura as the climax of his campaign for justice, is laden with references to his compassion and love for all. His endeavors to bring the adversaries to reverse their policy and leave him alone and abandone the battle field are a clear testimony to the ethical nature of his cause. In stark contrast with the message of contemporary reactionary terrorists who try to portray a very violent and ruthless image of Islam, Hussein's mesage was one of abiding to principles of human dignity, even in the battle field Imam orders his warriors not to shut off water from the enemy. He invites them to change course and save themselves,but they have been promised reign and wealth in return for killing Imam and silencing his campaign for justice.

Fourteen centuries later, the voice of Hussein is loud and clear as he calls " life with oppressors is loss,and death becomes salvation" or as he said "my revolution is to invite people to enjoin in what is right and avoid what is wrong". Hussein stand as a beacon of light in the dark times we experience today, the philosophy of Hussein stands as a ship of salvation for a humanity shaken by stormy waters of war, violence and dangers for the future of our planet earth.

More and more we see people from different walks of life, from different religions and nationalities embracing the cause of Hussein, striving for a life of dignity in a world torn apart by poverty, war, injustices and environmental degradation.

Iranian Wonderland

The Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majlis as we call it, witnessed fierce debates on the Nuclear Agreement. The supporters of Paydari Faction,  who stood firmly behind the former President Ahmadinejad During his term, are staunch adversaries of the agreement. They went as far as threatening Drs. Zarif and Salehi ,the Foreign Minister and the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization. Yet ultimately since the majority were convinced, in spite of the  very  heavy lobby  of the opponent and the very negative report of the special commmittee in charge, the agreement was appproved by the Majlis and endorsed by the Council of Guardians. Thus, one of the major vows of President Rouhani during his election campaign has neared fulfilment. While the Supreme Leader has given the green light for the 5+1 Agreement from the star,he has stressed on containment of political relations with the US considering the continued expansionist and militaristic policies of that government in the region.
During the past months we are witnessing a rising flurry of diplomatic and business delgations, including a evident willingness on behalf of American corporations who feel they are falling behind in the competition. European and Asian, political and economic sectors have arrived but we have also seen a surge in journalists and tourists arriving in the Iranian Wonderland.
Journalists are asking for interviews many of which I simply cannot accomodate, but those which I do, are keen on asking about the future of our relations with the west about my views as a member of the revolutionary student group in 1979, on the prospects of the new deal for the region and the world .
I believe that the Moderation Government of Dr. Rouhani has taken great economic, social, political ,environmental and international strides in the past 25 months, yet we still have a long way ahead. In light of the very volatile situation of the middle east Iran has been playing a more proactive role to create more trust and confidence and sort out the differences created by a fabricated wave of Iranophobia among Arab states. We also have much to do in terms of creating grounds for a full integration of political groups loyal to the Constitution in the upcomming Majlis elections.
We also have a very challenging course ahead in terms of integrating environmental concerns in the country's development processes.
Hope and Prudence have been the key motivating factors in this path; we trust in God to guide us through these troubled waters.

GreenTech Helsinki

I visited Helsiniki this month based on the invitation of the Finnish Minister of Economy to speak at an international event on Green Technologies. In addition to taking part in that session I met several dignitaries including, the President of Finland, the speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Environment, and the Committee on Foreign affairs.

The cordial and positive atmosphere in all the meetings was indicative of a general resolve to upgrade bilateral relationships. Many Finnish corporations had a long history of successful dealings with Iran until of course the sanctions. 

On the second day of my visit I also had the opportunity to meet with the Confederation of Finnish Industries and several top business leaders who were very keen to find ways to return or to begin investment in Iran. I explained the environmental challenges we face in Iran and proposed a joint effort to invest in green technologies such as solar energy.

Several interviews with local and international media were convened including one with Euronews. Journalists were mostly inquisitive about the post[-]sanctions plans and the future relationships between Iran and the West.

In these deliberations I emphasized on the emerging role of Iran in promoting peace and security in the region. I also mentioned that environmental issues are of a global and human nature and that we are all passengers of one ship and have a common but differentiated responsibility in this regard.

Meanwhile, duringthe previous visit I had two months ago in Norway we had decided to convene technical workshops on renewable energies and environmental standards in petroleum industries. These workshops will be held in Bushehr and Tehran next month marking the start of our practical cooperation .

Global Day of Peace for Iran

Over 70 US cities have pledged to take part in a ceremony to support the nuclear deal with Iran. The opponent of the deal mainly the Hawks and Zionist lobbies see their interest in continuing tensions with Iran ultimately leading to a full escalation of war. That would give them more chances to sell their weapons and to dominate over the region. The Amercan people live in relative prosperity but they shuold know that this prosperity is attained at the price of war and suffering for many on earth.They need to realize that they are complicit in what their government does in other parts of the world. Time for indifference and carefreeness has elapsed, the young American generation must now choose between peace or war.The Iran nuclear deal has a message of mutual respect,peace and coexistence for all irrespective of our beliefs,cultures,nationalities or race,it builds upon our shared humanity, the dignity that every human being deserves. I pray and hope that goodness and peace will overcome.

Iran Nuclear Deal :Congress Decides

As long as we are alive we are tested for our deeds,our words and even our intentions and thoughts.This is part of the system of creation where a chance is  given to every human to fulfill a life in the good or the bad direction on the basis of the free choice given to all humankind.We are thus always making choices, taking decisions which directly or indirectly, immediately or gradually affect our lives and determine our fate. Regulating or controling our inner drives, which are intrinsically very strong is part of this process, therefore  caution is the rule of the day. This individual perspective , which applies to most faiths and religions, would have very dramatic dimensions when taken to social and political levels. The reasons behind major decisions affecting the future of humanity has sometimes fallen into the hands of people who have not taken caution against their inner drives , people who have not realized what could be at stake, people who did not have the insight to forbid what is bad and to enjoin what is good. 70 years ago the US employed nuclear weapons against Hiroshima & Nagasaki killing millions of innocent civilians. Nuclear proliferation and the arms race has continued in the world unabated since and while millions live in abject poverty and disease, while the natural environment of planet earth is degrading at an alarming rate, military expenditure and the legal and illicit arms trade has exceeded all other areas.

70 years later,  building upon the legacy of those who have invited humanity to peace, brotherhood and justice, Prophets and altruists, Iran joined western powers in a difficult, complex and intriguing process of negotiations. These talks were aimed at lifting the illegal sanctions against Iran and ensuring western powers about the  peaceful intentions of our nuclear program. The successful settlement gave a strong signal to the international community that inspite of a long standing conflict between Iran and the US, dialogue can open vistas for reconciliation provided that a strong political will exists. The support of the Supreme Leader  and the President for Dr. Zarif and his team paved way for a national resolve on this matter in Iran, despite differences of opinion among political rivals. The current internal debates and hearings in the US Congress have recieved much media coverage. Since the major opponent of the deal has been the Zionist regime, their staunch supporters in the Congress have taken coordinated positions against the deal, bringing into light the true intentions of certain groups who consider the security of Israel more important than US or even global security. This reveals how the nuclear deal has exposed the true identity of zionist groups in the US and how this minority has contolled the political, financial and media strongholds of that nation for decades. The question has surfaced in many social media that since the American people have been held hostage  and taken to war several times to protect Israel will they now stand up to protect their own nation to secure global peace and to restore the damaged image of their country in the world? Americans and particularly their young generation have been generally barred from understanding the truth behind their governments policies, they are usually  uninformed or indifferent. The Iran nuclear deal provides an opportunity for the people and the Congress who purport to represent them to engage in determining  their destiny and that of the world, to change the war mongering image of their government. The Congress now has a historical decision which is exposed and evident for the world to see, to give diplomacy and negotiation a chance or to stubbornly push ahead for unilateral dominion,conflict and violence.  I sincerely hope that the American people and the Congress take necessary caution and make a better decision for peace and the future prosperity of all humanity. 

Fabius and climate talks in Tehran

Tehran has been hosting high level diplomatic delegations since the nuclear settlement. One after the other political and economic figures have arrived to enhance and strengthen relations. Lauren Fabius, the French Foreign Minister, was the most recent among them. He arrived on Wednesday to meet, Dr. Zarif, President Rouhani, ministers of industry and petroleum. 

As Fabius is the future President of the COP21, the climate negotiations that must lead to a new agreement by the end of 2015, he also came to visit me at Pardisan Park later in the afternoon.

Areas of bilateral cooperation, green technologies, renewable energy and air pollution control were discussed . We also spoke on the various hurdles ahead of the climate negotiations. The issue of common but differentiated responsibilites eluding to the historical responsibility of industrialised countries which have a long history of GHG emissions was brought up. I also noted of the need to take more practical steps and commitments by countries of the North. A balanced, equitable and sustainable deal which addresses mitigation as well as adaptation and the damages countries are facing is required. I noted that our government will collaborate to achieve those ends. I also made note of the steps Iran is taking for energy efficiency as well as renewable energies. The damages Iran faces now due to climatic changes including higher temperatures, lower precipitation and less snow resulting in degradation of natural resources and agriculture were also discussed. I mentioned that the episodes of dust storms were also  increasing in incidence and intensity. Mr. Fabius invited me to attend a consultation session with ministers in Paris ahead of the COP21 session. I also asked him finally whether he thought the COP talks would be more difficult than the nuclear negotiations.

We moved to the lobby of the main building of the DOE to  meet the large group of reporters and respond to some questions.

Hopes on the Horizon

Hopes on the Horizon

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful the Compassionate

The agreement between Iran and 5 +1 on the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic has been coined as a major historical event which has changed the course of events not only with respect to relationships among these nations but also at the broader international level. This new page in history has brought into light the real image of Iran.  Adversaries for a long time, used a name calling game to label Iran as a threat, as irrational and hostile in mainstream media, they had invested on creating a negative and fearsome image .  Iran was portrayed as a source of instability and threat for the region, Iranophobia was advertised to ensure a constant sales of arms to the Sheikhdoms of Persian Gulf. Iran was excessively threatened  and pressured for several years. Unnecessary and illegal sanctions were adopted against Iran, including chapter 7 resolutions which could take a country to military confrontation. A continuation of that trend would have eventually lead to escalation of conflicts in the very volatile west Asian region. While the sanctions did pressure the economy and environment in Iran, the nation withstood the pressures. Iranians were never prepared to submit or to relinquish their rights as a dignified member of the global community.
In the Presidential elections of 2013 the people of Iran voted for a change in both  domestic politics and international diplomacy. They voted so that the nuclear issue would be resolved in a peaceful and balanced manner, protecting the rights of Iran to peaceful nuclear technologies but also addressing international concerns.  Dr. Rouhani was elected by the people to change the previous trends and address both national and international challenges in a rational manner. In addition to the weight that the Rouhani administration gave to curbing inflation and improving conditions for the workplace and employment ,special emphasis was placed on environmental standards and mainstreaming sustainable development policy as well as a robust health care scheme which was implemented nationwide. As his government was tackling the very difficult internal issues, Dr. Rouhani mandated the Foreign Minister Dr. Zarif and his team to engage with the 5+1 for a serious resolution of the nuclear issue. According to many observers, the Iranian negotiating team were both very qualified and experienced but also knowledgeable on the technical matters, particularly since Dr. Salehi the current Head of the Atomic Energy Organisation joined them.  A regional power negotiated competently for several months with six major global powers , even as the stream of events unfolded it became clear that Iranians, clear on their rights and objectives, are patient and polite and as Zarif noted clearly “ Iranians are not to be threatened”. After a lengthly process of negotiations where many issues were resolved and both sides made possible concessions, hardliners from both sides began a campaign to derail and spoil the processes. Also those who felt that their interests were undermined began a smearing campaign. The highest political will on all sides and specifically the support of the Supreme Leader, who indicated his full trust for the negotiating team, paved way for the final round and ultimate settlement.
A longstanding conflict between Iran and the West came to a settlement which can prevent a new war and military adventures in the region. Many clashes in the  world have led to armed conflict and loss of human life, this is a new chapter in the international scene where a conflict is resolved through tedious and long months of negotiations. This is an example of a win win outcome where both sides believe they have gained. The strong message of peace and reconciliation that this agreement sends in a world marred by the terrible violence and killings of the extremists and terrorists, is a beacon of hope for the world and can serve as an example for others.
 The Holy Quran has  many lessons for humankind, it makes a clear reference to such examples in the verse Fuselat ayat 34 : “And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”