Christmas in the Tehran City Council

Armenians Celebrating Christmas in a Church in Tehran

The Holy Scripture of Islam, which is believed to be a total revelation  to the Prophet Mohammad (SA), has several recurring references to the succession of Prophets who all came to deliver the message of the Creator. The Quran is unique in that it makes strong references to the beliefs and teachings of other Abrahamic traditions; emphasizing on the common themes of monotheism, abolition of all forms of slavery and subjugation,and the basic ethical and moral principles that all religions preach. The story  of  each prophet and their societies includes references to the incorrect beliefs and practices that have set blows to the livelihoods of peoples and undermined their dignity and each narration also points to the direction of salvation and eternal happiness for all humankind. Actually, most  divine Prophets deal with the lost ones, those who have not found their goal and direction in life, those who are disoriented and have forgotten their selves.
Among these narrations the story of Maryam the mother of Jesus, and the birth and life of Jesus is extraordinary. This story begins with references to the vow of the mother of Maryam, and that when she realized that her child was a girl, and was dedicated to serve the House of Solomon, she insisted to proceed with the vow; which meant that  a woman would serve in a Jewish monastery  for the first time. The chastity of Maryam and her status as a woman chosen to be a model for all are hallmarks of the Chapter and verses devoted to this lady.  The birth of Jesus and the fate of Maryam are also described in beautiful terms in the Quran.
Today ,in the Tehran City Council, a Christian member of the Friends of the Council, delivered a report on the conditions of district 8. This Armenian citizen who has been elected like hundreds of other Friends of the Council to oversee and facilitate the functions of local municipal authorities, was chosen to deliver the weekly district report. His report to the City Council included references to their activities, as well as  the social and environmental problems in the district.

Meanwhile, reformist members  of the Council took the opportunity to greet Christian Iranians on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year.

Tazieh, Art of Ashura

Today is the tenth of Muharram and Ashura is celebrated in many Islamic nations. Mass processions continue for several days in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, parts of Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan , India and many other countries.  Several years ago, I was surprised to learn that Ashura is an official holiday in India, a country which harbors 75 million Shia Muslims. Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Hussein the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was killed on orders from Yazid, the Ruler of Damascus in 61 (AH) for the reason of  not endorsing the oppressive and tyrannical rule of Banni Ommayeh. Imam Hussein and his few companions fought in Karbala to expose the hypocritcal nature of the Ommayeh regime and to demonstrate the authentic values of Islam. " I `have no intention in my uprising other that to revive the authentic values of Islam and to bring reform to the religion of my Grandfather." he stated when threatened in Karbala.
Mourning processions, speeches and , food which is distributed on the basis of vows for Hussein are the hallmarks of these days. Many  speeches and mourning ceremonies are also held to discuss the dimensions of the Hussein's revolution.   Ashura has served as an inspiration for not only the Islamic Revolution in 1978, but also for Shia's in their struggle against Saddam in Iraq, against the Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Palestine, and for many others against any oppressive system. Even today, ceremonies reflect the political atmosphere that surrounds them. Some of them take a more political and critical dimension while others only take the form of rituals.

Ashura has its own artistic appeal as well. Black, green and red are the colors of Ashura. Many have read poems for Imam Hossein or created paintings, and other artistic creations. One of the traditional arts of Ashura is the Tazieh,  literally meaning condolence theater;  which is a theatrical replay of the events of Ashura symbolizing epic spirit of resistance and righteousness. Tazieh is practiced and performed in many countries; in India and Pakistan the tradition is to build a replica of the masoleum of Imam Hussein, which I have seen in some ceremonies. Tazieh is usually performed in the street or in a local  public area. Abbas, the brother of Imam wears green armour and Shimr the person who martyrs Imam Hussein wears red. They recite poems and tell the story of Ashura .
We watched a Tazieh this morning in Tehran. Dozens of spectators were standing in a circle and the skit was perfomed in the street using small loudspeakers. They were wearing colorful costumes and they invited people to pay their vows. Even though now, some academic art centers in Iran are reviving the arts in the authentic forms, it is  still sad to hear that tradtional arts like Tazieh are gradually fading away and that few people are learning this art from their elders.

Tehran's Uncertain but Radical Diplomacy

During the past week, after a group of radical youth attacked the British Embassy and Gholhak residence in Tehran, many reactions have occurred. Diplomatic missions have left host countries on both sides and rhetoric in condemnation and support of the action has not subsided. The majority of political observers have questioned the intentions behind the action and even some conservative and pro-government groups seem to have condemned the act. The stark reality is that Principalists who are wielding absolute power in Iran, are responsible for all the events taking place at both internal and external levels. The financial scandals and rising inflation on one side, the unlawful policies taken  and the ongoing pressures on Reformists and critiques on the other, all point to the incompetence of the Principalists in managing the affairs of the country. The two rival factions of Principalists, as a result of  their serious internal disputes, have created many setbacks in the economy. Some believe they are resorting to taking the internal disputes to a new diplomatic and international level.

The majority of Iranians hope that rational policies will replace the current decisions and that the international community will prevent any radical decision against Iran. Sanctions and economic pressures are taking their toll, initially on the private sector and the people . Even the threat of harsher action or a military strike will play into the hands of the radical forces and create more difficult conditions for the people and opposition groups like the Reformists.

Even the threat of war should not be tolerated at a time that we are still witnessing the crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the name of NATO and international coalitions.  Where has war created more security and happiness? Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine are all paying a heavy price due to years of war and violence resulting from occupation and oppression.  Libya has suffered much from the aerial attacks of NATO even though these attacks resulted in the removal of a dictator. Neocons and radicals in the US and the Zionist lobby are pressing for war against Iran once again ,since they feel threatened by the influence of a strong and reasonable Iran.

Let us hope that the American people will remind Obama that they voted for him since they were weary of the war mongering Bush and his neocon entourage . Now what is to be done if Obama proceeds in those very steps towards a new war and aggression? His analysts and advisors need to inform him that Iran is now very different from any country that has been attacked in contemporary history. He also needs to be informed that Iran has not attacked nor initiated war against any nation in the past 750 years , more than three times of US history.

Another piece of advice that Obama needs is that Israel does not look to secure US interests in the region. Instead it supports creating more havoc to find room for its aggressive policies in face of the Arab Spring and Islamists coming to power in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya through a democratic process which might undermine Western hegemony.

European countries like Britain should display more restraint and revisit their one sided policies against Iran, the majority of British voters who condemned the militaristic actions of Blair will not side with  a war mongering Cameron either. He better also see the wider picture and change tone and attitude towards Iran. On an internal note I hope that pressures on Reformists will diminish so that we could witness a strong turn out for the up coming elections.

 Time to hope and pray for better prospects on all said above.

Isfahan, The Beloved

I was surprised to see so many foreign tourists in Isfahan last weekend. The  calm and mild weather convinced us to take off to Isfahan for the weekend and visit some relatives. We took part in some family gatherings. It is interesting how Islamic teachings, dated centuries ago, have emphasized on family relationships and visits (sele arham). As if the Religion had predicted that due to industrialization and urbanization, human beings would loose family ties and relationships would ultimately disintegrate. These relationships set the basis of social integrity and moral development of the society which are at stake in the industrialized lifestyle pursued by many Western societies.

Isfahan was more beautiful than ever since, after several months that Zayanderood the major river of the city had dried up, water was let into the river once again and the beautiful SyoSe Pol or the bridge with 30 openings was once again crowded with tourists. Every part of Isfahan is part of our national and even global heritage, its beautiful mosques with exceptional tile works, the historical  bridges and the exceptional artwork seen in many buildings . Isfahan is a symbol of the love artists and architects have displayed through out human history for the Beloved.

Peace for the Environment

The civil society is not very active and outspoken these days but the occasion of November 6 , the day designated by the UN as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict was an important event that could not be missed. The Center for Peace and Environment convened an international seminar on this occasion last Wednesday. http://en.pengoo.ir/index
The diplomatic community in Tehran, academia , NGOs and members of the press attended this event. Dr. Babran welcomed the invitees and I made an opening address, this was followed by the message of Seyed Mohammad Khatami the former President  and the speech of  Salah Zawawi the Ambassador of Palestine  and Mohammad Reza Tabesh the Head of the Environment faction of the Parliament . After the opening,  a panel session with Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Croatia, Japan, International Red Cross  and an Iranian academic was moderated by  Dr. Kahrom, the renown Iranian environmentalist. The Japanese Ambassador made a very interesting comparison between the  nuclear disaster in Nakasaki and Hiroshima and the recent Tsunami and nuclear fallout. The resilience and hard work of the people of Japan was noteworthy, while the natural environment will take a much longer time for restoration.
In the opening, I stressed upon the importance of resolving international conflicts by dialogue and  refraining from any act that would aggravate the very volatile conditions in this part of the world . The Persian Gulf has suffered excessively from war and environmental degradation during the past decade and it would be a disaster if any new military venture would occur.

No Need For Help From Clinton

Today the moderate conservative daily " Islamic Republic" has criticized the national state radio and television for censuring the statement of the American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton who said in her interview with the BBC that the internal opposition or Green Movement never appealed for foreign support. The article in the daily notes that the national radio and television should have reported objectively and used this matter to close ranks among political parties and to lessen tensions on the internal level.  Reformists have been constantly condemned by their conservative Principalist rivals for enjoying support from  Western states. Even while, they openly emphasized on their independent policies and called for non-interference in Iran's internal affairs by the west, Reformists were accused for their lenience towards the "enemies". During the bitter events of 2009 , after the disputed Presidential elections, reformists were charged for being supported by the West, since their Satellite channels had broadcast the events without censorship. Lenience and support for the Western powers has been the major accusation that rival groups have put forward to strengthen their religious supporters and legitimize the harsh measures taken against the reformists.
Intervention by foreign powers is not the solution for the problems of nations. The interventions of NATO in Afghanistan , allied and American troops in Iraq have devastated the social fabric, left thousands killed and permanently injured and destroyed the basic infrastructure, thereby taking their economies decades back. Even in Libya, the NATO forces have razed airports, industries, highways and power plants leaving the basic infrastructure in the country severely damaged.
Even now Clinton hopes that Iranians would ask for foreign support, as they encourage the Syrians to ask for foreign support against the atrocities of Assad. The reality is that foreign intervention is not the solution  and Libya cannot be a model for other countries . Syria is very different from Iraq and Libya, but Americans become blind when it suits them.
Iranian reformists have become united in their condemnation of Clinton's remarks on the necessity for foreign intervention as a remedy for political and social challenges. Even if we suffer we need to find internal and national solutions .

Plotting by Americans or Iranians ?

Strained and severed , relations between Iran and America are now facing a new challenge. American officials have been making allegations, during the past days accusing Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in the US. The media orchestration of this news and the platform on which the accusations stand have been for many observers, reminiscent of the scenario that  Collin  Powell, the American Defense Secretary had put forward for the  Congress in 2003, referring to alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.  After no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, under pressure from anti war activists, Powell was forced to admit in 2007 that he had provided false evidence at that time.

Now, the world is witness to the unfolding of a similar scenario against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Many observers, including former CIA and State Department analysts such as Gary Sick, believe that the evidence provided against Iran is inconclusive and even though Iran has lost the confidence of many Western governments, such scenarios cannot justify any offensive against Iran.  A New York Times Blog (The Lede)
 http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/iran-experts-ponder-an-alleged-terror-plots-b-movie-qualities/ brings up serious questions as to the authenticity of the evidence and the skepticism that many observers have in this regard. Even the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/obama-us-toughest-sanctions-iran?newsfeed=true takes a cautious note in its report on the matter and notes: Obama says the US wil impose tough sanctions,despite growing scepticism over the amateurish nature of the plot and the apparently shambolic background of the main suspect. 

The unresolved political stalemate after the 2009 elections in Iran has created many political tensions in the internal scene and left the educated intellectuals discontented with a government now struggling with charges of embezzlement and other scandals. In addition to suppression of reformist activity, the internal strife among the Principalists rival groups in power has also aggravated the situation.

In spite of all said, all political  groups in Iran  are united on one front against any foreign manipulation or intervention. No Iranian political group will support the current unsubstantiated propaganda campaign which seems to provide some political space for the American government in dealing with its internal economic and political crises, like the growing Occupy Wall Street Movement.  Former President Khatami recently gave a message reiterating the fact that he believes that pressures and intimidation against Iran are unjustified. He also made it clear that  the government should not make any pretext for foreign intimidation. He firmly stressed that all political groups including the reformists are united in their position on matters of national security and integrity.