Domino of Events in the Region

On Friday last week we were watching the Friday prayers in Tahrir Square in Cairo. Millions had attended and shouted slogans calling for the cleansing of the Government from Mubarak agents. I was watching the scenes in Benghazi today, protesters had a banner saying " Thank you Egypt , Thank you Tunisia" . Protests and demonstrations are the word of the day everywhere and any time. More interesting were demonstrations in Amman, Jordan and other cities throughout the Arab world.  It seems that the domino of developments in the Middle East is so quick and so unpredictable that analysts cannot find the opportunity to provide insight into the events. Even the Saudi Monarchy has felt the tremors and has announced welfare measures for their citizens. Its also interesting to note that most of these cities have a square or circle named Tahrir or Freedom and yet they have to struggle and suffer for freedom.
The hypocrisy of the Obama Administration in sharply condemning certain repressive socialist or anti -imperialist governments such as Qaddafi and only lightly criticizing pro American dictators like Mubarak and Ben Ali has become evident. The question remains whether the ultimate model for governance in these countries is a western style liberal democracy, an Islamic Republic similar to the Iranian style or a more liberal Islamic Democracy like what is experienced in Turkey or Malaysia.
There are two major concerns for the future of  these nations, the first is the interference of foreign powers particularly the US which senses a loss of influence and  feels threatened for the safety of the Zionist regime. The second concern is for the dictatorial forces, the forces of wealth, power and media or hypocrisy who still yearn to regain power, this time with another face and color.

Egypt, Tunisia and the Future of the Middle East

After the successful Tunisian Revolution, the people of Egypt are now, after weeks of demonstrations and protests, celebrating the resignation of  Hosni Mobarak after 3 decades of autocratic and despotic rule. Many observers compare these events with those in Iran , 32 years ago . They try to draw an analogy between the Islamic Revolution in Iran and what happened in Egypt. While there are parallels to consider, there are also evident differences, as well. The military refrained from taking sides from the begining in Egypt, contrary to Iran in 1979. The movement in Egypt was national, not ideological, although  Islamic forces ( the Muslim Brotherhood)  played a major role,while Islam was in the mainstream of the revolution in Iran.

Some observers have drawn an analogy with the events of last year in Iran. They compare Egypt and Tunisia to the protests in Iran and believe that the people of Egypt were inspired by what happened in Iran last year, not what happened  32 years ago. However, we see and interpret the events as they are an important sign of change in the region. The life of the dictators is over and people do not look up to the US as their savior any longer. The US has once again, lost its face in supporting  despotic regimes in Egypt and Tunisis. Democratic and Islamic values will determine the fate of the Middle East. The people will learn from the lessons and mistakes of other nations including Iran and will build their future upon those valuable experiences .

Recent Developments in Air Pollution Policy

Air pollution is still a major problem for our large cities. Records indicate that air pollution was diagnosed in as far as 1974 as a major problem for Tehran. As the population and number of vehicles increased drastically over the years, from a few thousand to over 4 million in 2011,and due to the lack of serious determination in recent years the issue seems to have become unsurmountable.  In 1998, with the assistance of a team of experts and building upon three major studies a Comprehensive Plan to Combat Air Pollution was drawn up. The plan was adopted in 7 chapters a year later by the Government and implementation began. A strong inter-sectoral management committee was established, all car production lines were brought in line with environmental standards, lead was out-phased from gasoline, natural gas was promoted as a clean fuel and public transportation was enhanced during those years, until 2005 when the government changed.
The new government had other priorities, thus many of the programs concerning air pollution were cancelled or faced serious obstacles.This led to serious setbacks in programs and targets set for reduction of pollutants. This year we have faced more than 80 days of unhealthy air pollution levels. Aromatics, particulate matter, NO2 and ozone are major pollutants detected in Tehran . When it became clear for the Tehran City Council that the Government has a 5 year delay  in providing a revision of the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Air Pollution, they adopted the Environmental Committee proposal on this matter last month.
More interesting on this matter is the fact that the Tehran Municipality won an international award of Sustainable Transport, but the Government which sees the Mayor of Tehran,Mohammad Ghalibaf as a rival, opposed his presence in the US for accepting the award . Despite the Administrations opposition Alireza Dabir, a member of the Council went to receive the award instead.

A Letter to Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev, had unusual high profile guests on January 4, 1989. Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran had decided to send an official letter, carried by a high-level delegation, for the Soviet leader. The Imam had sent very few such letters during his 11 year term, thus this event was considered to be of utmost importance.
His envoys consisted of Ayatollah Javadi Amolli a prominent religious scholar, Dr. Javad Larijani a top diplomat and Marzieh Dabagh a revolutionary woman activist, imprisoned and tortured for opposing the monarchy. The sending of the letter was unconventional , its contents were confidential and not disclosed even for the emissaries. The members of the delegation received much publicity during and after the event. Particularly important was the inclusion of a woman in this high level delegation, indicating the importance Imam attached to their role in diplomacy and dialogue. Although this diplomatic role for women has yet to be appreciated in the Iranian administration today.
The envoys were warmly welcomed in the Kremlin where they met Mr. Gorbachev and the letter was read out loud and translated simultaneously. The timing of the letter was also significant; this was soon after Iran had accepted the UN resolution 598 for ceasefire ,after the aggression of Saddam against Iran. No one could anticipate what Imam had to say to the Soviet leader. The message praised Mr. Gorbachev's boldness in changing the Soviet system.
''It is clear to everyone that Communism should henceforth be sought in world museums of political history,'' ''Materialism cannot save humanity from the crisis of disbelief in spirituality, which is the basic affliction of human societies in the West and the East.'' Finally Imam had asked Mr. Gorbachev to seriously study and research Islam.
Gorbachev had carefully listened , and then replied after a brief contemplation . Initially he had thanked , Imam for the letter and had pledged to reply appropriately , he had noted that legislation for the freedom of religions was underway and he believed different faiths could live in harmony together. He then made the point that this religious invitation could be considered as a form of interference in the affairs of another country , since each country is free to chose its religion and faith.
In reply ,the head of the delegation thanked Mr. Gorbachev for patiently listening and pledging to provide a response. Mr Javadi noted that on the interference point, he must make a clarification, he noted: “You are free Sir to rule the Soviet Union as you prefer, this message does not concern what is above nor below the land or even the skies of the Soviet Union, this message concerns only you and your soul.”
Mr. Gorbachev is a respected former leader a now  active in sustainable development and peace issues. He has founded and leads an international NGO, Green Cross with active branches in many countries.
The Brisbane Earth Dialogues was an international conference held in 2006 in Australia under his auspices. I was invited to address the Conference as the first woman Vice President of Iran and as a Champion of the Earth and I met Mr. Gorbachev on the sidelines.
We discussed about Imam's letter. I asked him whether he recalled the meeting and the letter . He said he recalled them very well. He even recalled that the lady in the delegation wore gloves. I pointed that Imam had not sent any letter to any world leader other than him, indicating that he regarded him highly and worthy of a intellectual dialogue. Mr. Gorbachev acknowledged that he had been very engaged and busy during those times and that he had not given due attention to the matter at that juncture. I pointed that through this letter Imam had attempted to initiate a dialogue between two cultures and religions. Although Imam had passed away, the letter was still a matter of lively debate in Iran and in other Muslim media. Every year on the anniversary interviews, seminars and debates on the mission and the letter were convened. Mr. Gorbachev was surprised to hear that the letter is still a relevant entity for Iran and the Islamic world. He indicated his readiness to work on an initiative to revive this dialogue and to revisit the message that Imam sent him.
Now in 2011 we face very difficult challenges in Iran and in many parts of the world.
The concept and policy of Dialogue among Civilizations reinstated by former President Khatami is seriously challenged now by radical power structures in Iran, violent groups who deny dialogue at the national and international dimensions have undermined many democratic processes of the Islamic Republic. Revisiting the letter of Imam Khomeini on the anniversary might remind us of the importance that he gave to dialogue and understanding among faiths, cultures and even politicians.

You can see the New York Times Article of January 1986 below:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE1DA153EF936A35752C0A96F948260

Jesus (AS) in the Holy Quran

Our religious leaders have taught us to resort to the Holy Quran in difficult times. The Quran is a gauge and a compass in times of distress and loss. Its universal message talks to every human in a context relevant to the inner and social challenges they face. The Quran is a revelation to Prophet Mohammad but it is also a witness to the history of Revelation and Prophethood. The narrations of the Prophets, beginning  from Adam and Eve, are an integral part of the Quran and the Quranic version is in many cases similar to the Torah and  to the Bible. There are however differences which are noteworthy may reveal many points. The Quran also points to the distortions appearing later in Holy Scripture including the Torah and Bible and clarifies the ambiguities in many cases. The Quran has devoted much to the birth and life of Jesus the Son of Mary and Mary herself. Concerning the birth of Eisa or Jesus the Quran has beautiful verses in several chapters including the chapter Maryam.
"And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.
And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man
She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah."
He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy."
She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' 
So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten."
But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.
And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.
So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' 
Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.
O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste."
So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?"
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive.....
That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute."


 There is much beauty in the Quranic version of the birth of Jesus(AS) and much emphasis on the human nature of Jesus and his first miracle, speaking upon birth. The most important notion given is that the Holy Quran is so strong and confident of its message that it devotes a major part of its discourse to a narration of other Prophets and events related to their lives.  The Quran conveys the message of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and many other Prophets to emphasize on the continuity of Revelation and the evident Truth behind it.
Jesus has come as a great tiding to humanity for worship of God and denial of oppression and deceit. According to Islamic tradition , Jesus (AS) will return with the awaited Mahdi to bring peace and love back to a war stricken and depressed world. 

So eat an

So eat and drink and be contented. And    

The Universal Concept of Ashura

Now that the major ceremonies of Ashura are over I have found the opportunity to write about the event. The fact that certain personalities and events dating centuries back still influence human thought and society and play a strong inspirational role marks the importance of understanding the event and the philosophy behind it. Ashura has been mourned for hundreds of years in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait,  Southern Lebanon, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh in addition to other countries. Imam Hussein and the philosophy of the Ashura uprising has been studied, praised and retold by both Muslims and non Muslims throughout the world. In reality, the essence of the message of Ashura is so close to human nature  that it is understood and appreciated by all those who cherish human values irregardless of creed or race. The universal concept that Imam Hussein pursues is to fight  injustice in any form. Imam Hussein fights the oppressive system of Bani Ommayeh who rules in the name of Islam and and claims to follow the Sharia. Omar Saad  and  Ibne Ziad and their followers pray and fast like Muslims, but also lie, and betray and break promises. These are those who use any means to reach their objectives, including lies, crimes and deceit. Imam Hussein says I have risen to correct the deviations in the religion of my grandfather the Prophet of Islam. Hussein stands against the ruling system to prove that the struggle for justice is a precondition for the dignity and freedom of humans. His message still echoes strong in history in every land and every society .

Air Pollution and Mismanagement

Air quality has been poor in Tehran and some other cities in Iran for the past weeks. This has resulted in extra holidays last week and restrictions on passenger car traffic in the inner city limits. In addition, as of last week passenger cars can enter the streets only on the basis of their license numbers on odd or even days  of the week. This has to some respect diminished the numbers on the streets but the air pollution crisis continued. Experts believe  that the low wind speed (between 4-5 Knots) and lack of control and regulation of vehicle emissions are the main reasons.
In 1999 , the Department of Environment , during my tenure, studied and prepared a comprehensive plan to combat air pollution in Tehran. The Plan was prepared on the basis of three national surveys and studies and ultimately adopted by the Government of President Khatami, a year later. The Plan was implemented during the ensuing years and resulted in environmental control over the automotive industry, out phasing of leaded gasoline, promotion and expansion of public transportation systems, promotion of standard and cleaner fuels such as CNG, and public awareness and participation programs. The plan had an efficient management chart and division of work on that basis, between 15 relevant sectors. After the change of government in 2005, the plan faced serious impediments and was practically abandoned. Experts and environmentalists, even Parliamentarians warned officials of the consequences of abandoning environmental programs but Mr. Ahamadinejad had other priorities and the environment was not even in his list.
In order to make up for some of the delays in the plan, after I was elected to the City Council we continued to follow the plan in the Tehran City Council, Environment Committee. We adopted regulations for the Technical Inspection centers, adopted new standards, and recently enacted a revision of the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Air Pollution. In the  revised edition, we emphasized on planning  to control pollutants and on the volatile organic compounds. According to a recent survey, these VOCs have exceeded  standard levels in ambient air in Tehran.
The Government has resorted to publicity stunts like sprinkling  water with small planes and claiming to filter the air using 1000 filtration devices. This announcement has raised widespread criticism, questioning the scientific basis of such declarations. " They have mistaken a 700 square kilometer megacity with their home or their backyard" a municipality official noted. Ghalibaf, the Mayor of Tehran dismissed the issue as a "joke".  I made the point clear in the Council session last week and in an article published in Shargh and in my Persian blog that the only solution is to proceed with the revised plan and strict regulation and control on emissions.
Any false propaganda and theater will only serve to further alienate citizens who should not be suffering from the consequences of government  mismanagement.