From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – PH-81, Spring2016
On behalf of me and my colleagues at Persian Heritage we wish all of our dear readers in Iran and the Diaspora HAPPY NOROUZ. This is the time we celebrate the change of season, from winter to spring. As always we continue to hope that the year coming will be less volatile than the last. And, we hope this year will bring peace and be more resourceful for the people in Iran. We look forward to seeing Iran, after thirty-eight years of isolation and turmoil, return to normalcy and find peace with its neighbors and of the world.
Twenty one years have passed since the birth of Persian Heritage magazine. As you know this magazine has faced obstacles that could have resulted in the end of its publication. There were and remain many critics who hoped to see the demise Persian Heritage. Luckily, through our determination and the support of our readers, we have been able to publish this quarterly magazine, since its inception, without any interruption.
Twenty one years have passed during which we have witnessed the hardships endured by Iranians in Iran and the Diaspora. Throughout this time we never stopped understanding their grievances and difficulties, nor have we turned a blind eye to their misfortune.
The days following the 1979 Revolution we and the world witnessed countless executions, murders and the loss of human dignity. Many young and old disappeared. Their families are in limbo not knowing their fate. This is disheartening to me because these lives lost (in so many ways, death, human trafficking across the borders, leaving Iran for political asylum) were Iran’s assets, minds that could have been instrumental in bringing Iran into the 21st century. When we see the images of the Syrian refugees living under the same horrible conditions, I am reminded by the horrors suffered by Iranians following the 1979 Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. Our memories should not be short when it comes to these inhumane events. And, we must acknowledge that even today there are Iranians living in refugee camps in Turkey, Australia etc. awaiting asylum, only to be denied because they are Iranians. An example is Germany.
Twenty one years have passed during which Iran’s sovereignty has been constantly physically and verbally attacked by many world powers. During the Presidential campaign of George Bush and Jimmy Carter I had attended a fund raising event for Mr. George Bush. One of the guests asked Mr. Bush the following question, “Mr. Bush if you were to become the president of the United States, how would you handle Iran?” He responded by stating that he would bomb it, make it a parking lot and turn it back a thousand years, into the stone age. Hearing these words by a presidential candidate made me sick. I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. How, I thought, can someone in his position be so easily prepared to destroy a nation with such a rich history and peace loving people? The threats made on that day have continued to this day. These threats and words continue to be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety for Iran, its people and the world.
Persian Heritage is now twenty-one years old, like wise I to have added twenty one years to my life. The years with Persian Heritage are filled with memories of Iran’s turbulent times. One extraordinary moment was the world’s viewing of the Green Movement in 2009. Because of the internet and speed of information the world immediately witnessed young, old, men and women taking to the streets of Iran in an effort to fight and restore their freedom of speech, press and life. The world also immediately witnessed how the hopes and dreams of the protesters quickly tarnished by the hands of the hard liners. The dreams of these men and women, walking peacefully side by side in the streets in Iran ended by force and a crackdown. Once again innocent lives were destroyed by death and jail.
Twenty one years have passed during which we witnessed leaders such as Ahmadi Nejad. These leaders failed in all aspects of political life. The eight years of his reign were filled with corruption. His failed policies put Iran in a financial crisis never experienced before by the nation. Oil revenues were mismanaged. His speeches on foreign policy destroyed Iran’s remaining dignity. His words started an international public relations campaign to destroy Iran, a policy that remains today. Only by the determination, pride and love of its citizen’s has Iran been able to keep the war mongers at bay.
Twenty one years have passed and the negative propaganda remains in an effort to destroy Iran and/or change its geography and history. Arab campaigns are being successful in changing on some maps, the name of the Persian Gulf. The loss of oil revenue and other resources has become the income of some Arab nations and is used “buy off” museums like the Louvre, allowing Persian Art and Persian history to be labeled as Arab or Islamic art and history.
Twenty one years have passed since the inception of Persian Heritage. We continue to hope for a free Iran. An Iran that is tolerant. An Iran that ends the years of suppression and oppression placed on its people. An Iran with a lifted financial burden. An Iran where hardships are diminished. An Iran that values, cares and understands the needs of its people. An Iran that sees a reverse in drug addiction, prostitution, homelessness and incarcerations. There was hope with the election of President Rouhani that Iranians would see more freedom and fewer executions. Unfortunately, freedoms have lessened and executions are on the rise. Last year 700 executions by hangings were recorded. If this continues at the same rate Iran will lead the world in the number of executions. These numbers are so staggering that even Mr. Mohammad Javad Larijani, who represents the Human Rights Council in the Judiciary system in Iran, admitted that executions of drug traffickers have not resulted in lowering drug crimes in the country. Doesn’t this comment, coming from such a high ranking individual in the Islamic Judicial system bring shame? I only hope that before I die, I can say rather than “maybe the day will come when we see a better Iran” to “the day has arrived.”
I believe it is important to note that one of the grievances that led to the over throw of the last monarchy in Iran and the revolution was the fact that one thousand families ruled over Iran. Long ago, and I have a vivid memory of this conversation, I returned to Iran after completing my studies in France. My dearest uncle, Ahmad Ghorashi (rest his soul) along with his brother Mahmoud, were the first Ghouchani’s who had finished their studies at Tehran University. He held a high ranking position at Saderat Bank. These positions led to the hiring of several of my friends who I introduced to them. Knowing his prestigious position, I was confident that I would have no problem, using his influence to find a position at the health clinic in Saderat Bank. To my astonishment my uncle refrained from hiring me because it went against his principals. He told me that because I was his nephew, the son of his sister, ethically it was not the right thing to do. I questioned him, “but my dearest uncle this country is run only by a one thousand families and…..” He stopped me as he placed a cigarette in between in lips, “my dear nephew that is why people are in rage and are not happy with the system. I can never go against my own values. When I am one that complains about the system, how can I do the same thing by hiring my own nephew?” With a broken heart I left the bank. Eventually I found a position at a local hospital (Mehr) that changed the path of my life altogether.
Interestingly enough at that time there were one thousand ruling families. Today not only are there more than one thousand ruling families, they are entangled with one another in a tribal way, through marriage and other forms. They rule over every government agency and important organization from military to banking. They are so powerful that the chain of control over the public thwarts any progress.
Twenty one years have passed yet the threats remain against Iran and against its people. Ongoing propaganda by the far right, leaves those of us in love with our motherland, at the edge of our seats, wondering about Iran’s future and the future of family and friends who remain there..
Twenty one years have passed and we add one more memory, an agreement with Iran and the world super powers on Iran’s nuclear issue. It remains to be seen if in fact this agreement is one sided. It remains a question because almost immediately after the signing of the agreement, gains made were diminished by the President Obama’s passing of a bill in Congress that discriminated against Iranian-Americans and other hyphenated Iranians having dual citizenship with Iran. This action solidifies the continued control and animosity the West and others have towards Iran and its people. It also clearly shows their desire to continue to suppress Iran and its people, people who simply want peace and unification with the West and the rest of the world.
This day, as I stated above WILL and MUST come. Iranians will see peace between the country of their birth, the countries of their children’s birth and the country they now call home. The day WILL and MUST come when freedoms and social equality are once again the virtue of Iran’s leaders. Again we wish you a happy and prosperous year.