Shahrokh Ahkami
— Persian Heritage, #102-Fall 2021 —
With the arrival of Autumn, we begin a turning point with nature; the gradual changes of the leaves colors and their falling. The extraordinary beauty of nature is fascinating. As we get closer to the end of the fall season, we face the coldness and the lifelessness of nature; the natural changes in our habitat that winter brings.
These changes remind me of the natural habits of humans, how change in a short moment can impact their lives and how adaptable they are to this change. The same way that natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, fires play a role in destroying nature, humans can destroy one another through upheavals and self-destruction overnight. These human acts that end in disastrous outcomes have become very common around the world. The pandemic has destroyed lives for the last two years and there is no end in sight. In fact, it has become stronger, more vicious and kills without mercy as it mutates into a more dangerous virus every day. It destroys and kills on its path and does not know age, color, young or old.
The more recent events in Afghanistan, although shocking to many of us, was planned and formulated by those in charge. It has left people homeless, fleeing for their lives and taking refuge in countries in the region and around the world. After 20 years of exploitation, destruction and war by those that did the planning, this “no man’s land” and its people, once again are left on their own to figure out the future.
While I was reflecting and writing this editorial, I hoped to deliver good and joyful news to our readers, but once again I am faced with covering news that has been part of every household conversation in recent weeks.
During a conversation with one of my old school mates (in Iran) and discussing the vaccination process and how he was waiting for his second dosage of the vaccine, the news came that there had been two deliveries of vaccines. They had been confiscated by groups of thieves to be sold on the black market and are nowhere to be seen, this leaving many vaccination stations without vaccines.
As tears fell from my eyes, I felt my throat swell in an effort to hold back more tears and stop my voice and body from shaking. Trying to reassure my friend on the phone I told him he has waited 3 months what is another 2 weeks?
With a sad voice he responded that the leaders of his country have chosen to vaccinate themselves, their families and friends with the vaccines and have banned the rest of us to receive it. He said when it is our turn to get the vaccine, which includes teachers, workers and people on the front lines, they find the excuse of robberies and thieves… once again they play with our lives.
With an angry tone in his voice he said, with all the armed men, the police and private guards how can a group of thieves rob all these vaccines from the airport grounds?
Isn’t anyone asking them why they are not using all their alleged “might and power” to find those who supposedly robbed us blind?
Do you only use your mighty power and your weapons on innocent people who contest your policies on the corner of the streets?
Is all their might used to imprison and torture those who are only asking what is rightfully theirs?
Instead of catching the petty thieves and cutting off their limbs for punishment why aren’t they catching the gangsters?
In a country where the conversation of Islam is compiled with love and mercy, peace and harmony, friendship and kindness why are your actions brutal and without mercy and value human life?
My friend was engaged in such deep anger and frustration I was afraid that due to his fragile health he would harm himself while on the telephone line. As I was trying to console him and calm him by stating the vaccine issue will be resolved shortly, he started getting even more angry and shouted, “Do you think our problem in this country is limited to the vaccine situation? Our problems here are much greater than that!”
At that point I came up with an excuse to say goodbye. After hanging up with him, my tears started to pour down my face. I thought to myself that even after 60 years of living away from Iran I still am saddened and heartbroken from all the suffering that takes place in my birth home.
I now am rooted and have invested all my personal and professional life in a new country I call home today. My children and grandchildren were born and raised in this country I call home today. I have not even an ounce of hope to ever visit my birthplace at least one more time. Why is it okay, that without the technology of Facetime and Facebook, that a friend who I have not seen in the last 70 years would be unable to recognize me, or me him because of the situation? How is it that this thread and this bond of friendship has not been broken and my love and longing for my birth home continues after all these years?
These emotions and feelings of love and connection amaze me to my soul. How can one stay silent with all the unjustness that takes place and felt by those living there? How can one accept that the highest-ranking individuals in the medical field have taken upon themselves to write an open letter to the head leader (mullah) stating that since the Pfizer, Moderna, and the Astra Zeneca vaccines are made in America and England they are not to be trusted; they are “haram” in the name of religion, their use in Iran should be banned. Ironically the researchers who patented the Pfizer vaccine were a man and a woman who were Turkish and are Moslem. And, two of the first countries to use these vaccines were Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
How is it that these Moslem nations don’t have a problem using vaccines made in America and England, “the master in religion and honor” have banned American made vaccines? Why is it that these leaders don’t have a problem using ammunition, war planes and guns made in America, but when it comes to using lifesaving vaccines, they have a problem? One of the greatest American made products is the cell phone, it is used by the heads of leaders and their family members, why are those not banned?
What is shocking and mind boggling is that a so-called Dr. Namaki, who was a previous head of the Health Ministry, being called a doctor, instead of being labeled by the world courts as a murderer and responsible for the deaths of thousands of people from Corona since August 26th, 2021. No one asks what happened to the Iranian vaccines or the Russian one? Where are they?
Empty promises by the leaders that they will arrive are all that is given to the innocent people so desperately waiting to be vaccinated. Apparently questions and answers are irrelevant to the authorities.
As usual I hope that one day, I will be able to write more hopeful and pleasant news. But today, with all the recent inflation in Iran and the burdens of not even being able to purchase eggs, chicken or milk to feed themselves my hope decreases. Seventy percent of the people live under the poverty line. How can I and others remain silent? How can we talk about the pleasantries of life (flowers and songs of birds)?
In hope of better days, better talks and conversations I continue to wish all of you health, harmony, happiness and joy. I also wish for you a beautiful Mehregan celebration, one of the greatest and most celebrated holidays in our history.