From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – PH #79
After years of negotiations, during the early days of this summer, the Iranian Government reached an agreement with the world’s major powers, the 5+1, on the nuclear issue. Today, as I am writing this editorial I have found that the votes needed to pass the agreement have been reached. After years of unimaginable financial burdens, due to the nuclear program, sanctions, inflation and the impact on manufacturing, the Iranian people may have hope for a better future. Celebrations took place in and out of Iran over the agreement and the excitement of normalized relations with the West. The joy then dampened over the possibility that Congress would not approve this historical agreement. With today’s news there will be new celebrations, hopefully not premature. If this agreement finally passes in September, the heavily funded propaganda campaigns against Iran and Iranians in the US media, were not successful in manipulating public opinion to vote against this deal and they were not successful in convincing the public that bombing Iran was the only way to rid Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Can those who hold a special place in their hearts for Iran and its people, finally breathe a sigh of relief?
At the time of the Revolution in Iran, there was hope for reforms, democracy and freedom. The objective was to bring Iran to modernization and implement democracy into the political system. Unfortunately, hope slowly vanished especially among the youth. The tables turned on them and within a short period of time freedom of speech and women’s rights vanished (this was odd considering that 50% of college graduates were women). They found themselves being further oppressed and thrown into prisons because of their lack of Islamic covering or wearing makeup.
The religious minority and political opponents were under additional pressure and eventually forced to flee the country, some even lost their lives. Many scholars, young and old, who had different political agendas or values then those in the newly theocratic government were executed. Thousands and thousands of young people, the assets of the future of Iran, lost their lives.
As time passed Iran was forced into war with Saddam Hossein. Three years into the war Saddam offered Iran 60 billion dollars in war damages, but the war lasted an additional five years. Over one million Iranians lost their lives, millions were injured and the country was left with billions in damages. Today on the news we are over whelmed by the images of refugees, from Syria, Afghanistan and Libya struggling to get to the shores of the Mediterranean. Some losing their lives during the dangerous journey, a journey made to escape the brutal governmental regimes of their homelands. Presently 264,500 refugees have entered into the European continent. Yet others are being denied access into countries such as Hungary, whose government has placed heavily barbed wire fences on the border. Despite the danger, including death, women, children and men continue to try to pass through. Such tactics make those who prevent their passage as horrific as the regimes from which they flee.
All these images and stories remind me of two individuals who are on the cover of this issue of Persian Heritage. On one side is Dr. Cyrus Amirmokri who has two doctorates, one from Harvard and the other from The University of Chicago two of the most prestigious universities in the United States. His hard work led him to the position as Assistant Secretary for the United States Treasury. After leaving this position with the government, he continues to be a successful American-Iranian.
On the other side is Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, a well-known orthopedic spinal surgeon in San Diego, CA. He is also a childhood friend and classmate of Dr. Amirmokri. They both attended Iranzamin Elementary School in Iran. His accomplishments to date include several patents. He continues to research and develop new procedures for less invasive spinal surgical procedures.
These two gentlemen are certainly the pride of the Iranian community and of their parents; parents who at the height of their successful professional careers in Iran, (Dr. Amirmokri’s parents are successful physicians and Dr. Raiszadeh’s mother is a physician and father was the president of a post graduate college in Iran) were forced to leave Iran because of the Revolution and war. They endured the trials and tribulations as immigrants to a new country. They gave up so much and now can revel in the results of their sacrifices. These young men, on the cover, are examples of the productivity that can be reached by and as an immigrant. They are also examples of the valuable minds their birth country has lost, because of politics. Unfortunately over the 35 years, the 6 million Iranians, who were forced to leave Iran and were scattered all around the world and other immigrants, have not all met the same destiny as the Raiszadehs and the Amirmokris. Some have ended up in refugee camps under horrible conditions with no relief in sight.
Should this agreement not pass it is horrifying to imagine what kind of conditions these people have endured and will endure if there is a civil war in Iran or, if Iran was bombed as a result of the negative rhetoric that constantly calls for the destruction of Iran. If these scenarios came to fruition one can only imagine the outcome of such violence and destruction and what would become of the people and the land.
Thousands of Syrians were successful in landing on the European continent land via the water ways. Iranians have no water route to escape. If they were to use the Persian Gulf as an escape route the Arab nations would not give them a safe-haven and would turn them over to the enemy. And, if they fled into Turkey, would they be treated fairly or continue to suffer and be disrespected by the Turks?
With all the negative possibilities that exist for the innocent people of Iran, for all their frustrations and difficulties they have had to endure, IT IS NOW time, after 40 years for the Iranian leadership to change its policy and take a new path in governing the country. The mistrust between Iran’s leadership and the rest of the world must end.
In Iran internal pressures, lack of human rights, increasing executions and lack of travel allowances to the outside world (keeping Iranian families from visiting each other) are signs that this leadership is still not willing to make a truce with the rest of the world.
This war mongering attitude and rhetoric coming from Iran’s Arab neighbors must cease. The nerve of one Iranian official to state that Iran should export their unemployed college graduates. Prior to this comment we heard the term “brain drain.” Now the government itself, in an effort to get rid of a group of talented and highly educated young people, individuals who would be an asset in rebuilding Iran is treating them like products to be exported. This shameful statement by an incompetent official, the high rate of unemployment due to an empty treasury, closer of factories and limitations of social and intellectual activities must end some day. But I do not want it to end by the dropping of a bomb by a neighboring country or by interference by the large world powers to geographically divide Iran.
I hope with the news of today that there will be no bombing in Iran. I also hope that today’s news will bring an end to the thoughts of a new world order, one where Iran is not geographically divided.
This leadership has to make reforms, sympathize with its people, regain the trust of the world powers and gain the respect in the world community. This is the only way all of these issues can be addressed, without needless destruction. Iranian Diaspora wealthy or not must use their resources and start campaigns that will help Iran gain respect from the international community, campaigns that educate the minds of the average individual on Iran and Iranians. As Iranians we must not forget our responsibility to the country whose soil we were born.
We must NOW take the necessary measures to make sure that the international community and the people of the United States understand that Iran and Iranians DO NOT want war. They DO NOT want to go to war with their neighbors. They are a peaceful people. It is important for people to know Iran’s history. Over the last two hundred years, Iran has never started a war but has on occasion defended herself against aggressors and has united to preserve its independence and integrity. Iran’s history shows that Iranians are empathic towards the needs of their fellow country men and women and other suppressed people in the world. I hope with all my heart that in September, when Congress votes on this agreement that it will pass with a larger number of votes than needed. I hope the fire of war rhetoric has diminished. I hope that Iranians both inside and outside will have peace of mind. I hope that the Iranian people’s struggles begin to subside. I hope that they will have the ability to focus their energy on the betterment of their lives and their country. Maybe all this war propaganda and the threats being made is a great lesson for all Iranians. Maybe it has taught us to be more united as a people; one with a united voice against threats. The more united we are the louder our voice can be heard when we tell the world that Iranians are a people of peace and harmony. I wish all of you my fellow readers a peaceful and harmonious future full of pride for Iran and Iranians where ever you are.