From the Editor’s Desk – Shahrokh Ahkami – Persian Heritage, No.82, Summer 2016
After thinking about a topic for my editorial I decided to comment on the Iran Nuclear deal. To date, Iran and Iranians have not yet seen the commitments made by the signatories of the deal. The 150 billion dollars of Iran’s assets owed are still not returned and it is getting more and more unlikely that it will ever reach Iran. The United States Federal Court has already marked 2 billion of it to be given to the victims of the terrorist attack of the US military base in Lebanon, in the 80’s. And an additional 10-11 billion has been awarded to the victims of 9-11 in a lawsuit where Iran was unjustly named. This coupled with the constant campaign to associate Iran and Iranians with terrorism in the media and now in the present presidential campaigns is demoralizing to the Iranian people and their hopes of rejoining the world they deserve are becoming, once again, a distant dream.
There is a new movie just released, Jimmy Vestvood-American Hero (Note the V is used instead of the W because of our inability to pronounce a W), by Maz Jobrani (an Iranian-American comedian). The subject addressed in the movie is the constant scrutiny Iran and Iranians face by the West, who are always looking for any excuse to use military action against Iran or impose severe sanctions. Because of the constant negative rhetoric used in discussing Iran and Iranians in political campaigns and in the press, Iran and its people are perceived as terrorists and monsters, (Yet I find it interesting that Iran is continuously discussed as a prime vacation destination, in the NY Times and other news mediums. Which is the real Iran, the one to fear or the one suggested as a tourist spot?) Of course the Iranian government officials have done nothing to help Iran’s world image, with their lack of human rights for its citizens. In the end, the victims are the people of Iran; sadly the dark cloud they thought would pass, seems to be returning and with a greater vengeance.
I cannot even begin to count the number of times, through my editorial and other articles, I have pleaded to world powers and people to separate the government of Iran from its citizens. When the West speaks against North Korea, Cuba and Russia it is the leaders Kim Jung-un, Castro and Putin who are attacked. THEIR CITIZENS REMAIN VICTIMS. This is not the case with Iran! Not only are the Iranian people NOT victims, because of their religion Shiite Islam, they are all considered to be potential terrorists. Like the innocent people of Cuba, Russia and North Korea, so are the people of Iran VICTIMS of their rulers.
Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and attorney in Iran and other activists have been incarcerated. Narges was sentenced to 3 prison sentences 5 years, one year and 10 years totaling 16 years after being accused of supporting ISIS and representing a few Sunni clients. The UN and other activist groups were distraught over this news and protested against her fate to no avail. Narges has refused to apologize for her actions and her slogan remains, “The proposal of the hijab and purity is a sign of violence towards women!” Now the government of Iran has hired over 5,000 plain clothes police to walk the streets to control infractions by women to the hijab, dress code and makeup. BUT women over the past four post revolution decades have bravely fought and have gained rights academically, socially, politically and economically. Women and their remarkable achievements will not fold to this group of police. They will continue to fight for their rights and make sacrifices to defend their positions. With Iran as a nation and its people facing very serious difficulties it seems ridiculous that the government has gone to such great lengths to control the Hijab!
WITH THE SAD NEWS OF Narges’s plight fresh in my mind, another news event occurred involving Faezeh Rafsanjani (daughter of one of the former leaders of the revolution and former president of Iran, Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani.) The event involved Faezeh’s visiting a Baha’i woman, Fariba Kamal Abadi. The two met in prison while sharing a prison cell at the horrifying Evin Prison in Tehran. Fariba had received, after serving eight years of her sentence, a holiday break to visit her family in Shiraz. Faezeh went to Shiraz to visit with her friend. Her visit with Fariba made headline news and began a campaign against Mr. Rafsanjani, who was rumored to have the intentions to regain his position as head of the Khobragan Majles (Assembly of Experts). The attacks against him were so severe that even Mr. Sadegh Larijani (head of the Supreme Court stated, “The people who are relatives of leaders in the government and clergy should be more careful about breaking rules. They should know that this type of behavior will be punished harshly.” As a writer in the Iran press said, “It is very interesting that when former president Ahmadinejad brought tapes from Mr. Larijani’s brother, which demanded favors from the hanging Judge Mortazavi, Chief Justice Larijani chose silence.”
The meeting between Fariba and Faezeh reminded me of an event in my life; one that played an important role in molding me as a person. An event that taught me not to consider race, religion or political views before becoming a friend. This event taught me to judge a person on character not on the religion they practice or political party they support. This event was rekindled by a phone call I received in my office a few weeks ago. My cell phone rang as I was about to see a patient. Excusing myself I answered. On the other end I heard a warm, but excited voice. After identifying himself by name he asked me if I knew who he was. “Yes,” I replied! You were my eighth grade teacher and principal, in Quchan. Although this was over sixty years ago my memories of his face were perfectly clear. I asked how he found me after all this time and he stated that it was through Persian Heritage magazine. As we continued our conversation my excitement grew and we began to visit memories of days gone by. I should mention that sixty years ago Quchan, at that time, was a small city without a library or media resources. I asked him if he remembered giving me Dale Carnegie reading materials which I assured him was essential to my learning to speak and communicate. By the softness in his voice “I do remember,” I could tell there was a smile on his face. I also asked him if he remembered the lectures and speeches we did together and if he remembered my friend who moved to Tehran to continue his education. Yes, he remembered. And dear teacher, “Do you remember my Baha’i friend and classmate. I think he remembered where I was going with this question and again softly chuckled. You see my teacher gave my friend a 100 or A+ and gave me a 99 or A-. Back then and feeling strongly about what I thought was an unfair decision he told me the following and it was one of my greatest life lessons. “Shahrokh “your Baha’i friend does not need to know the scriptures of the Koran, he is Baha’i, but you as a Muslim must know the scripture by heart. The grade I gave him was based out of respect for your friendship and his knowledge of YOUR religion.” His words captured me and molded me. Our conversation continued and I brought to his attention his encouragement for me to start a school newspaper. He was happy to hear that I believed his encouragement was the foundation of my interest in journalism and probably the foundation of my starting Persian Heritage magazine.
Realizing how much time had passed he told me to return to my work. I didn’t want to hang up fearing I may not ever talk to him again. Eventually we said our goodbyes. When I returned to my work I reflected on our conversation. I thought it amazing that so many years ago in a small city like Quchan everyone shared a mutual respect. Quchan was made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims and Bahia’s. We worked, lived and played together without consideration of our differences in religion or politics. We had heated religious and political discussions and accepted each other’s political views whether they were Leftists, Royalists, Liberals etc… Once the discussions were over relations normalized and friendships remained, UNTIL. UNTIL the government stepped in arresting, jailing and unfortunately killing those who did not advocate the leaders’ views.
Yes, over 60 years have passed since I left Quchan and to this day I remain influenced by my teacher’s valuable lesson. It has allowed me to live, work, share friendships and publish Persian Heritage without any bias towards those who share a different political view or practice another faith. Persian Heritage’s Editorial Board is comprised of Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Leftists, Socialists, Republicans, Democrats etc. Isn’t it sad that 60 years ago in Quchan and Iran we lived together despite our differences and its citizens are threatened with arrests for visiting a friend of a different faith or supporting a different political view. I hope that the event between Faezeh and Fariba a Muslim and Baha’i friend’s innocent visit, does not lead to an additional prison term for Fariba. I find it interesting that Fariba and Faezeh with different faiths were allowed to share the same cell in prison but now outside of prison the friendship of a Baha’i and a Muslim has produced such a scandal.
In listening to the rhetoric of today’s US presidential hopefuls, I cannot help but wonder if our leadership is much different from Iran’s. They speak the same words, but to a different beat. Their campaigns, in actuality, defy us to think independently. These rhetorical platforms are meant to divide us. The result will be leadership, not elected from our hearts and souls, but rather through their power of manipulation and division. With their constant assaults against Iranians, especially against Muslims and their possible ability to limit their religious rights, is an attacks against the very principals of our country’s foundation. While I know we have treasured freedoms, I am frightened that these freedoms are being chipped away by constant propaganda, subtle division and rhetoric.
In closing I will continue to hope for peace and prosperity for Iranian people and people of the world. I hope that those who read this editorial apply the lesson I learned from my teacher over 60 years ago, in the tiny town of Quchan, Iran. We are meant to be different, BUT OUR DIFFERENCES SHOULD NOT DIVIDE!