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Published: August 5th 2007
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Azadi Square
driving around Tehran I love ice cream - and I know that my fave delicacy wouldnt exist if it weren't for refridgerators and air-conditioners for the scorching summer heat, but did you know that all three first originated in Persia? of course, mechanical devices didnt exist at the time, but...they still managed with primative alternatives. Persia impresses me with the number of inventions we take for granted today.
So here is my second interim blog, where I would like to express some of my thoughts on Iran. Do decide to ignore such comments if you prefer, as I am not planning to press ideas into you. Call me naive or such if you desire, but I shall state my personal conclusions.
I was rather amazed during my trip to hear about the knowledge young Iranians possessed over the Japanese. Everytime I encountered a group of young students, they always asked with enthusiasm, 'Az Chine, az Japon?' In which case i responded, 'man az japon hastam' - they would clap in glee and the few english speakers would tell me about an aquaintance's visit to Japan. it is a fact that the japanese are welcomed and loved in Iran, also with the
National Museum in Tehran
A relief fo Darius receiving homage. popularity of a TV show called 'Oshin'.
I am unsure, but perhaps it is due to the fact that Japan is the top export partner of Iran, mainly due to petroleum and natural gases. Figures rise approximately to about 15% per year.
Back in the 80s, there was a huge increase of Iranians in Japan. this was due to the accelerating unemployment rate in the country, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979 led by Ayatollah Khoumeini, and the unexpected Iran-Iraq war. At the time, it was unnecessary for Iranians to obtain a visa to enter japan. so, hundreds of Iranians saved up approximately $2400 to fly to our east asian nation for the reasons that they respected japan to be in the G7, that they had been beaten by the Americans in WWII but managed to prosper economically.
this huge influx of Iranians scared the hell out of Japanese citizens, as they have never been used to foreigners. to this day, there is a national pride of maintaining homogenous blood and hence, unlike majority of other nations, japan is populated by a majority of the same race. incredible isn't it, where younger generations are scolded at for
Shiraz
visiting a mosque in Shiraz, seeing the decoration of beautiful mirror mosaics. being involved with foreigners? Can't they realize the fact that one day in the close future, we human beings will all be 'mutts'? otherwise, the nation will be full of inbreds, which no one really desires.
hence, the japanese panicked when a bunch of iranians congregated in public parks (this is part of Iranian culture, where green lawns are so sparse - instead of meeting up at starbucks, they tend to meet in parks), as it was seen as a threat to the Japanese race. Any matter regarding clusters of a foreign race is criticized in japanese culture.
And yet, those Iranians who managed to stay in japan did not tell their relatives about the horrible racist experiences they dealt with during their stay. I know that in reality they must have gone through it, no matter how minor it was.
Righty ho then. onto current business. Continuing my studies on Iran, I do occasionally come across the horrible comments online along the lines of 'Eff all muslims...die!!!' way too often. in all sincerity, what does Islam have to do with all the crazy radicals of Al-Qaeda or Hezbollah? Sure, they claim to be Islamic groups, but
Shiraz
Friday mosque, in the middle of the courtyard we all have our stances.
For instance, what do the Japanese think of the Tibetan form of Buddhist? well, not much. do we worship the Dalai Lama? No, we actually think him as something far apart from our personal beliefs. we are a secular nation really, where we believe God is something that is a personal interpretation that lies in our hearts. And yet we are buddhist according to wikipedia or most travel guides. Buddhism is such a vast religion, that it differs to the point that we can't idenitfy with all thoughts.
So then, Islam is the same, isn't it, especially when it is probably going to grow to become the largest religious belief in the next few years? look at the silk route - how many countries and kilometres does it spread through - from Indonesia to Morocco - we can't exactly say that all forms of Islam is the same. there are so many varieties. The Iranians claim that the production of nuclear weapons and suicidal bombers are forbidden according to Shiite beliefs (apparently, martrydom through suicidal bombing is actually seen as a key to the path to heaven in Wahaabi Suuni beliefs). And the
esfahan
Imam mosque courtyard with pool powerful Ayatollah Khamanei has claimed so alongside other grand ayatollah Yusef Saanei (who is a supporter of women's rights in Iran - his site once shut down).
Alas, the issue of nuclear weapons do come into place. i can't take a specific stance, but all I can say is that I believe it to be a legitimate reason for nuclear research, that is, for peaceful reasons and a quest for oil alternatives. We all know that the earth's natural resources shall be exhausted within the next few decades, and Iran's current main export is petroleum. what will happen to a nation where the population has boosted in the past decade? Over two-thirds of the Iranian population is under the age of thirty. the national deficit numerals rise up as they keep their governmental spending upon muslim rules - ie. offering free medical care for all citizens, free education, a secure social security system and subsidized costs for food-expenses and gasoline...sure, some kind of new arrangement has to be made in the near future, but...with US -pressed sanctions in foreign trade too? And the US-threat to harden decisions made by International Atom Energy Agency (IAEA), even after a 1978 signing
scandalous 'pink' Rose Mosque
A panel at the Rose mosque in Shiraz of NPT?
All right, sure, times have changed since the last Shah of Iran organized the signing of such a treaty, worrying about the extraction of petroleum. Iran is a completely different nation now. But really, after dealing with such an unexpected invasion by Hussein (Iran-Iraq war) - how many people did i see with scars from the chemical damages. I dont know. but without any foreign support, what protective measures could the Iranians think of, it's something they cannot ever easily forget.
Am I saying anything specific? No, I have no concrete conclusion, and I will not say. All I would like to state is that i'm a silly student willing to study more about recent issues and build the intelligence to come to a proper thought.
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TYO David
non-member comment
been reading your blogs
u write pretty funny comments gurl, but this 1's chill to check out. u a iran studies student? dunno, but i think i no who u r. writing from an internet cafe, think i saw u pass by! luv to talk witchu!