Kamangir (Archer)

Iranians vs Islamic Republic

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

I understand that looking at Iran as shown by this administration, people would conclude that Iranians are a bunch of unpleasantly religious creatures who never have fun. To help understanding the differences between the Islamic Republic policies and the actual Iranian spirit I show some samples. The first picture shows a painting by the Iranian leading painter, Mahmoud Farshchian. This is only one sample of the whole category of passionate Iranian drawings. See his many other works here (see) (see). The second picture is a real photo depicting a Bakhtiari girl, a very old tribe of nomad Iranians. I regret to say she does not comply with the standards of Islamic decency as defined by Ahmadniejad. My last example about Iranian culture is a poem by Hafiz (see) and this is not the only sample you can find in Hafiz’s work. Knowing that Hafiz means “the one whom recites the whole Quran” the distraction between his way of thinking and the Islamic Republic policies is very interesting. See the whole poem here (see). See more poems by Hafiz here (see).Where is sensible action, & my insanity whence?

See the difference, it is from where to whence.
From the church & hypocritical vestments, I take offence
Where is the abode of the Magi, & sweet wine whence?
For dervishes, piety and sensibility make no sense
Where is sermon and hymn, & the violin’s music whence.

Immodesty

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

The Iranian administration is talking about immodesty. I just wanted to clarify the meaning of this word. Here I give samples of “bad”, “acceptable”, and “decent” people with the Islamic Republic’s definition.

Bad

Acceptable

Decent

The copyright of the three first images are for Nader Davoodi (see). He has collected a fascinating set of images from Iran (see).

p.s. The woman in front of the microphones is Elaheh Koolaii, a former female member of the parliament from the reformist party. Azadeh reminded me that she is a better example of what the administration has in mind as the “acceptable” way of clothing for women. However, I have to remind her that she was threatened to be killed if she wanted to join parliament sessions wearing like that. Anyway, she was brave enough to do that.

Kindness of an Extremist

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

“A member of parliament’s dignity does not allow him to decide about people’s wearing style” told Tabatabaei (Persian: سیدمهدی طباطبایی) a member of the majority fraction of the Parliament (see). He added “Islam is the religion of kindness” and that “Islam never have mentioned what people should use as a cover and which color should be actually used”. He continues “it is only said how people should cover themselves”. He kindly mentions “people should be kindly guided about the covering”. Finally, he concludes “those who are not willing to accept the covering, I suggest them to leave the country” because “there is no room for them in an Islamic country like Iran”. I suppose that’s an example of kindness of an extremist.

Nuclear Marriage

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

IRNA reports that a 27-year-old Filipino woman changed her name to “Fatima” and converted to Islam (see). The report says that after doing extensive research and inspired by the many successes of Muslims she made this decision. Then she married an Iranian man who told the reporters “Fatima is very happy because of the achievements of Iran in nuclear technology and believes that we succeeded because of facing America down”. Thanks Ali for the link (see).

Tehran League

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

Freedom (Esteghlal, Persian: استقلال) and Persepolis (Persian: پرسپولیس) are the two major Iranian football teams. In the last Tehran league Esteghal won the trophy.

Peaceful Guidance Squad

Kamangir | April 22, 2006 | Category Iran

Tehran Police announced the establishment of a new “guidance squad”. The attending officers will stop people offending Islamic values in the streets. In another news Tehran Police declined the reports that they are willing to face “indecent” people (see). He stated that the new plan is to increase social security and the officers will talk to people “peacefully” (see).