Kamangir (Archer)

Children of The Islamic Republic

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

These pieces of clay are called Mohr (Persian: مهر) (see). During the prayers Muslims bow down and put their foreheads on them as a sign of courtesy to the God. The picture is taken in a mosque. According to the Islamic law, boys have to start praying when they turn into 15. But many Muslim families like to “encourage” their boys to say their prayers very earlier.
The head-band reads “Basij is the devoted army of God” (Persian: بسیج لشکر مخلص خداست).

According to Islam, Girls should wear scarf and say their prayers when they turn into nine. Again, many families prefer to start that process sooner. In the second picture, the girl seems to be rearranging her scarf which she is wearing beneath her Chador.

This picture is taken during the protests against “immodesty” in Tehran.

They Boy’s look

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

I am definitely sorry that Kamangir is getting heavy by including lots of images in my posts. But I really can’t help ignoring these fantastic ones. The fences are placed to avoid crowd’s pressure to crush into the place where government officials are seating. This photo is also taken during Ahmadinejad’s visit to Zanjan. What is the boy starring at?

The Boy and The President

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

What would you think after watching these pictures in national media? He knows what he is doing. Look at the boys face! He would feel like being somebody very special for couple of years.

Ahmadinejad in Zanjan

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

These photographs are taken in Zanjan during Ahmadinejad’s visit.

The sheet reads “Mr President…”. Also, there is an arrow in the right. I can not find any meaning for this probably welcome message. The sheet reads “Independent Member of Parliament Is Our Definite Right” (”Parliament” is the word added by hand to make the meaning clear). This sentence is very similar to, and is actually made from, the famous “Nuclear Energy Is Our Definite Right”. I assume Ahmadinejad has been staying in a district which has had a joint member of parliament with another location.

The text written on the side of the hill reads “Nuclear Energy Is Our Definite Right, by Dandi Municipality” (Dandi is probably the name of a small town).

Do you think these men care about anything rather than having a job and living a decent life? They are told, and unfortunately they have believed, that nuclear technology is a kind of wealth.

Do they look like terrorists? Though, I know that poor people who are devoted to a religion make very good soldiers and suicide bombers. But at least lets remember what the source of oppression is and who benefits from the consequences.

Determined Judy

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

The summer is coming and the world is going to end soon, you know” she says that after she gives me the special thing she has ordered for me. Her surprise is a Persian booklet printed in Italy in 2002 titled “Is There A Creator Who Cares About You?”. She then goes for a five-minute monologue about the similarity of faith and the stomach; that both of them should be treated very regularly. “So, when can Glen and I come to visit you? Maybe next Saturday?”. Judy is standing in front of me with the light make up she is always wearing and I can see that her purse is full of booklets. I was rushing out on my bicycle when she caught me. I think Iranian Muslims are probably as determined as she is, but she definitely behaves people much better. Azadeh says because Jehovah Witnesses are a minority group.

The picture above is the exact one depicted on the cover of the booklet she gave me.

Protest in Tehran

Kamangir | April 28, 2006 | Category Iran

After the Friday prayers, Tehrani attendants protested against “immodesty” and “lack of moral security”. They also condemned the proposal to let women watch games in stadiums. Though, nobody seems to have remembered that actually Ahmadinejad issued that order.