Kamangir (Archer)

Ahmadinejad’s Second Post

Kamangir | October 2, 2006 | Category Iran

Ahmadinejad’s blog now has two posts. In his second post (English (see), Persian (see)), he says the delay between his two posts is because “I preferred to spend all the time that I have allocated for this web log, to read the viewpoints of the visitors”. The post follows with a nine-page discussion he has had in the US. Frankly, I did not read it and did not get why he is using his blog as a news agency. After all, I think he should have hired a translator who is a bit more familiar with blogging.  How many bloggers do you think use the term “web log” with a blank between the two parts? Wasn’t blog considered to be a personal and informal way of talking?

Ramdan, My Story

Kamangir | October 2, 2006 | Category Iran

The holy month of Ramadan began about a week ago. Living in a country where you are assumed to be a Muslim by default, my main impression of this holy event had been the fact that eating and drinking are also added to the long list of not-to-do stuff. Though, I have to admit that as time goes on, more Muslims understand that other people may think differently. I would add that the Islamic Republic is also loosing its power, and charisma. On top of that, the majority of those that fast are nice people who are just delighted to be invited in God’s feast, that’s an Islamic/Iranian name for Ramadan.

It is interesting to know that prices go up at the beginning of Ramadan, thanks to the weak Iranian economy. For a month which should be a symbol of spending time to make a better relationship with God, this is a bit strange, and yet a little bit shameful. Actually, statistics and the average Iranian, both, say that the demand for groceries increases at Ramadan. My father in law put it like this, “you eat anyways, but you have a good reason to eat more in Ramadan”.

I used this long introduction to reach to my interest in Ramadan. Iftar, breaking the fast, is treated very much like a feast, even in Winnipeg. Being proud of having listened to God’s orders, Iranians sit around the table cloth and fill their stomach with food, some of which are customary to Ramadan.

The picture shows a typical Iranian Ramadan table. From top left it goes like this,

Herbs: You can make a fantastically delicious herb-cheese sandwich, which I do miss here.

Aash: A soup with herbs and starch, good for blowing your stomach off.

Tea.

Bread: This one is Sangak, and is it delicious.

The second row,

Cheese: Which obviously is not a filtered creamy gel.

Zolbia: A Ramadan-specific sweet cookie.

Dates: Fantastic source of sugar.

Any way, happy Ramadan to believers and enjoyers, and both.

Safe Sex, Or Arab States Urge Israelis to Use Condom

Kamangir | October 2, 2006 | Category Iran

This is a scene from the national television (INN). Thanks Onze Man in Teheran (see) and View From Iran (see). Thanks Farid for the link (see).