Kamangir (Archer)

Reader's Comments

1. ?? ????? | August 9th, 2008 at 1:38 am

   :)

2. Mani | August 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

   Who is that stupid man who said that.
   But any way I am happy that the Iranian government made such decision to put a woman in the front. This shows that they have changed

3. Robby | August 9th, 2008 at 10:39 pm

   Mani -

   I also read that, for the first time since 1979, Iranians may compete with athletes from the ‘Zionist regime’. Well, they can compete as long as it’s not head-to-head. i.e. they can compete in things like swimming, but not in individual sports like Judo. Although there is one report that says they changed their minds, don’t know if it is true:

   (http://www.infolive.tv/en/infolive.tv-27137-israelnews-iran-pulls-swimmer-out-olympic-competition-refusing-allow-him-compet)

   I’m afraid it this is the first sign of change real reform has a long way to go.

   BTW - I still don’t understand the fear of the word “Israel”…

4. Iranian feminism « Blogging for a free world | August 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

   [...] Kamangir (Archer) » Features Human Rights Iran Islamic Republic Lead Story » “I regret the fact …. [...]

5. Global Voices Online » Iran: High ranked cleric is upset about Olympics Opening | August 10th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

   [...] Kamangir reported that the Leader of the Friday Prayers in the religious city of Mashhad, Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Alam Alhoda, stated regret because Iran’s team in the opening of the Olympics was led by a woman. Posted by Hamid Tehrani  Print Version Share This [...]

6. Mani | August 11th, 2008 at 12:38 am

   Robby,

   Mr.Rahim Mashai, the head of heritage organization and Iranian president’s consultant persisted today on his last comment which was criticized by some hardliners

   He has said before that people of Iran, USA and Israel are all friends and the their problem is with Israeili regime not their nation as is the case for Americans.

7. Robby | August 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am

   Mani - I read the quote from Mr. Mashai, but…

   Refusing to allow Iranian athletes to compete against Israelis is contrary to that statement. I read that they would allow the swimmers to compete because it is not head-to-head competition, oh, and there would be more then 5 lanes separating the two. Don’t you think if the Iranian government really meant what they said it would extend to sports?

   Please tell me, why does the Iranian press and so many government figures refuse to say ‘Israel’?

8. Mani | August 12th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

   Robby,

   I just read today that Israel has banned the publication of Harry Potter books in Arabic language. Aren’t many arabs living in Israel at the moment? While Israel is afraid of children books I can’t blame Iranian government to be afraid of their Olympic members to compete with Israeli athletes which can be interpreted as acknowledgeing their regime.

9. Robby | August 12th, 2008 at 10:50 pm

   So you support an Iranian athlete training for many years, then giving up their dream because an Israeli is competing? Don’t you find it hypercritical to say you “love the people” but don’t allow you’re own citizens to compete against those people athletically? I have never supported boycotting the Olympics by ANY country.

   The Iranian leaders acknowledge Israel every time they mention “Zionist Entity”. Please tell me, why do the Iranian press and so many government figures refuse to say ‘Israel’?

   Banning Harry Potter in Arabic makes no sense to me, I don’t support banning books. I wouldn’t say Israel is afraid of a children’s book since you can buy in English and Hebrew, which is what most people read. I don’t understand the correlation between banning Harry Potter in Arabic and not competing in the Olympics?

10. Mani | August 13th, 2008 at 2:10 am

    Well the only relation is both of them are stupid!

11. Roman Kalik | August 13th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    I just read today that Israel has banned the publication of Harry Potter books in Arabic language. Aren’t many arabs living in Israel at the moment? While Israel is afraid of children books I can’t blame Iranian government to be afraid of their Olympic members to compete with Israeli athletes which can be interpreted as acknowledgeing their regime.

    A highly misleading comment, Mani.

    http://www.witness.co.za/?showcontent&global_id=11562

    Or if you care for a more detailed article:

    http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/771/881.html

    I’ll even put in the extra effort and translate it for the non-Hebrew readers.

    The Treasury Versus the Importer of the Arabic Pinocchio

    To the Iranian threat that, as some say, floats over the head of Israeli society, a new danger has now joined: The Arabic version of the children’s book “Pinnocchio”, translated and printed in Lebanon. A few days ago the Industry and Trade Office informed a publisher from Haifa, who specializes in marketing Arabic literature, that his license to import literary works from Lebanon and Syria will now be renewed.

    At a glance, it appeared that the state of Israel went out to punish Pinocchio for his mean lies, but was soon revealed that Grandfather Geppetto’s wooden puppet is not alone. The “Harry Potter” books, the British boy of magic, which were printed in Lebanon, will also remain outside the borders of the country, as will the works of Paulo Coelho - “The Alchemist” and “The Zahir”.

    And the list goes on, containing, among others, titles that are bestsellers in Arabic countries, at the top of which are the novels of Syrian writer Heifah Bittar (sp?) and the Lebanese writer Hena’n a-Sheikh (sp?).

    “Most of these books, in their Arab version, are only found in Lebanon and Syrian,” complains Salah Abassi, the owner of the “Kol Bo Sfarim” publishing house. “Were they printed in Egypt or Jordan, which are nations friendly to Israel, I’d rush to buy them there. Now the meaning of this is that the Arab-reading public in Israel will not enjoy the finest examples of literature.”

    In a notice given recently to Abassi, the [Industry and Trade] Office officials quoted the legal opinion of Treasury Office jurists, that ruled that it is forbidden to trade with enemy states. The ban on the trade in the books is based on an order that is based on a [British] Mandate law from the year 1939.

    The Treasury Office spokesman, Shlimi Sheffer, told Ma’ariv that the order totally forbids trade of any kind with enemy states. “To prevent the need to confiscate the goods once they have reached the customs, we inform of this in advance,” said Sheffer.

    “Israel definitely trades with Syria,” Abassi responds. “Apples from the Golan Heights are sent to Damascus through the Kuneitra Passage, and there is also a hidden import of clothing. We’re in the 21st century. This is about beautiful literature, not harmful material.”

    Abassi is aware of the law, which is why he previously tried to import books printed in Lebanon and Syria - through Jordan. Two years ago customs officials destroyed 4000 books at the border pass, among them books intended for children, which he [Abassi] had imported from Jordan. A damages lawsuit of 1 Million Shekels that Abassi filed against the State is still being conducted.

    In the recent and up-to-date opinion of the Treasury, it was set that the ban applies to the country in which the books were printed, and it is valid even if purchased in another country.

    Abassi, the biggest publisher and marketer of Arabic literature in Israel, stood half a year ago at the center of a special initiative of translating and distributing Hebrew literature in Arabic countries. In cooperation with various groups in Israel his publishing house translated seven renowned titles of the Hebrew literature, among them “Adam Resurrected” by Yoram Kaniuk and “Homesick” by Eshkol Nevo.

    “I send copies of them to Bahrain, Lebanon, and Saudi-Arabia. No one told me then that it was trade with enemy states.” Treasury officials state that the “Kol Bo Sfarim” publishing house may submit a request for special imports, and it will be debated by the Treasury Minister himself. Four years ago the then-minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, issued a special permit allowing Israeli firms to trade with Iraq of the post-Saddam era. It is interesting what the decision will be for Syria and Lebanon of the Assad and Nasrallah era.

12. Roman Kalik | August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    To continue my previous comment, which will appear once it passes moderation, the “bad on Arabic books” does not exist per se - what exists is a ban on trade with states with which Israel is at a state of war with. Today, that pretty much means Syria and Lebanon, as I don’t believe there were actual official declarations of war between Israel and the Gulf states, or Libya.

    The ban on trade sadly covers books which were published in Lebanon and Syria. This still leaves importers and local publishers pretty much all of North Africa, the Gulf, the entire north of the Middle-East. Still a stupid by-product of that law, in my opinion, and I for one think that a general exception should be made for literature - which seems to be an option, legally speaking, just one the publisher in question didn’t apply for…

    Oh well.

13. leo | August 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    “I for one think that a general exception should be made for literature”

    Not all literature is children literature.
    Not all children literature is harmless literature (Hamas’s suicidal rabbits for example).

    If exception is to be made it should be made on per case basis, literature or not.
    Then officials will be overwhelmed with petitions to review.
    So, perhaps the easiest would be not to allow exceptions even if it seems stupid at a glance.

14. Roman Kalik | August 13th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    You’re probably right about the case-by-case basis review, Leo, as opposed to a general exception.

15. Robby | August 13th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    Even though it is not censorship, you can get a copy of Mein Kampf in Israel, but not Harry Potter in Arabic – kind of ironic.

    On the subject of censorship – “Reporters without Borders” ranks countries ‘press freedom’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters_Without_Borders). A low number reflects more freedom, a high number means less freedom.

    In 2007 they ranked 169 countries, the country with the most freedom of press was Iceland (.75), and the worst was Eritrea (114.75). Iran was number 166 with a rating of 96.50.

16. Robby | August 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am

    Mani - looks like Mr. Mashai’s statements weren’t taken so well…

    http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66554&sectionid=351020101

    “Using the name of Israel was only meant to show that the friendship message of the Iranian nation to the people of the world is very inclusive,” he said in his letter.

    “It is obvious that this word (Israel) is the most hated word, not only from Iran’s political perspective but also across the world,” IRNA quoted Mashaei as saying in his letter.

    “This word is reminder of racism, inhumanity and violence and I also believe that there will be no place for this word in Iran’s culture,” he added.

    Does that imply that “Israel” is now banned in Iran?

17. Mani | September 18th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    Robby,

    Politics always use words depending on the political climate but in general Mashai’s comment means that they are trying to minimize tensions and differentiate between people and ideologies and this is exactly what Western media tries to hide.

    Every one can express his opinion about ideologies and Zionism is an ideology not a country or people so I can say I want to see a day when Zionism disappears from the page of history. Does this means that I want Israel and Jews to be wiped off the map? No not at all.

    And today despite lots of pressue on Mashai to resign because of his comment on frienship with Israili people (not regime) Ahmadi nejad endorsed him and supported his comment and said this is also what the government beleives.

    Now lets se how Western media responses to this. I am sure they won’t cover it as seriously as they did for his mistranslated “wipe off” stuff.

18. Mani | September 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    Robby
    see this as well
    http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=69866&sectionid=3510302

19. Robby | September 21st, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    Mani – I didn’t read anything that said he threatened to wipe them off the face of the earth, I only read that he thought it “should” be wiped from the face of the earth.

    I can’t remember anytime in recent history where the leadership of one country declared hatred (“hatred” is my word) for people of a sovereign country. Usually you will hear statements closer to what Mr. Mashayee said.

    Please read the quote by Ayatollah Khamenei’s in Fars News “It is incorrect, irrational, pointless and nonsense to say that we are friends of Israeli people” http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8706301264

    Despite your explanation, I find it childish that Ahmadinejad avoids say Israel.

20. Mani | September 21st, 2008 at 11:45 pm

    Well Robby,

    I think Khamenei and Ahmadi nejad are not the same people so I don’t know why you are quotaing him here.

    Secondly how many people in Israel opposed their government statement about attcking Iran?

    and how many peopel accused Hillary Clinton for her stupid comment about obliterating all Iranians. This clearly shows how bias Western media is.

21. Robby | September 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am

    Mani, sorry, but I’m confused; don’t think I’m getting your point. I don’t remember saying the press was not biased.

    The real danger is when people don’t have the opportunity to see other sides. According to Pew over 50 million Americans get their news over the internet daily. And so many foreign news agencies now publish in English, it is very easy. Foreign news outlets are not banned; we can read the same story reported from different angles (sometimes it is interesting to see what is not reported). Unfortunately people in countries like Saudi Arabia, Syrian, Iran, etc… have to jump thru hoops just to see some news sites.

    Hillary Clinton’s statement was ignorant, and I was surprised a candidate would say something like that, especially a democrat. It was a stupid attempt to pander to the right.

    My point about Khamenei and Ahmadi nejad: they are showing open disdain for citizens, not a government. Saddam Hussein got something like 99 per cent of the votes, and he was anti-Iran (remember the war), so Iranians should hate Iraqis? Iranian leaders often spew anti-American rhetoric, should I hate the Iranian people – after all they did elect them?

    One last thing – if you can, rent “Where in the world is Osama Bin Laden”, its sort of ‘documentary’ that relates to this subject.

22. shzadi | September 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm

    Masha’allah, that is a great thing to see. What do they teach about Islam in Iran? Islam promoted gender equality. Iranian Islam has something wrong with it.

23. Mani | September 23rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Robby,

    My whole point was that we can’t trust what media tell us all the time and especially we can based this on the numbers or repetitions.

    Ahmadinejad didn’t say we want Israeli off the map and this is only made by the media just to justify another war in the Middle East. But if that happen, (and Israeili air strike) I can’t imagine how the only sympathy for Jews left among Iranian people will be vanished.

    Also in Iran, despite Saudi Arabia and other countries you mentioned, people get lots of news via newspapers and internet and that’s why a lot of websites such as Radiozamaneh, Radiofarda, BBC, RadioAmrica etc are investing on this and I wouldn’t believe that they are telling the truth either.

    Even though there are redlines for press, but there is quite a good range of political views from ultra conservatives to highly reformists in Iran. I can’t imagine how a newspaper in Saudi Arabia can criticize the royal family or kingdom but in Iran they are easily criticizing president and the government trust me. Democracy needs to be built and Iran is on the track. We just need more time and less bullying and interference by the super powers.

    I will watch that documentary, thanks

24. Robby | September 25th, 2008 at 9:00 am

    I didn’t know there were reform newspapers from within Iran. Do any of the papers print something that is pro-Israel?

    I wouldn’t say its a total documentary, it has some comedy in it also. But it sort of reinforces some of your points.

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