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The Ends Do Not Justify the Means

There are certain fragments from history, which though they may have depths that are yet to be discovered, are nonetheless instructive. The relationship between Iran and the U.S. constitutes one such fragment. I do not intend to be longwinded because I think the issue is so clear that it does not need much elaboration. In brief, the subject at hand concerns the trip of two hardworking friends to D.C. where they asked Republican (!) and Democratic (!) senators for their help with Human Rights issues in Iran. We can defer for now the discussion of the tragic Human Rights situation in Iran, since we all know it very well and we all suffer from it. However, what I am moved to write about now is motivated by a serious objection to two aspects of the form and content of these speeches.

Continue reading "The Ends Do Not Justify the Means"

The impact of war on women and children

As an Iranian witness and civilian victim of the bloody war between Iran and Iraq in 80s and as a Peace advocator, during these days of Iranian nuclear spotlight and a possibility of another war in my region, I try to learn more about the impact of war on human health and environment.

It is easy to stay at home, turn on the news and listen and see the toll of death in Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan.. After a while according to the Psychological Defence Mechanisms in which operate on an unconscious level, our mind automatically delete these awful news. Repression is the primary ego defense that makes all other psychological defensiveness possible. It prevents anxiety-provoking thoughts from entering consciousness.

Repression helps us cope with everyday problems. It can act in response to conflict and pain of one's past.
However, repressed memories do not disappear. Repression can drain creative energy, create a stiffness of character and may lead to more serious psychological problems.
It is shameful that most of us forget the pain of people in the wars; women and children have been the primary victims of all of wars in the world.

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Is Ahmadinejad dressing up as Bush for Halloween

"I thought Ahmadinejad was suppose to be curbing corruption in Iran! So why is running around banning foreign movies and talking about wiping Israel from the face of the earth when doing business in Iran is still like trying to walk down a street waist deep in mud?

This confirms my deepest fears – in Ahmadinejad Iran has found its very own GW Bush! Not only does his religious zealotry blind him to any sort of practical political action, but he is clearly frothing too much at the mouth to see the ironies of his own rhetoric."

Continue Reading "Is Ahmadinejad dressing up as Bush for Halloween?" in No War for Iran!

Where is Farshid Faraji?

Farshid Faraji, an independent Iranian cameraman, who was arrested by the American military forces in Iraq,” is missing. Faraji, who entered Iraq on May 2nd 2005 with valid visa and proper documents to complete the filming of the documentary, “In Search of Cyrus, the Great,” does not appear on the Red Cross list. While the Red Cross has registered the arrest of Koroush Kar, the producer of the film, there is no information available about Farshid Faraji’s whereabouts.

After shooting scenes in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey, Faraji and Kar entered Iraq, in order to film the historical site of Babylon, but lost contact with their families after the first week of entering Iraq. Koroush Kar contacted his family and notified them that the he and Faraji were arrested on May 19th, 2005. Farshid Faraji’s family, who is gravely concerned about his safety, has not been able to find any information about Farshid from the Red Cross and the Iranian authorities.

Iranian filmmakers and advocacy groups are putting pressure on the Iranian government to take appropriate steps to find Farshid Faraji. We need the help of human rights groups and international advocacy organizations in asking the United States government to provide Fashid’s family with information about their son’s arrest. We believe that while Farshid is being interrogated, his family has the right to know about his status and his whereabouts.

Thank you,

People who are concerned about Farshid Faraji and his family.

I’m really scared

Syamak Moattari*
moattari [at] gmail [.] com

I feel cold, when I think about the possible war against my homeland, I remember when I was a second grade high school student, at a very cold night in the winter, I experienced for the first time in my life a couple of big explosions in my town in the west of Iran.

We have been slept under the KORSI (a covered table by thick and big blanket with a heater source under it) I was in my dream when I feel a blue color on the sky and then the massive explosions have occured.

Early next day we went to the scene; it was a part of the historic Bazaar of my town and a part of a crowded poor place of our community.
Actually at that night we received a couple of Skad Rockets from Sadam Hossein Army.

During the bloody conflict between Iran and Iraq I was witness of a plenty of victims in our cities and our people.

I am really scared when I hear the US has a plan to attack to my country during the coming 16 months and the scenario will start with sending the Iranian Atomic nuclear program file to the Security Council.

My picture of war hasn’t come from Hollywood movies; I have seen the pain, the kids tear, grand mom’s cries, bloody streets…

*Syamak Moattari is an Iranian environmental activist who is working on sustainable development issues. He graduated from Shahid Beheshti university as a medical Doctor in 1995.

The Anti-War Origins of Mother's Day

Posted by Sima Shakhsari

The Anti-War Origins of Mother's Day

From Veterans for Peace

WASHINGTON - May 7 - Each year the president issues a Mother's Day Proclamation. The original Mother's Day Proclamation was made in 1870. Written by Julia Ward Howe, perhaps best known today for having written the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" in 1862 when she was an antislavery activist, the original Proclamation was an impassioned call for peace and disarmament. In the years following the Civil War her political activism increased, as did her condemnation of war. Here are the words to the original Mother's Day Proclamation:

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Marla! We need each other!

I am writing on behalf of all those hearts in Iran who wish to express their deep respect towards the glory of humanity; To Marla. *
Sara Mohammadi



"-Hi! I’m Marla "
You knocked the doors,
They didn’t know you.

Marla!
You were in love! Entangled! Captivated!

Marla! Your parents are having a funeral for you today.
Your friends, ordinary people, barefoot ones, journalists, human rights activists, all will be in Baghdad tomorrow. Crying.

Marla!Hold my shoulders, soothe me!
As you used to soothe Iraq’s victims.
Majid (from the Red Cross) said Afghan girls’eyes always glitter!
Your glittering eyes are now closed,
Like the eyes of Kabul’s girls, Basra’s kids, and the rural men and women from Nepal…

Marla!
For you, funerals can be hold everywhere,
We can be thinking of you everywhere,
Kabul, Basra, Nepal, Cuba… anywhere

Marla!
Who can tell Hoora that your car has been exploded?
Terrorists always make mistakes; they wanted to hit the Americans’ car…
Who can tell Hoora -the girl who was injured in a bomb attack – that she shouldn’t wait anymore?
Since you are also…

Marla!Calm me down! Calm me down!

Do you think Bush would not be anxious in his speeches anymore?
You won’t shout from the back of the hall anymore:
“It’s a lie! It’s a lie! I have the names of the victims’ families Mr.Bush!
I have photos, I …”

Marla!
You stood with those who had the least chance for staying alive!
You stood, stood…
You stood till you became like one of us…
A hard life that ends with a bomb blast…

Marla!
Dear Marla!
The world needs your life…
Marla! Marla!
Repeating your name heals our wounds!

Hoora calls your mom
Hoora tells your mom to endure the pain of loosing you
You had taught Hoora to be hopeful in life,
When her mother was killed in an explosion…

We hold each other’s hands
In the name of you Marla!
From everywhere
Kabul
Baghdad
Nepal
Cuba
…
California
And anywhere

We fight the great sufferings

We won’t let go of each other’s hands!

Marla!We need each other!

Marla! My American sister!
Your parents said they would follow your path in Civic
We all will follow your path

Marla!You are calm…
Your last message is left on your parent’s answering machine:
" Mom and Dad, I love you, I’m Ok"

Translated by Sanam Dolatshahi

*Marla Ruzicka, founder of Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC), was traveling Saturday April 16, near Baghdad International Airport when a car bomb exploded, killing her and her driver. Marla began working with the human rights organization Global Exchange in high school, taking on assignments in Zimbabwe, the Middle East and Nicaragua. Ruzicka, 28, founded Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict in 2003. The mission of the campaign is to "mitigate the impact of the conflict and its aftermath on the people of Iraq by ensuring that timely and effective life-saving assistance is provided to those in need." She began a door-to-door survey of civilian casualties the day after a statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled in Baghdad in April 2003. (Source: CNN)

More on this issue:
Civic
Guardian Unlimited
Alter Net
Common Dreams
CNN
A Flash Clip, dedicated to the memory of Marla – Ayene