For Lily

High school times we had an Arabic story to translate as a class lesson. The story was about an Arab tribal chief who is the guest to a Caliph. When they all are ready to eat, the chef puts a tray of his special foodstuff on the table. It is a pair of roasted Partridges. To the surprise of all audience, the Chief starts laughing at the roasted Partridges. Somewhat embarrassed Caliph asks the reason of the Chief's laughter. The Chief Recalls: "There was time when I was younger and I used to be a bandit. Once I robbed a man who had been far left behind a Caravan. He gave each and every one of his belongings to me and begged his life. But I denied to let him go and I was about to kill him that, he looked in the vicinity hopelessly, since no one was around, sighing to the two Partridges near to us, that; they should be eyewitnesses to his being killed sinless" The astounded audience were wordless. "Now", Chief went on saying: "I am laughing at the foolishness of that poor man who desperately was convinced that those two birds can revenge his murder". The Caliph angrily cried: These birds indeed are exactly those two Partridges, and I command this ridiculous man to be punished now".
Mr. Ladurne, to me is playing the role of those two birds for: the Afghans, Colombians Iraqis Iranians who have faced the worse tyranny ever can be imagined. The Colombians who to report their agony and deprivation. When he goes to Colombia to Iraq to Iran
He is far from home and specially you as his dear daughter
He sacrifice He listens to a people that no one else would care. I witnessed myself that he went to a young boy's funeral has been killed by British bombardments of
While he , like any of his colleagues back home

Lady in Room 1424

Gravestones at Dulab cemetery have many things to say, at least for the lady in room 1424 Enqelab hotel, Tehran.Exactly, 60 years ago a group of 114000 polish people, a combination of military and civilians left Soviets and came down to Iran. Most of them left the country soon after to join the war against allies, some sought refuge in other countries and very few established new families and preferred to stay in the land, which they found it to have plenty of sunshine. But, some 3000 fell victims of ‘‘War’’ as the worse human-made disaster and the most foolish and ignorant decision made by politicians.Among the tragic casualties was the mother of 12-years-old Krystyna whom 60 years later, in a 2 weeks visit stays at the room 1424. Krystyna Sass, a senior lecturer recalls the time when she used to walk the distance between the camp where she lived with her family and the hospital where her mother was confined. ``I never forget the hospitality of the people and their goodness, which helped us to regain our life``, she said. After a 12 days tour in Iranian cities; Anzali, Isfehan, Shiraz, at their good-bye party she told me that people behaved toward them as if they were celebrities and even had asked her autograph. I was there to hand them my two reports published in Iran daily and Iran newspaper (Persian) on this occasion. They were surprised and very happy seeing their photos and interviews on the press.They are gone now to continue their lives, which had a very tough beginning. And what is left is a series of questions that I’ve asked myself several times; do I owe them? What am I striving for? Perhaps, the notion of such destiny for my own 7 and 13 years old children is the very motive of my concern. Or; I as an Iranian whose nation is named axis of evil by U.S. officials, am trying to bring into west’s public opinion that, we are the kind of people whom irrespective of religion, colour or nationality received those needed shelter and escaped inhumane treatment. To remind inexperienced Americans and Britons, how it is to be a subject, what is the feelings of a secondary citizen in a so-called global village. No matter how civilized one may be, every nation or even man has his ups and downs; a period filled with wealth and glory, and inescapably times to be down. Undoubtedly generations to come shall judge us, and surely not for things, which the weak did not do, but of course for the decisions the strong made.A. Saremi

Neglected Sins,

In Islam there is a wide variety of acts considered to be sins, and naturally must be avoided by Muslims. Among sins some are regarded as major sins, meaning to be more serious and must be observed more carefully. Though there are different opinions on numbering and grading them, most scholars' list contains items in common, namely; Interest (Riba),which is strictly forbidden, yet we can see being widely practiced and tolerated handsomely in most of Muslim states. The question is why then, Hejab matter despite being not a direct major sin appears to be the favorite topic of Islam related discussions inside and outside Islamic communities today? What really makes this issue superior comparing with many other obligations we are to observe as Muslims?

Is it a personal decision? Or a sign for piety. Perhaps emblem of an ideology or a political manifest. Every individual may have a certain impression of it. However, watching people -particularly men- describing passionately the disobedience in lady's outfit they witness now a days in public, would provoke a Freudian look on the case too. It seems that commenting about women's hair or clothing instinctually is desirable for fellow men. In other words, it is a part of our human nature to be attracted by the opposite gender. Many of us unconsciously hide behind socially acceptable terminology and instrumentalize ethical duties by expressing our concern over Islamic values, to satisfy our restricted innermost self.

Frankly speaking, who among those very much concerned with Hejab, does not close eyes to the very obvious sins he witnesses in every day life?

A. Saremi