Maryamie: Iran

Regarding Iran

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:30:14 GMT

My friend Cathia always sends me great stuff about Iran. The latests are a slide show by Rick Steves as he travels through Iran and a beautiful website done by an Iranian-American visiting Tehran. Some of the pictures are truly stunning and make me miss Iran so very much.

Cathia also wrote me about a UW staffer who recently went back to Iran and has lots to report. One of the best emails I got from her though was about six Iranian Americans who have received Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Note how many Iranian American women are honored. That makes me so proud!

In other Iranian news, Firouzeh Dumas, the author of one of my favorite books, Funny in Farsi, has a new book out called: Laughing Without an Accent. My friend Mahshad already called me and said she was getting that for my birthday so you have to wait for my review for a month or so.

Thanks to Mahshad and Cathia, I have some good news to relate regarding Iran and that doesn't happen everyday.

Happy Norouz! Happy Spring! Happy Easter!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:46:21 GMT

Norouz which means New day in Farsi, is the Iranian New year which coincides with Spring Solctice and is usually very close to Easter as well. My mom and I have been busy with spring cleaning and shopping for the celebrations which will start tonight at 10:50 PM. Last night we jumped over the fire for chaharshanbehsuri or the wednesday feast (which ironically takes place on the last tuesday night of the year), and we just had some fish with my family who are here to ring in the new year with us. We have set our Haftsin or the table with seven things that begin with the letter S and our wearing our new clothes. My mom will give every one money when the new year begins and on Friday night we'll have a whole bunch of family and friends who will visit for the new year.

This is Milan's first Norouz and first spring with us. We'll have Patrick over for this week as he is off for his spring break as well. I am looking forward to celebrating the spring wiht my family and hope that you all have a great spring and a great year ahead as well!

Winter Watermelons

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:25:35 GMT

I picked up a couple of watermelons from our local grocery store and and headed out to my brother's place tonight. My mom and My other brother and his family were there too. We were getting together to celebrate Shabeh Cheleh or Shabeh Yalda and we had to have the watermelons.
Iranians have a long tradition of celebrating the Winter Solstice or Shabeh Yalda. Family and friends gather around at the longest night of the year to celebrate the Winter Solstice and as the tradition goes eat watermelons and other fresh fruit. In the past, fresh fruit and vegetables were only available in season, so to keep a watermelon, which is a summer fruit, fresh in the midst of winter and serve to your guests was a novelty. We still keep the tradition alive today and I enjoyed a warm and wonderful night with my family. Hope you are surrounded by loved ones as well tonight.
Happy Winter Solstice.

Take this NYC cab drivers---driving rules for Tehran

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:43:56 GMT

Speaking of Iran, a friend just forwarded me an article about traffic conditions in Tehran. Every time I am in New York, and am brave enough to take a taxi ride, I pray for my life until we get to our destination. When we were in Paris last year, Loic showed us the driving rules for driving in Paris and while in Germany we learned the joys of speeding down the autobahn. Reading this article though, makes me think all big city drivers can learn a thing or two from the Iranian drivers. If I ever go to visit, I think I'll just take the subway. Thank you very much.

Happy Norooz! Happy Persian New year!

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:17:05 GMT

The Spring Solstice or the first day of Spring coincides with the first day Of Persian New year or Norooz. I took the day off yesterday to celebrate with my family. My mom and I went grocery shopping and I cooked for the whole family. I am trying to score points that way so they come and help babysit when the baby is here :) The traditional Persian meal for the new year is fried fish and rice with green herbs. My Dad wasn't a great lover of seafood, so when we were growing up we always had chelo kabab or Kabobs and Rice. Even though my Dad is no longer with us, we still usually have chelo kabob for the Persian New year. This year though we started the celebrations early with having a big dinner party on the weekend with bunch of friends and family and ate lots of kabobs and fish and rice. So last night, I made another of my family's favorite: Khoreshe Bademjan (eggplant stew) and Rice and cutlets (Persian beef and potato patties). Yes, you guessed it Robert saw the eggplants frying as he came in and tried to dart for the door, but he loves cutlets and rice and so do my niece and nephew and everyone was happy.

While I was cooking, my mom was setting the table with lots of fruits, cookies, nuts and all goodies and she also set Sofreh Haftseen, or the set with the seven items that start with S. We all gathered around the table with our new clothes, and my Mom gave us all money as it is the tradition for Iranians. As the Persian Cable TV announcer cried out happy new year, we all kissed and hugged each other and then we spent the night eating, taking pictures, talking about old memories and calling friends and family to wish them a happy new year.

Hope your Spring started on a great note as well.

Human rights in Iran

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:58:11 GMT

I am sorry. I've been spending way too much time on nonesense and dragging you all down with me. I hope you haven't given up on me yet, because there are much other worthier causes to be angry about. Chris Pirillo writes about the Cyrus Cylinder and its discovery in Iran. Yes, Chris, it's true. Cyrus the Great wrote the basic terms of human rights (adopted by UN some 2000 years later), but Iran has come a long way since then.

August 15th was the two year anniversary of the execution of a sixteen year old girl, Atefeh Rajabi, in Iran based on crimes of indecency. And just a few weeks ago, another former Iranian student, Akbar Mohammadi who was on hunger strike to protest the unjust terms of his incarceration died in prison. These are of course two examples that the media has picked up.

From Cyrus the Great to Ahmadinejad, the current leader of Iran, Iran has come a long way for human rights.

Happy Norooz, Spring is here!

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:58:07 GMT

Today is Norooz, the first day of Spring and the beginning of Persian New Year! I wish you and yours love, luck and happiness today and for all the days ahead!

Happy Norooz!

Iran to hang teenage girl attacked by rapists

Fri, 20 Jan 2006 01:41:03 GMT

In Iran, the rape victims are the Accused, while the justice system stands for the rights of the rapists. Who will stand up for the rights of the Iranian Women?

Iran's Ex-President, Mohammad Khatami is Blogging!

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:58:05 GMT

I learned via RezBiz's blog, that Mohammad Khatami is blogging. Iran's ex-president has started his blog, Khatamionline in Farsi of course. I'll be keeping an eye on it and will translate any posts that I'd find relevant and interesting. Welcome to the blogging world Mr. Khatami.