Will you think differently about people and the world 10 minutes later, after reading this?

• I think reading this in 5-10 minutes would be better than listening to the news for a lifteime.Plz don't think I'm a very old person.Just 18.A university student studying English who just cannot sit back and hope.This article has two parts: 1.Cultural and general info and music 2.political info.If you wanna get enlightened and shocked read it from top to bottom. Hi.I'm Iranian and I live in Iran.When I chat with people from other countries, I understand that they have totally wrong ideas about Iran.I just wrote this article to correct you. The first thing they accuse our government of, is that they don't let you be free.Actually, Iranians would be some of the most liberal people in the world (liberal meaning not obeying laws that they don't like).Thousands of millions of strict rules in other countries, don't even exist in Iran.Also, you should understand that what may seem so normal to you, may be a nightmare for us and vise versa.That's why you don't understand a few of Iran's laws.In Iran every single house has a sattelite. Sattelite channels had a serious influence on people, they wear very fashionable clothes.Maybe it's a kind of immitation, but still it's got an unique Iranian style.You'll see lots of beauty qeens on the streets that are just like models advertising fashionable clothes! Most part of their hair is out and they wear a lot of make up, also wearing scarves is a part of our culture.Iran is one of the super-consumers of cosmics (which is bad for our economy)! People do whatever they wish to and some of the things they do, don't fit our culture at all, however it's normal in Iran.You'll be surprised seeing the difference between what you imagined before and how the real Iran is! It's wonderful.Everything's so great if you don't take unemployment, inflation and air pollution into account which I guess are common problems in many other countries. Many things have changed so far.I can't even compare Iran with 5 years ago, let alone comparing it with 30 years ago!!!! After all, nearly 65-70% of Iran's population is considered the new generation (The youth) and they've transformed everything. Some people think women don't have any rights in Iran! Women are overtaking Iran. They're treated very well.They're the winners in most cases: They get into the best universities cos they're so clever.They get the best jobs cos they can do jobs much better than men.They've got rights that have made it difficult for men to marry them, because husbands buy them expensive things and treat them very well, otherwise women will have the right to ask them a great amount of money according to the law which most husbands cannot afford, so they'll be imprisoned.The only thing that women are not allowed to do in Iran is getting into public football stadiums and that's just because in Iran such places are usually full of cheeky guys who would cheek girls.They do anything from taking part in rallies to singing DJ / pop songs.Anything! I've put a sample here.I feel foolish for sitting here explaining ordinary things to you. Another funny thing: Your footage about stoning the women who have committed adultery.Have you ever asked yourselves they relate to how many years ago?Just for your information, those are from Afghanistan which was ruled by those freaks (Taliban).When you think of such things, try to think of the racism in your country too.I find it difficult to make you understand that Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan are SEPERATE COUNTRIES! and that 60% of Iranians are Persian and 30% are Turkish! I find it even more difficult to make you understand that Iran is a normal country like any other countries in the world.There's nothing mysterious about it!(The media are very good at making scary titles: BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS!!! IRAN UNDERCOVER!!! This would be enough to scare people away! Iranians are much more educated, intelligent and open-minded than what you think!!! I'm sure you don't know that there are lots and lots of Iranian geniouses and scientists that are all under 25.You don't hear about their discoveries and inventions on TV. For instance this 17 year old boy has invented 72 amazing inventions and there are many many KIDS like that.You don't know that Iranian students and sportsmen win gold and silver medals in different compotitions in the world all the time such as robotics, biology, maths, physics, sports, anything! Why don't the media talk about them? They just can't summerise everything in one word "nuclear", although we're proud of it cos having nuclear energy means a country is developed.Did you know that the countries having the highest number of scientists in the world are in this order? 1-India 2-Korea 3-Iran A few months ago Iran uncovered the most effective anti-H.I.V medicine and it was signing treaties with other countries to export it.I digged the news on the internet, but there was no single sign of that.What did I find instead? "President Bush CLAIMS that bomb parts are imported from Iran into Iraq!"(The same old story!) The media are injustice.They put CLAIMS on the headlines, but they never talk about facts! Some interesting facts: Iran is the pionier in medicine and genetics and Iranian surgens have found lots of new methods for treating spinal defects and many other diseases (mainly the treatment for different types of cancer) and the best brain and heart surgens are Iranian surgens.The head of Mars Mission in NASA is Iranian.One of the best designers of sports cars working in Germany is Iranian.Some of the best 3D animators are Iranian.Iran is one of the best countries in counter-engineering.Holds the second place in building dams and holds records in loads of other things! It's one of the top countries in these fields: bio-technology and nono-technology.The 4th highest tower in the world (Milad tower) is in Tehran (which you can visit in the second link).51 top universities out of the 100 top universities in the Mid-East are in Iran and they're among some of the top universities of the world as well.The champion weight-lifter is Iranian.The woman, and a song by one of the pop singers who/which won the nobel peace prize are Iranians and lots of Iranians win nobel prizes specially in medicine field. And as you all know, Iranian girls are famous for being terrific.Persian rug and Persian literature, many Persian poets and scientists that are so famous.Persian culture is now westernised and only a little has survived! According to statistics Tehran is the cheapest capital city in the world for foriegners of course not for us! (Cos our rate is different: one Dollar =about 950 Tomans!) There are many other things.How many pages would you need to describe a country?And also, Iran is an independant country unlike its neighbouring countries.It has nearly all the developed industries and technologies and doesn't need other countries to survive! The list is endless. Some charactristics of Iranians would be: Proud, greedy, hard-working for themselve, lazy in doing their duty well!, intelligent, ambitious, not realistic, not so religious (sadly majority of the young generation is not), not punctual, impatient, well-dressed, formal, well-educated, warm and friendly and hospitable. Some people think, Iran's a desert! lol Iran is a modern country with breathtakingly beautiful nature and lots of historic places to visit.Please take a look at the following links to see if Iran looks like what you think or not! (You didn't expect it to be like that.Right?) This is a photo of Tehran: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Tehran-2-1600.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran If you like you can visit these too, hundreds of pretty photos from the cities and nature: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hills_south_west_of_Sanandaj_near_the_village_of_Kilaneh.jpg http://www.pbase.com/k_amj/throughout_iran&page=all http://www.pbase.com/k_amj/throughout_iran&page=2 http://www.pbase.com/k_amj/throughout_iran&page=3 http://www.bigsoccer.com:80/forum/showthread.php?t=199709&page=4 http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199709&page=3 http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199709&page=13 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran Some people think music is forbidden in Iran.Did you know that Iranian pop music was chose as the best pop music in France in 2005? I guess not.All Iranian songs are current pop /Club-Dance/Trance/ DJ music.I send them to my American and Canadian chat friends and they all say they're some of the best songs they've ever heard. Here's a sample of the latest hits.(You didn't expect them to be so catchy.Right?) I believe in "Express yourself through music and that music is a universal language". You can just right click on the links below and choose "Save Target As" to download them.They're some of the best songs you've ever heard.It's nothing like what you expect! You can read the full translation of the songs here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArJe6s_u1UbLFRAAiKDGBZLsy6IX?qid=20070514105433AAysEsQ 1.(You know this: 2007) http://download.bia2music.com/Music/Irani/Top33/128/Neorin%20-%20To%20Ino%20Miduni.mp3 2.(Hold my hand: 2007) http://www.sarzaminmp3.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Mansour%20-%20Beautiful/09_%20Dastamo%20Begir.mp3 3.(The wetness of your eyes: 2006) http://download.bia2music.com/Music/Irani/Top33/128/Ehsan%20Gheibi%20-%20Khisie%20Cheshmat.mp3 4.(I just want you: 2003) http://download.bia2music.com/Music/Irani/Mansour/Crazy/Delam%20Faghat%20Toro%20Mikhaad(www.Bia2Music.com).MP3 5.(The rain: 2007) http://download.bia2music.com/Music/Irani/Siavash%20Ghomayshi/Sunset%20to%20Sunrise/64/Siavash%20Ghomayshi%20-%20Sunset%20to%20Sunrise%20-%2005%20Baroon%20(www.Bia2Music.com).wma 6.(The window: 2005) http://www.sarzamin.org/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Siavash%20Ghomayshi/03_%20Panjereh.mp3 7.(Keep me in your memory: 2005) http://www.sarzamin.org/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Siavash%20Ghomayshi/07_%20Yaade%20Man%20Baash.mp3 8.(Farangis "A female name" 2007) http://download.bia2music.com/Music/Irani/Siavash%20Ghomayshi/Sunset%20to%20Sunrise/64/Siavash%20Ghomayshi%20-%20Sunset%20to%20Sunrise%20-%2001%20Farangis%20(www.Bia2Music.com).wma 9.(The distance: 2007) http://www.sarzaminsong.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Siavash%20Ghomayshi%20-%20Sunset%20to%20Sunrise/03_%20Faseleh.mp3 10.(Sunrise: 2007) http://www.sarzaminsong.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Siavash%20Ghomayshi%20-%20Sunset%20to%20Sunrise/04_%20Tolou.mp3 11.(Stop world:2006) http://www.sarzaminmusic.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Reza%20Sadeghi%20-%20Vaysa%20Donya/01_%20Vaysa%20Donya.mp3 12.(You can't: 2007) http://www.sarzaminmp3.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Mansour%20-%20Beautiful/06_%20Nemitooni.mp3 13.(The wind's kiss: 2005) http://www.sarzamin.org/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Siavash%20Ghomayshi/01_%20Boosaye%20Baad.mp3 14.(Reveal your visage: 2004) http://www.sarzamin.org/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Mohammad%20Esfahani/04_%20Talab.mp3 15.Chi mishod (What would have happened if : 2007) http://www.sarzaminmp3.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Navid%20&%20Omid%20-%20Faryad/01_%20Chi%20Mishod.mp3 16.(It's beautiful: 2007) http://www.sarzaminmp3.com/Sarzaminmusic/Persian/128KB/Mansour%20-%20Beautiful/02_%20Ghashangeh.mp3 And so on and on! It's now 2007 and people still think we are uneducated people living in deserts, riding camels and carrying around guns!!!! See how the media are fooling people? None of the things you hear on the media about Iran are true. Let's clarify some political issues as well: Some of the Americans I chatted with, said in the U.S it's said that president Ahmadinejad hates the U.S and Israel and wants to nuke them!! The media are good at putting comments.It's easy to show a video or an image of our president or leader on the T.V screen or on the internet and say he says this, he says that.....I really don't get the point why our politicians defame themselves by talking about things that have got nothing to do with us.For example does verbal defence of Palestinians cause them to have a better life?The thing is that they occasionally make some statements that the media would misuse it agaisnt Iran.For example they pick up some specific phrases of a long speech (without reffering to the main points and reasons for that speech) and put so many bad comments on that.No sane person would take it for granted. First of all, Iranians don't hate anyone.If our government complains about some injustice going on in the world, it's not bad.Is it? (Although what we want them is to not to get us into trouble by talking about things that are none of our concern.) We hate neither Jews nor Americans.I love Americans otherwise why would I talk to them?! How would our guys dream of America, be like them as much as possible and hate it at the same time?! Although ordinary Iranians don't care much about world affairs, I've got to say that for us Israel is not equal with Jews! Israel is a govt.Jews are faithful people! A few of them live here in our neighbourhood and they live just like the rest of Iranians.No difference.And two of Iran's parliment members are Jews. Who says we want to force others to convert to Islam?Have you ever found a Muslem knocking at your door asking you to do so?It's so funny the way you imagine things and make yourselves believe in your own immaginations! Christians and Jews are both God believers and respectful to us.I wonder why the media like putting words in our mouth and raising hatred.In Iran, religion would be the least important thing. It means that where you come from and what your religion is, are not important to us at all.On the contrary, meeting different people would be so interesting for us! I love the Japanese who come here! I wonder Iran is a threat to whom. Which logical rule admits that it's logical to say a country is guilty because we THINK / PREDICT that she's going to do something wrong?!!!! And they repeat the same "nuclear" tosh over and over and brain wash people! News headlines: "We won't allow Iran to gain nuclear weapons"!!! Has Iran ever attacked any countries?No.Has it developed any nukes?No!That's what nuclear agency says.Only Iran's oppositions are pulling Iran's leg and what they say is of no credit.It's just based on political conflicts.What we're doing is legal.What they ask us to do (ignoring our international rights) is illegal and nonsense.Iran is a peaceful country.Why? It's the regional super-power and if she wanted, she could easily invade the countries in our neibourhood just like what Seddam did to our country, but as you see Iran has peaceful relationships with all of them.It could be a good example to some countries that just follow their interests.What is interesting is that the countries which accuse Iran of different things have been, and are still accused of the same things!!! This is a modern and innovative form of philosophy and logic! Some people say he said: Israel should be wiped off the map! But have they told you the rest of his speech and that why he's said this at all?You know that it's a passive sentence.He's never said that IRAN wants to wipe Israel off the map! He wasn't talking about destroying Israel.He was talking about relocating Israel, so that they could live seperate from Palestinians and they could both live in peace.They've only told you this phrase not the whole thing and it's mistranslated intentionally.Iran's always defended itself, but it's not an offensive country. Some say he's said: Holocaust is a myth! again this is a single phrase from among a long speech and there are totally logical reasons for saying so.If 6000000 Jews were killed, that's so terrible, but those 300000 Shiite Moslems killed by Saddam aren't important at all! Over 650000 Iraqi people are killed and it's not important! When Fox News simply says: America and Israel are capable of destroying and killing all Iran's 69000000 population within two weeks, it's OK and no one says they're threatening other countries to nuke them (I saw this with my own eyes on the Fox News website) Millions of people killed in Afghanistan, Hiroshima & Nakazaki and vietnam war are not considered human beings at all! Now I think you'd get the point why he's IRONICALLY said it's a mith.Moreover, don't you believe in freedom of speech/mind? Obviousely, some countries are using Iran as a victim to put the blame (their own faults) on Iran.And which country is better than Iran to be a victim?They've made the whole world believe that Iran isn't a peaceful country and represent false image of Iranians by making insulting movies like "300" . Anyone saying that it was not for political reasons is wrong. I know Americans don't like these either, but what can they do?They're not responsible for controlling what the media say.I hope someday the media would end all this instead of playing a negative role in the world. This part is just for Americans who would still argue over unimportant things: Those of you who say why Iran says "Death to America": 1.America means the U.S govt not the people 2.The new generation don't say such things and if some of them occasionally march in the streets that's because some of the stupid guys enjoy making noise and they mainly go out there to meet their girlfreids/boyfriends! Strange.Isn't it? 3.Such mottos are not just said in Iran and as you know whatever you hear is a response to the U.S govt's terrible actions which has made life for many people hell (You wouldn't deny that attacking countries is a mistake.right?) 5.The U.S gov't helped Seddam to attack Iran and I hope you know which country gave Iraq biological weapons which killed lots of Iranians 6.America hit an Iranian airplane over the Persian Gulf and killed 200 passengers for no reason 7.It's always botherng Iran by sanctions, displaying false image of Iran and Iranians, scares tourists away from Iran and is always harmful to our economy, development and credit 8.It's always despised the Iranians who travel to the U.S at their arrival (even ordinary ones, university students, sportsmen, scientists etc) To those who are upset with American hostages taken for 444 days: 1.Firstly, It's related to so many years ago and almost a part of history and don't forget that when there's a revolution, there'd be cheos and people may do things that they should not, moreover they're all alive and healthy.Aren't they? 2.The U.S has arrested Iranian diplomats in Iraq and keeps denying that they're diplomats.Now you decide who has the right to be upset with whom.It's exceeded the level of tit for tat. Isn't it better for both countries to forget about the past conflicts and to have peaceful relations?The two govts are like 10 year old children playing a game by harsh rhetoric.They don't care about hurting people's feeling.They just try to show that the people are enemies of each other to achieve their own goals. We as the people of these countries MUST NOT have any conflics.You know something?All govts are hateful.I just said the above things because it sounds unfair when some Americans talk about 444 hostage taking and I keep being silent.I hope you agree on this one! Now, what do you think?I can't wait to see both nations in peace.It'd be marvelous! Would this happen in less than 2 years?You know what I mean! Remember that: The sea is deeper.You don't always have to see the surface of it. Plz whenever you have time, find and read an article about "ethnocentrism".Knowing the meaning of this term is not enough.After reading about it, you'll feel a noticable positive change in your attitude towards different people! Guaranteed! Thanks for your time.

• Answer:

  I must admit this was pretty long, but you kept me intrigued. I am soon turning 17 and am very interested in world relations and politics. At first, I was scared to believe what you were saying. I don't like to be suckered in to what people say, particularly such things as the media. However, as I kept reading, you truly sounded genuine. I've always wondered what a country's citizens thought of another country's citizens. I despise the fact that we base our feelings of another country on the people running it. I don't know you. You don't know me. I have no right to hate you until you do something to me personally. I do believe that the media here in the U.S. distort what people say, whether they be celebrities or political leaders. I don't think it's right and I don't think it's fair. All Americans aren't stupid. All teenagers like myself aren't stupid. We non-ignorant Americans can see that there is something wrong with the way foreign relations and domesic issues are handled. I feel sorry for us. It's good to know Iran is much better than what we are told everyday. I feel rather inferior knowing there's a kid who's created 72 inventions. :-) However, it's good to know. I'm glad to hear about Iran from an Iranian. Maybe I'll come visit...