Koroush Ziabari: Culture is his weapon

After Iran’s Islamic Revolution, news reports emerging from Iran were infused with gloom and doom. Following a hiatus, in which raging Ayatollahs were replaced with Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and Omar Al Bashir, the country is now in the forefront again, and the intensity of the media attacks are on the increase.

Iran has a bleak human rights record, and cases of  abuse should published and the international community made aware of. But when the media fails to draw the line between those governing and the governed, and when war is constantly being advocated as a “solution”, our concern is raised.

I recently interviewed Kourosh Ziabari, a young yet accomplished Iranian journalist who felt compelled to take action against the vilification of his country and people. His approach was to introduce the world to Iran’s rich culture, history and contributions to the worlds of art, science, etc. – aspects of Iran that many are unaware of.

Many of Mideast Youth’s readers (myself included) would have objections to some of his responses, but they remain valid opinions held by him and many of his Iranian counterparts. Mideast Youth was created with the purpose of fostering a fierce – but respectful dialogue – among the diverse groups in the region, and it’s only through challenging each other’s perspectives that we can learn from each other.

So please, keep an open mind and maintain the required level of respect in your comments.

Q. First, could you give us a short introduction about yourself?
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

My name is Kourosh Ziabari and I was born in 1990 in the northern city of Rasht in Iran. I started my journalistic career at the age of 8 and that was why I have been introduced as “Iran’s youngest professional journalist” by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, also been awarded as the “Young gifted talent” by the vice-president in 2008.

I served for almost all of the best-selling Iranian newspapers as a contributing author; papers including Jam-e-Jam, Iran newspaper, Hamshahri, Etemaad Newspaper, Shargh newspaper and Daneshmand magazine alongside working for online magazines and newspapers of the United States, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, South Korea, Britain and Persian Gulf countries as well.
I’ve published two books in Iran, the latest of them 7+1 which was also presented by the Amazon website.

I have two blogs in Persian and English, planning to open the Arabic one, too, in which I republish my articles and propound my political, cultural and social views.

According to Flagcounter.com stats, my English blog  has had visitors from 128 countries up to now.

At the time being, I am studying linguistics at the Iran-based University of Guilan and serving as a researcher for the publication department of English university of Stony Brook.

Q. After Yahoo removed Iran from the list of countries, citing sanctions against Iran, you took an innovative approach to voicing your objection. Can you briefly describe it to us?
The thing was that, Yahoo mail removed the name of Iran from its list of supported countries in November 2007 with the pretext that the US Department of State imposed some new commercial sanctions on Iran which limits the American web portals’ relations to Iran, too.

But to be honest with you, they have had no limitations to share deals with Iranian users, because at that time, they were providing services to more than 10 million Iranians steadily.

In fact, virtual connections through he Internet are not possible to restrict by sanctions or embargo, additionally the Yahoo stats show that about 1 percent of its consumers come from Iran and a credible website or brand would not ever flaw its reputation by ignoring 1 percent of those who regularly use its services.

The exclusive aim of Yahoo was to humiliate the Iranian people by deleting the name of their country. In the other words, their action was just a “mental war tactic” rather than being a practical resolution to impose sanctions. It led to a situation in which any new Iranian user who wanted to signup for a Yahoo mail account should have selected the name of other countries instead of Iran.

The strange move by Yahoo, which was a unique one of its type, supposed the idea that this website is a state-backed and state-run one, which was in contradiction with the allegations about its independence and non-alignment to government politics.

However, after this strange accident, we carried out a unique action in response, with the goal of countering the unprofessional and immoral behavior of Yahoo that removed the name of a 7500 years old country with a population of 70 million.

We launched a Google Bomb targeting the “Yahoo mail” keyword to redirect every internet user searching for “Yahoo mail” to our desired web pages instead of the Yahoo mail official website.

These pages provided information on Iranian culture, arts, people, history and civilization to let the whole world know how important, influential and substantial is the country whose name is being omitted from the list of countries in an American website.

Our website (at helloyahoomail.net) obtained a number of 2.5 million visitors during less than a year and attracted the attention of global media towards the issue. Also it was a shocking hit to the reputation and fame of the Yahoo mail website and unveiled many facts about its hostile approach toward Iran for the public opinions.

I clearly remember that on the first days of our Google Bomb’s commencement, hundreds of Yahoo users coming from Islamic countries and even European nations emailed me and told that they removed their IDs from Yahoo mail to condemn this offensive and immoral action.

Q. What do you hope to achieve through teaching the world about Iran’s history and culture?
Once, the land of Ancient Persia was the greatest empire of the world, even greater than the Roman, Greek and Egyptian monarchies that shaped the four main civilizations of history.

All of the neighboring countries of today’s Iran from Pakistan and Afghanistan, UAE and Qatar, Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were the inseparable parts of Greater Persia, but have been separated due to the unworthiness of Qajar and Pahlavi kings.

However, all of these countries are the close friends and brothers of Iran today.

Iran was historically a cradle of science, culture and arts and still is. Hundreds of outstanding and everlasting poets such as Mowlana, Ferdowsi, Hafez, Sa’di and Rudaki come from Iran. Many scientists who changed the formation of global sciences are Iranian. Avicenna, Khaje Nasiruddin Tousi, Rhazes and Abu Raihan Biruni are among them.

In a brief word, Iran was the land of culture and science and today, there are responsible and intellectual Iranians who follow the magnificent way of their precious and esteemed ancestors.

But the facts and realities about Iran are being concealed due to the unequal black propaganda being carried out by the western media, taking root from the historical jealousness and hostility of some governments and states to the successful and genius people of Iran.

However, today, Iran is in the steadiest and strongest position of its past decades. The Iranian students and inventors are being ranked as the top 3 in all of the international Olympiads of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and astronomy. The Iranian publications and industrial companies are being invited to attend the most important fairs, exhibitions and conferences all around the world. The Iranian filmmakers, writers, journalists, painters, musicians and scholars are being granted with international awards from different countries frequently. The Iranian universities are expanding their mutual ties with the international universities of Asia, Europe and America more than before.

The Iranian athletes are clinching hundreds of world and Olympic records in all of the global stages. The disabled athletes of Iran also are being ranked among the top 15 world countries in every competition and tournament. And totally, Iran is now counted as an impressive factor in the cultural, scientific and financial deals of the world.

These are all sources of honor for Iranian people and the esteemed nations of Middle East who are grateful of having such a powerful and influential neighbor, but the western media are trying aggressively to damage these relations. Regarding to this conditions, it is our duty to introduce our abilities and capacities and support each other on the path toward progress and flourish.

Q. Have your efforts received any form of official support, or has it been an entirely civil-led effort?
I have not had any financial support neither from domestic nor foreign organizations, but I’ve been awarded in some national and international festivals for the researches and scientific projects I’ve done. And as I mentioned before, I have been awarded by the vice president of Islamic Republic of Iran in year 2008 as one of the country’s youth talents.

Q. Yahoo’s decision comes in the backdrop of a massive campaign to vilify Iran and its people. What forces do you believe are driving that campaign? And for what purpose?
You may know that the NAM (Non Aligned Movement) has 118 members. As of 2007, NAM is the second largest international organization after the UN.

Lots of world independent powers are the members of this intercontinental organization. Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Senegal, Tunisia, UAE and Venezuela are among these countries. Also Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Serbia, Ukraine, China and Azerbaijan are among the observer states. So you see that the world is not limited to the US, UK, France and Germany. All of these countries share common interests and like each other to be developed, make progress and qualify.

In fact, there is an eternal treaty of brotherhood between these countries and Iran is a major, powerful and historical of them which gives authenticity and honor to their ring of solidarity.

Today, Iran is the 17th largest country of the world by the total area (excluding Greenland as a recognized country), the 8th military power of the world (according to CIA fact book), the 19th major electricity producer in the world, the 10th world auto producer (according to UNIDO stats) and the 3rd largest oil exporter among 205 countries in the world. (According to OPEC)

Also referring to the World Bank 2007 stats, Iran is placed 17th in the world ranking of countries by Gross Domestic Product, passing Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway and Finland which are among the most flourishing and competitive economies in the world.

These swift and quick prosperities for the nation of Iran are intimidating the Western powers, for they think about the overthrow of their economic, cultural and political authority on the developing or underdeveloped countries.

Today, Iran is the best friends of developing countries to help them get out of the worst situations which they suffer because of the Western occupation and colonization.

The progress of Iranian people is the progress of 118 countries of NAM, 60 countries of OIC and all countries of Middle East. So for the major powers of the West, there isn’t any reason to wait and observe the multilateral achievements of these countries. They must keep us poor, dependent, incapable and underdeveloped to continue their domination; otherwise they would not survive anymore.

Now that Iran is moving toward the mountains of success and prosperity as a vanguard and model for the other developing countries, the western powers are being frightened for the sake of their future, so they try to thump and enfeeble Iran that is breaking the obstacles. In this way, the other developing Asian, African and Latin American countries would not dare to take serious steps toward innovation and flourish.

Q. But given that minorities (both ethnic and religious) in Iran and women experience discrimination in many walks of life, doesn’t that leave Iran worthy of criticism? Isn’t the world morally responsible to address what it views as a dire situation?
Prevalent perceptions of nations about different issues and matters of international affairs are shaped by the mainstream media. For example, as an Iranian citizen, if I want to learn more about the Egypt, there is just few ways in front of me. The most reliable is to travel and witness by my own eyes, but I am compelled to trust in media, newspapers, books, articles and photos if traveling is not possible.

What happens if the books, articles and stories which are the sources of information are written with a biased approach themselves? So my perceptions are not shaped properly based on a realistic foundation and I would become pessimistic about the subject which is here, Egypt, for example.

If you think that the fundamental rights of women or religious minorities are being violated in Iran, then I invite you to come to Iran and observe nearly.

Iran is the only country in the world in which Zoroastrians are living peacefully. Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians each have an official seat in the national Parliament. Is there any representative for Muslim minorities in the parliament of US or UK?

In Iran, women are among the most respected and highly esteemed social groups. The tradition of kissing mothers’ hand was first originated by Iranians because of their abundant tribute for the mothers and their position.

More than 60 percent of University students in Iran are females and this portion is growing in favor of women every day.

Most of the professors and researchers of academic institutions in Iran are women, the first female explorer of the spatial station (Anousheh Ansari) was Iranian, the first noble prize winner of Iran was female (Shirin Ebadi) and thousands of other examples. I can not really understand those who spread such fabrications about the situation of women in Iran and mislead the public opinions.

Q. How has the campaign of vilification affected the lives of ordinary Iranians?
The average people of Iran don’t much care about what the world media tell about them. You perhaps remember the famous quotation by the President Bush who called Iran as the “axis of evil”. This offensive quotation was republished by the international newspapers and chained TV channels for thousands, but millions of times. But the society of Iran does not pay any attention to tumults and brawls by the “bullying powers”.

The people of Iran spend their daily life by working, shopping, going to sports and attending football matches, reading newspapers, watching TV and listening to traditional music! Just this!

Q. Much of the media coverage on Iran deals with its supposed intentions to acquire nuclear weapons. Do you believe it is the Iranian government’s intention to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons?
Finally we came up to the main and hot topic. Before giving your answer, I want to ask a simple, direct and explicit question. Why Israel doesn’t join NPT now? Why it should be the only country which doesn’t sign this peaceful pact? NPT is the international treaty signed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Israel is the only country in the world who has never signed it. According to the statistics issued by the Federation of American Scientists, Israel is hoarding at least 170 nuclear warheads.

The Arms Control Association also admitted before that Israel possesses a substantial nuclear arsenal of mass destruction weapons and maintains intercontinental-range ballistic missiles to deliver them. Officially Israel herself neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons and nobody ask her, too!

Isn’t it a little dubious? You assume that Iranian government is struggling to acquire nuclear weapons. Why nobody takes any serious action to disarm Israel and then come to Iran?

The reports issued by the IAEA director Muhammad El-Baradei confirmed 12 times that Iran never deviated in its nuclear programs. 120 more reports will also confirm that without any new conclusion. Iran’s nuclear program is totally civilian and planned to solve the problem of electricity shortage but when the US and its affiliated allies insist constantly to pretend it as a dangerous program for the world, so it would just be an exhausting waste of time and energy to argue and debate.

Believe that not as an Iranian, I want to ask as a global citizen that If using nuclear energy is not safe and secure for the global peace then why there should be no limitations for the states of France, Germany and US to exploit it? What is the difference between Iran and France? Eventually, what is the privilege of Israel to the other countries that none of the international organizations dare to investigate its nuclear program? Why doesn’t UNSC impose sanctions on Israel to halt its nuclear programs and destroy its nuclear weapons? These are all questions that I didn’t succeed to find any suitable and convincing answer for them.

Q. Several countries in the region have moved towards reaching a peace accord with Israel. In your opinion, would the Iranian authorities ever consider such a move?
Iran is culturally a special country with special people. Iran never attacked nor occupied any land or country during 7500 years of its modern civilization. Iranians are totally hateful toward occupation, atrocity and genocide.
Iranian people would not accept any political relations with Israel even if the officials content to.

Sitting with Israel on a table and talking about various subjects means the recognition of “genocide” and “terror” by Iran and that is impossible.

You remember that when Iraqi army attacked our country, the late Imam Khomeini didn’t allow the national military services to launch missiles against Iraq because he believed that it is contrary to human rights and fundamental regulations of the global peace.

Iranian people are sympathetic and sensitive toward the afflicted and oppressed nations. They cannot compromise with a fake regime that killed millions of innocent Palestinian children and women during 60 years.

Iran is against apartheid regimes as it was in past against the apartheid regime of Southern African Republic until its overthrow.

Q. Wouldn’t you say that pairing the promotion of history and culture would be more effective if it were to go hand-in-hand with communication with citizens of other nations?
Of course I agree with you. Iran is suffering a complicated and breathtaking situation which leads our country to be the target of the most calamitous and unfair black and false propaganda. The western media falsify all of the news around Iran, censor the achievements and successes, distort the facts and figures and provide the public opinions with the most altered view of Iran that you can imagine and trace.

But in the meanwhile, Iran has a number of 3 million foreign visitors every year which is slated to enhance to 20 millions in year 2024 according to the 20-years perspective of Iran’s development.

The face-to-face relations are going to give us more realistic views about different issues and I invite all of our readers to come to Iran and discover its concealed facts.

I think it is sufficient to quote one popular statement of the world-renowned Irish singer Chris de Burgh who said in his visit to Iran: “I see Tehran is even safer than LA. I feel tranquil in the streets of Tehran!”

Q. Do you foresee an American attack on Iran?
Don’t take the funny rhetoric of anti-Iran strike by the US or Israel so seriously. They have neither the political nor the military power of attacking Iran.
You may have heard the famous and misinterpreted quotation by the Iranian president Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who said that: “Israel would be wiped off the world map.”

To explain his controversial statement, Mr. Ahmadinejad noted later that Iran would not take any action to fulfill the prediction. The removal of Israel off the world’s map is a gradual and automatic process which would happen without any need to military interference.

But I can ensure you that sparkling of the first war flashes against Iran would lead to the disappearance of Israel off the world’s map by the hands of Iran and intentionally in this case.

You know well and I know too that there would not be any attack on Iran even in the next 500 years, and the augment of anti-Iran loquacity and rhetoric by the western statesmen and media is just an inadmissible tool to spread horror and scare inside the heart of people around the world.

Keep in mind that Israel is too “skimpy” and “tiny” to attack Iran. US would also never flaw its multilateral and expanded relations with Iran by attacking it. You may hear in the media that US imposed sanctions on Iran for three times. But are they really abiding the so-called sanctions? Is there really any practical sanction on Iran? Iran is the major economic ally of US in the region and everybody knows it.

Q. Finally, as fellow Middle Easterners, what can we do to help counter the negative publicity?
Our Middle East is consisted of historical and influential countries which are all being pressed by those who we know. They call that Iran and Syria are the axis of evil, the Palestine must be mixed with the fake Zionist regime, Lebanon should be free of resistance troops, etc.

They are scattering the seeds of division in the soil of Middle East and I think that they are committing it smartly. What do you think about the project of Persian Gulf’s name distortion? It is simply an American-run project to damage the solidarity of Iran and its Arab neighbors, spreading hostility between them.

While everybody knows that the body of water separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula is being called Persian Gulf since 5000 years ago, they propagate a fabricated term to spread disagreement and their behavior is obviously seditious.

They never say that the Arabic language was so rich that even the Persian scientists such as Avicenna used it in their scriptures, because exposing this fact leads to the closeness of Persian and Arab nations. They just say that put the term “Arabian gulf” instead of “Persian Gulf”.

So it is an important duty to distinguish their deceits, tricks and try to make them inefficient.

Furthermore, we must do our best to avoid controversial and useless disputes that keep us far from our sublime goals.

We, as the nations of Middle East, should work hard to improve our knowledge, make scientific progress, ameliorate the financial circumstances and make a better world through the gates of Middle East.

Bookmark this article

•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     
•     

E-mail this article to a friend

* Required Field

Your Name: *

Your E-Mail: *

Your Remark:

Friend's Name: *

Separate multiple entries with a comma. Maximum 5 entries.

Friend's E-Mail: *

Separate multiple entries with a comma. Maximum 5 entries.

Image Verification: *

 Loading ...

Close