Here is an excerpt of an article published by the Bahai World News Service:
WASHINGTON, 29 March 2006 (BWNS) -- At the 28 March 2006 White House press briefing, Spokesman Scott McClellan said President George Bush is concerned over last week's announcement by a UN official that government persecution of the Baha'is in Iran is intensifying.
In response to a reporter's question, Mr. McClellan called on the Iranian regime to respect the religious freedom of all of its citizens and indicated the President would continue to monitor the situation of the Baha'is very closely. He also said the United States would continue to speak out and urge other countries in the region and the United Nations to defend the rights of the Baha'is and other religious minorities in Iran.
Q: What pressure would you urge, perhaps, other countries to put on Iran?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we will talk with ambassadors of other countries in the region and raise this issue with them, and with their governments. We will continue to speak out and to raise this issue, the treatment of the Baha'is, in the United Nations and other organizations, and to ask all those who have any sort of influence in Tehran to continue to defend the rights of the Baha'i and other religious minorities.
The full transcript of the March 28 White House press briefing is available at www.whitehouse.gov/news/briefings.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Writer's block...for a good cause
I need to write to the Senate and House of Representatives to inspire, ask or to simply demand that they take action for the latest developments coming out of Iran regarding the threats posed to Iranian Bahá’í community. I want to send them a letter asking them to help, because they, unlike most people, can actually do something about it. The situation in Iran is getting worse. The newspapers within that country are enabling articles and ads that harbor hate and create an illusion that the Bahá’ís are at fault or should be blamed for something. Perhaps all the recent pressure from the US or Europe regarding the Iranian Governments most extreme comments have spurred the Iranians to find a scape goat, and maybe the Bahá’í's are an easy target. Soldiers of peace usually are, and as history has shown, the Iranian government has been unfortunately very fond of trying to destroy the Bahá’ís.
Everytime I sit down to write the letter(s), I am unsure how I should present these issues. My day job requires me to write constantly, define situations, negotiate issues, clarify grey areas and to wield my pen to create a snapshot of the final concepts of the negotiated deal on paper; often for a multi-million dollar deal.
But now? How do I express something so close to my heart, to someone I do not know? And this person is a real potential powerhouse who can create legislation, push an agenda and possibly inspire international action...
Well, maybe it is more about the heart and weaving the right sentiment rather than the perfect words...(to be continued)
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Oppression in Iran continues...
I was reading an article published by Bahá'í World about a re-emergence of threats to Bahá'ís in Iran. (the link to an overview of Bahai persecution is available by clicking the title above). In summary, it said that the the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief was very concerned about a confidential letter sent last Fall by a high level military official of the Armed Forces in Iran to many government agencies stating that a new instruction is issued to monitor and keep tabs on all members of the Bahá'í faith. This notice serves as likely proof that they will increase persecutions and discrimination against Bahá'ís in Iran. Just like they did in the 70's 80's and 90's.
Already the Bahá'ís are barred from seeking higher education, what will they gain from knowing about every single Bahá'í in the country? Who knows when this will stop. Especially if the target based on the confidential letter is aimed at all Bahá'ís in Iran, which numbers the largest religious minority in the country (350K).
The basis? Religious hatred by Islamic fundamentalists who view the Bahá’í Faith as a threat to Islam. Based on the article above, "...The progressive position of the Faith on women’s rights, independent investigation of truth, and education has particularly rankled Muslim clerics."
I am reading about these events and shudder to think how more people will go through even more injustice, lose their rights to go to school, lose their lives, family, dignity etc. More of the same. This happened before...
About a month ago we had a visitor from California, a wonderful smart graceful woman who is a truly radiant person. Pieter and I ended up sharing many late nights with her raising issues that were insightful, deep and inspiring at the same time. From my perspective, I felt like she understood so much about me, what experiences we both suffered through and had in common...and yet lived such different lives. Anyway, her family was from Iran, and even though they lived in the US after leaving Iran and unable to return after the revolution, her father did. When he arrived back to reclaim his home, possessions, memories, he was imprisoned and could not come home. They did not know when or if they would ever see him again. Many years passed before he was ever released, after going through hell being moved from prison to prison, never knowing if he will live, see his family again or see the light of day.
This was not a story from a revolutionary time from long ago, this is recent, this 21st century global civilization with the Internet, blogger's, intertwined economy binding ties among countries, peoples and lifestyles. This was not just another movie reflecting what could happen in things got worse.
I watched V for Vendetta about a futuristic Britian that was run by a dictator aiming to keep unity and peace in a nation through creatively spinning the media, intolerance, injustice and at times murder torture and imprisonment. In walks in the Guy Fawkes mask wearing revolutionary (or terroist depending on your view) who attempts to knock sense into complacent masses of society who sense the injustice but who feel powerless until this symbol of rebellion awakes their collective self-conscience.
As I reviewed the critics of the film, I found some who loved it and praised the film, and others who vehemently found it far fetched, lacking depth and integrity. It occurs to me, that the "far fetched" concept is just not so far off...
I am not sure what the impact of this new development in Iran will come to light. If the past poses any insight, there may be many more friends of ours who will suffer as a result of this newly charged enthusiasm against the Bahá'ís. However, I have to retain hope that the Bahá'í international Community (the NGO I interned during my second year of law school that taught me amazing lessons about diplomacy, injustice and how to tactfully defend human rights) will be assisted by several governments and organizations that will demand that further human right violations on a people of a religion that is based on world peace, be stopped, prevented and removed as an agenda item of that country.
Already the Bahá'ís are barred from seeking higher education, what will they gain from knowing about every single Bahá'í in the country? Who knows when this will stop. Especially if the target based on the confidential letter is aimed at all Bahá'ís in Iran, which numbers the largest religious minority in the country (350K).
The basis? Religious hatred by Islamic fundamentalists who view the Bahá’í Faith as a threat to Islam. Based on the article above, "...The progressive position of the Faith on women’s rights, independent investigation of truth, and education has particularly rankled Muslim clerics."
I am reading about these events and shudder to think how more people will go through even more injustice, lose their rights to go to school, lose their lives, family, dignity etc. More of the same. This happened before...
About a month ago we had a visitor from California, a wonderful smart graceful woman who is a truly radiant person. Pieter and I ended up sharing many late nights with her raising issues that were insightful, deep and inspiring at the same time. From my perspective, I felt like she understood so much about me, what experiences we both suffered through and had in common...and yet lived such different lives. Anyway, her family was from Iran, and even though they lived in the US after leaving Iran and unable to return after the revolution, her father did. When he arrived back to reclaim his home, possessions, memories, he was imprisoned and could not come home. They did not know when or if they would ever see him again. Many years passed before he was ever released, after going through hell being moved from prison to prison, never knowing if he will live, see his family again or see the light of day.
This was not a story from a revolutionary time from long ago, this is recent, this 21st century global civilization with the Internet, blogger's, intertwined economy binding ties among countries, peoples and lifestyles. This was not just another movie reflecting what could happen in things got worse.
I watched V for Vendetta about a futuristic Britian that was run by a dictator aiming to keep unity and peace in a nation through creatively spinning the media, intolerance, injustice and at times murder torture and imprisonment. In walks in the Guy Fawkes mask wearing revolutionary (or terroist depending on your view) who attempts to knock sense into complacent masses of society who sense the injustice but who feel powerless until this symbol of rebellion awakes their collective self-conscience.
As I reviewed the critics of the film, I found some who loved it and praised the film, and others who vehemently found it far fetched, lacking depth and integrity. It occurs to me, that the "far fetched" concept is just not so far off...
I am not sure what the impact of this new development in Iran will come to light. If the past poses any insight, there may be many more friends of ours who will suffer as a result of this newly charged enthusiasm against the Bahá'ís. However, I have to retain hope that the Bahá'í international Community (the NGO I interned during my second year of law school that taught me amazing lessons about diplomacy, injustice and how to tactfully defend human rights) will be assisted by several governments and organizations that will demand that further human right violations on a people of a religion that is based on world peace, be stopped, prevented and removed as an agenda item of that country.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Water...
I recently watched the movie Constant Gardener, with Ralph Fiennes, a movie adapted and directed by Fernando Meirelles (directed "City of God") from a book by John LeCarre. It was a thriller about a few individuals that tried to stop a pharmaceutical company and its Government backers from conducting fatal drug-testing on several African (nameless) victims in the name of corporate profits.
The acting was great, and one of the main characters was a woman named Tessa,(played by Rachel Weiss who won an Academy Award for her performance) a cheerful, energetic, passionate person who could not let go of the oppression, injustice and blind eyes that so many others were taking to the situation. I was applauding her...but her insistence on giving the victims a voice cost her life. It was a well directed movie that presented yet another view on how corporate profiteering and nationalistic pursuits can run along a very dangerous, hurtful path.
One part of the movie was not fiction. The filming of the villages was not contrived. The "sets" where the film took place was based on and actually created from real-life settings, no extras needed, no creation of thatched roofs, no planned landscapes that reflected lack of vegetation or water. It was already there.
As the features of the DVD revealed the footage taken in Kenya, it was amazing to see that there are whole villages where no water or septic systems or electricity is present. No water, no facilities for plumbing, no electrical outlets for the IPOD.
This impression of the realities of these villages impacted me more than I anticipated. I am not sure why now, but somehow, with this story fresh in my mind it hit home.
How lucky I found myself in my own situation, living in the part of the world where electricity, water, everything is in uber-abundance. The endless hot showers, the dishwashing of dishes (even if the dishwasher is not full), the lights left on in the house when no on is in the room. By the way, I all of sudden have been more cognizant of how I can personally contribute. I just feel so silly I never really thought about it more. I don't like sterotypes, but I wonder if my thoughtlessness qualifies for being so "American".
Just to see where the world is on this issue, here is a disturbing irony (thanks Pieter for finding this...):
One of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation, but the United Nations says this may not be achieved. Why? Not enough money to sustain the goal.
The United Nations estimates that it would cost $6.7 billion a year to
meet MDG targets on water and sanitation - compared to the $17 billion spent by Europe and the United States annually on pet food.
Wow. Why can't we get our priorities straight???
The acting was great, and one of the main characters was a woman named Tessa,(played by Rachel Weiss who won an Academy Award for her performance) a cheerful, energetic, passionate person who could not let go of the oppression, injustice and blind eyes that so many others were taking to the situation. I was applauding her...but her insistence on giving the victims a voice cost her life. It was a well directed movie that presented yet another view on how corporate profiteering and nationalistic pursuits can run along a very dangerous, hurtful path.
One part of the movie was not fiction. The filming of the villages was not contrived. The "sets" where the film took place was based on and actually created from real-life settings, no extras needed, no creation of thatched roofs, no planned landscapes that reflected lack of vegetation or water. It was already there.
As the features of the DVD revealed the footage taken in Kenya, it was amazing to see that there are whole villages where no water or septic systems or electricity is present. No water, no facilities for plumbing, no electrical outlets for the IPOD.
This impression of the realities of these villages impacted me more than I anticipated. I am not sure why now, but somehow, with this story fresh in my mind it hit home.
How lucky I found myself in my own situation, living in the part of the world where electricity, water, everything is in uber-abundance. The endless hot showers, the dishwashing of dishes (even if the dishwasher is not full), the lights left on in the house when no on is in the room. By the way, I all of sudden have been more cognizant of how I can personally contribute. I just feel so silly I never really thought about it more. I don't like sterotypes, but I wonder if my thoughtlessness qualifies for being so "American".
Just to see where the world is on this issue, here is a disturbing irony (thanks Pieter for finding this...):
One of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation, but the United Nations says this may not be achieved. Why? Not enough money to sustain the goal.
The United Nations estimates that it would cost $6.7 billion a year to
meet MDG targets on water and sanitation - compared to the $17 billion spent by Europe and the United States annually on pet food.
Wow. Why can't we get our priorities straight???
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Alec's turn
So a quick update on the situation. Alec is now in the middle of his illness as well. Took him to the Doctor yesterday, (thank God we found the BEST pediatricians only 4 minutes away from our house; both of them have been our absolute savior the day after Alec was born...we were referred to them in the Princeton hospital after Alec was born). Anyway, Alec's doctor who is also Bella's saw the same symptoms, and got the same medication. Its funny though, because Alec gets HIGHLY annoyed when he is sick and just overall gets frustrated. The pic posted was taken this morning. He is not happy. Bella meanwhile is trying to find her sunshine again. Two kids, different styles.
By the way, I have also been sick due to my own sinus infection but have been very slow in recovery because of the sleepless nights. However, I am steering clear of self-pity. I tried it yesterday and not much helped. I took off from work sick (rarity) and through all the doctor visits, clean ups of the kid's accidents (Alec threw up 3 times, once at the Dr. once at the store, and once in the parking lot)I was resorting to a lot of feeling bad for myself. "How can I rest while these kids are sick?" "How is this fasting period any good for me when I have to eat to get better?" "I would love to go to NY city with Pieter and hang out in a cafe again..." The last thought is always present on my mind, during sickness or health.
Today I feel better, it is a sunny Saturday, the kids are slowly recuperating and I realize that my own pity feelings will not get me to feel better, in fact quite the opposite. So instead, I'll go slowly, moment by moment, enjoy a sip of coffee, and hopefully get some rest that I needed. Or at least sit outside a bit and get some vitamin D.
1 more thing, I guess at times, these limitations can still help us learn new things. I need to "reframe" this situation, see it differently and hopefully retain the contententment and even happiness for this weekend. I will end this rambling thought with a quote from Marcel Proust: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in making new landscapes but in having new eyes."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Physical limitations
Today is March 7th I think. We had a great weekend, a wonderful Spiritual Cafe about faith and religion. It was another long night that lasted until about 1 AM. We had 12 people in all, and I felt really blessed at the end of it all wondering how lucky we are to hear from so many people and to dialogue about stuff that mattered.
This weekend, although special was also focused a bit on illness. I had a sinus infection, Isabella was coughing a lot, Alec seemed to be fine, but kept on drinking from Bella's water and made me worry about the consequence. Anyway it turns out that on Monday when we took Bella to the doctor, she has bronchitis. This is not a new thing, as she has had this many times before. I just wish it was less often. It seems since she was 6 days old, Pieter and I are holding on to our seats waiting for the next diagnosis, ear infections, small nasal passage, virus, bronchitis, roseola, even Coxsackie virus. I guess it isnt surprising that she tells me that she wants to be a doctor (and a lawyer, a baker, a singer and a writer...)
Oh yeah I watched the Academy Awards on Sunday. This has been my little tradition that my tolerant patient husband joins me in. He is really sweet to be there with me and to cheer when people get recognized for their acheivements. Anyway, Pieter and I were pretty psyched that "Crash" won. Most of the movies we generally miss in the theatre due to the kid/baby factor, but a few end up in our DVD player or even a movie theatre once every 6 months. Of the ones we did see we loved Crash and Syrianna, both of which were excellent; the actors were stellar, the story lines intense and the perspective they provided on current day society was refreshing, sad and piercing. Cool stuff.
Well, now 2 of us are on medication (myself and Bella thus far) and tonight I am taking care of Isabella and Alec. Isabella has vomited 7 or 8 times today already. My sweet Bella. Not much I can do except to just be there, hold away her hair while she resigns to her fate. This is the quietest time for her. She neither complains or cries. She just seems to accepts her fate in a contented manner. Well, actually to be more precise, she really does not understand WHY she has to be sick so much. The impact on her life is hitting her closer to home. My heart broke yesterday when I heard that she cried for about 30 minutes straight yesterday because she had to miss her very first swimming lesson. This was something she was looking forward to and counting the days for the past month (really).
Tonight I offered her a popsicle shaped like a crayon to hydrate her, and she said no. She is afraid of vomiting again. I'll let her rest, as she is watching Heffalump, OOPS NOW IT IS NINE TIMES a winnie the pooh movie.
Physcial limitations on a 5 year old. I cannot do much but wait, guide her and hopefully let her know its all right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)