Iran. Perceptions and realities. The truth...

We all know that many people in this world have their own perception of places they have never been to or have little knowledge of.

People have an image of what Americans are like, people have an image of what Arabs are like, how close to the truth are they? How much of these perceptions come from their imagination, media and hear say, how much is reality?

These days, Iran is in the centre of peoples perceptions. Many of these perceptions come from news reports alone. Which is not a healthy view of reality... the news mostly focuses on bad things only. So of course "some" people view Iranians as evil monsters. And they don't even care if Iran gets nuked.

They seem to separate themselves from Iranians as real normal people. And instead want to believe they are not the same as you and I, that they are monsters, and deserve what comes to them. Luckily these people are quite rare, well I hope lol.

I have found an excellent documentary for you guys, that really focuses more on the real people and reality, both the good and bad. This will help deny ignorance

This documentary focuses on the good and the bad of Iran. The bad like, restrictions, in media and life etc While there are bad things in Iran, like many countries, there is also many great things, nice people, and beautiful places. This is what this is all about.

People seem to forget this, and it's a shame....

It is a great documentary, which can remind some people of the reality of Iran, remind them that there are many normal outgoing people over there just like anywhere else in the world. That the women in general are not living such a nightmare etc.

One thing I do hate thou, is that women cannot choose to wear headscarf or not, that's a crime! that is why you see a lot more women wearing scarf there than you would see in some other muslim countries. For example most young women in Morocco don't even wear scarf because they have a choice.

Iran
"Iranian law requires women to wear loose-fitting coats or cloaks in public, as well as a head-scarf that covers the hair. Some women wear a chador and cover their hair almost completely, but most do not."

Morocco
"The headscarf is not forbidden by law, but not encouraged by governmental institutions and generally frowned upon by urban middle and higher classes. It is becoming gradually more frequent in the north, but as it is not traditional, to wear one is considered rather a religious or political decision. In 2005, a schoolbook for basic religious education was heavily criticized for picturing female children with headscarfs."

Laws that forbids this choice in my opinion are evil. Being half Moroccan this makes me very proud of Morocco for this law of freedom.





But back on topic, on a more positive note, except for this headscarf fact. Women in Iran are pretty good at enjoying themselves, and living normal healthy lives, without much restrictions. This documentary will help show you more.

I find it funny that some people act like all muslim women are controlled, weak, and abused in ALL muslim countries. While it does happen in rare places, it's not as common as people like to make a point of haha. There are MANY muslim countries, every country is different, different laws, culture, music, fashion etc.

Have you seen some of these women!?
Arab women for example in many countries, They are STRONG minded, boss of the family types, they make their own choices. No way they are getting abused and controlled!! lol.

Anyway if you had a perception of Iranian or Arab people being angry dirty people , living in small stinky towns, abusing women, planning evil acts on the west all day. Then this documentry might open your mind quite a lot! haha.

If most of you don't think like this, (I sure hope so!!!) Then this documentary will help remind you of the people and learn more about the real people of Iran. The people you do not see in the news.

I liked the comment a kid said in this part 4 of this documentary, something like, "BBC come to film people burning flags etc, and then the world forms opinions about Iran thinking all Iran is like that, when it is not"

I'm posting this, because I believe it's little things like this that can help create a less ignorant and a more peaceful world...

Open your minds, stop judging, and start learning.

Enough of my thoughts!!

Enjoy!

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8


Part 9


Part 10



Say no to war in Iran.

Peace.




[edit on 8-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

Breaking down the false walls of ill-informed opinion is a better step towards the evolution of good form and thought.

MR -L

Starred and flagged.

S & F for you. I have seen this video as well as others and it does a fair job of depicting an emerging technological society which has been enjoying economic growth for many relatively peaceful years now...which Iran is.

Agreed on the state of woman's rights they are archaic and in need of upgrading to more modern tolerances in the very least.

Like any culture they have many pluses and many negatives...they are for the most part a wonderful people and the people do not necessarily represent the thoughts or ideals of their leader(s).

Thanks for the replies guys, well said, I appreciate it.

Here's another view of Iran. Beautiful nature and buidlings.

Beautiful nature....... nice music too. Must see.


Buildings etc.




[edit on 8-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

Good for you, Phoenix.

Our problem with Iran is not the people, but the hard line Islamic leadership.

I'm American. They stormed our embassy, kept our people prisoner, funded Hamas which attacked US interests world-wide, they've threatened the US and Israel with suicide bombers.

Morocco is and never has been a problem with anyone.

Iran is a problem to even most of the Arab nations. Iran's government.

Likewise, the Japanese and German people were not our enemies in the last century. But their leadership made them so, and cost their own nations dearly.

Something the Iranian people may wish to consider.

reply to post by dooper


Thanks for the reply.

Yes my general point is to remind us of the people. Politicians and media like to take the spotlight, while the world focuses on them and forgets the people.

Peace.

reply to post by _Phoenix_


Phoenix great topic
I just hope those people who spew so much hate for Iranians read it
and watch the Videos and see there are always reasons for why people see things as they do

again Great topic Star and Flag

Thanks Bodrul.

If any mod reads this, could you please move this thread to the middle east forum, I think the thread would feel more at home there haha.

Thanks.

[edit on 12-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

reply to post by _Phoenix_



Thanks for this thread.
But I want to say something on this issue, nothing contra though, since I experience such prejudices, bias since many years by myself.
But...
I think it is a kind of felling to the trap, if one tries to show the "other", "unknown", "neglected" parts of Iran..Or lets say all "primitive", "unknown", "other" countries, which are constructed in colonial minds.
It is for example, just what some colonial westerners want, if you say "look, here are such and such modern beautiful arab women, or there are educated people" etc...Since the image of the Arab, Middle East people, or Muslim is already constructed by colonial western thought, this constructed way of thinking should be destroyed again by them who constructed it. If you simply try to show "other" educated, beautiful, modern side, that will not work, on the contrary it will feed the original image of colonial thought, because then you are making a contrast within such countries like Iran with such concepts like modern, educated etc..
sorry about my language and if I give you a headache with my english.

by the way, it will be better if this thread will move on to middle east issues. there will be more interested people i guess.



[edit on 12-2-2009 by deccal]

reply to post by deccal


I think I understand what your saying. Hmmm


And yes it would be better in the other forum, hopefully a mod sees this, if not I'll u2u someone later, I got a huge headache now, and I have to go out. lol

Edit:
Thanks! 12m8keall2c, for moving this thread!

Peace.

[edit on 14-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

Very good post and this kind of considerations proves that all societies are the same in one way or another. The same was of Iraq, which was a highly educated and modern country until a 10 year embargo and a war was imposed.

Like for Iraq, Israel is gunning for Iran now which will entail the people living their lives as depicted in the videos devastated by war, bombings and destruction.

Originally posted by dooper
Good for you, Phoenix.

Our problem with Iran is not the people, but the hard line Islamic leadership.

I'm American. They stormed our embassy, kept our people prisoner, funded Hamas which attacked US interests world-wide, they've threatened the US and Israel with suicide bombers.

Morocco is and never has been a problem with anyone.

Iran is a problem to even most of the Arab nations. Iran's government.

Likewise, the Japanese and German people were not our enemies in the last century. But their leadership made them so, and cost their own nations dearly.

Something the Iranian people may wish to consider.

How can you blame Iran for things the US have done them selves in the past and even at present. The Americans might not have used Americans to do things but they have founded,trained and supported a lot of nasty actions a round the globe.

If there is a conflict anywhere in the world, you will find the united states smack in the middle of all of them doing something.

Just want to say something that's kind of another topic. But something happened and I thought I would mention.

Some people act like muslim people in western countries, don't get picked on, that muslims get away with this and that blah blah.

But from my experience "some" muslims are being treated like crap. I know people who have had people smash their windows with stones on a regular basis, just because they are muslim, I know people who have been beaten up by gangs just because they are muslim. I know people who have had hatred yelled at them in the street and buses, terrorist comments etc. People having bad experiences in job interviews because of their religion etc.

Today my mother told me, she was at the back of a bus reading a quran. And a woman came on with a trolly, and started making noise with her trolly, like she was angry, she started saying, I hate that book, I hate that book. blah blah

"I bet it was your dead mother who taught you that" blah blah blah

My mother ignores her, thinking it's for the best, she gets off the bus, and goes for coffee, BUT she sees the woman again in the coffee place, and the woman see's my mother and starts shouting at my mother and telling her how much she hates her. "don't let me see you again!"

So my mother once again let's it go, and walks away, she goes to primark, a clothes store, and guess what, the woman is there again!(in my opinion this woman must have been following her!) The woman said: "I thought I told you I don't want to see you around again!"
"I think your wrong, you muslims blah blah"

My mother told her "You can believe whatever you want, I am not forcing you to do anything" And then my mother walked home, because if she stayed the woman would have made a big scene.
My mother is a welsh convert.
This is not the first time this has happened, she's had teenagers making comments, people swearing making snide remarks etc.
It's lucky I'm never there when it happens, because I wouldn't be able to control myself! lol

It's funny thou, some of these people don't even know what they are talking about, some have called her a dirty jew etc, LMAO.

I'm just saying this, because I've read many comments on how people complain about muslims, getting away with things, people letting muslims walk over them etc. Like all muslims can do whatever they want, because people are afraid to say anything, well in my opinion that's a joke. Frankly, I do not see this, I see the opposite. Some muslims are afraid to say anything, while some people treat them like crap.

Most people treat muslims nicely, and most muslims treat others nicely, but there is hatred and prejudice actions out there, as to be expected, you see some of this on ATS, youtube etc too. But it's to be expected, I'm just reminding people, that it does happen!
Muslims don't have it as easy as some people think. Two sides to every coin.

Peace.

[edit on 15-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

reply to post by _Phoenix_


I am not surprised at all. In London this kind of harassment is being conducted at Muslims. In the part of North London I live usually women with young children are being picked on by predominantly non-Muslim blacks, older English whites and teenage gangs, basically the ignorant and disenfranchised. Even more of a concern, groups like the Jehovah Witnesses having targeting Somali teenagers on their way to school and back. I saw a flock of JW descend up on a bus disgorging teenagers in school uniforms and harry them with their idea of religion.

On another occasion I was on a bus where I saw a man verbally attack a young woman in Hijab demanding that she take off her head wear. No one said a thing on the bus including the driver. I told the guy to shut the hell up. Then I noticed hostility directed at me from other passenger which got me seriously angry. I got up and approached the filthy mouthed man, there must have been a look on my face because he looked like he suddenly wet himself. I quietly told him I was getting of at his stop and we could discuss the matter in private. The guy did not get off until the at the station and went to stand near the driver while everyone got off. I waited for him outside but the driver let him stay on.

reply to post by masonwatcher


Good for you for defending her! Your a true hero. Super powers don't make a hero, your actions do.

I would do the same no matter if they are being picked on for being muslim, being black or being a jew etc.

And your right it always seems to be the scary ignorant looking people that do this.

By the way we live in London too This kind of behaviour is typical in London, while we have some of the nicest people in the world here, we also have some of the worst I can imagine lol.

I do not think it will get much worse, I just think people like this will always exist, it's just a fact of life. A reality.

It's our job to make it a point to not be like that, so that children can learn from us. That's all we can do.

Peace.

Originally posted by _Phoenix_
It's funny thou, some of these people don't even know what they are talking about, some have called her a dirty jew etc, LMAO.

I don't see anything funny about people calling your mom a dirty Jew....

All your sad stories do not justify anything. You guys talk like people here don't understand that not all Muslims are extremists. We know there are good Muslims and not all of them are "terrorists." Just what are you trying to prove?

Does your sad story justify the actions of a government run by religion? Does your sad story justify the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11? Does your sad story justify the 400,00 people killed and 2,000,000 displaced in Darfur?

I'd say no to war in Iran when Iran says no to supplying Chinese weapons to the Taliban....

When Iran says no to developing nuclear weapons and threatening war against other countries.

I'd say no when Iran stops supplying weapons to Hamas in Gaza.

I'd say no when Iran stops supplying rockets to hezbollah in Lebanon

Until then the deafening silence from hypocrites who fail to condemn Iran's belligerency says it all.

Originally posted by Founding

Originally posted by _Phoenix_
It's funny thou, some of these people don't even know what they are talking about, some have called her a dirty jew etc, LMAO.

I don't see anything funny about people calling your mom a dirty Jew....

All your sad stories do not justify anything. You guys talk like people here don't understand that not all Muslims are extremists. We know there are good Muslims and not all of them are "terrorists." Just what are you trying to prove?

Does your sad story justify the actions of a government run by religion? Does your sad story justify the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11? Does your sad story justify the 400,00 people killed and 2,000,000 displaced in Darfur?

Founding,
does YOUR story justifies 100 millions death in first and second world war?
What are YOU trying to say?
Don't tell me your story is of civilization, and theirs of religion.
I am trying to understand how did you jump from one judgement to another conclusion. But I can't.


[edit on 15-2-2009 by deccal]

Originally posted by Founding


I don't see anything funny about people calling your mom a dirty Jew....

It's funny because it shows how ignorant they are

Originally posted by Founding
All your sad stories do not justify anything. You guys talk like people here don't understand that not all Muslims are extremists. We know there are good Muslims and not all of them are "terrorists." Just what are you trying to prove?

Justify? What do you mean by that?
I'm not proving anything, I'm reminding people. Because believe it or not some of people do not agree with you. Some people put muslims in 1 group and judge them with hatred.

But even those who don't do that, might need a reminder every now and again! because it is nowhere to be found in regular western media!

Originally posted by Founding

Does your sad story justify the actions of a government run by religion? Does your sad story justify the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11? Does your sad story justify the 400,00 people killed and 2,000,000 displaced in Darfur?

No it does not, my story reminds people of the real muslim people you forget about, the people behind the scenes, the ones not in the spotlight.

What are you trying to prove?



[edit on 15-2-2009 by _Phoenix_]

Originally posted by sy.gunson
I'd say no to war in Iran when Iran says no to supplying Chinese weapons to the Taliban....

When Iran says no to developing nuclear weapons and threatening war against other countries.

I'd say no when Iran stops supplying weapons to Hamas in Gaza.

I'd say no when Iran stops supplying rockets to hezbollah in Lebanon

Until then the deafening silence from hypocrites who fail to condemn Iran's belligerency says it all.

Wow..I didnt know that Iran is omnipotent..
Hey guys of the West...Iran and other ME countries are really busy, and they don't really care to destroy your great civilization, just relax