New Yorkers, mark your calendars for December 5th.
In what looks to be the most important academic conference on the post-election affairs of Iran, Columbia University will host a who’s who of Iranian scholars, activists, and journalist for a conference entitled “Iran After the Election.”
This will be the event for those wishing to know everything and more about what happened in Iran last summer and what to look for in the coming months. Best of all, the event is free and open to the public!
If you happen to be in San Francisco and are pining for memories of Vali Asr Street and Tajrish you might want to swing by Intersection for the Arts in the Mission District where they currently are hosting an exhibition called “One Day a Collective Narrative of Iran.”
While you are there be sure to visit El Toro Taqueria for some bomb burritos and the occasional mariachi band.
On the one hand, it is often best if the United States, Russia, England, France, the Greeks, the Arabs, the Mongolians, and all other outside forces stay out of Iranian politics. I have maintained that fairly consistently over the years. But I started thinking about things today after watching this video:
Today in the streets of Tehran, on the anniversary of the taking of the American Embassy in Tehran (now 30 years ago) the Green Wave chanted on the streets “Obama! Obama! You are with them or you are with us.”
Might Obama, now that he is a Nobel Peace Laureate, be seen more than just the President of the United States, but a symbol for the aspirations of all the oppressed? Might it be that the President is in a unique position to do something more than voice gentle opinions?
I honestly don’t know, but would love to hear what you all think out there on the interwebs.
It continues to amaze me that Jon Stewart, a comedian, has much more journalistic courage than just about ANYONE in broadcast media (save for Sister Amy Goodman)
Just last night, he hosted Dr. Mustafa Barghouti a member of the peaceful Palestinian opposition (and according to many, a non-corrupt leader) and Anna Baltzer a Jewish-American peace activist.
The Daily Show has posted an extended interview with both on their website. You can watch both here on Qizilbash. Be sure not to miss Part 1 where a guy from the audience starts yelling at Barghouti.
In the old days of the show, Said and Omer could play together. But now, it seems the puppets have been divided like the countless Saids and Omers in real life.
There is much to say, but the video that came along with this article in the NYTimes has completely depressed me. I wish to avoid sounding like the late Michael Jackson, but the idea of these children living through an armed and unjust conflict is just painful.
Read the article here and watch the pathos inducing video right here.
(the editor sends his pre-apologies for Hebrew spelling mistakes)
I still think ABC would be doing the country a better service if it simply were to do more reporting on the Middle East in a commercial free news hour everyday (I can only dream on). But I do have to compliment them on this interesting social experiment that they filmed.
In the exercise, they hired two actors, one male playing a shop owner, and one female playing the hejabi in distress. The actor playing the shop-keep tells the Muslim woman that he will not serve her since she is “not-American” and a “terrorist.” The reaction of the other customers is varied, and eye-opening.
While not scientific, it is a must see. Thanks to Pouya for bring this to my attention.
It is yet to be determined as to how the Iranian government will use these attacks to their advantage in this week’s nuclear negotiations between Iran, the US, and several European nations.
It is our hope that Qbash becomes your go-to blog for all things related to the Middle East and other Muslim societies. With any luck qbash will bring out the 16th century militant Sufi mystic in you (in a peaceful way)!
![Neither East nor West [but] the popular green wave! (13 Aban 1388)](http://4.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kslerlY4Ii1qzghjqo1_500.jpg)
