Hijab and Security

We are living in a world that is full of violence, cruelty, insecurity and suffers from lack of food and sympathy but few people bother their heads to take a pace for resolving these problems. Strangely those people who are indifferent toward these problems when see a woman who has hijab and has covered her body treat her in such a way as if she has committed a dead sin or mock at her. They regard hijab as opposed to human rights and as a barrier that makes women's progress impossible. Indeed hijab is not a hinder but it is like a pearl in a shell that provides women with security, makes stronger family relationships and better societies, it also makes working environment a healthier place.

First of all, women who have hijab feel safer than the others. Hijab like a barrier protects these women from those lustful eyes that are seeking for an object to have some time of enjoyment to satisfy their instincts. Hijab gives women a new identity and brings with itself respect and value for women. By having hijab, one can prove that she is not a marionette or a sexual instrument to amuse the others and to be controlled by the others wills. A woman with hijab is an independent person with dignity that must be respected. So hijab can protect women against the undesirable events that are growing in the society.

Hijab also makes the basis of family stronger. Family is the smallest unit within the society and the bliss of the society depends on the bliss of the family. Disregarding hijab may cause stress and suspicion in the mind of the husband and lead destruction of harmony, security and affection within the family which have bad effects on children. Arming with such a powerful weapon as hijab can guarantee the durability of the family and bring great bliss for the members of the family who can inject this bliss to the community and make a healthy society.

Another advantage of hijab is healthier working environment. In a society where women attend their works with lots of make up they may disturb the men colleagues and also waste their time by spending hours for their make up. But when women attend their works with hijab everyone in the working environment whether man or woman can concentrate on his/her work and as a result the output of work would increase.

Considering what mentioned before, we should not forget that hijab is a personal matter and we can not compel another person to have hijab or blame a girl who has not hijab. One must herself decide about having or not having hijab and discover her meaning of this word. The imposed hijab not only have any value but also may cause hatred.

An Iranian Traditional Party

The yard was washed and the house was cleaned up. The mother and the daughters were preparing the food in the kitchen. All the family anticipated the arrival of the guests. There was a knock on the door, the host went to open the door and greet the guests. The whole family welcomed the guests with expressions such as" You honored us" and "You made us happy" and ushered them into the reception room.

The guests sat around the room and the host entertained them with sharbat, (a drink made of fruit and sugar served with ice and water) or with tea. The hookahs were being prepared for smoking and meanwhile the guests enjoyed themselves by talking to each other in small groups.

Now it is the time for serving dinner. A quadrangular piece of cloth which is called sofre is spread on the carpet. Pieces of bread, dishes of herbs such as basil, mint, cumin, cloves, and coriander, plates, dishes of Iranian rice decorated with saffron are arranged on the sofre. Bowls of broth and stew, appetizers and desserts such as halva, dates, melon are brought too. Carafes of doogh (yogurt drink with ice) or sharbat are put on the sofre. Every one starts eating with the name of God and finishes it by saying:" Thanks God".
After dinner fruit and nuts are served and the talking will be resumed. When the party comes to its end the host sees the guests off and every one after spending such a good time returns to his/her home.

Tehran: The Heart of Iran

My hometown, Tehran, is located at the foot of Alborz mountain range and literally means "warm mountain slope". Because of its altitude of the sea level, Tehran has hot summers and cold winters. The city was once a small village but when Agha Mohammad Khan-e Ghajar came to the throne, it was selected as the capital of Iran. Ever after buildings, palaces and factories were built there and it became the major metropolis of Iran. Today Tehran with a population of about twelve million and its industrial and political units is considered as the most important city in Iran.
The first thing to be mentioned about the city is its people. The people in Tehran can be divided into three groups. The first group includes those men and women who were born in this city and live there. People who live in the suburbs but work in Tehran make the second group. The third and the greatest group include those citizens who were born somewhere else and came to Tehran in the request of something such as a better job or an ideal life. But all these three groups have one thing in common and that is their hostility and warm spirit.
Today Tehran is considered as the heart of Iran because of centralization of industrial, commercial and political units. There are several factories on the outskirts like automobile manufactories (e.g. Saypa and Irankhodro) and factories that produce cement and sugar. Furthermore new stores, departments and public buildings are being built here and there in the city. Since the Parliament and presidential palace are located in Tehran, most crucial decisions are made in this city. As a result it's not strange that Why Tehran has such importance among the cities of Iran.
Another thing to be mentioned about Tehran is the diversity of sightseeing choices which have caused it caters to tourists. The symbol of Iran and Tehran, Azadi (freedom) Tower with its marvelous architecture, is the first thing that catches foreigners' eyes. Milad tower which is among the tallest and most modern towers in the world can be another interesting choice to visit. Darake and Darband with their coffee-houses and streams which run among them are ready to entertain guests with their famous kebabs and doogh (a kind of drink). Because of the snowfall during the winter skiing resorts such as Dizin, Shemshak and Tochal are worth a visit. There are also many mosques, Imamzadehs (e.g. Imamzadeh Saleh and Shah Abdolazim) and palaces (e.g. Niavaran, Sa'dabad and Golestan) among the tourist attractions in Tehran.

In addition to all these conditions there is something special about the city which makes me to love it: Tehran is the first city in the world where I have tasted the life, felt it and touched it.

Golestan Palace

Khastegari: A Marriage Proposal

I think one of the interesting ceremonies in every culture is the wedding ceremony. In Iran this ceremony has some stages that are all beautiful and exciting. Some of these stages are: khastegari (proposing), Shirini khoran (engagement party), Balehboron, mehr, jahaz, hanabandan and other ceremonies. Here I will describe the first stage which is also the most nerve wracking one.

In traditional Iranian families, arranged marriage proceedings begin with khastegari, or formal marriage proposal. The suitor or the “Khastegar” accompanied by his parents, guardians or elder family members calls upon the bride’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. The bride’s family receives the guests warmly offering tea and sweets “Shirini”. In the olden days, when the couple did not know each other too well, they would be allowed to go on a date. It is always polite and respectful to ask the parents for the daughter’s hand in marriage. This stage is important for the following reasons: first, it’s critical to make sure she says “yes”; second, it sets the tone for many things to come, in particular some of the most exciting days of your life which will soon after follow; and third, it is probably the one experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Once the proposal has been accepted the other ceremonies are planned.

Link:
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Approval of Bravery

Sitting beside the window, I was watching the charming scene before me. The stars were twinkling at me; the moonlight was shinning and spreading its rays upon the trees that were dancing in the cool breeze. I was so impressed by the beautiful scene that I had forgotten the time and place. Suddenly I heard a quarrel among my cousins that had divided into two groups: the girls and the boys. The subject of the quarrel was this: Which group is braver; the boys or the girls?" If you girls go to the end of the garden and spend one hour there, you will approve your bravery to us." That was the suggestion of one of the boys. The girls accepted the suggestion and invited me to accompany them. I wished I could reject their invitation, but my proud didn't let me.

Finally, the group of girls including two of my cousins, my sister and me parted the boys laughing and chatting. We had just left the home that my cousin started screaming, she had seen a frog and persisted returning to the home. Now our group had decreased to three persons nevertheless we continued our progress. At first, every thing was good till the clouds covered the moon and darkness engulfed us. Our legs had been paralyzed and we were unable to walk any longer. Our hands were trembling and our faces were white as yogurt. The cool breeze that now had turned to gale was howling like a hungry wolf and deafening us. The trees seemed so alive and their branches had been stretched like the hands of a blood thirsty trying to grab us. I was so afraid that I closed my eyes as tears shedding my face like a stream. When my cousin and my sister saw my situation, despite their will insisted on coming back." No, we should pass the test of bravery." I declared stubbornly. Anyway we continued our adventure by singing to forget our fears. That one hour passed for us like a year but the result of it was so good since we had overcome the boys and approved our bravery.

Of Music

Recently I read The Voice of the Master by khalil Gibran which I found it very interesting and excellent. I have chosen one part of the book about the music and I hope you enjoy it.

Divine Music!
Daughter of the Soul of Love

Vase of bitterness and of
Love

Dream of the human heart, fruit
of sorrow

Flower of joy, fragrance and
bloom of feeling

Tongue of lovers, revealer of
secrets

Mother of the tears of hidden love
Inspire of poets, composers,
architects

Unity of thoughts within fragments
of words

Designer of warriors, and strengtheners
of souls

O Music
In your depth we deposit our hearts
and souls
Thou hast taught us to see with our
ears
and hear with our hearts.

The Teacher of Teachers

All the streets and alleys are illuminated; here and there we can see people who offer sweets and flowers to the passer-bys. Every one is happy and celebrating this blessed feast. People congratulating each other and all the enmities are forgotten. But what is the reason of all these happiness? Because today is the birthday of Muslims Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). He brought with himself the message of bliss, brotherhood and equality for people from different races and nationalities. He taught us to be good creatures for our God and to do good deeds. He asked us to be honest, kind and merciful to whole people and to worship the God who is the creator of this universe with all its beauties. For this reason, I have chosen parts of a song by Sami Yusuf and I hope you enjoy it.

We once had a Teacher
The Teacher of teachers
He changed the world for the better
And made us better creatures
Oh Allah we've shamed ourselves
We've strayed from Al-Mu'allim
Surely we've wronged ourselves
What will we say in front of him?
Oh Mu'allim… (Teacher)


Ha was Mohammad salla Allah alayhi wa salam (peace be upon him and his family)
Mohammad, merci upon mankind,
Teacher of all Mankind.


He prayed while others slept
While other ate he'd fast,
While they would laugh he wept
Until he breathed his last,
His only wish was for us to be
Among the ones who prosper,
Ya Mu'allim peace be upon you,
Truly you are our teacher,
Oh Mu'allim…


He taught us to be just and kind
And to feed the poor and hungry,
Help the wayfarer and the orphan child
And not to be cruel and miserly,
His speech was soft and gentle,
Like a mother stroking her child,
His mercy and compassion,
Were most radiant when he smiled.