Friday: Go to Prayer

As everyone bowed in prayer, they revealed security soldiers and a Death to Israel poster.
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Isfahan’s great Imam mosque is both a tourist attraction and a vibrant place of worship.
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After the service, the cleric was eager to talk with us.
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We were in Iran for one Friday, the Muslim Sabbath, and made a point to go to a prayer service.

Filming in a mosque filled with thousands of worshippers required permission. Going behind the scenes at the mosque to explain our needs with administrators there, it hit me that this Islamic Revolution was the equivalent of a communist takeover. (It seemed power was maintained by placing partisans in key positions.) But the ideology they were protecting was not economic (as in the days of the USSR), but religious.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (who, like the artist formerly known as Prince, has a name I cannot pronounce) has inspired a fashion trend in Iran — simple dark suit, white shirt, no tie, light black beard. To get permission to film, we entered a mosque administration office where all the men we encountered dressed the part and looked like the president.

To video the service — which was already well under way — we were escorted in front of 5,000 people praying. I felt self-conscious, a tall blond American tip-toeing gingerly over the little stones men place their heads on when they bend down to pray. As my brain wandered (just like it sometimes does at home when listening to a sermon), I felt all those worshippers were looking at me rather than listening to their cleric speaking. Planting our tripod in the corner, we observed and filmed.

I closed my eyes and let the smell of socks remind me of mosques I’d visited in other Muslim countries. I pulled out my little Mecca compass, the only souvenir I’ve purchased so far. Sure enough, everyone was facing exactly the right way. Watching all the worshippers bow and stand, and chant in unison, at first seemed menacing to me. Then I caught the eye of a worshipper having a tough time focusing. He winked. Another man’s cell phone rang. He answered in a frustrated whisper as if saying, “Dang, I should have turned that thing off.” The mosaics above — Turkish blue and darker Persian blue — added a harmony and calmness to the atmosphere (just as our guide had explained earlier).

I realized that the Muslims I’d seen worshipping on TV may have been edited by film teams with an agenda to make the fervent worship of non-Christians look threatening. I made a point to see it as if it were my own church just north of Seattle.

What was intimidating was the need for soldiers to stand guard, standing like statues in their desert-colored fatigues. When the congregation stood, you didn’t notice them, but when all bowed, the soldiers remained standing, a reminder that the world was dangerous…especially in mosques. I asked our guide what a brightly painted mural above the worshippers said. He answered, “Death to Israel.” (The topic of my next entry.)

Except for the troubling injection of politics, I was struck by the similarities of this worship service: the too-long sermon, the “passing of the peace” (when everyone greets the people around them), the convivial atmosphere just after when people line up to shake the hands of the cleric, and the fellowship as everyone hangs out in the courtyard. On our way out, I shook the hand of the young cleric — short, slight build, trim Islamic Revolution—style beard with a tight white turban, big teeth and a playful smile.

In the courtyard, a man hit the branches of a mulberry tree with a pole as kids scrambled for the treasured little berries. The cleric with the big smile engaged me in a conversation—we joked about separation of mosque and state, and how it might help if his president went to my town for a prayer service and my president came here. Esfahan TV was televising the prayer service. Their crew saw us here and wanted an interview. It was exciting to be on local TV. They asked why we were here, how I saw people, why did I figure there was a US-Iran problem (I pointed to the “Death to Israel” poster for starters). They fixated on how I’d spin my footage and if it would actually be aired. Throughout our trip, we found people assuming we were collecting images to be edited in a negative way to show Iran as scary.

Leaving the mosque, we considered the clips we just shot and pondered how they could be cut and edited to appear either menacing or heartwarming — depending on our agenda. We considered how what we had just shot could be edited with guerillas leaping over barbed wire and so on to be frightening, and how our film crew would instead focus on the men with warm, cute faces praying with their sons at their sides, and the children outside scrambling for mulberries.

It occurred to me that the segregation of the sexes — men in the center and women behind a giant hanging carpet at the side — contributes to the edginess of it (and the fear and anger many Western Christians feel toward Islam). Then I considered how male-led Christian services could also be edited to look threatening. At important Roman Catholic Masses you’ll see a dozen priests — all male — in robes before a bowing audience. The leader of a billion Catholics is chosen by a secretive, ritual-filled all-male gathering of guys in strange hats and robes with chanting and flinging of incense. It could be filled with majesty or menace…depending on what you want to show and what you want to see.

When we visited this huge mosque the day before, all I had seen was a lifeless shell with fine tiles for tourists to photograph. An old man stood in the center of the floor and demonstrated the haunting echoes created by the perfect construction. Old carpets were rolled up and strewn about like dusty cars in a haphazard parking lot. Today the carpets were rolled out, cozy, and lined with worshippers. By the time we left, they were rolled up and strewn about again.

After the prayer service, we set up to film me across the vast square from the mosque. My lines were memorized and I was ready to go. Then, suddenly, the cleric with the beaming smile came toward us with a platter of desserts — the local ice cream specialty — like frozen shredded wheat sprinkled with coconut. I felt like Rafsanjani had just interrupted my work to serve us ice cream.

Enjoying his treat, we continued our conversation. He said Khomeini had charisma and if he walked into a room even me, a non-Muslim, would feel it. His successor, today’s supreme leader of Iran (whose power trumps the president’s) has much less of an impact on the people. Shiite Muslims might miss Khomeini like Catholics miss John Paul II.

Comments

59 Replies to “Friday: Go to Prayer”

  1. Rick,
    I sure hope you get to seet he Armenian Church in Isfahan with memorial to the Aremnian Holocaust to see the tolerant side of Iran as well……and not just Death to this and that. There is much more to Iranian People and culture than these governement propaganda, I am hoping you get past these images that we see everyday on US TV anyways and show us something new. Best of luck and safe travels.

    Sholeh

  2. I don’t expect that my comment will be printed, but I send it nonetheless. As I read the newspapers, I am more and more disturbed by RS’ plans to make a TV travel show about Iran. In doing so will he ignore Iran’s oppresion of women and other minorities; Iran’s nuclear capabilities; and Iran’s stated intention to wipe the state of Israel off the face of the earth. This would result in a very one-sided presentation. I do not think that I would be able to watch it, and I can’t help wondering how objective reports of other countries have been.

  3. Rick, Your part about how any religious service could be made to appear menacing reminded me of my own ponderings on how a completely foreign culture (say visitors from another planet) might view the whole concept of the Last Supper. Consider that at the heart of it is a rite that is essentially canabalistic in nature. How menacing that could be made to appear as the wine turns to blood… (my word to prove I am not a spammer is “grimacing.”)

  4. Interesting observations, and great work, Rick. Can’t help but notice that your comments have eery parallels to the situation with the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and how perceptions were reality. But back in those dark days, we began to question that reality, kind of along the lines of: just who was providing (or manipulating) the perceptions, and was it all being done to serve some vast, hidden agenda? I too want to believe that the Iranians are all a bunch of nice guys and girls, and that their publicly stated intention of wiping Israel off the map is just so much nonsensical political saber rattling. Be that as it may, is it too naive, too corny, too outdated to echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, who said simply: “Trust, but verify.” ??? I hope you get to see one of those rallies where thousands of Iranian troops, loyal to the revolutionary cause, are goose-stepping through the streets of Tehran with their “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” banners. See if any of them, after the parade, have beaming, playful smiles and offer you dessert, and tell you, “Don’t worry, we’re just kidding around!”

  5. Fabulous reading, what a wonderful journey you continue to have Rick. The cleric bringing a platter of treats to you almost made me well up; at the risk of over simplifying things, we essentially are all just people, no matter what country or ethnicity.

  6. The “Ahmadinejad” look is a fashion that goes back to the early days of the revolution – they “everyman” look for politicians. Fancy suits and ties were for the upper classes of the Shah’s favorites. And, worshippers in many synagogues are separated by gender too. Are they “menacing”? Please one favor: don’t include some exotic arabic music and “Thousand-and-one nights” theme in your show. That’s just SOOOOO cliche.

  7. Hey, Rick, good to see you blogging again. It’s been a few days, and we were beginning to get worried.

  8. Rick, thank you so much for going to Iran and reporting back honestly about what you are experiencing. There are so many truly lovely people in Iran. I have been married to a man from Iran for 27 years now. I could direct you to family members of mine in Tehran who would take you in, sit you at the table and fill you up with terrific food and delightful stories. Humanizing a population is a tremendous service to all of us. I hope that you are able to visit the Armenian Christian neighborhood in Tehran and film their beautiful churches. I also hope that you will take time to seek out a synagogue. There is a very active Jewish community in Iran. My mother-in-law was among the nearly 3,000 women who held candles in the street in Tehran, after 911, mourning the horrific loss of life and sending their sincere sympathy to America. We must find a bridge to peace before it is too late. Thank you very, very much for this humanitarian trip. Those of us who love the people of Iran, it’s beautiful cultural offerings, it’s cradle of Cyrus the Great’s ” human rights” and hold hope for future peace are grateful.

  9. Rick, thank you for striving to bring the people of Iran to us. Each of us lives where government is not perfect and some governements are less perfect than others and some are, for the time being, even very bad. However, a government is not an individual or even a people. Please bring us those personal interactions that further confirm that these are people that we want to get to know. Their history cannot be summed up by what Khomeini has did or even the current leader(s). I support the knowledge you will share with us. Continued peace and joy on your travels.

  10. Very very impressive, it shows what a work of propaganda our own government is. Peace between all walks of life and religious sects is necessary for the survival of humanity. You are doing a very great thing by filming things as they really are rather than the Faux news networks’ daily reels of hatred. We all need to come to terms with the fact that America is a consumerist country and things arent always as they appear in our once noble country.

  11. Rick, if you want an example of how to make an Islamic service look non-threatening: a few years ago there was a Globe Trekker episode where the host attended a Sufi service (I forget what country it was in, but I want to say either Turkey or Syria). Of course, the rhythmic chants and dances specific to Sufism helped give it a rowdy but fun atmosphere (and no “Death to Israel” either). But Rick, ask some Iranians with slightly leftward tendencies how much they miss Khomeini, charismatic or not…

  12. I asked our guide what a brightly painted mural above the worshippers said. He answered, “Death to Israel.” Tells me all I need to know.

  13. Rick — thanks for the update. I salute your attempt to bring some understanding between Iran and the US. We need more genuine dialog and less political posturing to advance the course of civilization. That said, however, I’m having a hard time understanding how a congregation can promote a message such as “Death to Israel” within their holy shrine… Most religions include the directive to spread the word of their god through ministry. So if the message was simply that their religion was the one true path, that would be one thing. This message, however, is something more — literally promoting death to a particular subset of non-believer. A message like that leaves precious little room for true dialog… I look forward to your promise to go into greater depth on this topic.

  14. Sorry for calling you “Steve” on my first post, it’s Rick! What I like the most about your journey and writings is that you DON’T focus on the political, but on the people of Iran. I know the “Death to Israel” banner might be disturbing, but they have every right to display that, just as much as the US continues its ongoing archaic and draconian embargo of Cuba! But enough politics already! Talk more about the food. I’m sure you will find some excellent Persian food. I wonder if Iranian food is similar to Armenian food. If it is, then it would be 1000 times better than Norwegian food! Thanks again!

  15. Rick, good…….. thats all i can say. i think you are capturing this experience for all of us in a very real manner. those of us who love to travel can get behind this blog very easily. It sounds like a very complicated situation over there. It is a very different situation from anything form the past. However, it seems to have its disturbing traits as well as its humanistic traits all well. To what extent politics is a part of world relations we will probably never know. That goes for both sides. keep it flowing, i find this very interesting and i look forward to your release of htis video on public television.

  16. Truly fascinating to read such erudite musings on a middle-eastern country that, on the surface, would appear to be utterly inscrutable to a Western mind but which, thanks to your enterprising and courageous trip and your willingness, while on the trip, to undergo significant discomfort and social unease on our behalf, now seems so much less remote and foreign. Much more to the point, however, you have succeeded in giving it a human face. Politicians can speak of security and the protection of so-called freedom all they want, but until they show a desire to unmask all the propaganda and meet the people on a human level the world will remain dangerous and divided and fear, rather than love, will continue to be the all-encompassing common denominator. Keep up the good work Rick.

  17. Rick, You are a brilliant travel writer and I enjoy your tours and insights. However you should avoid drawing parallels between Islam and Catholicism. Your analogy to segregated mosque services and the Roman Catholic male clergy is not a good one. Unfortunatley you are thinking too much as a progressive “Western Christian”. Islam is quite comfortable with male only Catholic priests. What they are not comfortable with are main-line Western Protestant religions openly supporing homosexual lifestyles and homosexual clergy. As far as drawing a parallel between Khomeini and JPII…Muslims mourned the passing of Khomeini and the world mourned the passing of JPII.

  18. I appreciate your trip to Iran to explore this mysterious country and culture, like many readers here. I would like to see you ask the clerics why Islam is so intolerant of others? I would like to see you ask the people of Iran why women have no rights? I would like to know why the Gov. of Iran is hell bent on destroying Israel? and if the people support this government? There is a big difference between dispelling myths portrayed by the ignorant western media, and discovering answers to our core cultural differnces/similarities.

  19. Rick, one question about the soldiers on guard at the mosque: They there in case of an attack in the mosque, but from whom are they expecting an attack, exactly? Thanks

  20. In response to Rita, Steves is asking questions and raises points that would lead you to believe that he is being balanced and that is all you can ask. I am no fan of Iran’s president but having watched Rick Steves over the years he gives you both sides and you can decide if you want to go where he has gone. However, if he glosses over the problems there, then I am sure that he will hear about it from his viewers.

  21. Ummm..guys, we have a US President whose “Spiritual Advisor” is Reverend Hagee, who has called Catholicism a “Great Whore” and who wants the rush along the apocalypse by fostering a war between the US and Iran…and who has been warmly embraced by the pro-Israel lobby in the US. “Death to Israel” doesn’t even begin to compare. Go to Gaza, and see what Israel has been up to there.

  22. In reading the comments to several of Rick’s recent posts, I notice that most of the naysayers are convinced that they already “know” exactly how hateful (pro-Iran, pro-Islam, anti-Israel, etc.) the final product will be. Come on, folks. Any reasonable person knows it’s foolish to condemn (or celebrate) something until you actually know what you’re talking about. Please reserve judgment until you see the show. Otherwise, your baseless criticism speaks for itself.

  23. Armen, we do not promote “Death to Cuba,” nor do we want to wipe it off the face of the earth. The Iranian hatred of Israel is too extreme.

  24. There is an amazing feminist movement going on in Iran today. I know it would be politically difficult for Rick to give it air time, but it is so important to know about. In August of 2006, some very brave women in Iran launched the “One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws” campaign. They are seeking 1,000,000 signatures from Iranian citizens to present to their parliament demanding an end to the laws that discriminate against women. So far they have gathered 500,000 signatures. The leaders of this movement have been jailed, beaten and many efforts have been put forth to stop them. It is a peaceful, grassroots movement in the best of models. Sadly, it has recieved little or no attention from the world’s media. At this point in time women make up 65% of Iran’s university population, making the educated class a very female dominated one. They are strong, intelligent, forward looking young people, eager to change their world. Here is a web address to an article (May 19, 2008) by a group of signature gatherers (both male and female). Their courage and spirit gives pause to hopes of change and prospects for peace. http://www.wechange.info/english/spip.php?article277 Thank you, Rick. Humanizing the faces and places of Iran is a service to our world beyond measure.

  25. As an Iranian whose aunt was tortured and in jail for 10 years before being executed under Khomeini, I take offense to some of the comments here. (Not to mention my other family members thrown into jail and tortured as well.) She was executed because she was anti-Khomeini as well as THOUSANDS of others. Many Iranians are still killed today for their anti-government actions… and why do you think alcohol is hidden at private parties and what do you think the punishment is if you are caught with it? Does that sound like a crazy, fanatical Muslim country to you? People have no choice but to hide these activities or BE KILLED. Why do you think there are so many Iranians with political asylum in the US? There are many Iranians who are not parading up and down the streets chanting “Death to America” or “Israel” or whatever. Why not support THOSE Iranians… and be ok with Rick going to meet them? (Thank you for going to meet the people!!) Isn’t that the whole point of travel? Do people really think Iran is only about what they see on tv? How naive! Should Iranians believe that the US is only filled with war-mongering paraders? Also, the Iranian government PAYS many of those people to go and do those chants. The war-mongering groups in the US certainly aren’t paid to go do what they’re doing… and YES, they are saying, “Death to Iraq” and “Death to Cuba” and “Death to Iran” and “Death to North Korea and Syria.” Just because those aren’t the actual phrases used, doesn’t mean they aren’t saying it… bombing and military tactics mean EXACTLY that.

  26. Get off it. If everyone who drank alcohol in Iran was going to get killed, then there would be no one left! Now, go drink some alcohol in Saudi Arabia — a US allied country — and see what happens to you. Where were you when the Shah was executing people, or when the US was arming Saddam with chemical weapons to be used against Iran

  27. My sincere condolences to you and your family, NJ. This is suffering that doesn’t really heal. I think that nearly every single family in Iran lost someone (or multiple someone’s) during the revolution (to execution, torture and violence) and to the 8 year war with Iraq. It is a deep pain, not well acknowledged or understood outside of the Iranian community. It is very frightening to once again have war looming over the heads of our loved ones. I’m so thankful for Rick’s visit. It is an opportunity for the world to see the people of Iran in a very human way. He is showing the problems, as well as the beauty. That’s all we can ask. I’m looking forward to his next blog posting very much. I also look forward to the comments on the board. There is so much we can all learn from each other.

  28. I just have to wonder how honest and open these blog posts are. It’s hard not to see these entries as a bit lopsided, and overly positive seeing how you’re writing this whilst the Iran minder is virtually looking over your shoulder. It will be ineteresting to see some of the sights and get taste for Iran when your show airs, but I just hope you don’t sugar coat things there so that everyone back home thinks Iran should be our friend. They hate us.

  29. The “people” don’t hate us…the government may. Anyway, Rick, a GREAT blog. Keep them coming!!!

  30. It is good to be skeptical, however I cringe at statments like “they hate us.” The people of Iran do not hate us. The government of Iran is not representative of its people. Change is coming to Iran. Seventy percent of the population is under the age of 30. They are tired of their situation. They are well educated, internet savvy and on the move for change. Again, thank you, Rick. We need to see the human face of Iran and you are showing it to us. I hope that you might interview the women’s soccer team. They are amazing. They play wearing restrictive clothing…but they play and well! Check out pictures of the Women’s National Team. http://www.payvand.com/news/08/mar/1192.html

  31. As someone who is a Christian and somewhat conservative, I applaud Rick for what he is doing. My fundamental beliefs are different from Islam but it is nice to see a human side of their religion rather than the hate and anti-west views that we normally see. To define a country of 75 million as hating us is naive. Our governments hate each other but this is about the people and the culture. Just as our government doesn’t represent everyone’s views or beliefs, neither does theirs. I don’t understand why people can’t separate the two. Peope are quick to condemn terrorists for their attack on innocent people because of stereotypes they held. I encourage many of you to not make the same mistake. If many of you travel and just open your eyes, you will see in every country what Rick is showing here in Iran – that the views and feelings of the government don’t represent the people. For those that have gone to Europe, they will find the same thing with many Europeans. I don’t think Rick’s job is to ask why they don’t do this or that. His job is not to question who they are or aren’t in light of our western views. His purpose is to understand who they are in light of how they look at life. There are those that will agree or disagree with how people in Iran live. And that’s ok. The point of this is for Rick to show the people and culture and how they look at life. Understanding a people and culture hidden behind political agendas and stereotypes is the point. You don’t have to agree but at least try and understand. It goes a long way. Thanks Rick! And I hope as well that this is a fair and balanced episode about a country we know little about.

  32. Our government in the US gets along quite fine with the Saudis who are far more intolerant and fundamentalist than Iran too. Also, note that Iran is 98% Shiite Moslem and as such they have every right to have a government that reflects their religious views.

  33. I have greatly enjoyed your blogs from Iran. The Iranian regime is detestable but that should not stop one from enjoying their people or culture. Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. That being said sanctions don’t work. Not talking with regimes we oppose doesn’t work either. My question is when are you going to travel to North Korea and Cuba to show us more of these countries?

  34. Just heard today about 2 Christian house churches in Iran where members were arrested for being Christians – just because they aren’t Muslims!! I hope Rick doesn’t try to portray this country as allowing freedom of religion. What would Rick think if America decided to have a mandatory state religion? Anyone in Iran who leaves Islam is in big trouble – and why??? What are the Muslims afraid of?? How can having different religions in one country be wrong?? And the “Death to Israel” sign in a house of worship is definitely Over The Top! What would Rick think if his church had a hate sign in it? The people of Iran may be nice, but they’re worldview is not like ours in America and they do not value tolerance, freedom, or diversity. Please show this country for what it really is without sugar-coating it.

  35. It’s strange to read so much hatred and single minded posts. Having grown up in the 80’s with the evil Soviets out to get Americans, I was fortunate to tutor two Russian students. Having read their literature and seen their art, I knew that a culture that passionate couldn’t be evil. And what a fortunate person I am to have become friends with them. If I had believed that all Russians were evil and hated Americans, I would have missed out on making life long friends and getting to know a culture that is both deep and fascinating. The people might have very little, but they give you everything they have. Please don’t let governments teach you intolerance. You’ll build prejudices that need not exist and you’ll miss out on some wonderful, and very different points of view. I don’t know anyone who is Iranian. But I refuse to hate them when I think my government is at least 50% at fault for the problems in the world.

  36. The small-minded, hateful “patriotic” comments make me sad. We’ll always have them around, those fear-filled people who can’t see beyond black and white–sometimes they’re even running the show (in the U.S., Iran, and elsewhere). But change is coming. Stay humble and truthful and you can’t go wrong. Thanks for your blog entries, for humanizing the enemy du jour. It’s the obvious and much-needed thing to do.

  37. Wonderful idea to film an Iranian episode! An objective window into the everyday life is exactly what we need to achieve balance, if not exactly harmony, among the nations of the earth. Presidential candidates and World leaders: Take Note! Keep up the fine work, Rick.

  38. Rick, I’ve only just begun to read your blog here. Thanks for taking the time to write for all of us to read your observations. Here in the USA we are pretty isolated from writing like this about Iran. All we hear is how evil and dangerous Iran is. Seeing your smiling mug next to a couple of other smiling Iranian mugs really brings it all home. I believe the spirit of friendship and open communication between citizens of different countries can indeed prevent future wars. If only we can have leaders as brave and kind as you are. Cheers.

  39. Rick, thanks for doing this. You are opening a window of awareness that the mass media is reluctant to open. I am an Iranian who has lived in Seattle for more than 35 years. I visit Iran every few years and hear both sides of public opinion. It is amazing that ignorance exists on both ends. The deference is, we in the West are very trusting and willingly manupulated by the mass media, vs. countries like Iran where people do not trust their government or the news. Ignore the message of Death to this and that, it will pass and truely there is a lot of love in Iran.

  40. Thank you for your observations and your work. I’m getting an insight into Iran that I don’t see happening elsewhere in the US media.

  41. I have a few comments on Rick’s fine description of shooting in the Mosque. First, since people are suspicious of how the final results will be spun to show Iran in a negative light, why not allow the local stations in Iran to show the final result that we will see in America. If you do so, please make sure that they guarantee to show the entire show, unedited and uninterrupted. Also, if anybody comments on it, you or your staff should have a chance to comment on the comments. Second, in comparing the differences between Western and Iranian houses of worship, I have a few questions. Can an Christian start a church in Iran? Could the Pope or the head Lutheran build a grand church in Teran? Could the Hindu’s build a structure for their religion? A big fancy once that stands out?

  42. Just a comment on the ‘hate’ comments. I see no hate in any of the comments posted here. I see misunderstanding, uncertainty and ignorance. Most of all, I see political leaders on both sides, taking their people down a dangerous road. That’s why we need more travel and more person-to-person contact between the real people of each country.

  43. Josh, I completely agree with you. Travel helps knock down the propaganda barriers set by extremist governments. The Iranian theocratic government is clearly terrible and the Iranian people seem to be on constant guard to avoid getting on the government’s bad side (that ‘valium’ observation by Rick in an earlier entry). Meanwhile I hope America can step away from the far right rancor that our current administration is so sympathetic towards. When more people are in a wide-eyed lather over a scarf worn in a Dunkin Donuts ad because ‘it looks too Arab’ than the horrors of the war in Iraq, you know there is a very serious problem. Here’s hoping for a more tolerant future, both in America and Iran, where it is clearly very desperately needed. Keep up the incredible work, Rick.

  44. I also agree with Josh. I see misunderstanding, uncertainty and ignorance on the part of those who don’t see the danger that the government and their bizare claims represent. The people may be wonderful but the government controls the bombs. Hate posters in their church is way over the top.

  45. Thank you, Sherri. You are right… the suffering of the Iranian people is something that is not well understood in the US at all. Unfortunately, the executions and torture continue even after the revolution. Here is just one example (of many): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zahra_Kazemi. I hate to highlight this in a post where Rick is trying to bring understanding, as these unfortunate experiences are VERY scary and can make Iranians look worse. But remember that it is government actions and the whole point is that people in no country necessarily equal their government – and often don’t. I want people to understand that there is certainly dissent within Iran. It is not a hateful country; there is much love and beauty! Iranians are a wonderful and hospitable people. I wish everyone could know this. Laex, just because Saudi Arabia is much worse or because the Shah also executed many people (and with US backing) doesn’t mean what is happening today is ok. And just because EVERY single person caught drinking alcohol in Iran isn’t killed or imprisoned (even if only 10% of them are), I believe this is wrong. Also, my family is not monarchists… I have heard much about the difficulties under the Shah and how he also executed many for political dissent. From my grandmother being banned from wearing her chador in the 30s (yes! this was illegal at one point! also wrong in my opinion) to today where wearing the chador is mandatory, the last century has been a difficult one for Iranians. As an Iranian Muslim living in a primarily Christian country (the US), I appreciate having my freedoms to be as I am and practice as I will. You are wrong to say that 98% should control what the other 2% are doing. Some in the US also agree with you – not cool. Regardless, thank you, Rick. What you are doing is wonderful. I hope you enjoy meeting Iranians and seeing them as they are… without the screen of propaganda and the media circus.

  46. Josh, there are beautiful, grand churches in Iran, in fact many of them. There is a vibrant, active Christian Armenian population. There are also Catholics and fewer Protestants. There are also synagogues and a very active Jewish community. Here are some websites of interest: http://www.iranjewish.com/English.htm and http://www.garyschwartzarthistorian.nl/schwartzlist/?id=115 Here is a website with terrific pictures of the Armenian churches that you may enjoy looking at. http://www.farsinet.com/iranchurches/ Here is another website for the Catholic Church in Iran. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/ir.html

  47. To those who continually “parrot” what they have “heard” about Iran wishing to wipe Israel off the map, please google the actual translation. Learn the dangers of repeating things you don’t know for a fact.

  48. It’s good that you realize your footage can be edited to distort your subject. It’s a shame you still choose to present a distorted view of the place. For what I assume are political reasons you will paint Iran as a warm and friendly place. That is one side of it. Cutting the scary stuff, however, presents a distorted view of the country and is intellectually dishonest to your readers/viewers.

  49. I agree with Brad. Looks like propaganda. Most people will be nice to your face and to a camera, anywhere. If a TV crew brought a convicted felon to my home I would not hit him with a rock. But it doesn’t mean that I would not think our government should not execute him. You can’t equate an individual’s smile and greeting for what may really be going on either in their mind or with their neighbors or their government.

  50. Pls make note the many credible translators do indeed think he said “destroy” or “wipe out” Israel. There are others that think he said somtehing more akin to the “Zionist regime will wither or die”. I’m totaly open to either possibility. No one has a corner on the truth.

  51. Brad and Liz: The same could be said about images of our own country. Scores of homeless people, violent crimes taking place approx. every 1 minute, children being molested by clergy, police officers killing people by using tasers. Yet when we tell people about America, we show them the green grass of the suburbs, the beautiful shopping centers, the majestic landmarks, luxurious hotels, etc. So yes, there is surely a “bad side” to Iran, just as with ALL countries.

  52. I am looking forward to see the video and the experience Rick had of Iran. Look, we can sit here and talk about the good and bad, but Rick’s purpose is to show the beauty of the cultures and history each country has established. So, don’t use this comment box to write stuffs on the politics, go to CNN for that. Watch the show and enjoy the the unseen. Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

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