Darreh Taghi village in Marivan, Kurdistan province, hosts about 300 white storks; while Bilo village hosts about 400 and Gholgholeh village hosts about 70 pieces of this species.
After migrating from the southern, warm regions, the storks start to nest and breed in the villages around the stunning lake of Zrebar.
What follows are YJC’s photos of beautiful white storks in Marivan:
The birthday anniversary of John the Baptist is a very important date for Mandaeans, but this year the ceremony was held only by the religious leaders due to the coronavirus outbreak.
These short people are taking part in a campaign called “Momenaneh” or “The Believers” in Tehran’s southern Mahallati neighbourhood.
These people have come here to say that although their steps are short, they can gain great achievements.
From afar one imagines they are all children who have come to help; but when you take off your shoes and enter the mosque, you will realise they are all people of short stature.
Interestingly, the most noticeable thing is that most of the short people have attended this gathering along with their families.
Zinat Sheikhi is the youngest and smallest of the short people who have come to help. She has a master’s degree in public relations and got acting experience.
“My family and I live in a town outside Tehran called Pakdasht. Most of the people there are from the working class. I have seen the poverty of our neighbours in person. Since I entered this mosque, I imagine the moment when a stranger knocks the door of one of our poor neighbours leaving one of these aid packages behind the door. You may not know how happy they would be, but I feel it in my bones,” says Zinat.
Ziba Jalilvand is a young short woman who used to go to a hospital to help patients and medical staff, but today she has participated in this charity. She laughs when she remembers the moment she met the corona patients.
“What always upsets us is that people in the society look at us very carefully and do not think at all that we may get upset. The meticulous look of ordinary people in our society bothers us. You may not believe that when we face an ordinary person, they even stare at our fingers. This happened in the hospital as well; but the interesting thing was that we were not upset at all, as if our visit to the hospital made us think differently. I will never forget the moment when a patient with an oxygen mask who was moving with difficulty, lifted his head from the pillow with all his might to see us better. I was really happy to see this scene. Our unfit suits have made our looks funnier. Even the posture of our friends in blue clothes made us laugh. An old man kept saying please bring a wheelchair. I want to go and see these kids in the hall. His companion explained to us that he had not spoken a word since morning, and now, he was talking and laughing,” she added.
Yousef Sadeqi is a conversational short guy. When it comes to reminiscences, all eyes are on him. He talks of the moment when a group of short people entered the ward with special uniforms on.
“These clothes were so large for us. Honestly, I laughed so hard at my friends. We tried to follow all the health protocols. We were walking down the hall when we noticed a new patient entering the ward. He was a middle-aged man trying to keep his mask on his face. Sitting in a wheelchair, he was as tall as us. As soon as he approached us, he was excited, but he suddenly coughed in our face. Until then, I kept reminding my friends not to get close and not to touch their masks. Seeing this scene, I helplessly said, Sweet Zombie, and we all laughed together,” he continued.
Yusef went on to say that a doctor in the ward told them “Don’t worry. No short person has been infected with the corona so far!” Of course, our argument was something else, he noted. “We think that the Coronavirus has looked at our stature thinking we were children and gave up on us,” said Yusef.
In an interview with Entekhab news website, Seyyed Jalal Sadatian weighed in on the possibility of a conflict between Iran and the United States over the movement of Iranian oil tankers toward Venezuela.
“Iran has sent five super oil tankers carrying petrol to Venezuela. However, the Americans claim some 9 tonnes of gold was offered as money for that amount of petrol,” said the analyst.
“What seems obvious and definite is that the petrol-carrying super tankers bound for Venezuela were Iranian-flagged. This shows that Iran has ignored US sanctions and intends to humiliated Trump’s sanctions and policies. With this in mind, one can say Iran’s dispatching its oil tankers to Venezuela is a logical and rightful move, but its Washington and Trump that reserve the right to stand against Tehran-Caracas relations by adopting a bullying and above-the-law stance and by reliance on their military and economic power,” he noted.
“Now, this begs the question of whether or not Trump is likely to order the seizure of, or attacks on Iranian oil tankers. In response to this question, one may refer to the game theory. Based on this, if Trump makes a move in this regard, he will be regarded as an aggressor and violator of human rights in the court of public opinion, and if he takes no action, doubts will grow over his competence and remarks,” he noted.
“It is possible that a scenario similar to what happened with regards to the seizure of the British oil tanker unfolds under the current circumstances. That means if the US Navy makes any move, Iran will seize one or several American oil tankers, in response,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the secretary of state of the Trump administration is basically advancing the strategies and will of Zionist lobbies, which really want an escalation of confrontations with Iran. They are even pushing for a direct military conflict between Tehran and Washington,” he said.
“Zionist and Saudi lobbies know well that they, by no means, have what it takes to get involved in a direct conflict with Iran in the region. Therefore, they are trying to directly involve the US Army in this saga, so that it may bear fruit for them,” he said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the analyst said “now, the US president is in a difficult situation when it comes to decision-making.”
He said some analysts believe Trump is unable to take serious action fearing the negative impact of a conflict with Iran on his political future, which has assured Iran tha5 its tankers can reach Venezuela safely.
“But it remains to be seen whether or not the United States will try to seize these oil tankers,” he added.
The expert also expressed his views on how Trump’s possible risk of attacking Iranian tankers will affect its political future in the US presidential election slated for November 2020.
“On the whole, we are of the conviction that Trump is likely to get into a dangerous game. In fact, in the remaining few months, Trump is trying to create credit for himself and his words. He wants to say that, as US president, he is able to put his words into action and he might take the risk and involve the US in a military confrontation. Such an incident can be seriously detrimental to Trump and set the stage for his defeat in the November election,” said the analyst.
“Although this scenario will pose a danger to Iran, it will leave Trump on shaky ground as well. However, one should bear in mind that Trump lacks the power of strategic analysis and has mostly acted out of emotion and impulsive decisions,” said the analyst.
“The US withdrawal from UNESCO, the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate agreement could be seen as a potent example of such behaviour; so, there is a possibility of Trump posing a danger even in the last steps,” he said.
In remarks at a joint meeting of the Defence Ministry and the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, General Hatami made it clear for the adversaries that any act of aggression against Iran’s national interests and security will receive a rapid, decisive and crushing response from the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian Armed Forces have already proved the military decisiveness and timely response to the global arrogance and hegemony, the minister noted, citing the missile strike that Iran launched on January 8 on a strategic US airbase in Iraq in retaliation for the assassination of top Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani.
Brigadier General Hatami also commended the Iranian Parliament for its widespread supports for the Defence Ministry and its plans for a boost to the country’s defence power.
Describing Iran’s major advances in various military spheres, such as the ground, aerial and naval combat, the electronic and aerospace industries, and the missile capabilities as a thorn in the side of the enemies, the general said the Defence Ministry’s qualitative and quantitative capabilities have grown by several times during the first two years of the current administration’s term.
Highlighting Iran’s remarkable progress in the air defence industry, Hatami said a range of homegrown air defence systems that have come into operation have secured the country’s airspace.
He also noted that the Iranian Armed Forces have turned the threats into opportunities and have made great advances over the past four decades by relying on domestic capacities.
Brigadier General Hatami finally highlighted the Defence Ministry’s contribution to the coronavirus response immediately after the outbreak of the contagious disease in Iran, stressing that the world has acknowledged Iran’s national unity and mobilization in dealing with the virus in spite of the severe sanctions.
The military forces of Iran have played a significant role in the fight against the coronavirus by disinfecting public places, screening people, producing various medical supplies, setting up hospitals and convalescent homes and providing a range of health services.
In April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised the Armed Force for the great assistance they have been providing for the medical society in the fight against COVID-19.
As part of Iran’s consultations about Yemen, Ali-Asghar Khaji, a senior assistant to Iran’s Foreign Minister in special political affairs, held a telephone conversation on Monday with Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesperson for Yemen’s Ansarullah Movement and the chief negotiator of the National Salvation Government.
In the conversation, the two sides discussed the latest political and on-the-ground developments in Yemen, cited the threats posed by the outbreak of the coronavirus in Yemen and the acute shortage of the supplies for tackling the disease due to the continued military aggression by the foreign forces and the cruel blockade imposed on the country, and stressed the need to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aids and medicines to the people of Yemen.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference on Monday, Ali Rabiei reminded the US of the heavy costs it will have to pay and the harsh reaction that it will receive from Iran in case of taking action against the oil tankers that are shipping gasoline to Venezuela within the framework of legal trade transactions.
“No country is obligated to obey the arbitrary and unilateral American sanctions against the other countries. We are also committed to doing our normal trade exchanges with Venezuela. The oil tankers carrying gasoline have been freighted after receiving an order from the Venezuelan government. This is based upon the free will of countries in the customary international exchanges,” he explained.
“We want to make sure that these commercial consignments will be fully secure from the US government’s maritime banditry, which has taken place in the past,” the spokesman added.
“We expect the international community to show a high sensitivity and proper reaction to such precedent for the freedom in maritime trade routes, and to show reaction to protecting the freedom of travels,” Rabiei noted.
“This is a new obstruction and precedent from the US regime that has reached –we have no choice but to use these phrases- unparalleled rudeness in trampling on the legal regulations and laws,” the Iranian spokesperson stated.
“Our Foreign Minister has given the necessary warnings, and this issue has been also discussed in the administration. Moreover, this topic has been mooted in the Supreme National Security Council,” added Rabiei.
“We hope that the US would not make such mistake. However, we will consider all possibilities in any case. We are prepared for the worst possible thing, although it is too early to comment about Iran’s reaction to such possible American banditry or say what we will do. But if such mistake is made, we’ll definitely reserve all options, and will show the proportional reaction for protecting the freedom of seafaring and increasing the costs of law-breaking unprecedentedly,” the Iranian administration’s spokesperson warned.
Pointing to the history of trade interaction between Tehran and Caracas, Rabiei said the other countries have no right to comment about the trade exchanges between Iran and Venezuela.
“All of these (exchanges) are within the framework of the activities that have been permitted by the international law and also the framework of healthy trade ties,” he concluded.
Reports of a shipment of Iranian fuel to Venezuela in the face of US sanctions against the two allies have infuriated the United States, with one official threatening to take “measures” against the “unwelcome” development.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, warning the US about sending troops to the Caribbean Sea with the aim of interfering with the transfer of Iran’s fuel to Venezuela.
The ringleader of the human trafficking network, operating under the alias Alex, has been recruiting Iranian girls for three years and transported them to foreign countries, where they were being sold into prostitution.
The network’s criminal activities have been kept under Iranian Police surveillance for the whole three years. Following a complicated intelligence operation and after coordination with the Interpol, the Iranian Police arrested the ringleader, Alex, in Malaysia and extradited him to Iran.
Apart from the human trafficking network’ organizer, all other members of the ring have been also captured by the Iranian Police inside and outside the country in an intelligence operation and will be brought to justice.
Human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, involves transporting someone into a situation of exploitation. This can include forced labor, marriage, prostitution, or organ removal.
Women and girls represent more than 70 percent of detected trafficking victims, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its 2018 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.
In the four-party video conference on Monday, May 18, 2020, the Iranian, Pakistani, Chinese and Russian special representatives for Afghanistan talked about the current conditions and the process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
Participants in the online meeting issued a joint communiqué reflecting the results of the negotiations, the full text of which follows:
The special representatives of the four countries for Afghanistan affairs:
The communiqué was issued on May 18, 2020, in Tehran, Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow in the Persian, English, Chinese and Russian languages.
Maryam Kazemi Savadkouhi says she is the only female calligrapher who has inscribed the holy book of Muslims with gold ink.
Speaking to Honar Online news agency, Kazemi said she had worked about a year round the clock to prepare this version of the holy book.
“It is a valuable work of art that should be preserved. Except for the binding, which was carried out by Ali Behdani, the entire job has been accomplished by me,” she noted.
“I felt I need an everlasting work of art in my career. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that I have to inscribe something which gives me peace of mind. The inscription of the Holy Quran was of great importance to me and I think I will see its divine impacts on my life,” she added.
The work has been written with gold ink and all the verses are inscribed with gold leaf glue. Each page measures 50×70 centimetres painted with saffron. It also has a very unique cover, which is painted with images of flowers and birds at the beginning and the end.
Kazemi added that she chose the naskh style of calligraphy because it is quite familiar for Quran reciters.
“For writing this work, I used the samples of Professor Ahmad Neirizi. There are 12 lines in each page, but there is no translation. As is customary for inscribing Quran, I used a metal pen to make all its pages uniform from the beginning to the end. I used a special paper on which there is a beautiful gilding, and then a gold leaf is engraved on them.”
Maryam Kazemi Savadkoohi is an experienced artist in the field of calligraphy. She has been creating calligraphy for the past 30 years and has also held several solo exhibitions of classical calligraphy and painting.
The tradition of inscribing Quran, especially by Muslim women, has existed since the beginning of Islam, and by reviewing the history, one is confronted with some of the most famous women who were inscribing religious texts. Inscribing Quran by women began with Khadijah al-Kubra (SA) and Fatemeh Zahra (SA). It continued in the middle centuries of Islamic history with Umm Salama up to the present day.
There are many female calligraphers and inscribers in the Iranian history. In different historical periods, Iranian women have inscribed Quran, some of which have become more enduring. Among them are Zumard Malak, daughter of Sultan Mahmoud, and Ziaʾ al-Saltaneh, daughter of Fat’h Ali Shah.
However, none of these female calligraphers wrote out the entire Holy Quran. For the first time in the 1970s, Fariba Maqsoudi, inscribed the entire Quran in Nastaliq script in three years. In 1997, she received a plaque of appreciation from the President and a letter of appreciation from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the International Exhibition of Memorisation and Recitation of the Holy Quran.
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