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Macedonia hosts Iranian cultural program

Iran- Cultural Week-Macedonia
Iran- Cultural Week-Macedonia

Iran has mounted an exhibition of Persian arts in Macedonia to introduce the country’s traditions and artworks.

The event presents Iran’s cultural achievements along with Persian paintings, photographs, pottery, calligraphy and handicraft.

A photo exhibition of Iranian historical city of Isfahan has been also held at the one-week event in Macedonia’s capital, Skopje.

Taken by the Iranian photographer, Hamid Reza Malakouti-Khah, the exhibited photos, which include over forty 3D works, depict traditional architecture and tourism in Isfahan.

The program has been organized by Iran’s cultural office in Macedonia.

Iran regularly holds cultural events in Turkey, Venezuela, Tunisia, China, Japan and Serbia.

Street in Tehran named after Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela street-Tehran
Nelson Mandela street-Tehran

MandelaAfrica Street in northern Tehran has been renamed after Nelson Mandela during a ceremony in the presence of two members of Tehran City Council and South African ambassador to Iran.

Vice Chairman of Tehran City Council Morteza Talaei pointed to the similarities between Iran and South Africa in fighting against hegemony […] and highlighted the key role the two prominent leaders, the late Imam Khomeini and Nelson Mandela, played in helping humanity and virtues prevail in their societies.

“Nelson Mandela does not belong to a nation, he belongs to all humanity, all history and the whole world,” said Talaei, adding that Iran is proud of naming one of its best streets after deceased leader Mandela on the twentieth anniversary of the revolution in South Africa and the first anniversary of the death of Mandela.

Tehran City Council member Gholamreza Ansari said Mandela’s name shines in the history of mankind and due to Tehrani citizen’s spirit of freedom seeking, they would welcome the renaming of Africa Street after Mandela.

South African ambassador to Iran, for his part, expressed surprise at the event and said “South Africa was formed in 1994 and today we celebrate the twentieth anniversary, but it should be noted that our people owe their victory to the Islamic Revolution and the personality of Imam Khomeini.”

A letter from Eugene to Tehran: Let’s know each other better

Kitty Piercy, the mayor of Eugene in the US state of Oregon
Kitty Piercy, the mayor of Eugene in the US state of Oregon

A letter by Mayor Kitty Piercy of Eugene, in the US state of Oregon has been handed over to Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The following is the translation of a report by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on the letter by the American mayor:

Kitty Piercy, the mayor of Eugene, in the US state of Oregon, has written a letter to Tehran mayor expressing satisfaction with the establishment of cultural ties between the Oregon-based Archeological Legacy Institute (ALI) and the Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC) in Iran.

The letter was timed to coincide with the eighth edition of an international festival for documentary films “Cinema Vérité” (November 30 – December 7) in Iran.

The Public Relations Office of the Cinema Vérité International Documentary Film Festival has released the letter which was handed over to Ghalibaf by Richard Pettigrew, the ALI executive director and an honorary guest of the 2014 Cinema Vérité film festival. The letter partly read:

[…] I have heard that the ALI, an Oregon-based institute, has recently started to establish cultural ties with the Documentary and Experimental Film Center based in Tehran. These two institutes have had cooperation through exchanging cinematic works for The Archaeology Channel (TAC) International Film and Video Festival and The Cinema Vérité International Documentary Film Festival which is held in Tehran each year.

I am very pleased that these yearly events have caused our citizens in Eugene and Tehran to get familiar with each other through fruitful exchanges of cultural and artistic works, and to get engaged in a cultural dialogue. I very much hope this contact continues to grow constantly and can serve the interests of the residents of the two cities.

I strongly believe that cultural cooperation between organizers of film festivals in our cities are a positive step toward establishing brotherly ties between the two countries based on good intentions.

Despite the fact that our cities are far apart, geographically, I think we have many things to share with and learn from each other. Hereby, I express my willingness and readiness to have cooperation and consultation with you to explore ways of narrowing the gap between us.

[…]

Kitty Piercy

Mayor of Eugene, Oregon, US

No Uranium Stockpile Shipment out of Iran: Iran’s nuclear chief

Ali Akbar Salehi

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi made it clear on Tuesday that the country will not transfer any shipment of uranium to any country for conversion into fuel for nuclear reactors.

“We will not give any fuel to anybody, and we have no plans to transfer any fuel out of the country,” Salehi told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday.

He made the comments in reaction to media speculations that Tehran would transfer part of its uranium stockpile to Russia as part of a final, comprehensive nuclear deal with world powers.

In November, The New York Times claimed that under a proposed agreement, Russia would convert the uranium into specialized fuel rods for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Iran and P 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) wrapped up seven days of intensive nuclear talks in Vienna on November 24 without securing a long-awaited comprehensive deal.

They decided to extend talks on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program for seven more months.

On November 24, 2013, Iran and P5+1 signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final deal that would end a decade of impasse over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear energy program.

Eminent Christian leader urges an end to foreign support for terrorists in Syria

Bishop Yohanna Al-Asher Yazji
Bishop Yohanna Al-Asher Yazji

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) on December 7 reported a message by a distinguished Christian leader to foreign supporters of terrorists in Syria, asking them to end their backing.

The Orthodox Bishop of Halab, who is a distinguished figure among the Christians in the region, demanded that foreign supporters of terrorists in Syria end their action.

Bishop Yohanna Al-Asher Yazji appealed to those backing the terrorists in Syria to end their inhumane acts. He said, “Let the people of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine who are wounded from recent events return to their normal lives”.

The Bishop added, “Our children are killed with bombs sent by foreign countries; stop brainwashing our youth with extremist ideologies.”

Syria to emerge winner from war against ISIL

Rouhani-Muallem

President Hassan Rouhani says he is assured that the Syrian nation will emerge winner from the ongoing battle against ISIL terrorists.

“We are certain that the Syrian nation will be the ultimate winner of this battle,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Tehran on Tuesday, referring to the ongoing battle between Syria and foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists.

“Today, it has become clear for the [Middle East] region and the world that the Syrian government and army are capable of countering terrorists and safeguarding the country,” Rouhani added.

He stated that foreign support for ISIL militants has merely stoked up violence and insecurity in the Middle East.

Muallem, for his part, expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic for its support of Syria, saying Tehran and Damascus are fighting on the same front.

The Syrian foreign minister criticized the United States and its allies for supporting the terrorists fighting the Syrian government.

Referring to the latest Israeli airstrikes on Syria, Muallem said the Zionist regime and its supporters are set to destroy the economic infrastructure in Syria and strike a blow to the Syrian nation.

Israeli warplanes carried out two air assaults against an area of the Damascus International Airport and another airport in the town of Dimas on Sunday.

The Syrian army issued a statement later in the day, saying the air attacks by Tel Aviv were aimed at helping the ISIL militants operating in the Arab country.

Israel has carried out several airstrikes in Syria since the start of the conflict in the country in 2011.

Leave your shoes and preconceptions outside before coming in

Rockhampton Mosque in Queensland

A sign posted at the front door of the Rockhampton Mosque in Queensland, Australia urges visitors to leave “shoes and preconceptions” at the front door before entering the house of worship.

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Agency) on December 8 filed a report on a December 6 function at the mosque during which non-Muslim Australians were given a chance to get familiar with Islam. The following is the translation of the report:

In Rockhampton, a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia, a large crowd of citizens of all ages and beliefs read the sign and willingly obliged as they packed into the house of worship for an “Open Mosque Day”.

The event, organized by the Islamic Society of Central Queensland (ISCQ), was designed to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding Islam and Muslims.

The participants had a guided tour of the mosque, attended Q & A sessions, and put forward their questions on Islam and its followers.

The female participants were given a chance to try the hijab [the Islamic covering]. The guests were also entertained by traditional foods of different Islamic cultures.

The ISCQ’s president Riaz Ahmed said that the service was all about promoting understanding and tolerance based on mutual interest and respect.

We humans share values which are much bigger than our differences. We have to respect and cherish those values, he added.

Mike Ryan, a city official in Queensland was among the guests listening to the imam at the mosque who fielded questions by curious visitors.

“I think it is very important that we understand each other,” he said, adding, “Having listened to the imam today, I can see parallels through the teachings and experiences I’ve felt as a Christian. They [Muslims] have the same thoughts, feelings, love and dislikes as everybody else.”

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 10

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

President Rouhani’s comments at a conference on World against Violence and Extremism in Tehran dominated the front pages of the Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. Most dailies focused on Mr. Rouhani’s 10-point plan to turn up the heat on terrorism and extremism and his appeal for December 18 to be designated as World Day against Violence and Extremism. Also grabbing headlines were the comments of the director of the Atomic Energy Organization that Iran is not supposed to ship its nuclear fuel overseas and those of Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi about the most recent rounds of nuclear talks in Muscat and Vienna.

 

Abrar: “Procurement of equipment for Arak Reactor does not amount to breach of Iran’s commitments,” said the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

 

Abrar newspaper-12-10


Aftab-e Yazd: Reformists are eying 200 parliamentary seats in the early 2016 legislative elections.

 

Aftabe Yazd newspaper-12-10


Arman-e Emrooz: Some 1 million birds are poached in Fereydunkenar [on the Caspian coast] each year. Authorities take no action.

 

Arman newspaper-12-10


Asrar: “Talks with P5+1 will soon get underway,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Asrar: “President Obama and Secretary Kerry are interested in solving the nuclear issue. Iran is not supposed to ship any fuel overseas,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, the director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

 

asrar newspaper-12-10


Etemad: In next year’s spending package, more than $300 million has been allocated to efforts to create jobs for the youth. The amount the package’s health chapter allots to prevention is too small.

 

Etemad newspaper-12-10


Ettela’at: Parliament has voted for the general outlines of a bill designed to lift the country out of recession.

 

Ettelaat newspaper-12-10


Farhikhtegan: Basij and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps have been officially named by parliament as bodies in charge of implementing “Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice”.

 

farhikhtegan newspaper-12-10


Iran: President Rouhani has put forth a 10-point plan to take on terrorism and extremism at a World against Violence and Extremism conference in Tehran.

Iran: The price war has sent oil prices down to $65 a barrel.

 

Iran newspaper-12-10


Iran Daily: World auto giants eager to cooperate with Iran.

Iran Daily: The AEOI [Atomic Energy Organization of Iran] stresses Tehran’s commitment to Geneva deal.

 

Iran daily newspaper-12-10


Javan: “Under no circumstances will we cross the country’s red lines. Talks in Muscat were on the verge of failure,” said Iranian nuclear negotiator Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

 

Javan newspaper-12-10


Jomhouri Islami: The pipeline that takes Iranian natural gas to Pakistan will be laid in 18 months.

Jomhouri Islami: Security has tightened in the US and around its missions overseas after Senate released a CIA torture report.

 

Jomhouri eslami newspaper-12-10


Kaenat: Authorities have said Mehran Border Crossing is packed with pilgrims who want to cross the border to Iraq to attend religious ceremonies there, urging pilgrims not to flock the crossing.

Kaenat: “President Rouhani has ordered popular social networks to remain accessible,” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati.

 

Kaenat newspaper-12-10


Mardomsalari: “Each year between 600 and 700 acid attacks take place across the country,” said Police Chief Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghadam.

Mardomsalari: “Ignorance of the public in a society is the best means [for rulers] to put down uprisings” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

mardom salari newspaper-12-10


Payam-e Zaman: Iran’s nuclear chief has floated the formation of a Joint Nuclear Energy Council in the Persian Gulf region.

 

Payame Zaman newspaper-12-10


Resalat: “The veto power has paralyzed the United Nations. Major power efforts to serve their own interests have given rise to violence,” President Rouhani told an anti-violence conference in Tehran.

 

Resalat newspaper-12-10


Roozan: “There is no ban on [Mohammad] Khatami’s appearance on TV programs,” said Ali Motahari, a principlist MP.

 

Rouzan newspaper-12-10


Sayeh: “Iran will definitely have been out of recession by yearend [March 21, 2015],” said First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri.

Sayeh: President Rouhani has called for December 18 to be designated as World Day against Violence and Extremism.

 

SAyeh newspaper-12-10


Sharq: “Violence in the name of religion is a disgrace,” said President Rouhani.

Sharq: “The Intelligence Ministry respects the privacy of citizens,” said the Iranian intelligence chief.

Sharq: Up to 70 percent of the shares of three banks belongs to a single person.

Sharq: “Iran Bar Association has tasked an in-house panel with piecing together an anti-corruption plan,” said Seyyed Mahmoud Alizadeh, a board member of the association.

Sharq: “Iranian people have warmly welcomed a call by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps to propose names for RQ170 [an Iranian-made drone]. So far, 900,000 mobile phone messages and e-mails have been received,” said Head of the IRGC Public Relations Department Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif.

 

Shargh newspaper-12-10


Vatan-e Emrooz: The US and Saudi Arabia are capitalizing on [the Iranian] government’s inactive oil diplomacy to further push down global crude prices.

 

vatane Emrooz newspaper-12-10

 

Strikes don’t make Israel more secure: Iran official

Iran-Syria
Iran-Syria

A senior Iranian official says Israel’s recent airstrikes against Syria do not make the Tel Aviv regime more secure.

Such measures do not have any bearing on Israel’s growing insecurity, said Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani in reference to the aerial attacks at a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Tehran on Tuesday.

Israeli warplanes carried out two aerial assaults against an area of the Damascus International Airport and another airport in the town of Dimas on Sunday.

Shamkhani further criticized some countries’ efforts to create a no-fly or buffer zone in Syria’s border regions, saying that such measures will “damage the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” instead of “establishing security and alleviating the pains of downtrodden Syrians.”

“Effort by the regional and extra-regional supporters of terrorist groups in creating the war of attrition in Syria is doomed to fail,” noted the Iranian official.

Muallem said that by the Syrian people’s resistance and unity “and the support of friendly countries like Iran, Russia, and Iraq,” terrorism can be eradicated in the region.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are reportedly supporting the militants operating in Syria.

Chehreh Rock in southwestern Iran in photos

Chehreh Rock is located in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in southwestern Iran. The rock stands 100 meters away from an abandoned village by the name of Mah Gardi. Chehreh Rock, which is two meters high and three meters long, sits on a rocky hill which is 800 meters in height.

Although residents of the village have abandoned it to live in urban areas, its intact natural attractions and bubbling springs have always kept it as a destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.

Being perched on a towering cliff edge, Chehreh Rock is visible from afar, including different areas of Sarfaryab.

Erosion is the reason behind the emergence of the rock formation. In fact the soft composition of the rock beneath coupled with water and wind erosion has contributed to the formation of the rock.

The following is a photo gallery of Chehreh Rock that Irandeserts.com has posted on its website: