Urge the House Leadership to Present the Nowruz Resolution for a Vote - With the passage of H.Res. 267 by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on January 29th of this year, we are one step closer to having Nowruz officially recognized by the House of Representatives. For that to happen, the House leadership needs to place it on the legislative calendar so it can be voted on. 03/10/10
Iran Threatens to Shut Down 17 More Newspapers - Iran's top press official is warning the editors and publishers of 17 newspapers they will be shut down if they do not conform to government regulations. Two reformist papers were shut down last month and dozens of opposition journalists have been arrested since a disputed presidential election in June. -VOA 03/10/10
Iranian Filmmaker Speaks Out on Prisoners - Abbas Kiarostami, a celebrated Iranian filmmaker who has won numerous international awards for films like "Close-Up" and "Through The Olive Trees," published an open letter in a Tehran newspaper on Tuesday calling for the release of Jafar Panahi and Mahmoud Rasoulof, two directors recently detained by the authorities. -NY Times 03/10/10
With 52 journalists in jail, Iran hits new, shameful record - The number of journalists in jail rose in February as a relentless media crackdown continues in Iran. Authorities are now holding at least 52 journalists in prison, a third of all those in jail around the world, according to the latest monthly survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists. 03/10/10
Iran crowned World Junior Taekwondo champion - Iran claimed the title of the 8th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Tiajuana, Mexico, on Tuesday. Iran won the men's title by winning three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. 03/10/10
Heavy Bails: Releasing Prisoners or New Hostage Taking by Iran's Judiciary? - News of Abdollah Momeni's release on the heavy bail of approximately $800,000 makes it appear that the Judiciary is setting ransoms and not bails. In fact most of the political prisoners released on bail over the past few months appear to be hostages of the judicial system due to the unreasonably high bail amounts they have had to post. 03/10/10
Interview: Green Movement Leaders Must Stay With People, in Iran - Peyman: I have to clarify that what happened on February 11 doesn't negate street protests. This method should be used whenever permissible. But the green movement must undertake two fundamental tasks. One is to devise a strategy to reach out to social groups belonging to the lower social strata which are still disconnected from the movement -Sara Samavati, Rooz online 03/10/10
An appeal to anti-war organizations and activists to oppose the increasing threats against Iran - Around the world, anti-war activists are preparing for major protests this spring to oppose the continuing U.S.-led occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a storm of developments is dramatically increasing tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. -CASMII 03/10/10
Iranian judiciary puts 12 officers on trial for violationg detainee rights - Iranian authorities started the court proceedings against 12 members of the police force who are accused of violating detainee rights in Kahrizak prison this summer and causing the death of at least three people. -Zamaneh 03/10/10
Three Years Has Passed Since Disappearance of Robert Levinson in Iran - Tuesday, March 9th, is the 3rd anniversary of the disappearance of my husband, Robert Levinson, while on a business trip to Kish Island, Iran. Unlike most anniversaries that are occasions of joyful celebration by devoted friends and a loving family, this is a terrible, horrible, anniversary. -The Levinson Family 03/10/10
Shadi Sadr dedicates Women of Courage award to imprisoned peer - Shadi Sadr, Iranian lawyer and women's rights activist, will not be present in Washington to receive her International Women of Courage award to draw attention to the continued imprisonment of her peer, Shiva NazarAhari, to whom she dedicates the award. -Zamaneh 03/10/10
Open Letter to the department of justice in Iran on the situation of Dervishes - More than one year have passed since the destruction of the Shiite Muslims prayer house and the surrounding cemetery in Isfahan which belonged to the followers of Nematollahi Gonabadi. This heinous act was not only disrespectful to the prayer house of the Shiites, but also irreverent to the Muslim cemetery in the famous city of Isfahan. 03/10/10
Shahri Estakhry: Women's History Month: 2010 Honoree - Shahri Estakhry is the founder of the Iranian School of San Diego, which works to assist Iranian-American youths to be proud of their heritage by educating them about Iranian culture and the Persian language. Estakhry also co-founded the Persian Cultural Center of San Diego, renowned for its outstanding performing arts and education programs -KPBS 03/10/10
Ahmadinejad Uses Afghan Visit To Lambast Kabul's Western Allies - Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has used a visit to Afghanistan to lambast Kabul's Western allies, particularly the United States, saying Washington -- not Tehran -- was playing a "double game" in the country. Ahmadinejad accused the United States of fighting terrorists that it helped to create. -RFE 03/10/10
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Iranian women activists call for end to discrimination - A group of Iranian women activists gathered on the occasion of International Women's Day to urge the Islamic Republic to release all women activists and end all discrimination against women in Iran. Zahra Ranavard was among the participants at the event. 03/9/10
Tehran governor claims police not invovled in university attack - The controversy surrounding the attack of Tehran University residents in June 2009 remains volatile as Morteza Tamaddon, Tehran Governor announced on March 8 that Security and Police forces did not enter the campus on this day. -Zamaneh 03/9/10
Photos: Tehran Metro grapples with end of the year traffic - As the Iranian year comes to a close by March 21st, Tehran's streets are bustling with shoppers who are getting ready for the Persian New Year. This has increased the load on Tehran Metro as many residents are trying to avoid the busy streets and take advantage of the cheaper rides. 03/9/10
Iranian authorities imprison human rights lawyer - Mohammad Oliayifard, Iranian human rights lawyer and top court attorney was arrested on the morning of March 8 after being summoned by the Revolutionary court. Oliayifard, former organizer of Human Rights Activists Collective, was arrested by security forces in Tehran. -Zamaneh 03/9/10
Chicago - Children's Museum's Norooz - March 11, 13 and 14: Passport to Persia: Visit our Haft-Seen display, decorate an egg to take home, enjoy special music and dance performances and more, discover Persia's rich heritage with members of Chicago's Persian community! 03/9/10
Iranian, Italian scholars discuss methods to restore Pasargadae - A team of Iranian and Italian experts attended a conference last week to discuss methods to restore Pasargadae in Iran's southern province of Fars. Italian experts are old hands at the restoration of ancient sites built from stone. -MNA 03/9/10
The Blooming Friendship Between Azerbaijan And Israel - When 13 years ago the late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Baku, it was considered a bold and politically risky decision. No red carpets were rolled out, and the meeting was purposely kept low-key. -RFE 03/9/10
U.S. Says Happy To Work With Iran On Tackling Drugs - The United States and Iran, whose relations are fraught over Tehran's nuclear program, have held a rare meeting where Washington said it was happy to work with Tehran on fighting drugs. -Reuters 03/9/10
Iran criticizes Germany over release of PJAK ringleader - Iran says PJAK ringleader has been arrested by Germany in a show and is now released. FM spokesman urged Germany and all European countries to show they are seriously pursuing war against terrorism. -ISNA 03/9/10
Norouz national festival held in Tehran - Norouz, meaning new day, is celebrated on 21 March, the day of the vernal equinox, by more than 300 million people worldwide as the beginning of the new year. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Middle East, the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and other regions. -Photos by Rauf Mohseni 03/8/10
The Main Barriers of Feminism Movement in Iran - So far, religion acts as the main barrier for feminist movements in Iran. Religion and tradition, side by side, limit the women to strict social and cultural behaviors; hence impede their improvements in certain social activities. -Azadeh Davachi, Feminist School 03/8/10
Stand Up for Iran's Women - Today is International Women's Day: a day to celebrate the achievements in the promotion of women's rights globally and to commit to advance them further. This is a day when at Amnesty International we seek to reinforce our work with local and international partners to end violence against women, both in situations of conflict and in the home and protect migrant women from exploitation and other abuses. -Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui 03/8/10
Turkey's Domestic Controversy Unfolds Amidst Increasing Ties with Iran - Events the past few weeks in Turkey indicate that a sea change is occurring in the nation's domestic politics. Prime Minister Erdogan's maneuvering against the traditionally untouchable military marks a new phase in Turkey's history. -Shayan Ghajar, insideIRAN 03/8/10
Shadow Summit In Geneva Focusing On Neglected Rights Issues - Dissidents, diplomats, and NGO representatives from around the world have gathered in Geneva for a two-day summit aimed at giving voice to victims of the world's worst human rights abuses. -RFE 03/8/10
Criticism of Iran Green Leaders Unfair - Claims they are disorganised and lacking guts ignore the pressure they face from the government. The apparently small number of Green Movement supporters who turned out to protest against the regime in February 11 demonstrations has unleashed a wave of criticism directed towards the opposition. -Rasa Sowlat, Mashhad 03/8/10
Opposition Leader Urges Iran's Judiciary to Revoke Valian's Death Sentence - Opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi urged Iranian judiciary to rescind the death sentence of Mohammad Amin Valian. Mohammad Amin Valian is an Ashura Day detainee who has been handed a death sentence for the charge of enmity with God (Moharebeh). -Zamaneh 03/8/10
After Elections, Iran Remains A Major Player In Iraq - On March 7, millions of Iraqis "made their mark" and participated in the country's second, generally fair and democratic post-Saddam Hussein parliamentary elections -- an event that is exemplary for Iraq's Arab and Iranian neighbors. Among the good news was that election coalitions this time around were far more ethnically and confessionally mixed than they were during the 2005 polls. -Abbas Djavadi, RFE 03/8/10
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Iran's Bani-Etemad appointed to Fribourg festival jury - Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Bani-Etemad was selected for the International Jury at the 24th Fribourg International Film Festival (FIFF) that is running from March 13 to 20 in Switzerland. Bani-Etemad's "We are Half of Iran's Population" will also go on screen in a special screening session during the event. The film deals with the role of women in Iranian society. 03/8/10
European firm to invest $3.6b in Iran gas field - Iran has finalized technical and financial terms with an Eastern European company on a contract worth $3.6 billion to develop Lavan gas field, southern Iran, the head of Iranian Offshore Oil Company stated, without giving further detail on the company. -MNA 03/8/10
Photos: Shopping for the Persian New Year - part II - The arrival of new year also means new clothing, especially for children. One of the other customs of Norouz is visiting family and friends during the new year holidays. People buy Persian nuts and sweets to serve for their guests during the occasion. -Photos by Yunes Khani 03/7/10
Iran: Stop Undermining Women's Rights - Iran should stop infringing on women's rights and take immediate steps to meet Iranian women's demands for full equality, Human Rights Watch said today. Iranian women's rights activists have issued a call for freedom and gender equality in Iran in connection with International Women's Rights Day on March 8. 03/7/10
Photos: Mahram wins Iran's Basketball Championship - Mahram defeated Zob Ahan of Isfahan here on Saturday and claimed the championship of Iran's Basketball League for the third successive year. Mahram beat Zob Ahan 93-75 at the Azadi Gym. -photos by Yuness Khani, MNA 03/7/10
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Iran's ruling systems viewpoint on "Sufism and mysticism" - During recent years and in particularly during the presidency of Mahmud Ahamedinejad the followers of Gonanabadi Sufi order have been under severe restrictions. Under the reign of this executive branch which places emphasis on hard line Shiite doctrine the Sufis of Gonabadi order have been under consistent attack and threats both physically and through rumours and innuendoes which have support from the Ministry of Information. 03/7/10
Enmity with God, latest charge of former Tehran University president - Mohmmad Maleki, former president of Tehran University, has been accused of "enmity with God" (Moharebeh) according to his lawyer, Mohammad Sharif. Reportedly, he is accused of "insulting Imam Khomeini and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei as well as propaganda against the regime." -Zamaneh 03/7/10
Photos: Iran launches short-range cruise missile production line - The Defense Ministry inaugurated on Sunday the production line of a short-range cruise missile dubbed Nasr 1 (Victory 1). The Nasr 1 missile is capable of destroying 3000-ton boats, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi told reporters during the inauguration ceremony. -Photos by Vahid-Reza Alaei, MNA 03/7/10
Tabriz Petrochemical wins Le Tour de Langkawi - Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling team finished first at the 15th edition of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) overall after completing the seven stages of the competition on Sunday. -MNA 03/7/10
Iran cancels shooting team travel to Australia - Iran's shooting team travel to the Australian world championship was cancelled as the country banned arrival of Iranian guns. Iran was to begin its camp with 18 athletes and attend the world championship March 20-28 in Australia. -ISNA 03/7/10
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Photos: Cleaning the House to Greet Norouz - The arrival of the Persian New Year also means a fresh start. Cleaning and dusting the house in advance of arrival of Norouz is one of the important customs for the people. Following photos show the people in Tehran engaging in house cleaning. A big part of this is washing the Persian carpets. 03/6/10
Iran: Zahra Rahnavard condemns discriminatory laws against women - Zahra Rahnavard issued a statement today at the threshold of the International Women's Day, condemning "backward" laws that discriminate against women in the Islamic Republic. Rahnavard declared that the "family protection" bill is based on "hedonism" and will destroy the family unit. -Zamaneh 03/6/10
Iran Lobbies Over Rights Forum - Denying rights abuses could prove costly for Tehran, both economically and politically. Iranian activists have viewed with anger and dismay the outcome of a United Nations review of human rights in Iran and the country's rejection of its recommendations. -Omid Memarian 03/6/10
Iran: Free 'Mourning Mothers' Supporters - The Iranian Judiciary should immediately release six women arrested in January and early February 2010, apparently in connection with their peaceful activities on behalf of the Mourning Mothers, Human Rights Watch said today. 03/6/10
Hassan Khomeini condemns violence in Islamic Republic - Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the late leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, spoke out against Islamic Republic authorities claiming, some people refuse to see the truth and even when they are told about it, they try to "accuse you of an offence." -Zamaneh 03/6/10
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Exhibition: Tehran-New York - March 05-Apr 01, 2010 at Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery in New York: TEHRAN - NEW YORK will explore synergies and differences among the works of 40 well-known and emerging contemporary Iranian artists living in Iran and the U.S. 03/5/10
Bam 6.6 screened at US Naval Academy in Annapolis - A screening of the award winning Bam 6.6 film was held at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. on February 23rd, 2010 which was hosted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, John Limbert. -Brian H. Appleton 03/5/10
New York - Asia Society and Museum's Norouz - Saturday March 6, 2010: Celebrate Norouz with Persian music and dance by children's dance group J-Hoon Music Ensemble, stories from the great Persian epic Shahnameh, folk music from Kyrgyzstan, and arts and crafts inspired by symbols of spring and good luck. 03/5/10
Photos: Singing Moloudi in Qeshm Island - Moloudi is a poetic piece that is song in praise of Prophet Mohammad and his descendants. The piece is song by a person with a good voice, and he's accompanied by the crowd. The photos present here are from a Moloudi ceremony on the occasion of the Prophet's birth on the Iranian island of Qeshm in Persian Gulf. -Photos by Reza Milani 03/5/10
Photos: Iraqi expats in Iran cast their ballots - Thousands of Iraqi expatriates went to polling stations across Iran on Friday to cast their ballots ahead of the main polling day for Iraq's general election on Sunday. Around 50,000 Iraqi expatriates living in Iran are expected to vote in the parliamentary poll, Iraq's ambassador to Iran told reporters on Friday. -Photos by Mohsen Rezaei, MNA 03/5/10
UNESCO to decide the fate of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in late March - A UNESCO delegation has been commissioned to study the general status of safeguards for the cultural heritage of Isfahan, the activities carried out in the modifying the Jahan-Nama Tower, and the level of Iranian government's cooperation in this issue, Taniguchi said. 03/5/10
Persian Garden of Geneva - The desire to enrich the City of Geneva's cultural and botanical patrimony by giving it a ''Persian Garden'' was born three years ago. Particularly suited to Geneva's international role and reputation, the Persian Garden symbolizes peace and harmony. 03/4/10
Photos: Shopping for the Persian New Year - Spring is around the corner. The arrival of spring also coincides with the beginning of the Persian New Year Norouz. This is a festive occasion for Iranians and many other countries in the region. The arrival of new year also means new clothing, especially for children. -Photos by Yunes Khani 03/4/10
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Families of Protesters Killed in Iran: No Accountability, Only Threats - More than 72 individuals lost their lives in post-election protests in Iran but, nine months after the electoral coup, none of the murderers have been identified and the Islamic Republic officials do not regard themselves to be accountable for the deaths. Rooz has spoken with the families of the killed protesters about their complaints, the responsiveness of officials, and threats and pressures facing them. -Fereshteh Ghazi 03/4/10
Iran Women Rights Defenders Continue Undeterred by Prison Detention - Today on a daily basis, personal memoirs of ongoing encounters of dictatorship and resistance in Iran are being written in print and in cyberspace by countless Iranian civil rights activists, scholars and women human rights defenders. -Elahe Amani, WNN 03/4/10
Exhibition: Reza Derakshani at Osborne Samuel in London - Talented painter, musician and performance artist Derakshani was born in Sangsar, a small village in the north east of Iran. His nomadic childhood had an enormous impact on his appreciation for his surroundings and its natural beauty, which is so often evident in his works. 03/4/10
Total Eruption: An Online Exhibition by Haedeh Zarrinbal at Gallery Mamak - Haedeh Zarrinbal was born in Tehran, Iran in 1946. She received her primary school education in Iran's oil rich city of Ahvaz after her family was transferred there due to her father's work. She then went on to graduate from the Tehran College of Fine Arts in 1970. -Gallery Mamak 03/4/10
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Clinton Tells Brazil Sanctions Necessary for Iran Nuclear Deal - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday in Brazil she doubts Iran will negotiate seriously about its nuclear program unless the U.N. Security Council approves new sanctions against it. Clinton held talks in Brasilia with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva. -VOA 03/4/10
Winners Announced: 2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival - Farhang Foundation and Society of Cinema and Arts are proud to present the winners of the 2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival. First Prize goes to Yar e Dabestani - My Grade School Friend 03/3/10
'Moral Outrage' As Iranian Court Upholds Student's Death Sentence - Twenty-year-old Mohammad Amin Valian, a student at Iran's Damghan University, can be hanged at any time. Iran's judiciary has announced that an appeal court has upheld a death sentence against Valian in connection with a December antigovernment protest. He is among at least 11 people sentenced to death in trials following the protests that erupted after last year's disputed presidential election. -RFE 03/3/10
Los Angeles - CaFAM Norooz - Saturday March 13 at Craft and Folk Art Museum: Declare your global citizenship and celebrate Norooz, the Persian New Year, which is celebrated on the Spring Equinox. Welcome in the new season by participating in an ancient cultural tradition with family and friends. Enjoy art projects, music, dance, and explore the full meaning of Norooz traditions at CAFAM! 03/3/10
HYPERNOVA's "Fairy Tales" Single Released - There are some artists who consider "suffering for their art" to mean weathering harsh critics and dealing with paparazzi. But when performing your art in your home country could mean arrest, larges fines or even a public flogging, the idea takes on a whole new meaning. 03/3/10
Iranian opposition leader rules out any form of retreat - Former Iranian president, Mohammd Khatami, speaking to a group of student and youth members of the Path of Imam Forces Organization, maintained that the reformists cannot retreat in the face of all the "deviations" and "damages" that the "Islamic" and "republic" aspects of the system have suffered. -Zamaneh 03/2/10
Guilty Conscience - The news was short: They were executed... Wrote the contemporary Iranian poet Houshang Ebtehaj so many years ago... with the echo of his words still resonating in Alborz Mountains! Before that, the pioneer of modern Iranian poetry Nima Yushij wrote: The memory of certain people keeps me enlightened! -Roya Monajem, Tehran 03/1/10
Mousavi: Iran's Green Movement Is Standing Firm on Its Rightful Demands - Full English translation of the transcript of Mir Hossein Mousavi's interview with Kaleme website: "The green movement is a movement that was born out of a number of very important differing groups within society and it is through the interaction it has had with these groups that it has been able to grow." 02/28/10
Photos: Saving the Iranian Cheetah from Extinction - Following photos are from the Semi-Captive, Breeding and Research Center of Iranian Cheetah located in Iran's Semnan province. Described as powerful and graceful hunters, cheetahs are the world's fastest animal and easy to train. Cheetahs were trained by ancient Persian kings, who used them to hunt gazelles. -Photos by Yuness Khani 02/25/10
Angels of Persepolis - "Angels of Persepolis" is a concept instrumental CD and an homage to the brave people of Iran and their fight to free themselves from tyranny. This album is composed by and features Flamenco guitar wizardry of Mehran, an Iranian born Flamenco guitarist who resides in Chicago. 02/25/10
Iran's First Transgenic Goats Produced in Royan Institute - Iran and Middle East's first transgenic goats which can produce recombinant proteins for treatment of Hemophilia were born on January 9, 2010 at Royan Institute. 02/23/10
