IRAN

The best memories I brought back from this journey are from Iran.
The interesting historical sites from ancient Persia and before, the beautiful winter landscapes and the stunning mosques all left a strong impression on me.
But it was the people who delighted me the most. The Iranians are a truly wonderful people who open their heart as easily as they smile and who take hospitality as a matter of duty and honour.
They are all too eager to rid themselves of the image that the Ayotallah's have created for Iran and are ready to step into the world. They have enough of conflict and desire progress and peace. But the government, still strongly influenced by the powerful islamic clergy allows very little freedom and opportunities for the people, especially in the more conservative religious cities.


Thousands of people, young and old, lie burried at the Martyr's Cemetery in Esfahan, one of many burial places for people who died in the war against Iraq. Most were not professional soldiers and were 'encouraged' to fight a jihad against the sinners of Iraq, who of course, were muslims themselves.
The picture below was taken in a mosque in Orumiye, where the night before there had been a celebration of the local war heroes who had died in the war against Iraq. All over the country these martyrs are celebrated and portaied as heroes by the imams and the government (see picture above). By popularizing martyrdom, Iran issures itself of a healthy dose of fresh people who are willing to give their life should the need arise. I met several men who were talking about taking up the jihad against president Bush and fully expecting to wage war against the US. Most people, who are more modern and not so much under the influence of the Sharia or religieus powerhouse are more moderate and scolded the act of brainwashing innocent peope and sending them to a futile war.