An old buckle of a Persian Belt

Today I visited a unique exhibition at Rotterdam's World Museum: "The Persians, Warriors and Poets". It's a joint project between this Dutch museum and Stibbert Museum in Italy.

The exhibition is mostly focused on the Persian weapons in Safavid era; ca. 16th and 17th century. This era is quite important in the history of Persia (or Iran). Safavid kings reunited the country and Persian art (except for music) also blossomed in this period.

But now many Persians do not show interest in Safavid dynasty. It seems the main reason is the current political situation in Iran. The current government of Iran is Shia and Safavid kings were also Shia and cited Shia Islam as the official religion of Persia when they came to power; different from the rest of Islamic countries which are mostly Sunni. Another important point which should not be forgotten is the Persians were mostly Zoroastrian before the Arabs' attack to their country in 7th AD.

Anyway what attracted my attention at the exhibition is not weapons or religious/national stuff; it's a very cute belt's buckle. Very artistic! I made a photo of that which you can see in the beginning of this page. It has been made around 1800 AD by a Persian artist. I also love the color, a peaceful blue!

Today also BBC Persian TV aired an informative report from the exhibition. You can watch it here.
Rotterdam's World Museum has also published the catalogue of the exhibition as a superb book.

Persian Cemetery in Istanbul

Istanbul Persian Cemetery is located in Uskudar district, in the Asian side of the city. The cemetery created in ca. 1850 when the ecenomic ties of Persia (Iran) and Ottomans were growing.

The cemetery is still in use.

The Persian composer Samin Baghcheban (1925 - 2008) is among those who has been buried here.

Üsküdar, 

SEYYİD AHMET DERESİ İRANİLER MEZARLIĞI / KABRİSTAN 

Persian Lion and Sun Flags in Toronto Streets

People from every country live in Toronto. In these days because of 2014 World Cup many of them are using car flags. Persian community is quite big in the area.
 "Flag" is a very controversial issue among Iranians. The symbol in the middle of the Persian flag represents certain political ideology. In Toronto most car flags are different from the official flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran which is in use since 1979 Islamic Revolution.
 It clearly shows that the majority of Persians are against their government.

WATCH  VIDEO:

Persian Communities in front of European Parliament, 8 May 2014

Yesterday around 100 people of Persian communities in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands were gathered in front of EU Parliament in Brussels.
Their intention was to express their anger because of the terrible situation of human rights in Persia (Iran).

Various speakers including Isabelle Durant (European Parliament Vice President) expressed their support Human rights activist in Iran and also in exile. Ms. Durant thanked Anvar Mirsattari (President of EuroPers Foundation in Brussels) who is quite active to inform the EU parliament about the ideas of Persians in exile. Ms. Durant mentioned: "In my December trip to Tehran I talked to Iranian authorities about human rights issues. In many cases they were not accepting the points but I am happy that on behalf of you I talked to them."

The demonstration was organized by Iran's Human Rights Solidarity Network.

VIDEO:

Muslims convert to Zoroastrianism in Holland

A group of Muslim Iranians (Persians) convert to their original religion Zoroastrianism.
The ceremony was take place in the city of Leiden, the Netherlands, 2011

Ending Ceremony of Stockholm Conference of Persian Opposition Groups

Shahriar Ahy, one of the conference organizers, shakes hand with Fredrik Malm, Swedish MP and thanks him for his help to organize the 4th conference of "Unity for Democracy in Iran" at Swedish Parliament.

Videos and Photos of the two-day conference of Persian opposition groups in Stockholm can be watched HERE.

Syrian-Persian Demonstration in The Hague

A political refugee in The Netherlands hangs the flags of Persia and Syria, during the demonstration in front of the embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in The Hague...

VIDEO: Highlights of Syrian-Persian demonstration in The Hague (8th Sep. 2012)

Dutch Immigration Office is going to deport Bardia Taherpur to Tehran!

Taherpur @ Prince Reza Pahlavi meeting in The Hague, May 2012 (Photo: Persian Dutch Network)

Dutch Immigration Office (IND) has decided to deport Bardia (Mojtaba) Taherpur to Tehran! a surprising act.
Bardia is quite well-known by the Iranian authorities. He has participated in most of anti-Islamic Republic demonstrations in The Netherlands and also converted to Zoroastriasim (national religion of Persia before Islam) in a ceremony in Leiden:

I have seen many people who has not ANY political background but IND has accepted their fabricated cases but such READ political activists are treated like this!
Isn't it the time that IND revises its policies and advisors?!
More info. in English & Persian on the website of Persian Dutch Network

Do Not Speak Persian because of Apple Racism!

19-year-old Sahar Sabet says an Apple Store in Georgia refused to sell her an iPad after a store representative overheard her speaking in Persian.

"Very hurtful, very embarrassing. I actually walked out in tears," Sabet told WSBTV about her experience.

According to Yahoo News: "When a reporter from the station returned to the same Apple Store with Sabet, the employee once again reiterated that it is Apple company policy to not sell products to anyone from Iran. The WSBTV reporter recorded video of the exchange on her phone."

Sabet is a U.S. citizen and a student at the University of Georgia.

Iranians portrayed as 9/11 terrorists in "Flight 93"

I am watching the American movie "Flight 93", directed by Peter Markle. It's about 9/11 events.

In the hijacked plane, one of the passengers calls home and tells his wife: "The hijackers look like Iranians"!! but actually NO IRANIAN WAS INVOLVED IN 9/11 attacks.

The director/producers should be ashamed. Poor Persians! millions of them escaped to the West after 1979 Islamic Revolution. Because their homeland has been hijacked by Mullas but even in exile they are portrayed as terrorist!