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One of the things I have noticed living in the West, an issue I have wondering a lot about lately is the irreligion of many diaspora Iranians where many of them have practising Muslims relatives in Iran such as their parents and grandparents. Many I have come around are unreligious and dishonour their Muslim heritage where many have become Agnostic and Atheist, where this seems very contrasting to todays Iran which we hear a lot about on the news and think of as a religious country. From my experience a lot of diaspora Iranians have a negative image of Islam cause of recent historical events such as the 1979 Iranian Revolution where Iran became a more strictly practising Muslim country, where the current regime have became more controlling of peoples private lives and also unrelated events to do with Iran such as 9/11 and the other infamous events and things associated with Islam and Muslims. I feel the current theocracy of the Iran, has created a negative image of Islam for many dissuaded Iranians especially the younger generation who seek more freedoms and opportunities. The government in Iran has created an unwanted backlash and also misunderstand against Islam especially among those mostly living in Western countries in Europe, North America and including Australia. So far books and article have been written by Iranians in the West, and speak of Islam as a backward faith, opposed to freedom and modernity and speak harshly of the Arabs who invaded there homeland many centuries ago and bought an extreme barbaric ideology which took away there supposed freedoms and there great Persian culture. Many of them have suggested choosing so called "moderate" and "peaceful" religions such as Zoroastrianism and Christianity, where a clear-eyed examination suggest all religions have positive or negative seeming aspects. Its not difficult to find verses to do with the perpetration of violence in the Bible, to justify there unfair justifications against Islam. As far as compatibility of Islam with advancement and Iranian culture is concerned, one should remember the many great Medieval Iranian thinkers, writers and scientists who helped established the modern foundations of thought, literature and science all came from within the great Islamic Civilization. If Islam has any hope of truly being worshipped by diaspora Iranians it must then be freed from the control of the government of Iran, who have done so many wrongs and abuses under the name of Islam and whose policies do not provide for the freedoms and liberties of Iranians.

Aslaam-o-Alaikum I have been waiting for the release of 'Mohammad', a 2015 movie made in Iran which I believe has now hit cinemas in Iran since the end of August. I was wandering if the movie will be released here in the UK and when? Any info would be appreciated! If the release is not destined for the UK, if there any info as to how the film can be acquired? Thanks in adv. Saas

Salamun alaykum all I can't find a website to an Iranian shia centre in Birmingham, but the impression I have from other threads is that there is one. Could someone please point me to it? Also, can someone tell me about the iranian community in Birmingham and what it's like? Thank you very much.

Assalamualaykum, I am a Sunni Muslim Pakistani of the Hanafi Madhab. I had originally signed up for Sunni Forum a while ago, but I did not get a confirmation email from them. Anyway, I have a couple of inquiries about Sunnis in Iran and Shiaism in general. From what I have heard from Iranian Sunnis of Persian origin living in my neighbourhood in Canada, I have gotten the impression that the Islamic Republic of Iran severely oppressed the Sunni population. I have also come to know that the Shias of Iran are not even religious due to the country's strict Islamic laws. As many as 90% of all Shias living in Iran are non-religious, and many have become murtads and followers of Christianity, agnosticism, Zoroastrianism, and Atheism. A few have even converted to Sunnism. The majority of what I know is based on what I have read from the Sons of Sunnah website, which is a Sunni Iranian website. Also, I have read about how Iranian Shiism is like Zoroastrianism, and has Zoroastrian influences such as Nowruz, Omar Koshan etc. Now, I have nothing against Shias, and I have a lot of respect for Ahlul Bayt. Furthermore, I do not consider Muawiyya a righteous dude based on what I have read about him from Sunni sources. However, I have seen some strange things about Shiaism on Rafidi Terminator's YouTube channel, and some of the stuff has shocked me. Adding on, I have a couple of Iranian Shia friends, who are practicing Muslims, but not hardcore Shias. In fact, a friend of mine who came to Canada two years ago has told me that living here has changed his perspectives about Islam, and he is no longer as religious as he used to be. Could someone please answer my inquiries, especially about the oppressive nature of Iran's regime towards Sunnis. Thank you, I just joined these forums today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar8Nti7CMfU

CNN chief correspondent Christiane Amanpour in her recent interview with Iranian President Rouhani asked him about the 'holocaust' and whether he recognized that it took place. Iran's responded by saying he's not a historian and that such dimensions should be dealt with by historians. Instead of reporting what Rouhani actually said, CNN and Amanpour quoted Rouhani as referring to the "dimensions of the holocaust." CNN later again falsely translated Rouhani's words when citing him as saying "Any criminality against the Jews, we condemn." The translations were later copy and pasted on regime-licensed news sites such as The Telegraph and Reuters. Holocaust: Although Iran's official stated policy is not in denial of the suffering of Jewish people during World War II, Jewish suffering represents a fragment of the total casualties of World War II with a total death toll of 60 million. Therefore, Iranian presidents have consistently stated that they condemn all crimes which have been carried out in World War II and its aftermath. This 'Iranian narrative' includes the killing of gypsies, socialists and other innocent civilians, who had also been mass murdered by 'allied forces' such as the United States and Great Britain. The term holocaust is not officially in use, mainly because it was utilized in the creation of the State of Israel as part as a post-war propaganda effort. In addition and more generally, Iranians believe it delineates Jews as a special group and elevates their suffering over other civilians from other groups during the conflict.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvt9kbAmQmQ

Exclusive: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran supports any measures that prevent foreign military intervention in Syria, warning against the repercussions of a possible attack against the Arab country. Interview recorded on August 10, 2013Like us: http://www.facebook.com/monitormideastSubscribe to us: http://www.youtube.com/user/MMEMonitorMideastFollow us: http://www.twitter.com/MonitorMideast

Salam, All sisters (sorry the question is from a brother), specifically Iranian sisters who are in Iran or are still related to Iran, travel back to Iran, and have family there, do you see any opportunity of opening Iranian markets up for Pakistani fashion stuff? Pakistan is a leading cotton and other fabric producer nation and whole bunch of Western designer brands outsource to Pakistan. Do you see Iranian women opening up to Pakistni fashion? Here's the link to give you an idea of Pakistani designs: http://www.hinab.com/store/

Salam, I am looking for a name that is both Iranian and Shia. I like the name Anousheh, but I live in the UK and so am afraid that it will be too difficult to pronounce. I also really like Ayla, but would like to know if it is a Shia name/acceptable amongst Shia's and also I wanted to know of its cultural origins, because I know only a few Ayla's which are iranian. Regards

Can somebody please translate this Arabic song about Moussa al-Sadr. Thanks.

ÔæÞ ÑæÇÒ) A series on the life of Abbas Babaei, a martyr during the Iran-Iraq war. The series has english subtitles Shoghe Parvaz - Passion for flight is an Persian (Farsi) Serial based on the life of Shaheed (Martyr) Abbas Babaie. Martyr Abbas Babaiue was born in 1958 in the Iranian city of Qazvin in a middle and religious family. From his childhood, he was possessing extraordinary characteristics. He used to meet the people with love and possibly helped them and he continued this behavior until he breathed his last. After graduation, he qualified the entrance test in the Medical College, but in order to follow his dream career, he got admission in Iran Air Force Academy. After completion of his initial training, he left for USA for higher studies in the Air Force in 1970. What distinguished him from others in USA was his sustenance of religious morality and excellence in education, away from his home in a morally corrupt society of western world. In 1972, he returned to his own country, Iran obtaining his pilot degree certificate. On June 26 1975, he entered into matrimonial relationship with his maternal cousin Sidiqeh (Maliheh) Hekmat and Allah bestowed him one daughter and two sons. After the Islamic Revolution of Iran, at the beginning of the Iran Iraq war, Abbas Babaie prepared himself to serve and safeguard Islam and the revolution. He got the position of Lt Colonel on 31st July 1981 by virtue of his perpetual endeavors and unparalleled efforts, and accordingly he was entrusted the headship of Isfahan Air Base. The Iran Air Force wing became strong and stable due to his power of creativity and military expertise. Despite holding the position of Commander, He himself used to take part in air strikes. It was due to these efficiency and sincere efforts that he achieved the rank of Brigadier Colonel in 1987. But the status, name and frame least disturbed his personality as simplicity and sincerity had become part and parcel of his nature. He laid down his life in the way of Allah on 6th August, 1987 on the of "Eid uz Zoha". Allah bestowed him with the gift of martyrdom as a result of his sacrifices.

Iran: Fair Vote Impossible 01 Mar 2012 05:05 Source: Content partner // Human Rights Watch (NewYork) - Iran's parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2, 2012, will be grossly unfair because of arbitrary disqualifications and other restrictions,Human Rights Watch said today. The voting for 290 parliamentary seats follows the disqualification of hundreds of candidates based on vague and ill-defined criteria, and opposition leaders are either barred from participating, serving unjust prison sentences, or refusing to participate in what they consider sham elections. On February 21, the Guardian Council, an unelected body of 12 religious jurists, announced that fewer than 3,500 of the approximately 5,400 candidates running for seats in the majlis, Iran's parliament, had been approved to run. The Interior Ministry had earlier disqualified about 750 candidates. At least 35 of those disqualified by the Guardian Council are current members of parliament. In response to these and other state actions, Iran's opposition and reformist movement have called for an election boycott. "Iranian authorities have stacked the deck by disqualifying candidates and arbitrarily jailing key members of the reform movement," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch."There is no transparency surrounding the vetting and selection of candidates." Iran's vetting process for both parliamentary and presidential candidates involves several stages. The Interior Ministry conducts a first cut of applicants based on criteria set by the election laws. While some of these criteria are concrete, such as age limits and educational requirements, most are extremely vague, enabling authorities to make sweeping and arbitrary decisions. Candidates have four days to appeal the Interior Ministry's initial decision. Once the ministry compiles its list of "qualified" candidates, the Guardian Council makes the final decision on who may run for election. On January 10, the Interior Ministry's election commission disqualified several dozen candidates because of their "lack of adherence to Islam and the Constitution." The disqualified candidates include several incumbents who were critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government. One of the disqualified candidates told Human Rights Watch that he received a note from local government authorities on January 10, informing him that he had been disqualified because he was allegedly affiliated with or supportive of "illegal" parties, organizations, or groups. He said the authorities gave him no additional information regarding the reasons for his disqualification, and he decided not to appeal the decision. Human Rights Watch has learned that the latest list of candidates disqualified by the Guardian Council includes several members of the 15 members of the Sunni bloc in parliament. Among those who will no longer be members of parliament are Jalal Mahmoudzadeh and Eqbal Mohammadi, the former and current leaders of the bloc. On December 19, 2011, the faction had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asking him to protect the political and social rights of Iran's Sunni minority. Over the past few years, authorities have banned some reformist parties and severely restricted the activities of others. On September 27, 2010, the general prosecutor and judiciary spokesman announced a court order dissolving two reformist political parties, the Islamic Iran Participation Front and the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution. Authorities prevent members of other pro-reform groups, like the Freedom Movement party, from holding gatherings. The Guardian Council disqualifications came after reformist and opposition activists, some of whom are currently serving prison terms, denounced the upcoming elections and concluded that there was no reason to field candidates. On December 26, Fatemeh Karroubi relayed a message from her husband, Mehdi Karroubi, a former presidential candidate who has been under house arrest, calling the elections "a sham." Several days later, the Iranian judiciary announced that calls for a boycott of the elections constituted "a crime." On January 17, Saham News, a website affiliated with Karroubi's Etemad-e Melli party, said that authorities were holding Karroubi incommunicadoand preventing him from seeing his family in retaliation for his criticisms of the upcoming elections. Authorities continue to hold the opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard, as well as Karroubi, under house arrest more than a year after they called for demonstrations in support of wide-scale protests following the disputed June 2009 presidential election. Dozens of other opposition figures are in prison after being unfairly tried for such offenses as "acting against the national security" and "propaganda against the regime." "Almost three years ago, following contested presidential elections, millions of Iranians marched through the streets chanting ‘Where's my vote?'" Stork said. "Today those words still reverberate, reminding us of the government's determination to deny its people the right to decide their own future."

The Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully launched its domestically-built Navid-e Elm-o Sanat satellite into orbit following a decree by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The satellite, completely designed and built by Iranian experts, blasted into orbit early Friday on the third day of the 10-Day Dawn celebrations, marking the 33th anniversary of the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979. The 50-kilogram orbiter lifted off into space with an orbital angle of 55 degrees on the Iranian-made Safir satellite-carrier. Head of Iran Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli said the domestically-built Navid satellite will circle the Earth at altitudes between 250 and 370 kilometers. He added that the remote-sensing observation satellite is designed to take hi-res pictures of the globe. The ISA chief noted that the satellite will also collect data on weather conditions, which comes in handy for weather forecasts and management of natural disasters. Fazeli further said that the satellite is expected to orbit the planet once every 90 minutes and send images to ground stations. Navid-e Elm-o Sanat is a telecom, measurement and scientific satellite whose records could be used in a wide range of fields. Iran launched its first domestically-produced satellite, Omid (hope), into orbit in 2009. The Omid data-processing satellite was designed to orbit the Earth 15 times every 24 hours and transmit data via two frequency bands and eight antennas to an Iranian space station. Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations' Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1959.

This is an interesting video i came across from Baba Ali: "One thing i always find funny is how people take so much pride in things such as race and color. But what did we do to be proud of it? You can "oh I was born in this country!!!!" , but why do think you deserve credit for that... others say "I was born into this family"... but what did you do to be proud of those achievements of your culture or ethnicity? The truth is you didnt have a choice over any of those things, it just happened. You did nothing to gain your race, your family, or the color of your skin. Isn't it very stupid to have so much pride in something you have no choice over. So why are people so much attached to those factors to the point where they put it before Islam?" Quran-49:13 "oh mandkind, we have created you from a male and female,and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another..." we have people that claim to be Muslims, but instead follow their cultures and claim they are following Islam, but are really just following their own culture. This is one of the reasons for the sad state of the Ummah today" This attachment to our cultur over Islam is what divides the world today. It has come to the point where we hate eachother. I mean, we always blame westerners for being racist, but we ignore the fact that we are the most racist people of all. I hate to point it out, but middle easterners, Pakistanis, and Persians are the worst offenders. They constantly talk about how they are superior. I mean, how often have you heard Persians calling themselves "pure Aryans" and claiming their ancestors were "blond haired, blue eyed nordic", saying how much they hate Afghans and Arabs. Or Arabs saying they are pure Semetic and talking about "impure African/Asiastic blood" and Pakistanis saying they are 100% non- Indian. Though your culture may have made great advancements and achievements in the past, what have you done to claim their achoievements as your own, other than being born into the same race? How much will your culture or how much you did to support it help you on the day of judgement?