Gendarmerie 23 Zine Does Not Have Any Confirmed Knowledge As to the Truth and VeRacity of These Articles

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Persian Heritage Vol. 21, No. 84 Winter 2016 www.persian-heritage.com Persian Heritage, Inc. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 6 110 Passaic Avenue Passaic, NJ 07055 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8 E-mail: [email protected] NEWS Telephone: (973) 471-4283 Iranian Soprano Darya Davdar 9 Fax: 973 471 8534 World’s Oldest Ownership Document 10 EDITOR The Best in Cinema Since 2000 11 SHAHROKH AHKAMI COMMENTARY EDITORIAL BOARD Shah’s Fall (Reza Vaghefi) 12 Dr. Mehdi Abusaidi, Shirin Ahkami Raiszadeh, Dr. Mahvash Alavi Naini, In Memory of Professor Ali Javan 14 Mohammad Bagher Alavi, Dr. Talat Bassari, Mohammad H. Hakami, THE ARTS & CULTURE Ardeshir Lotfalian, K. B. Navi, Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, Farhang A. REVIEWS 15 Sadeghpour, Mohammad K. Sadigh, M. A. Dowlatshahi. Document on Mother Teresa 16

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Winter 2016 5 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

With the arrival of the New Year, as always I wish our readers yet still long for. I have made my new home thousands of miles worldwide peace. I hope that the New Year will be the one that ends away as an American citizen yet I yearn for the love of the people the death of the innocent people in war torn countries, especially and the land after all these years. And I know I am not in this those in the Middle East and Northern Africa, who severely suffer. alone, that there are many like me who are living away from their Let’s hope that this is the year my hopes and wishes come true. birthplace yet they are also feeling nostalgic reminiscing about The outcome of our Presidential election was unexpected their childhood memories. Tristen was still sitting next to me. I to the citizens of this nation and the world. All political parties looked at him with his face so content. I was so happy that he did present in this election campaigned for equality and freedom. not ask me if the people in Iran shared the same voting freedoms Depending on your party choice, however, equality and freedom as him. I would have been troubled by his possible reaction to my have different meanings. In the end the losing party’s constituents explanation regarding the voting rights in Iran. were disappointed. Immediately following the results, protests Getting back to the election… for months prior to Novem- erupted. They continued to grow, and as promised by some of ber 8, the majority of the people and the media believed that the the protest leaders they will continue to grow and spread across Democrats and Hillary Clinton would prevail. On Election Day the United States. all of our grandchildren asked Bibi and I if they could watch the It was interesting to me to find out that teachers even in the results with us, as grandparents we were honored. What we thought elementary grades encouraged their students to engage in discus- and were led to believe by the media, pollsters etc. was to be a sions about the candidates and issues. Some of these discussions short night, continued for hours. Slowly all but one went to bed, became so heated that the initiating teachers were forced to end leaving 12 year old Kevin, who stayed to the end.! heated arguments. The weekend preceding the election I had the These unexpected results brought me back to my early days opportunity to go on an outing with my grandson Tristen, age in London, after graduating from medical school in Iran. It was ten. He asked me if we could discuss the electoral process and the fall of 1966. My command of speaking and understanding the candidates, Mrs. Hillary Clinton and Mr. Donald Trump. I English was minimal, but I must say I was trying! I had to make a was surprised by the request and complied. “Papa, did you know decision of what area I wanted to specialize and decided to pursue that in the United States of America if I wanted I could vote for Obstetrics and Gynecology. I was invited to be interviewed for Mickey Mouse, that I am free to?” I answered by saying, “Tristen, a residency position. There were ten other individuals there for we have four candidates and four parties running for this posi- the interview, one was an Iranian woman who graduated from tion, Republican, Democrat, Liberal and the Green Party. Tristen medical school one year behind me. Because she had prior OB/ vehemently replied, “Papa, besides those options, as US citizens GYN experience she was certain she would be awarded the posi- we can write in anyone we want to, including a cartoon character.” tion. In fact, per conversations between the candidates the only Surprised by his knowledge, I asked him what he thought the person interviewing who had no chance was none other than me. benefit was in writing a name of someone who had no chance to After the interviews were completed, the door opened and the win the election. With a surprised and disappointed look on his name called was Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami. I got the position and face Tristen firmly answered, “PAPA I thought you understood the Iranian woman, without congratulating me or looking at me, what I meant by saying we could vote for Mickey Mouse. I know stormed out of the room. that voting for someone other than those on the ballot would be Once again back to the election… Similar to me being the a waste of my vote, BUT it shows me that as an American I have unlikely person to get the residency position because of no ex- the right to vote for whom ever I want without fear.” I remained perience and minimal English, the pollsters and media believed completely in shock! Donald Trump, with his character and inexperience in politics This discussion with Tristen made me remember elections in and government, would not win the nomination of the Republican Iran, where a few older men, members of the Guardian Council Party let alone the election. This election was one of the most picked who they wanted on the ballot. Even after the election negative I have ever seen since I began following US elections Iranians knew their votes would be changed to reflect the Guard- back to Nixon and Humphrey. Instead of the candidates address- ian Council’s choice; often allowing the least popular candidate ing the important issues facing their candidacy, the world and to win. Protesters of these results met the batons, bullets and tear America, they were more involved in character assassination. In gas of the military and police, or they were arrested and thrown the end Donald Trump triumphed despite the alleged scandals, into jails, brutally tortured (some died during the torture) and some despite his lack of political and governing experience and despite executed. My grandson’s words brought me back to old memories what all the professional pollsters, and news people predicted. At of my birth place Iran, a land which I left over 50 years ago and approximately 3:04AM November 9, 2016 Mr. Trump was elected

6 No. 84 F R O M T H E E D I T O R ’ S D E S K to be the 45th president of the United States. Mrs. Clinton did win land and the people have suffered in so many ways; loss of lives, the popular vote, but the presidential election in the United States separation of families, loss of homes, loss of dignity. Domestically, is decided by electoral votes. I trust that he will work hard to increase jobs, reform healthcare The results as I stated, brought me back to my residency. and respect individual constitutional rights; that he will understand It showed that the silent majority in the United States, made up the plight of the refugees and immigrants, the sacrifices they have mostly of whites, without higher education and members of the made to protect their families from brutal dictators and war; and middle class were ready for a change. They were tired of being that he will treat them FAIRLY and with RESPECT. discarded and abused. With anti-government feelings they silently We must remember that these refugees left their livelihood cast their votes for Mr. Trump! and beloved land out of desperation and chose to come to the The election has left some of all ages, educational levels, United States “the cradle of liberty, progress and achievements”. financial levels and those seeking a more liberal direction for the Following the election there were protests in the streets. United States disappointed. Some are afraid and wonder if the Such protests will continue and increase if the voices fall on deaf progress made will be reversed or eroded. ears by the new administration. But these demonstrations, on the The question that remains for all of us is if President elect streets of the United States should be an example to the brutal Trump with his inexperience in politics and governing (outside dictators of the world like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran. You of business experience) will be a good president or, will his presi- cannot rule by fear, beating, torture, bullets and execution. Voices dency increase the unhealthy separation between us? must be heard and compromises made. The ability of citizens to But, I remember that I too was an inexperienced candidate practice the freedoms of religion, speech, voting and peaceful for the OB/GYN residency program. Only through dedication demonstrations is what separates the civilized countries of the to my studies, hard work, sacrifice and surrounding myself with free world, from those where dictators reign. Dictators, who see excellent mentors was I able to reach a level of high success in my their people as sheep and their roles as shepard, to lead them profession. I am confident that Mr. Trump will use his wisdom and only into one direction. surround himself with those who will support him and with that I look to 2017 with continued hope for a peaceful world for result in a Presidency that will be a positive step for the United all of us, who share the same stars, moon and sun. States, internationally and domestically. Internationally, I hope he will implement a way to remove the United States and other super powers from the war torn areas of the Middle East. These areas the

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Winter 2016 7 L E T T E R S T O E D I T O R A JEWEL Dear Editor IRANIAN BUSINESSWOMAN Thank you so much for your support and kindness towards Amongst Selectees to Be Honored with everyone. You are one of a kind and a jewel that never seizes to shine. European Business Competence* License Gorbanat, Hadi Sadrossadat (EBC*L) Soheila Pirmoradian, who I AM HONORED holds a nurse midwifery de- Dear Editor gree from an Italian university, Thank you very very much for your kindness and generous has served as a tour guide for efforts. I am honored to be interviewed by your magazine. Italian travelers for about 15 Nader Engheta years. She is currently manag- YOUR EDITORIAL er of a thriving travel agency Dear Editor in her homeland. I read your editorial and I would like to commend you for the The EBC*L website says courageous position taken on Iran’s current issues, particularly the there will be some Iranian en- shocking increase in the number of executions among Iranian young trepreneurs who will be awarded the prize but has not men and women and what the world learned through Ayatollah revealed their names yet. The website describes them Montazeri’s tape about the cold blooded murder of thousands of as: “Talented and ambitious Iranian women have proved political prisoners in 1967 by Ayatollah Khomeini ‘s order. This is the proper role expected to be played by an independent publication competent in various social, economic, and political ar- like the Persian Heritage. eas. They have made inroads in business field and many Ardeshir Lotfalian are entrepreneurs today, providing employment to men, further enjoining their equal halves to be involved in the THANKS FOR national development process.” “Following the removal THE INTRODUCTION of anti-Iran sanctions, the EBC*L management has de- Dear Editor cided to present the prestigious prize to several female Thank you for reintroducing us to Mehran Sadrossadat. Iranian entrepreneurs. For years I admired his art work and was pleasantly surprised to find him on your cover story. He is well deserving of this honor. The EBC*L considers several indicators for present- KS (NewJersey) ing prizes to different companies including entrepreneurship, innovation, branding, development of domestic AN IRANIAN GEM industries, development of crafts, customer satisfaction, I so very enjoyed your interview of Dr. Nader Engheta. compliance with environmental and human values and While a bit technical, he described his passion in easy to under- social responsibility. According to the Global Entrepre- stand terms. My children were intrigued. It is so important for neurship Monitor report, the rate of entrepreneurship in all of us Iranian or not to be introduced to the brilliant minds in Iran among women between the ages 18 to 64 fluctuated all professions. Keep this section of your magazine going. And as always thank you for yet another wonderful issue. from 4 to 6 percent between 2008 and 2012. Navi Based on the Fifth Socio-Economic Development Plan of Iran (2010-2015), the rate of female entrepreneurs has increased from 7.1 percent in 2010 to 8.4 percent in 2015. The EBC*L jurors believe that Iran’s talent Seasons for workarounds has drastically shaped its new business culture and years of economic isolation created Greetings both duress-and opportunity. They assess that the result of these changes has culminated in a wave of business and activity and optimism, while also consider Iran an exciting environment for foreign investors, especially in the financial, energy and transportation industries. a European Business Competence* License is established internationally as standard of education in business Happy administration. It offers, with its three levels A, B and C, the pos- New Year sibility to prove exactly practice-relevant economical core knowledge which is necessary in economic life. At the moment the EBC*L examination is done.

8 No. 84 N E W S WORLD MUSIC MATTERS Boutique “BIJAN PAKZAD” Iranian Soprano Darya Davdar The World’s Most Expensive Still Waiting for New Musical Dawn Shops in the Area By Alison Hird By: Behnoud Mokri

Boutique building “Bijan Pakzad” late Iranian designer in “Beverly Hills” in Los Angeles was sold in a historic deal of $122 million. This boutique property area, is now the world’s In an article titled World Music Matters , by Alison Hird most expensive shops. she wrote: Darya Dadvar was the first Iranian woman to per- Boutique “Bijan” is on the street “Rodeo Drive.” With its form on stage as a soloist in Iran, 24 years after the Islamic northern and yellow building, it is a symbol of “Beverly Hills. revolution. She loves her country but has made Paris her In recent years, land prices in this city have dramatically home. Blessed with a silky soprano voice, she moves effort- increased and it is one of America’s most expensive residential lessly from Iranian folk to Autumn Leaves, My Fair Lady and and commercial areas. According to official documents, Bijan Bizet’s Habanera. boutique value per square foot is roughly nineteen thousand RFI caught up with her after a recent benefit concert in four hundred dollars. Investors said the building was pur- Paris in support of the Maison des Femmes (Women’s house) chased by the French company “Louis Web Site, which cares for victims of sexual violence. The Louis web site and affiliates, own boutiques and According to Ms. Hird Dayra sang Dota cheshme sia large department stores on the street “Rodeo Drive” and dari, accompanied by pianist Vadim Sher and violinist Dimitri areas around, are not clear what the company plans for the Artemenko. The song is one of her favorites , a folk song she new property. Now boutique Bijan, according to the lease learned as a child by the late Iranian composer Bijan Mofid, concluded with the previous owner, continues to develop its is one of many folk songs she grew up with. business. Many real estate agents and fashion industry experts In 1991 Dayra left Iran fror France where she studied at believe that the boutique will be closed in the near future. the conservatory. In 2003 she sang in Tehran with the Arme- nian Philharmonic Orchestra directed by the Armenian-Iranian ABOUT BIJAN PAKZAD conductor Loris Tjeknavorian. She was the first Iranian female This luxurious boutique chic featured men’s clothing, soloist to perform there since the Islamic revolution. perfume, cologne, jewelry and decorative objects. Some She believed that her being allowed to sing in public clients have been “Juan Carlos” King of Spain, “Michael and with the election of Hassan Rohani, that doors would Jordan”, “Arnold Schwarzenegger”, “George Bush”, “Bill open for women singers. To date this has not happened. She Clinton” and “Barack Obama.” continues to keep the faith and hopes that social media will One of the most important achievements of Bijan, was force the doors open. his collaboration with automotive company “Rolls-Royce”, In the meantime while waiting for her Iranian opportunity a prestigious British company. she continues to expand her European fan base which is drawn Bijan Pakzad always had a great interest in the culture of by her classical arrangements of Iranian folk music and the his native country, Iran. He was involved in many humanitar- way she blends opera, jazz and even blues. ian activities, helped many colleges and training centers and “I began as an opera singer,” she says, “but now I consider gave scholarships for students. In 2011 he passed after having myself just a singer because I use the technique of opera to a stroke. He was married twice and had three children. pass [on] a message.” Her hope is to simply bring people together.”When you are in my concert you don’t feel the difference between lan- Advertise your business in: guages, it’s just a feeling that’s being communicated.” Persian, French, English or German “is just the surface” Persian Heritage she says, and what’s important is underneath. “We’re all people, we all have pain, we fall in love, we’re all the same.” 973 471 4283

Winter 2016 9 N E W S Exciting Bedroom Bronze Cup WORLD’S OLDEST OWNERSHIP DOCUMENT Secrets of Thousand-Year-Old PREPARED IN IRAN’S KORDESTAN Sanandaj, Kordestan the Achaemenid Era Discovered in the KORDESTAN Arctic Region in Zanjan province, Aug 15, IRNA– Russia West Azarbaijan Governor of Sanandaj Mo- hammad Ebrahim Zarei said that the oldest ownership

Hamedan document of property in the

Iraq world belongs to Arsacid Em- pire period (247BCE-224CE) prepared in Ouraman region in Kordestan. He made the remarks Site Aynshnt Origin pho- Kermanshah here in the third specialized tos for this Cup Tatyana Kon- working group meeting of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and A two-meter red carpet stantinova it is up to the pho- Tourism Organization of Kordestan in the presence of a group discovered that, according to tographer. Bronze Cup dating of executive officials, researchers and university professors in Russian researchers, certainly back thousands of years in an Kordestan Governorate General building. The document was related to the Achaemenid civ- Iranian part of the Arctic re- prepared in two languages of Pahlavi Script and Roman Script ilization in Iran and the carpet gion in Russia was unearthed. and is one of the oldest documents of property in the world. is the oldest in the world. The Andrei Gusev said se- He added that the document is prepared in two copies; carpet is alleged to have hid- nior researcher Arctic Studies one being kept in a museum in Russia and the other one in a den secrets. The carpet with Center, archaeological studies museum in Britain. Zarei said that all responsible bodies should five margins, is inscribed with in the region around Lake Pa- try together to prepare world registration dossier of the work. slightly different widths. Pa- rysntv and Yuri River Bay, in He said to help world registration of Ouraman, all research- zyryk and background colors, the area known as the Arctic ers and scholars should work together and it needs a collective light and spicy red and the red, circle, have unexpected re- determination. Ouraman or Houraman is name of mountainous blue and green and yellow sults, including the discovery region in Kordestan province. People of Ouraman are Kurds and dominate. of a medieval Iranian Cup. Ac- speak in Hourami Language. There are 270 knots per cording to Andrei Gusev works Ouraman Takht city is located 160 kilometers to the North- square inch. Sergei Rudenko in West Siberia had been previ- west of Sanandaj. has proven to be a skilled ously, but never in the north- carpet weavers can weave in eastern part of Siberia in the every two thousand nodes. Arctic was not discovered. Since knots 1250000 Pazyryk culture at least, he concludes Sanaz Zaimi at Bank that making it lasted a year of America and a half. Sanaz Zaimi is the sole Rudenko on the one head of fixed income, curren- hand and on the other hand, cy, and commodity — FICC — according to archaeological sales at Bank of America Mer- evidence, based on its style, rill Lynch. This makes her one dating back to the fifth cen- of the most senior women in tury before BC brings. He sales and trading in the world. noted that tying a horses tail, Zaimi was given the posi- Crested disturbed on their tion as a temporary basis ear- foreheads, sheared edges, lier this year. Ms. Zaimi was curved neck, fluffy fabrics formerly with Goldman Sachs horses under saddle and wide and moved to Bank of Amer- bra, aspects of Assyrian jew- ica in 2009 and the London- elry that is very similar to the based executive has appeared Achaemenid and fourth to the on multiple power lists in the fifth century BC. UK published by the likes of ‘The carpet is marginal the Evening Standard and Fi- role fully, according to the nancial News. She grew up in Achaemenid traditions and the aftermath of the Iranian two rows of deer and horse revolution. Her brothers Hos- shows. The carpet felt even sein, heads up trading in Asia features the sound effects are Pacific at HSBC and Alireza, also seen Greek and Persian also works at Bank of America knot. Merrill Lynch.

10 No. 84 N E W S THE BEST THAT CINEMA HAS HAD We believe that the new classics on this list are destined to TO OFFER SINCE 2000 become old classics. Whether or not that happens is ultimately (As picked by 177 film critics from around the world). up to you, the moviegoers. But one thing is certain: cinema isn’t dying, it’s evolving. Three Iranian movies have been enlisted in the 21st century’s top three movies, BBC reported. The winning Iranian film Oscar, “A Separation” directed by Asghar Farhadi was among the 10 best films of the list, standing in the 9th place. Two films from Iranian deceased director Abbas Kiarostami, “Certified Copy” and “Ten” (Ten) were placed on the 45th and 97th position.

OBITUARY OF JAMSHID AMOUZEGAR

Jamshid Amouzegar was BBC August 23, 2016 “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” born on June 25, 1923 in Tehran How often have we all heard that resigned expression? Iran. His father was a scholar How often have we said it ourselves? ‘The death of cinema’ is who wrote 20 books in Persian debated in university film studies programs worldwide. Crit- (Farsi) including a Persian ics lament the loss of ‘small movies’ in favor of superhero dictionary.He held the post of spectacles. Box-office analysts look for signs of an industry Supreme Court Justice, secre- on the brink. Studio executives fear that video-on-demand may tary of education and senator destroy the idea of going to the cinema more than broadcast representing the Fars Province. His mother was one of and cable TV ever did. the few girls to attend a newly opened girl school and And what can we really call a new classic? What in recent to have gotten a diploma. vintage can hold its own on the big screen with the likes of Jamshid attended his elementary and high school in The Searchers, The Godfather, The Rules of the Game, Seven Samurai or Citizen Kane? Some film journalists even think the Tehran and later entered The Engineering and Law Fac- movie star is a thing of the past. ulties of Tehran University at the same period. However Perhaps the fault lies not in our movie stars, but in our- before finishing his studies with the encouragement of selves. If you can’t find masterpieces amid the blockbuster some friends he decided to go to the US. This was in flotsam, you simply aren’t looking hard enough. Film-making 1944 and the second world war still in the Pacific Ocean. today, whether massively expensive or made with tiny budgets, He left Tehran by bus to Mashhad to Zahedan shot on celluloid or video, is thriving artistically as much as (southeast of Iran) to Kuweiteh in Pakistan, and then it ever has. by train to Bombay ,India. After a few months he reached But today you’ll find greater diversity in the kinds of films Boston. being made, if not in the people who are making them. That’s He immediately registered at the civil engineering why we, the editors of BBC Culture, decided to commission a poll of critics to determine the 100 greatest films of the of Cornell University where he received his BS in Civil 21st Century. Last year, we asked critics to name the greatest Engineering in 1946. He then went to the University of American films of all time, and we were surprised that only Washington where he received His Master’s degree in six films made since 2000 made the top 100. Civil Engineering in 1948. Is there a feeling that time sanctifies a classic? Perhaps. He returned to Cornell and got his PhD in Civil But this time, we wanted to prove that this century has given Engineering in 1950. He returned to Iran in 1951 and us films that will stand the test of time, that you will continue started working for President Truman’s point 4 program to think about and argue about if only you give them a chance as deputy director of Public Health and Water, recourse and watch them. development. For our poll to determine the 100 greatest American films, At this time (1951-52) his political and role in the we surveyed 62 film critics from around the world. This time, Government started. The following are the positions he we received responses from 177 – from every continent except Antarctica. Some are newspaper or magazine reviewers, others held until the Iranian revolution: 1- Undersecretary Of write primarily for websites; academics and cinema curators Ministry of Health; 2-Secretary Of Labor; 3-Secretary are well-represented too. For the purposes of this poll we have of Agriculture; 4-Secretary of Health; 5- Secretary of decided that a list of the greatest films of the 21st Century should Finance (9 years); 6- Secretary of Interior and finally include the year 2000, even though we recognize that there was Prime Minister (August 1977 -September 1978). In no ‘Year Zero’ and that 2001 is mathematically the start of the each of these Ministries he initiated new laws namely century. Not only did we all celebrate the turn of the millen- the first Labor Law. He represented Iran in OPEC and nium on 31 December 1999, but the year 2000 was a landmark was elected numerous times as the chairman of OPEC. in global cinema, and, in particular, saw the emergence of new classics from Asia like nothing we had ever seen before.

Winter 2016 11 C O M M E N T A R Y SHAH’S FALL Shah & Shaban BiMokh Colossal Mistakes that Sealed Shah’s Fate

M. REZA VAGHEFI In No.82 of Mirassian some assertions were made by Dr. Rezaian that were not fact-based The article below is fact-based and I hope you would consider it for publication in Mirassian. We are all fortunate to have Mirassian under your leadership to publish views of all of us who are affected by what happens in our motherland. M. Reza Vaghefi

Over the last thirty-eight years a num- 50 years.. Assadollah Alam’spremiership (1962- ber books and articles have been written 64) that this event took place. Alam with about Shah of Iran downfall in l979. The FIRST: 15TH OF KHORDAD Shah’s approval suppressed the revolt in most comprehensive and well-investigat- Hassan Ali Mansoor, the son of Ali a bloody way after a good number of peo- ed one is the ‘Coup’ written by a well Mansoor who was late Reza Shah’s Prime ple lost their life and Khomeini, who had know historian Professor Ervand Abra- Minister when the allied forces attacked just been authenticated as Ayatollah by a hamian, an Armenian-Iranian scholar on Iran in 1941, was appointed Prime Minis- number of senior clergy in Qom (to save the faculty of Columbia University. In his ter in 1964. Under his administration the him from certain death) was arrested and book, he elaborates the determining role of government signed a document allowing sent into exile in Turkey. Some pecuniary CIA which together with MI6 the British “extraterritorial rights” privileges to the compensation was made to survivors of Intelligence agency and their surrogates, American personnel, including military, the revolt but the movement did not die most of them Iranians traitors, who used to be tried in American courts in the event and survivors of those killed did not forget the mobs and prostitutes to launch a small that they committed a crime. According to what had been done to their love ones. moving crowd which was then enhanced this document such a criminal would by- The depth and strength of the movement by units of armed forces, as planned, to at- pass Iranian courts, undermining Iranian endured for 15 years though under the tack Premier Mossadegh’s house and take jurisprudence. While many people were radar so it was not quite evident to Shah’s over vital communications and logistics kept in dark about this most significant act, regime which thought to strengthen the to announce the downfall of the legiti- the politicians close to the regime knew religion as a counter weight to communist mately elected government. The events it and there was some silent resentment that were also operating under the radar. happened in a background that step by even though nothing was said publicly We should not forget that the National step had eroded Shah’s internal support about this act. The complaint was that such Front, with the star of the movement, Dr. which provided a fertile moment for the act nullified the courageous act by Shah’s Mohammad Mossadegh, under house ar- British and American governments to father Reza Shah the Great who had can- rest, was also waiting in the wings for jointly undermine and ultimately end a celled the so called “Capitulation” that the right moment to arrive and when the regime that had enjoyed the support of provided same privileges to some foreign time came they eagerly joined the fight people from all walks of life in Iran for powers. It was a proud moment for Reza again, the time in full cooperation with 28 months. No period in last two hun- Shah indicating his strength and courage the clergy led by Ayatollah Khomeini who dred years had seen so much freedom, to stand up against foreign powers namely was in Iraq and under the pressure from so much participation by the people in Russia and Britain at the time. the Government in Iran he left for France. all aspects of political environment. No politician rose against this Act Quite often the fall of Pahlavi dynasty but religious community was unease and 2. OPEC IS CREATED is attributed to the movement that was even among the clergy the only one that When the Organization of Petroleum led by late Ayatollah Khomeini. The late vocally stood up against it was Ayatollah Producing Countries (OPEC) announced Ayatollah took advantage of the extreme Khomeini. At that time Ayatollah had cre- its presence, in international oil market, dissatisfaction by the disillusioned and ated a devoted following which on 15th of Iran under the Shah took an active role al- economically underprivileged people in Khordad (June 1963) violently attacked though he was not in favor it at the begin- addition to the supporters of the National government buildings and created a move- ning later Shah concluded that there was Front who were waiting for the time to ment that shook the Shah’s regime. At that strength in a united front against the Seven arrive to express their deep resentment of time I was a senior economic analyst at the Sisters that dominated the global market. the Shah’s behavior toward the nationalist National Iranian Oil Company. I saw the In 1960’s Iran was expanding and needed movement leader Dr. Mossadegh who led smoke rising from destruction and explo- more dollars and Consortium was reluc- the nationalization of Iranian oil which sion of some building from the 8th Floor tant to even sell more Iranian oil. Iranian had been exploited by the British for over of the NIOC headquarters. It was during negotiators probed the Consortium using

12 No. 84 C O M M E N T A R Y the number of population to be qualified nentially after OPEC ‘s should be indexed tries. In meeting with Dr. Agahi, Boume- to sell more of oil but the Consortium to increases in oil prices which meant, ul- dian asked him to take a message from that was operating the Iranian oil was timately, less profit by the industrial prod- him to the Shah. The message was: “why not phased therefore there was an impetus ucts producers if OPEC were to cooperate two Moslem nations need to fight against to do something and OPEC was created. with the West. But the feeling of having each other” which meant that he (Boume- It was a shock to the industrialized na- the West so much dependent on Middle dian) may not have been aware of CIA’s tions that tried to ignore it for a while but East oil emboldened Shah who officially role in this affair (NYT Magazine August increasingly realized that it was a de facto announced that “Matters concerning the 14,2016 p.18). Upon returning to Iran the institution and began to negotiate with Persian Gulf region will be dealt with by Deputy Minster reported the message to it. The long term implications of OPEC the countries of the region……..without the Shah who subsequently flew to Algeria creations had yet to emerge. In an exten- outside intervention”. The Economist and met with Saddam Hossein. Both sides sive review of the events after the Fall of June 1981, p.5. This extraordinary and signed a peace treaty to stop the conflict, Shah by the respected London Economist courageous position was announced in a on March 15, 1975. Shah’s decision to magazine examines the causes and conse- communique at a joint meeting with So- sign a peace treaty with someone who quences of his Fall. In its Gulf Survey June viet leaders in October 1972 in Moscow opposed the United States was the straw 1981, the Economist provides a clear pic- after a state visit by the Shah. Shah may that broke the camel’s back. As soon as the ture of opinions of the Persian Gulf rulers have meant to reassure the Russians of treaty was signed, Dr. Henry Kissinger, and experts. “More disturbing to the Gulf less influence by the West, mainly United the National Security Advisor to President rulers, in retrospect, was the failure of the States, in the Persian Gulf but it was vastly Ford, ordered CIA to immediately stop Americans to support the Shah….Many interpreted differently by the United States the flow of weapons. Shah’s increasingly Gulf officials credit darker motives: they especially after Bahrain had allowed a adopting policies that were contrary to US think Americans gave the Shah the final small base to the latter in Persian Gulf. policy was evidently unbearable by the US push to punish him for creating OPEC.” defense establishment and may have been The Economist, The Gulf Survey June 4. IRAN-IRAQ BORDER one of determining factors in his demise. 1981 p.5”. This also reminds us about SKIRMISHES a conversation between Dr. Jahanguir Soon after Saddam Hossein took con- 5. SHAH’S ANNOUNCEMENT Amoozegar,the dominant figure in OPEC trol of Iraqi government and the armed ABOUT THE OIL and Minister of Economy and Finance, forces in early 70’s it established close CONSORTIUM in Prime Minister Hoveida’s cabinet, and ties with the Soviet Union (of the time), The Oil Consortium was created late Assadollah Alam who was the Impe- which inherently produced a conflict with by the Seven Sisters after the CIA and rial Court Minister when this conversation Iran since Iran was extremely close to the M16 with their Iranian surrogates led a took place. Alam invited Amoozegar to United States. In Iraq, the Kurdish minor- Coup against legitimate government of have breakfast at Alam’s residence. He ity was a major challenge to Saddam’s Dr. Mossadegh. The oil agreement was presciently told Dr. Amoozegar not pursue authoritarian rule which led to Saddam’s for 25 years upon which the whole af- higher prices during the OPEC meeting. army hammering the Kurds. Under leg- fair would have to be reviewed. In l975 A suggestion which was contrary to what endary Mustafa Barzani the Kurds began Shah announced that the oil agreement he, Amoozegar, had been instructed to a brutal guerrilla war against the Baathist will not be renewed with the Consortium do by the Shah. In addition to the above, government. It was a successful story as when the Accord expires in 1979. Many General Alexander Hague, the Supreme long as CIA continued to supply weapons people familiar with the politics of situ- Allied Commander of NATO in mid 70’s, to Kurds and the Iranian military advising ation considered this a bad strategy. You showed a letter written by King of Saudi them ( Kurds reciprocated this help when never tell your adversary what you will do Arabia, to a former NIOC executive. The Saddam attacked Iran). But the situation five years from now. For a whole set of letter indicated that the higher price for led by Shah instigated a call from Presi- reasons that announcement was a strategic oil was Shah’s goal, putting the blame dent Boumedian of Algeria who invited mistake and it followed previous mistakes squarely on Shah and of course excus- the Shah to meet with him to discuss the mentioned above. Was it due to bad ad- ing himself from this process. We should problem. vice or was it due to an emboldened Shah remember that Saudi Arabia plowed in How this happened is itself an inter- who had forgotten what had taken place in more than $60 billions (in early 1980s esting story. Dr. Habeeb in short period of time but managed to Agahi, then Deputy Min- Queen Farah & Shaban BiMokh with his students blame Shah for the rise of oil price and ister of Economy was Americans believe him. attending a conference in Algiers when he was 3. MATTERS OF summoned by the Presi- THE PERSIAN GULF dent of Algeria. It was the Shah who understood the President Boume- value of the Middle Eastern countries that dian, who as military harbored vast volumes of oil, and this was commander had led the extremely vital to the industrialized na- Algerian war against tion of the West and Japan. At one point French colonialism, had Shah suggested that any price increase in established great cred- industrial products, which jumped expo- ibility in Islamic coun-

13 No. 84 C O M M E N T A R Y August of 1953 when he fled the country as a result of bad decision to remove Dr. IN MEMORY OF ALI JAVAN Mossadegh and replace him with General Zahedi whose support from CIA-M16 and some in the clergy (see Coup by Abraha- mian’s last chapter) led to demonstration by thugs and prostitutes which was joined by units of the Army. In sum Shah’s mistakes were plenty but it began with removal of Dr. Mossa- degh and consequently losing credibility in eyes of millions who took to the streets of Tehran and other major cities to put an end to a regime that over 50 years had done some good things for Iran. Had he accepted the Economic Plan drafted by some top economist in 1972, most probably things would have been different today But over time the lack of coordinated actions by the government and absence of financial discipline after billions of dollars began to flow in and a decentralized Ali Javan was born in December 26, 1926 and is an Iranian-American decision making under a premier who was physicist and inventor at MIT. His main contributions to science have been in unaware of the depth of dissatisfaction the fields of quantum physics and spectroscopy. He co-invented the gas laser in led to Shah’s fall. More important is that Shah had been surrounded by spies and 1960, with William R. Bennett. In 2007 Javan was ranked Number 12 on the sycophants Telegraph newspaper list of the “Top 100 Living Geniuses”. who constantly praised his leader- Ali Javan was born in Tehran to Iranian parents from Tabriz. He gradu- ship. Most among these people was As- ated from Alborz High School, started his university studies at University of sadollah Alam who for the most critical Tehran and came to the United States in 1948 right after the war. He received part of Shah’s rule was closest to him and his PhD in physics in 1954 from Columbia University under his thesis advi- showered him with sycophancy just like sor Charles Townes. In 1955 Javan held a position as a Post-Doctoral in the Rosputin. There were many cultural mistakes but galvanizing phenomena were Radiation Laboratory and worked with Townes on the atomic clock research. the depth of corruption and poverty that In 1957 he published a paper on the theory of a three-level maser, Later emerged as result of bad economic poli- he joined Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1958 shortly after he conceived the cies and lack of foresight and accountabil- working principle of his gas discharge Helium-Neon laser, and subsequently ity by the executives in the government. submitted his paper for publication and was reviewed by Samuel Goudsmit in This is of course true for all leaders 1960. and rulers: Peoples’ trust is the most en- At MIT in the early 1960s, Ali Javan started a research project aimed at during factor in the whole affair and that must never be forgotten. extending microwave frequency-measuring techniques into the infrared; he then developed the first absolutely accurate measurement of the speed of light. Javan first worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an as- sociate professor of physics in 1961 and has remained Francis Wright Davis Subscribe Professor Emeritus of physics since 1964. He continued researching into the area of “optical electronics”. His contributions to nanophotonics included the introduction of the concept of an optical antenna of several wavelengths To d a y! long which enables the near-complete confinement of an incident optical field coupled to it, and forming the antenna in nanoscale. The gas laser was the first continuous-light laser and the first laser to op- Persian erate “on the principle of converting electrical energy to a laser light output.” By definition, “a gas laser is a laser in which an electric current is discharged Heritage through a gas to produce light.” Ali Javan received U.S. patent together with William Bennett for the “Gas Optical Maser”. Ali Javan first tested his invention on December 12, 1960. The gas laser laid the foundation for fiber optic com- 973.471.4283 munication. Laser telecommunication via fiber optics is known to be the key technology used in today’s Internet.

Winter 2016 14 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E REVIEWS off Khomeini, the Middle East might be far less tumultuous today. “THERE’S NO ONE IN THE MIRROR” In The Fall of Heaven (Henry Holt, New English Translation of Renowned 499 pp.,½ out of four stars), Andrew Iranian Author, Guita Garakani’s Book Scott Cooper brings the Shah, along “There’s No One in the Mirror” with his colorful retinue and turbulent is a collection of short stories by the times, back to life. It is revisionist his- renowned Iranian author, Guita Gara- tory in parts — and mostly sympathetic kani, which has recently been translated to the king and his queen Farah. She into English by author and translator, was among the many people the au- Hedyeh Hastibakhsh. These stories, thor interviewed for this thoroughly although written in deceptively simple researched and richly detailed account. language, have a depth and poignancy The Shah, according to Cooper, which touch the reader’s soul, evok- was nothing like the blood-soaked tyrant portrayed by the Western ing thoughts, feelings, and memories media in the 1970s. Rather he was a predominantly beneficent which make them feel at one with each autocrat whose White Revolution raised his people’s incomes protagonist. From the exploration of and expanded literacy and women’s rights. deep emotions, loneliness, and despair, There clearly were abuses, including the torture and death to a hint of light comedy, and even a of political opponents, but they were substantially less than were touch of science fiction and the supernatural, this collection has claimed by regime opponents and reported by many journalists. something for fans of every genre. The author cites investigations by the Red Cross and the Islamic The author, Guita Garakani, has a B.A. in Dramatic Litera- Republic of Iran itself to support his thesis. He also points out ture and Play Writing from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts of Tehran that the ruthless Khomeini made the Shah look like a piker when University. Her written works are mostly research, collaboration it came to human rights violations. with the Research Center of the Children of the World, collabo- In fact, the Shah was something of an old softy according ration with the Encyclopedia of Children’s Books Association, to many observers: reluctant to unleash his security forces on and sometimes with the press. She is mostly known, in Iran, as a violent protesters not just before his fall, but also during previous translator of contemporary works of fiction, including works by uprisings in 1953 and 1963. He repeatedly offered concessions Roald Dahl, Anthony Horowicz, and Mark Haddon. to Khomeini and his rampaging mobs. The translator, Hedyeh Hastibakhsh is an educator and au- In late 1978, King Hussein of Jordan flew to Iran to buck thor. She has an honors B.A. in psychology from McMaster up his fellow royal, even volunteering to lead the fight against University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as a B.Ed. Khomeini’s followers. The Shah politely declined the offer. He from the University of Windsor in Winsor, Ontario, Canada. would not slaughter his people to save his throne. She is TESL certified and is a member of both the Ontario and The deposed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and British Columbia College of Teachers in Canada. She has also his wife, the Empress Farah Pahlavi, visit the Panamanian resort been writing fiction and poetry from a very young age, and does Contadora Island in December 1979. translation work. She has had her poetry published in World Order Earlier, in August, an even more astounding offer came from magazine, and was a recipient of the Dr. Harry Paikin Award and none other than Saddam Hussein, a true tyrant if there ever was the Robert Hayden Poetry Fellowship. She writes for children one. He told the Shah to just give him the word and he would and adults, and has written several educational books, works of kill Khomeini, then in exile in Iraq. The Shah said no thanks. fiction, and volumes of poetry. Her author profile page, as well Two years hence, Saddam’s Iraq and Khomeini’s Iran would as a list of her books, including “There’s No One in the Mirror”, fight a brutal eight-year war that killed an estimated 1 million can be viewed at www.amazon.com/author/hedyeh. people on both sides. America was largely clueless about Iran. The CIA had not THE FALL OF HEAVEN: listened to the tapes of Khomeini’s virulent sermons that were The Pahlavis and on sale in Tehran. “The Americans were sure that Khomeini the Final Days of Imperial Iran was a moderating influence over the leftists and radicals in his Andrew Scott Cooper entourage,” Cooper writes. Henry Holt and Co. Compounding this intelligence failure was President Jimmy It almost seems as if Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, aka the Carter’s preoccupation with brokering peace between Israel and Shah of Iran, wasn’t ruling a great nation so much as auditioning Egypt and the Shah’s reluctance to use the overwhelming power for a blockbuster miniseries. He had it all: a beautiful queen, of his security forces to stay in power. mistresses galore, absolute power, corrupt kin, and a hedonistic daughter turned Islamic fanatic. The arch villain in this drama, Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Advertise Your Business in: Khomeini, made Lex Luthor look like a milquetoast. In reality, the Shah, who fled Iran in 1979 and died the following year, was a serious ruler whose successes and failures Persian Heritage have had a profound effect on the world right up to the present. He was instrumental in turning oil into a geopolitical weapon and bringing the bugaboo of nuclear power to Iran. Had he staved 973 471 4283

Winter 2016 15 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E What was your It was at that moment that very first impres- all my senses came back to me. sion when you met I now felt the exhaustion from Mother Teresa? the long trip, the wetness of my bones from the rain, and Mother Teresa is barely 5 the seriousness of the fact that feet tall. Her back is curved and if I couldn’t shoot in any of her body is bent. So at the first the homes, my entire trip was encounter, one immediately useless... I was speechless. I reacts to her unexpected size. was at the pinnacle of misery. In order to make eye contact I just mumbled something with her, you have to bend about my “good intentions” down and she looks up at you. and got up to leave. Then I saw When her eyes first met mine, something resembling a smile I was motionless for a moment. on Sister Prescilla’s harsh face. She has an extremely powerful She asked me to go and get presence. I never knew the tan- some rest and return the next gible meaning of a “holy” per- DOCUMENTARY ON day for afternoon prayers. son until I met Mother Teresa. MOTHER TERESA The next day, Mother Te- There seemed to be a powerful resa herself met with me and magnetic energy that draws you SHIRIN BAZLEH I was given written permits to to her seeking her affectionate The Iranian, September 1996 film at Kalighat, the home for and comforting embrace. the dying; Shishu Bhavan, the In August 1996 Shirin Bazleh, a Los Angeles-based film director/ home for retarded children and You could do a editor, traveled to Calcutta, India, to interview Mother Teresa and orphanage house; Titagarh, the documentary on film her Mission’s humanitarian activities for a documentary for lepers colony and Prem Dan, so many subjects. the Lifetime Television’s Intimate Portrait series on U.S. cable TV. another home for the dying. Why did you choose her? early July and would like to ily. After a 33 hour flight, the What impressed meet Mother for an interview. jet lag numbs your senses. So you about her as a This documentary is for At the time Mother Te- I didn’t have the energy to get person? Lifetime Television’s “Inti- resa was traveling and I was too upset with the negative mate Portrait” series. The se- told only she herself can tell news. Instead I decided to go Mother Teresa has always ries features inspirational and me if I should go or not and to the Missionaries of Charity said “if you want to know me, influential women of the 20th that I should wait and contact “Mother home” where Mother go see my work, do some of century. Mother Teresa was an her when she is back in Cal- Teresa lives and make a per- my work...” When I met her obvious choice. cutta. We had already started sonal plea. and told her we are doing a our production with a limited With thunder and light- tribute program on her, once How did you timeframe and I decided to go ning in the background, I again she said she is really no- arrange the to Calcutta anyway. I thought asked for Sister Prescilla, the body, it is her work that mat- interview? even if I can’t interview her, at superior sister of the Mother ters. She asked that I go see her least I can visit some of the mis- Home. I was soaking wet. The work and if there are any ques- I had been told that sionary homes and show her concept of rain in summer for tions left, to come back and Mother Teresa does not give work. I wrote several letters those of us from Southern talk to her. What impressed me private interviews anymore. and also had some of my con- California is an unimaginable the most, was her humility, her In the past few years, she and tacts in Calcutta try to pave the thought, so of course, I had no dedication to Jesus and the fact the activities of her order – way for me, but once I got there umbrella. that she believes she is just a Missionaries of Charity –had I had 2-3 messages from my Sister Prescilla, God vehicle, doing “what Jesus been under attack by several contacts, all negative, saying bless her, is the key person in would do.” Her faith is some- articles, a nasty book entitled there is no way I could get an the Missionaries of Charity thing extraordinary.” I don’t “The Missionary Position” interview or see Mother Teresa. operation. After a rough and think an average person can written by Christopher Hitch- merciless exchange, telling have the kind of inner convic- ens, and a British documen- That must have me, rightfully so, how “silly” tion and strength that Mother tary called “Hell’s Angel”. So, been very disap- I had been to travel half way Teresa has. naturally the Missionaries of pointing. How did around the world to go there Charity are reluctant to allow you finally manage without invitation, she repeat- What are the most journalists or filmmakers visit to see her? ed what I had heard all along important activities Mother Teresa. I contacted the that Mother Teresa no longer of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in the The month of July is the gives interviews and there is organization? United States and told them peak of the Monsoon season in no way I can take cameras into I’ll be going to Calcutta in Calcutta. It was raining heav- any of her homes. Missionaries of Charity

16 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E have homes in 120 countries. the Missionaries of Charity, just be with a child for an hour more about the She started with Kalighat is that your compassion, love or two and give them love and documentary and which is the home for the dy- and service must be given with attention. That, they cannot how it was made? ing. When she first went into joy and should not only be out find in my $50 check. the streets of Calcutta, she of duty. When we were at Ka- I’ve learned that I have The documentary is about didn’t know exactly what she lighat, we saw a woman that room to become a better per- Mother Teresa’s life. From ear- was going to do. She gathered was brought from the streets. son and hope that I can allow ly childhood until today. We children in the streets and She looked terribly ill and time in my schedule so that I have a lot of archival material taught them the alphabet. She shivering. There were worms can be more involved. from her home town in Sko- would encounter people who coming out of her ears and pjia in Macedonia, her Nobel were sick dying on the streets insects crawling all over her What was your peace prize acceptance speech, with no place to go. She de- face. God knows what were position on religion her Beirut experience,etc. We cided to open a home for such the moving creatures that were before and what do also have interviewed Navin people. And that’s how Ka- tangled in her hair. you think of it now? Chawla who is the authorized lighat came into being. The sisters carried her in, biographer of Mother Teresa The home is next to a washed her, cleaned her, cut I am not a religious per- and has recently written a Hindu temple (Kali). And sick her hair and got the insects out, son. Spending time with Moth- book called Faith and Com- people, regardless of their re- removed the worms from her er Teresa has not changed my passion about Mother Teresa. ligion, are brought into these ears, clothed her and then she views on religion itself, but it We interviewed Raghu homes and are taken care of. was attend by a physician. She has made me have more ap- Rai who is one of India’s most Then she opened a home for was then assigned a clean bed preciation for those whose respected photographers and abandoned children. She also and she was fed. As it turned faith guides them to do more has extraordinary photographs opened a lepers colony. In the out she was so weak from mal- good for humanity. If religion of Mother Teresa which we U.S. she has AIDS hospices. nutrition that she had fainted in and faith helps bring the best show in the program. I also got In every country, depending an alley and was left there for in people, I think it is a great to interview Martin Sheen who on the needs of those who are days. Now, how could any part thing. I don’t care what reli- is a great admirer of Mother unloved and underprivileged, of the sister’s actions be per- gion it is. I don’t think Mother Teresa. He believes that Moth- she creates homes for them. ceived as exploitative? These Teresa cares either. We see it er Teresa brought him back She has been doing this are the kinds of work the Mis- in her work. In her service and to Christianity. He helps at a for half a century all over the sionaries of Charity sisters do actions, she does not favor one restaurant in Los Angeles that world. See the documentary ON A DAILY BASIS. Would religion over another. She has provides food for the home- and you’ll see some of the you or I be willing to do the said several times that “I love less every week. There are in- places that I’ve mentioned. same work? If not, we are not all religions, but I am in love terviews with sisters at Loreto qualified to have a negative with Christianity.” I admire order where Mother Teresa first Some think mis- opinion about them. her totally, for who she is and started teaching in Calcutta, sionaries exploit what she does. She gets the plus some volunteers who work the vulnerabilities Has this experience credit, not the label of the re- at her homes. I think you will of the poor. What’s changed you in any ligion that she practices. get a very good sense of Mother your opinion? way? Teresa’s life and experiences by Can you tell us watching the program. I think people who make I saw volunteers from those statements probably have all over the world who go to never spent a lot of time liv- Calcutta just to work at one QAJAR’S SHAH ON PACK OF CIGARETTES ing with the Sisters or in the of Mother Teresa’s homes for hospices, to have a meaningful one week, one month, a year or experience with the day-to-day just one day. They all spoke on work of Missionaries of Char- how the experience enriched ity. I can understand how it is them as human beings. intellectually entertaining to They got more pleasure in question some of the rules and giving than in receiving. That regulations of the Missionaries has made a great impression on of Charity. After all, they are an me. I realize that just writing order of the Catholic Church. a check for Red Cross or giv- What I have personally ing donations to the Salvation seen –the love and care that Army is not enough. I know I is given to the destitute re- am capable of doing more to gardless of their religion –I make a difference, even to one don’t believe anyone, under person. Unfortunately my life- the umbrella of any religion, style is such that I don’t have is doing anywhere else. One the time to go to a homeless of the requirements to join shelter for children and try to

Winter 2016 17 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E

Persian Culture in the Interior by Keivani Architects worldarchitecturenews.com

This contemporary house bears the artistic and Iranian genius loci with symbols of promotion and approaching traces of Persian culture in the interior a symbolic approach to Mithraism. closer to sun. Sun is the symbol of light, by Keivani Architects Accordingly, by conceptualizing the and light is the symbol of knowledge Keivani Architects, in collabora- design based on the styles of Loft Ar- and wisdom. tion with Studio Persian Primavera, has chitecture, the studio used exposed This design is a symbol of ap- completed new interior design in the concrete, rebar, and metal oxide to de- proaching to sun and advancing to city of Kiev of Ukraine with elaborat- sign the space. knowledge essential for improvement ed materials and furnitures, combined The choice of brick and wood as and actualization of thoughts for an with exposed concrete, rebar, and metal well as lighting design created a cozy artist. The direction and raise of stairs oxide. Named Mehr Khaneh (House of and warm atmosphere that is desirable are toward east and sunrise. the Sun), the project is located in one of for a residential place The design of lighting fixtures is the apartment block of residential com- ne of the most important design also inspired by the symbolic role of plex in the Ostrovskovo street, cover- ideas is the set of stairs located in the Sun, and it follows the geometric sym- ing 101 square meters area in the floor. living room; it is a symbolic, yet philo- bol of sun, which a triangle surrounded Keivani Architects’ design ap- sophical element. by a dodecagon, used in traditional Ira- proach is based on two essential fac- This element is inspired from his- nian architecture. tors to develop the concept of Mehr toric mehrabs and ziggurats, which are In a part of ceiling the triangular Khaneh interior design. The first fac- and pyramidal shapes are used such tor is shaped by the client’s interests that they are such as the extensions of in the Persian civilization, culture, the light radiation that pass through and values, namely the metaphors of the roof and shines inside such that no Mithraism and sun. The second factor barrier _even a concrete wall- cannot is derived from an artistic character of prevent the knowledge and wisdom. the client, which had to be reflected The ancient sun pattern was used as in design. a light frame in this unit. Furnitures are Considering the budget restric- designed in accord with the aforemen- tions, architects aimed to develop tioned concepts, realized by using materi- a minimal and affordable space, yet als such as concrete, rebar, and metals.

18 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Not only architects applied this concept to the interior design of kitchen for consistency, the studio also used tur- quoise tiles in this space to inspire the sense of place (Genius loci) that emerg- es in the Iranian traditional architecture. Considering the role of plants in traditional Iranian architecture, plant- ing components have been placed in different parts of this unit, for example, in the kitchen, as hanging components. In the space right in front of the kitchen, wooden materials are used to create a beautiful scenery with the special day- light available at sunset. One room is considered as the home office and meeting room, designed with simple yet creative ideas like using pat- terns of concrete for the floor lamps. Although affordable materials such as concrete, rebar, and recycled wood are used in the bedroom’s interior design, Keivani Architects’ design has created a desirable and relaxing space to satisfy the requirements of a bedroom.

Winter 2016 19 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Iran’s Miraculous Desert Glacier

BY: IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER (AUGUST 8, 2016) Pictures: by Ian Lloyd Neubauer Hidden in Iran’s vast central deserts lies one of the Islamic Republic’s most unexpected geographical finds.

ICE COLD IN THE DESERT About 20km past the Sheikh Khan Waterfall, the bitumen In the Zard-Kuh, a 4,200m-high mountain range bordering ended and was replaced by a roughly-hewn dirt road. The air here the western flank of Iran’s vast central deserts, hides one of the was crisp and cool – an anomaly in the Iranian summer – while Islamic Republic’s most unexpected geographical finds: on the the vistas, like those in this photo of a Bakhtiari tent overlooking edge of the hot desert is a series of sub-tropical glaciers. Hunters Valley, were astounding. “Most of the foreign tourists in Iran come from Europe where The 400km ZayandehRood (Live River) that slices through there are lots of tall mountains, so I have a hard time convincing the valley is one of the longest waterways in all of Iran. With them to see the Zard-Kuh,” said Farshid Zandi of Zandi Tours. the help of aquifers, it carries billions of cubic litres of melted “I have only taken three groups of foreigners there so far, but each snow to desert cities like Isfahan and Yazd, and as far south as time they told me it was the highlight of their holiday in Iran.” the Bakhtiari’s winter residence in Khuzestan.

HALF THE WORLD THE LAST RESORT I met Zandi in Isfahan, the resplendent former capital of Persia. I’d come to see the soaring mosques and palaces and the elegant squares and gardens that inspired the 17th-century proverb Isfahan nesf-e jahan (Isfahan is half the world). So I was somewhat taken aback when Zandi suggested I take a day out of my compact schedule for a 500km return journey to the Zard-Kuh to see the Bakhtiari, a nomadic tribe who’d made camp near the glaciers

INTO THE HILLS We left at 8 am the next day. The first half of the journey cut through the semi-arid desert encircling Isfahan. But soon colossal snow-capped promontories shot into the sky and patches of green – the first I’d seen in Iran outside of oases – riddled the landscape. When we passed the city of Shar-e-Kord, the so-called “Roof Most people don’t know that Iran has lots of snow and world- of Iran” at 2,070m above sea level, I saw a series of signposts class pistes. Although the most popular places to ski are in the bearing black-and-white portraits of men and boys. Zandi ex- Alborz Mountains north of Tehran, the village of Chelgre, the plained that they were martyrs who died in the bloody 1980-1988 last population centre before the glaciers, morphs into a low-key Iran-Iraq War. Half a million people were killed in the conflict, alpine resort from November through April. including 95,000 child soldiers, some as young as 12 years old. The graffiti sprayed on this boulder on Chelgre’s outskirts reads “Baba Haje Restaurant. Kebab from baby sheep, chicken RIVER OF LIFE kebab, dizi [an Iranian casserole], milk, yogurt, hot water. We welcome you, dear tourists.”

SURREAL WATERFALLS Sheikh Khan Waterfall, 9km after Chelgre, is one of count- less cascades found in the Zard-Kuh. Although we were no longer in the desert, the high-altitude plateau still bore great swaths of mustard-coloured soil. When contrasted against the waterfall, the visual effect was surreal, as though a vertical spring had mi- raculously burst from a precipice in the desert. After filling our water bottles with crystal-clear water, we continued on our way.

GOAT HERDERS A short distance from the waterfall, we passed a family of

20 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Yakhi have been able to supplement their income by feeding the small groups of Iranian tourists – newly middle class due to the improving economy – who drive up from Isfahan for picnics at the Zard-Kuh. The kebab is Iran’s national dish and the version pictured here, kebab chenjeh, made with the meat of newly slaughtered sheep, is the most succulent and expensive. Grilled on a charcoal barbeque, the meat is so tender and flavoursome that it doesn’t need any sauce. We ate it with Iranian flatbread, onion and salt.

SPINNING WOOL

Bakhtiari nomads herding goats along the road. Historically, the Bakhtiari were both pastoralists and hunters who shot ibex, wolf, fox, jackal, hyena and leopard, all once found in considerable numbers in the Zard-Kuh. But as the Bakhtiari and others in western Iran gained access to modern weaponry, the wildlife population began to dwindle. In 1973, this part of the Zard-Kuh, known as Tang-e-Sayyad or Hunters Valley, was proclaimed a protected zone and hunting was outlawed

NOMAD CITY After three and half hours on the road, we arrived at Chama Qar Yakhi, one of Zard-Kuh’s largest settlements that’s home to The Bakhtiari spend eight months a year in Khuzestan, a some 100 Bakhtiari. The Bakhtiari have officially owned this province in the south of Iran. They migrate to the Zard-Kuh at land for generations, though they still enjoy the freedom of the the end of every April to escape summer temperatures that soar nomadic way of life. They don’t pay taxes, live by their own rules to 50C, and remain here until mid-September, fattening up their and are more-or-less self-sufficient. Yet according to tribesman livestock on fresh green grass. This annual migration used to be Reza Abdullah, pictured above with his 11-year-old son Ahmad a gruelling week-long odyssey on foot through desert and snow. and a leg of lamb, the nomadic lifestyle isn’t always a bed of roses. Today, however, the Bakhtiari travel by car and use trucks to “I’ve never experienced life in the city though I think the transport their animals, though many of their other traditions still people there have it better because we don’t have good amenities remain intact. In this photo, an elderly Bakhtiari woman spins here. But many of the people who come to visit us say they wish wool the old-fashioned way to make clothing. they could live like us,” he told me. ICE CAVE COLORFUL CARPETS The ice wasn’t hard as I’d imagined; it was soft to touch like well-packed snow. But it was still slippery to walk on, and Zandi and I progressed at a snail’s pace while Ahmad scampered along. He led us to the edge of the glacier and onto a boulder in the middle of a freezing-cold stream where we could see a gap that was slowly forming between the base of the glacier and the flowing water. Ahmad explained that by August a tunnel large enough to walk into will form under the glacier. The settlement of Chama Qar Yakhi, which means “ice cave” in the Bakhtiari dialect, was named after the phenomenon.

Other nomads at Chama Qar Yakhi have found different ways to cash in on tourists, selling honey, herbs and yogurt as well as colourful handmade woollen rugs. This one pictured above took a fortnight to weave.

THE BEST KEBABS Until a few years ago, Abdullah’s income came from the sale of meat, milk and wool to local wholesalers. But recently, he and other Bakhtiari who spend their summers at Chama Qar

Winter 2016 21 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E SLAB WITH INSCRIPTION OF BIBLICAL KING DARIUS THE GREAT DISCOVERED IN KUBAN

Krasnodar Territory, Russia

large fragment of a mar- Revolt—a military rebellion by in the Black sea region and in this ancient city in the context Able slab (stele) with an several Greek regions of Asia the Mediterranean. of one of the most significant inscription made on behalf Minor against Darius I. The Vladimir Kuznetsov, di- events in early history with far- of the Persian King Darius I revolt was suppressed in 494 rector of the “Phanagoria” reaching effects for Greeks and the Great (550-486 B.C.) has B.C. The scientists presume State Museum-Preserve of Persians alike. been discovered during ongo- that after his victory over the History and Archaeology, head This enables us to trace ing archaeological excavations Greeks King Darius installed of the complex archaeological back the links of this colony in the territory of Phanagoria an inscribed marble stele in expedition of the RAS Insti- with other parts of the Greek (the largest ancient Greek the city (for example, with a tute of Archaeology, Doctor world, to analyze its role in the city of the Taman Peninsula, message announcing his tri- of Historical sciences, notes: expansion of the Greek civili- now in southern Russia). The umph). With time a fragment “The finding of the stele with zation as far as the Black sea artifact was unearthed in the of the broken stele was brought a king’s inscription which was coast. As for discovering the course of a field season of the to Phanagoria. It probably ar- created on behalf of Darius I city fortifications: should their “Phanagoria” archaeological rived there as a ballast on one and, obviously, dedicated to the purpose be confirmed, this complex expedition of the In- of the ships which sailed to the Ionian Revolt’s suppression, is, find may become a remarkable stitute of Archaeology of the port of Phanagoria, as there is without exaggeration, a scien- event for classical archaeology Russian Academy of Sciences no stone on Taman Peninsula. tific sensation of international in the whole of the Mediter- (RAS), reports the Oursociety. In ancient times even square importance. Discovering such ranean and Black Sea basins ru website. stone for building was trans- an artifact in Phanagoria places as well.” he inscription on the dis- ported there by sea from the Tcovered stele segment was Mediterranean and other re- made in Old Persian with the gions. At present, the stele is use of cuneiform (writing used at the restoration laboratory of only by Persian kings). Accord- the “Phanagoria” scientific and ing to scientists’ estimates, cultural center. Examinations around ten–fifteen percent of and a more thorough dating of the message has survived on the find are to continue. the stele. Nevertheless, the de- On the acropolis the ar- ciphered parts of the inscrip- chaeologists have also found tion directly indicate that it was a large complex of structures made on behalf of the famous built of mud bricks. Judging King Darius I. The find’s con- by their location (an edge of a text indirectly confirms this: hill), the walls thickness (over the stele has been discovered in one meter, or c. 3.28 feet), and the strata which can be dated to the shape of the structures (sub- the first half of the fifth century square and situated in staggered B.C. It should be noted that the rows), these may have been a majority of the ancient inscrip- city’s defensive fortifications. tions made in cuneiform script According to the scientists’ (around 200 of such documents preliminary estimates, they are known to date) were discov- were built in the second half ered in Persepolis, the capital of of the sixth century B.C. and the old Persian Empire. destroyed early in the fifth One of the words from century B.C. The archaeolo- the inscription can be identi- gists suppose these are remains fied as a place name: “Mile- of the earliest fortifications of tus.” It was the largest Greek Phanagoria. It should be noted city in Ionia in what is now that defensive fortifications of Asia Minor. Early in the fifth the archaic period and early century B.C. Miletus was at the classical antiquity are a great center of the so-called Ionian rarity for archaeologists both

22 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E endarmerie, the first modern highway patrol and rural of more than 1,000 Treasury gendarmes, including 35 officers, police force in Persia. It was established in 1910 by the Hjalmarson, now with the rank of colonel, acquired the raw GPersian government with the help of Swedish officers and material he needed and was able to begin work in earnest. Over continued its services into the Pahlavi era. This article discusses the next two years his force made steady progress, gradually the history of the Gendarmerie during two periods: 1. the Swedish consolidating its position and extending its influence over an period, 1910-1921, and 2. the Pahlavi period, 1921-79. ever widening radius from Tehran. Numerical and organizational growth were consistent. At the end of 1912 the Government THE SWEDISH PERIOD Gendarmerie numbered 21 Swedes and nearly 3,000 Persian The Government Gendarmerie (Žāndārmerī-e dawlatī) was officers and men while by the end of the following year the established in 1910 by the second Majles and proved the most number of Swedish officers had risen to 36 and the Persian enduring in a series of official projects for the modernization of component had doubled to nearly 6,000 (Public Records Office, the armed forces under the leadership of foreign officers. Military Kew, U.K., F.O. 371, General Correspondence Political Persia, modernization had been a central objective of Persian reformers 1728/15876, Annual Report, 1912, Townley to Gray, 18 March for most of the 19th century. By the early 20th century the Persian 1913; F.O. 371/2073/10393, Annual Report, 1913, Townley to government was also coming under pressure from Britain, which Gray, 18 February 1914). By 1914 seven regiments had been demanded, more insistently as disorder in the provinces increased, established, two with headquarters at Tehran, the remainder at the establishment of some sort of force which could guarantee Shiraz, Kermān, Qazvīn, Isfahan, and Borūjerd, and the men had security for trade, particularly in the south of the country (Cronin, gained a good deal of practical experience in operations. The 1997a, p. 18). Although little was accomplished by the first Majles, Gendarmerie’s budget requirements grew accordingly and were the increased prominence of state-building as a constitutionalist met, in this period, largely out of loans from Britain and Russia. objective during the second phase of the revolution, 1909-1911, British financial and political support was initially vital to produced effective legislation. In July 1910 the Democrats came the Gendarmerie and the major provincial effort of the force in to power and, as part of their ambitious program of moderniza- its early years was directed, under British pressure, towards the tion, took steps towards the organization of the Government south, to the towns and roads of Fārs and Kermān. As the Gen- Gendarmerie. Although with the suppression of the Majles in darmerie developed, however, it attempted to expand into areas 1911 efforts at reform and state-building were considered part of the Russian zone under abandoned, the Gendarmerie had acquired hort istory the terms of the Anglo-Russian Convention sufficient vitality to survive and continue as A S H of 1907 (q.v.), provoking increasing Russian a focus for radical modernizers. of the Iranian hostility and opposition, and it was not in fact until after the October Revolution that HJALMA Gendarmerie the Gendarmerie was able to implant itself In August 1911 a Swedish military mis- in places such as Tabrīz, Rašt, and Mašhad. sion led by Major Hjalmar O. Hjalmarson PART ONE Nonetheless by 1914 the Gendarmerie arrived in Tehran, the Persian government’s already constituted a wholly new develop- original choice of an Italian mission having STEPHANIE CRONIN ment in Persian military and political expe- been vetoed by Russia and Britain as Italy Encyclopedia Iranica rience. It was particularly successful in as- ranked among the major powers. The Swed- sembling and consolidating a Persian officer ish mission’s task was to provide officers corps, drawing personnel not only from the to instruct a gendarmerie, with the primary Treasury Gendarmerie, but also attracting a duty of maintaining security on the highways section of officers who transferred from the and roads, under the Persian Ministry of the Ministry of War and a number of individu- Interior (Cronin, 1997a, p. 19). als who had obtained training in European The Persian officer corps and the rank and Ottoman military schools on their own and file of the Government Gendarmerie initiative. The Gendarmerie’s own schools were initially composed of the officers and were particularly successful in producing of- men of Morgan Shuster’s Treasury Gendar- ficers who were later to reach high rank in merie. Morgan Shuster had been appointed the Pahlavi army (Afsar, pp. 74-76). The Persian to the post of treasurer-general as part of gendarme officers were drawn from relatively the same program of reform. During 1911 high social strata (Nyström, pp. 27-28) and were, he had begun to organize a gendarmerie to on the whole, well-educated. Many spoke a be under his own direct orders which was foreign language, usually French. Such an to assist the civilian officers of the Treasury officer corps had considerable prestige within in the collection of revenue throughout the the wider society, morale was high, and an es- country (Shuster, pp. 69-70). When, on Shuster’s prit de corps well established (Arfa, pp. 51-52). dismissal, the Treasury Gendarmerie was dis- The outbreak of the First World War, solved, its officers and men were transferred with its radical political realignments and to the Government Gendarmerie, giving the polarization, marked a watershed in the de- latter force much impetus and stamping it velopment of the Gendarmerie. The Govern- indelibly with a pro-Democrat, nationalist ment Gendarmerie made a highly significant and anti-Russian character. contribution to the advancement of national- With the transfer to his fledgling force ist activity in Persia which took place during

Winter 2016 23 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E the years of the Great War. Furthermore its experiences during a new government beyond the reach of Russian military control. these years transformed the Gendarmerie. By their participation On the night of 11-12 November, the Mohājarat (emigration) be- in the Mohājarat (during the Constitutional Revolution) the gen- gan and large numbers of Majles deputies, government officials, darme officers were propelled to a position of national leadership, nationalists and their armed supporters, together with officers and spearheading the struggle against foreign intervention, and, from men of the Gendarmerie, and members of the German, Austrian, 1917, the force was able to claim a central role in the various and Ottoman legations left Tehran. The Gendarmerie played an strategies, imperial and domestic, put forward to reverse Persia’s important role in organizing this emigration. As the Russians ad- accelerating political chaos and disintegration. vanced, both Swedish and Persian gendarmes collected transport, Although Persia declared its neutrality, the circumstances assisted the Germans to send away their arms and ammunition, of the early years of the war had a profound effect on the force, and facilitated the departure of some two hundred escapee Aus- both organizationally and politically. Firstly, the Swedish gov- trian prisoners of war. The Gendarmerie assumed control of the ernment recalled all its officers who were still on the active list entire telephone system, commandeered all carriages, fodder and of the Swedish army. This produced a serious weakening of the baggage animals, and caused all the toll stations on the road to Swedish command structure of the force but allowed the senior Qom to be occupied and the tolls to be collected by gendarmes. Persian officers to assume greater responsibility and authority. A In Qom the nationalists set up a body known as the Komīta- second important effect of the war was financial. With the ces- ye defāʿ-e mellī (Committee of National Defense), a kind of pro- sation of foreign loans, the almost bankrupt Persian government visional government, the core of its armed support consisting of was quite unable to fund the force and the Gendarmerie turned the gendarmes and some nationalist volunteers. Meanwhile, the to German sources for money (Cronin, 1997a, p. 30). nationalists had also seized control of Shiraz in a coup organized However perhaps the most significant effect of the war by the Gendarmerie, under the command of Major ʿAlīqolī Khan may be found in the growing politicization of the Persian officer Pesyān (Afsar, p. 98). He and his men took over the British Consul- corps of the force and in its new activism in cooperation with ate, the Bank, the telegraph office, and other government offices the Democrats and nationalists in the arena of national politics. and arrested the British residents of Shiraz. All the available Notwithstanding its patronage by Britain and the suspicion which notes and silver coin in the local branch of the Imperial Bank of this engendered in certain nationalist circles, the Gendarmerie Persia were seized. The British colony were taken south where had, from its birth, always been clearly identified with Persian the men were imprisoned by a Tangestānī khan. The Shiraz coup constitutionalism and the struggle for national unity and inde- was quickly followed by similar action in other towns in southern pendence. During the early months of the war the Gendarmerie and western Persia. The gendarmes came out in open revolt and decisively shook off its association with Britain and, as a result took possession of Hamadān, Kermānšāh, Solṭānābād, Isfahan, of the new international situation, became drawn, with its Demo- Yazd, and Kermān, forcing Allied nationals to evacuate these crat partners, into an alliance with Germany, the reservations of places. In Hamadān, for example, the Gendarmerie, under the nationalist elements regarding the force quickly evaporating. command of Major Moḥammad-Taqī Khan Pesyān, a cousin of Persian nationalism had been trying for some time to enlist the in- Major ʿAlīqolī Khan Pesyān, took control after forcibly disarming tervention of a third power in Persian affairs as a counter-balance the local Cossack detachment (Afsar, pp. 130-31). to Britain and Russia. America had been tried without success, but The Russian military advance continued and the national- now the war presented the possibility that Germany might play ists were driven westwards; the gendarmes, although on the that role (Olson, p. 29). Persian nationalists became interested in a defensive, engaged the Russians in a number of battles. The German victory in so far as it would restrain Russia and Britain Gendarmerie constituted the backbone of the national army set and promote the cause of Persia’s independence. Democrat and up under the auspices of Reżāqolī Khan Neẓām-al-Salṭana’s nationalist sympathies and a tactical alliance with Germany national government in Kermānšāh but could not prevent the explain the political orientation of the Persian gendarmes. For nationalists finally being driven into Ottoman territory. By early the Swedish officers however, who shared this orientation, it 1917 the national government, having taken sanctuary deep in seems that genuine admiration and respect for Germany was an Iraq, was clearly a spent force and many of the Persian gendarme important factor in determining their allegiance. officers went into exile, some, such as Moḥammad-Taqī Khan The nationalist and pro-German tendencies of the Gendar- Pesyān and Ḥabīb-Allāh Khan Šaybānī, to Germany but the merie had become more overt as the first year of the war had majority to Istanbul where they joined the Ottoman army. Some progressed. By early 1915 various units were accepting money gendarme officers with their men, however, began to filter back from the Germans and were giving aid and encouragement to the into Persia immediately. Initially dispersing to their homes, they small parties of Germans, such as those led by Erich Zugmayer soon found their way back into the newly-reorganized Govern- and Oskar Niedermayer, who were traveling through Persia ment Gendarmerie. towards Afghanistan with the object of gathering support for In Fārs, the gendarmes had not moved westwards after the Central Powers, and to Wilhelm Wassmuss in his attempts the Mohājarat from Tehran, as had large sections of other regi- to rouse the tribes of the Persian Gulf littoral against the British ments, but had remained at their posts in order to support the (see, inter alia, India Office Library, London, Departmental Papers: Politi- authority of the Committee of National Defense in Shiraz and cal and Secret Separate Files, 1902-31, P&S/10/484, p. 1389, Sir P. Cox, to hold the province for the nationalists. However by the spring Basra, to Govt. of India, 11 April 1915; P&S/10/484, p. 1434, O’Connor to of 1916 financial difficulties, a general decline in popular sup- Marling, 12 April 1915). port, and the demoralization among the nationalists caused by As 1915 progressed the struggle between the Allies and the the reverses suffered in the west combined to produce a climate Central Powers for control of the Persian government and the ripe for a pro-Allied counter-coup in Shiraz. The pro-British capital intensified. In November, in response to a Russian advance Ebrāhīm Khan Qawām-al-Molk, chief of the Ḵamsa tribe, with on Tehran, the nationalists fled the capital, intending to establish the help of the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, Sir Percy

24 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Cox (q.v.), assembled a tribal army and his son recaptured Shiraz now had command of the regiments since only three Swedes for the Allies. Towards the end of 1916 Sir Percy Sykes arrived remained. in Shiraz and incorporated the Fārs Gendarmerie into the new In the years from its reorganization in 1917 to the coup d’état British-officered force, the South Persia Rifles, he was respon- the Gendarmerie was undoubtedly the most significant military sible for raising. Within this force, however, the elements from force at the service of the Persian government and spearheaded the former Gendarmerie continued to constitute a politically its attempt to arrest the centrifugal tendencies so dangerously turbulent element (see FĀRS v). aggravated by the Great War and to reestablish its authority Although the bulk of the Gendarmerie had come out in open throughout the country. The Gendarmerie participated, sometimes support of the Committee of National Defense, a small percentage in cooperation with the Cossack Brigade (q.v.), in the campaigns of the first and second regiments, with headquarters at Tehran, of these years against the Jangalīs and the Bolsheviks in the a few hundred men and a handful of Swedish officers, had pre- Caspian provinces, against the Kurdish rebellion led by Esmāʿīl ferred neutrality, remaining loyal in the capital to their pro-Allied Āqā Semītqū (Sīmko) in Azerbaijan, as well as engaging in its Commandants. It was on this component of the Gendarmerie traditional duties of guarding the roads and suppressing banditry. that attention was now focused again. All Persian governments However the Gendarmerie’s political significance was un- throughout this period had remained committed to the principle doubtedly greater than its military role and it occupied a central of a Gendarmerie, and they possessed, in the Swedish and Persian place in the two most significant strategies adopted to halt the gendarmes who had remained at Tehran, the core around which country’s political and territorial disintegration and to restructure the force could be rebuilt. In August 1918, when Mīrzā Ḥasan and modernize the Persian state. These were, firstly, the proposals Khan Woṯūq-al-Dawla formed a government, one of his projects to rebuild the Persian state with British hegemony embodied in the was to re-form and re-arm the Government Gendarmerie and, Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919 (q.v.), and, secondly, the move- by the late autumn, he was making plans for the restoration of ment which culminated in the coup d’état of February 1921 (q.v.). order in the more accessible parts of the country using the force Despite the force’s nationalist identity, gendarme officers (Cronin, 1997a, pp. 42-43). were centrally involved in the work of the Anglo-Persian Military The Gendarmerie’s growth during the next two years was Commission, which was set up under the terms of the intensely rapid and extensive. By 1920 it numbered 3 Swedish officers, unpopular Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919, although their po- including the Commandant, 242 Persian officers and 8,158 men, litical outlook inevitably affected their contribution to that body. and by the time of the 1921 coup its strength had reached nearly The Commission was to report on Persia’s military needs and to 10,000 (Cronin, 1997a, p. 43). In the newly-reorganized force the make recommendations as to how best these needs might be met. Persian officer corps had much greater responsibilities and they to be continued

Winter 2016 25 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Making History: SEEMA GHIASSI KENNEDY, Britain’s First MP of Iranian Descent Kayhan London , September 5, 2016

Seema Ghiassi Kennedy has earned There, Ms. Kennedy grew up and went herself a spot in the history books: she is to school, enjoying English and history as the British Parliament’s first member of subjects, and doing well at sports – netball, and to “how precious it was.” Iranian descent, elected in May 2015 as the badminton, running. When the time came Eventually, she got involved with MP for South Ribble (in Lancashire, North to go to university,... Her father wanted her local conservatives, and in 2008, “I West England). Though she left Iran at the her to study law; she loved languages, and thought, why not try to become an MP? tender age of four, her Persian roots are still desperately wanted to learn French. One Maybe I’m good enough.” Victory was not a big part of who she is. day, flicking through a prospectus, she no- immediate: she lost to a Labour candidate We meet in the giant lobby of Portcul- ticed that Cambridge University offered the in 2010, before securing a parliamentary lis House, Parliament’s modern riverside option of studying French with Persian. “I seat in 2015. annex, where more than 200 MPs have thought, ‘This is the way I can get past my Ms. Kennedy’s Persian roots were not their offices. ... Ms. Kennedy does her best Dad!’” Her Cambridge studies gave her a hindrance at all, she says. The Conserva- to introduce Persian touches to her plate: good grounding in Persian literature and tive Party was mostly interested in the fact she requests rice – not potatoes – with her history, .... Ms. Kennedy spent a year in that she had spent most of her life in the chicken, and a dollop of yoghurt (or mast) Paris studying Farsi with the Iran scholar area. Overall, the British Parliament today on the side. Yann Richard. She “absolutely loved it” is much more ethnically diverse.... The MP’s British mother and Irani- there. Yet she also lived through an episode Diversity is “to be applauded. In all an father met and married in Blackburn, that helped determine her future political parties, we now have more women, people Lancashire, in the 1960s. At the time, her orientation. from ethnic minorities, people who are old- mother was training to be a nurse, and her “It was the year of the general strike er, who have more life experience, who are father was studying textiles and business in Paris,” she recalls. “I had to go to col- gay,” she says. ... Her agenda as an MP at Blackburn Technical College, which had lege on the boat. It was freezing cold. I nowadays is taken up with a wide range one of Britain’s first computers. thought, ‘This is no way to run a country.’ of topics. She spent the early part of 2016 In 1974 – six weeks after little Seema We didn’t get any post. We didn’t get our fighting to prevent the Persian-language was born – the couple moved to Iran, to bins emptied. It was ridiculous.” GCSE and A-level exams from being axed the Caspian Sea Coast (or Shomal as Ira- ... [so] Ms. Kennedy followed her fa- by exam boards starting in the summer of nians refer to it) where he owned and ran a ther’s wishes and got a Law conversion 2018. Thanks in part to her efforts,.... cotton mill. Ms. Kennedy still has distinct degree at the College of Law in London. Otherwise, her agenda is taken up with memories of that period. The family lived She became a solicitor, working for six local issues such as bus routes or WiFi on in a house in the center of Tehran with three years for Slaughter & May, where she met trains. Occasionally, far more urgent prob- levels; her grandmother, Aziz joon, lived on her husband. She then gave up her law lems need solving. .... the ground floor. Because Aziz joon spoke career to become a mother. One subject that is permanently on no English, little Seema acted as the transla- “Being a City lawyer wasn’t really Ms. Kennedy’s mind – being half-Iranian tor whenever British relatives visited. There compatible with having small children at may have something to do with it – is the were frequent trips to her uncle’s house in the time,” she explains. “They said, ‘You fate of the elderly in Britain, and the neglect Shomal, where everyone gathered in front can’t come back part-time.’” Seema went that they too often suffer. of a huge fire, and where the little girl once into the family business instead, manag- “They’re literally hidden behind their got sand kicked in her face. ing the Ghiassis’ commercial properties in doors, and nobody sees them. Some of The first four years of young Seema’s Lancashire, and doing lots of volunteer- these people could go for a week without life coincided with the most tumultuous ing on the side. With time, she became speaking to somebody. That’s just awful,” period in Iran’s modern history: the Islamic more and more politically aware. “Having she says. “It’s a moral issue, a financial is- Revolution. The little girl was conscious of the experience of coming from a country sue, and a health issue. The more isolated the turmoil around her. “You do remember where you cannot speak, where you cannot you are, the more likely you are to get ill. when all of these very profound things are express yourself, you realise how important What I can do as a parliamentarian is to happening around and about: You just no- democracy is,” she explains between fork- ask questions of government, and try to get tice people talking all the time,” she says. fuls of chicken and rice. them up the agenda.” “I can’t remember being unhappy, but I “My Dad always used to empha- At that point, duty calls the MP away. was very aware that things were going on size that to us all the time. He would say, After a firm handshake, she rushes off to in Iran, and that people’s lives were being ‘You’re so lucky to live in a free country: another corner of the Houses of Parliament. really disrupted.” You can say what you want, wear what you A group of schoolchildren have travelled all The revolution drove the family to want, vote for whoever you want.’” That the way to Lancashire to see her, and she leave Iran for Blackburn, in Lancashire. made her more alert to the political process, would hate to keep them waiting.

26 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E Iranian Tea, and his mausoleum, in the chaikhaneh on Vali Asr street contains one Tea city of Lahijan, houses the tea museum.” of the more interesting embellishments to Further reading reveals that Kashef emerge from tea house culture: teahouse in Iranian Culture Al Saltaneh’s other honorable titles in- painting. clude Prince Mohammad Mirza, Iranian A continuation of the royal paintings Compiled By: ambassador to India, and first mayor of from the Qajar era, tea house paintings FIROUZEH MIRRAZAVI Tehran. Moreover, the stash that com- illustrate religious and mythical themes, Deputy Editor of Iran Review menced the tea plantation might have actu- with Hakim Abu’l Qasim Firdowsi’s po- ally been 3,000 saplings! etic epic, Shahnameh, often the focus of Tea houses, or chaikhanehs, have many such illustrations. Every morning, in houses all over Iran, been in existence since the Persian Em- a gas burner flickers to life under a ket- pire. They gained prominence after the HOW TO BREW PERSIAN TEA tle that will continue to boil all day. It 15th century, when coffee was abandoned CREDIT TO: MY PERSIAN KITCHEN boils through morning prayers, lunches in favor of tea leaves that were easier to Any Persian will tell you that they of rice and kebabs, afternoon conver- come by through China’s Silk Road. love to drink Chai, pronounced Cha-ee. sation and late into the evening meal, Though once the purview of men, Tea, in general, is what Persians drink in sustaining talk of politics, gossip and chaikhanehs have increasingly become the morning, after each meal, and not to news well into the night. frequented by all members of society, and mention throughout the day. Additionally, especially by Iran’s large youth popula- the first drink that one if offered when vis- tion. iting someone else’s home is usually tea. Iranian tea comes in a variety of sub- All you need is a nice teapot, loose tle flavors, but its defining characteristic is tea, and a pinch of rose petals. its deep reddish-brown color, which tea- I like to use a mesh tea infuser to keep drinkers can choose to dilute with water the leaves from going onto the cup. You depending on their preference. Despite its don’t have to use one… cultivation in the country’s northern prov- Place a couple of generous pinches inces, other teas from Sri Lanka and India of loose tea and one pinch of rose petals are also widely consumed as the country in the teapot. imports a majority of its tea in order to Add boiling water. meet the large demand. Cover and let steep for about 5 to 10 The taking of tea is a ritual unto itself: minutes. Persians will usually place the most meetings or formal occasions will teapot on top of the kettle st it simmers begin with the offering of tea, and most on the stove in order to keep the tea warm. meals will end with it. Some chaikhanehs Here comes the Persian way of pour- have takhts, or low-rise platforms covered ing tea. First pour some of the hot tea The kettle contains tea, one of the in rugs and pillows that you may recline into the cup to check its color. It must be most important cornerstones of Iranian on. Remove your shoes before doing so; somewhat dark. Then pour the tea back culture, and the tea house is its centuries- most meals are served on a tablecloth laid into the tea pot. This will do two things: 1) old keeper. at your feet. it will warm up the cup and 2) it moves the Tea production is a major industry in Traditionally, tea is served from a tea inside the teapot around so that color the Caspian Sea area and a large part of its samovar, a heating vessel originally im- of the tea is even. If the color is light, let economy. Before 1900, there was no tea ported into Persia from Russia. Literally steep for a little longer. production in Iran, but in 1895, an Iranian meaning “self-boiler”, the samovar is used Then fill up one third to half of the diplomat named Kashef Al Saltaneh de- to keep water hot for prolonged periods cup with tea. cided to change that. of time through a fuel-filled pipe in the Pour hot water over it. And Voila! At the time the English had a strict middle of the structure that heats the con- You have Persian tea! monopoly of tea production in India, with tents surrounding it. Made from copper, rigid rules against non-Europeans engag- brass, silver or gold, the samovar is still ing in this trade. Kashef Al Saltaneh, who used throughout Russia, central Asia and had studied in Paris as a young man and Iran, and ornate versions from the -Qajar was fluent in French, went to India, posed dynasty may still be found in use. as a French businessman, learned the trade Chaikhanehs come in all shapes and and smuggled some tea saplings and seeds forms, from the simple kitchen-turned-tea to Iran. room in villages to ornate venues in urban After six years of experimentation, he centers, and from underground venues to introduced his first product to the market, popular tourist destinations. and started the industry that revolutionized The Azari Tea House in Tehran is one the economy of two northern states, Gilan of the most famous chaikhanehs known and Mazandaran, and made Iranians avid to tourists and locals, with its detailed tea drinkers. architecture and traditional decoration. He is known today as the father of In existence since the 14th century, this

Winter 2016 27 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E arithmetic, such as men constantly require in cases of inheritance, Al-Khwarizmi legacies, partition, law-suits, and trade, and in all their dealing with one another, or where the measuring of lands, the digging Persian Mathematician, of canals, geometrical computation, and other objects of various sorts and kinds are concerned.”3 Astronomer and Geographer The Arabic version of “The Compendious Book on Calcu- lation by Restoring and Balancing” has survived and consists of four parts. In the first part Al-Khwarizmi explains the funda- 2nd & last part mentals of algebra and introduces his systematic approach to solving linear and quadratic equations, which he classifies as six standard types of equations as follows (in all cases a, b and c are positive integers): Nasser Kanani, 1. bx = c 2. ax2 = bx (Prof. Dr.Ing. Dr. Habil.) Berlin 3. ax2 = c 4. ax2 + bx = c MEASUREMENT OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE 5. ax2 + c = bx OF THE EARTH 6. bx + c = ax2 To accomplish a desire of Caliph al-Ma′mun, al-Khwarizmi Given that the coefficients a, b and c are to be positive, it is joined a team of Muslim scholars consisting of geographers, seen that al-Khwarizmi’s systemization covers all possible forms astronomers and mathematicians, who were commissioned to of linear and quadratic equations. measure the circumference of the Earth, which had long been As one can see, the above equations are expressed in accor- known to be spherical, by determining the length of a degree dance with the language of modern mathematics. It goes without of a meridian. saying that at the time of al-Khwarizmi this type of mathematical The men of science travelled a north-south road in the plain notation had not yet been invented so that he had to use ordinary of Sinjār in Iraq until they observed a change of one degree language to define the equations. He expressed them entirely in in the meridian. They measured the distance travelled to the words calling x “shay”, meaning thing, and x2 “māl”, signify- amount of 115,350 kilometers. By calculating 115,350×360° ing wealth, and the coefficients a, b, c “dirham”, meaning coin. they succeeded in determining the Earth’s circumference to be Al-Khwarizmi goes on to show how to solve the six standard 41,526 kilometers, which is amazingly accurate in comparison types of equations by both algebraic and geometric methods of to the modern value of 40,075 or 40,007 kilometers (equatorial solution. He then explains the basic algebraic reckoning with or meridional, respectively). expressions involving an unknown or square roots and discusses six examples of problems each ending with one of the six basic MATHEMATICAL WORKS equations. He also demonstrates how to multiply out expres- In addition to his works in astronomy, al-Khwarizmi made sions such as (a + bx) × (c + dx) and also discusses methods of important strides in mathematics. In fact, his everlasting fame extracting square roots. is based on his achievements in this field of science. He is con- The second part of the book contains a few considerations on sidered the greatest among the Muslim mathematicians and the the application of the Rule of Three5 to commercial transactions. founder of some of the most important concepts of mathematics. Part three covers surfaces and volumes of elementary plane and The eminent Belgian-American science historian, George Sarton solid figures such as the circle, sphere, cone, and pyramid, mostly (1884-1956), has described him as: “... the greatest mathemati- without any use of algebra. It also looks at rules for measuring of cian of the time, and if one takes all the circumstances into ac- lands, the digging of canals. Part four, which is the final and the count, one of the greatest of all time....”1 longest chapter of the book, is devoted to the application of al- Al-Khwarizmi is in particular well-known for his books on gebraic methods to a wide range of problems in trade, surveying, algebra and arithmetic. lawsuits, partition, legacies and inheritance. In Particular, it deals with the complicated Islamic rules for inheritance and resolves ALGEBRA problems regarding the division of money and real estate accord- Al-Khwarizmi’s most famous and exceedingly influential ing to the complex requirements of the Islamic inheritance laws. work in the realm of mathematics was his Magnus Opus entitled To sum up, “The Compendious Book on Calculation by “The Compendious Book on Calculation by Restoring and Bal- Restoring and Balancing” is a practical book replete with worked ancing”, which was written around 830 CE under the patronage examples and applications. Solomon Gandz (1883-1954), a histo- of Caliph al-Ma‘mun. He was the first mathematician to use rian of science from Austria, gives this opinion of al-Khwarizmi’s the two expressions “al-jabr” (restoring) and “al-muqābala” algebra: “Al-Khwarizmi’s algebra is regarded as the foundation (balancing) in the title of his book to designate algebra as a and cornerstone of the sciences. In a sense, al-Khwarizmi is more separate discipline.2 In the preface, he described the purpose of entitled to be called “the father of algebra” because he is the first his book as follows: to teach algebra in an elementary form and for its own sake.”6 “That fondness for science, by which God has distinguished Roshdi Rashed (1936-), an Egyptian-French scholar, char- the Imam al-Ma‘mun, the Commander of the Faithful...that af- acterizes al-Khwarizmi’s concept of algebra as follows: fability and condescension which he shows to the learned,... has “Al-Khwarizmi’s concept of algebra can now be grasped encouraged me to compose a short work on calculating by al-jabr with greater precision; it concerns the theory of linear and qua- and al-muqābala, confining it to what is easiest and most useful in dratic equations with a single unknown. If al-Khwarizmi was

28 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E confined to the second degree at best, it was simply through the means of the following five notation of solution and proof in the new discipline. The solu- simple steps:12 tion had to be general and calculable at the same time and in a 1. First, break down mathematical fashion, that is, geometrically founded. In fact, only each problem into a number a solution by means of the proof answered to al-Khwarizmi’s of elemental steps. An el- requirements.”7 emental step is one, which cannot be simplified any ARITHMETIC further. 2. Second, arrange Around 825 CE, al-Khwarizmi wrote a treatise on arithmetic all the elemental steps in an entitled “The Book of Addition and Subtraction according to the order or sequence, such that Hindu Calculation”, or for short, “Hindu Art of Reckoning.” each step can be taken up In this book, in which al-Khwarizmi explicitly confirmed the and solved one at a time, Indian influence on his arithmetic, he introduced the modified without affecting other Hindu numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0) and described the parts of the problem. 3. place-value decimal system of numerals. In particular, he stressed Third, find a way to solve the dominant role of zero as a numeral in its own right and of each of the elemental steps fundamental importance. separately. Because each el- The following passage from al-Khwarizmi’s book on Alge- emental step has been sim- bra gives an idea of his depth of abstraction and understanding plified to the maximum, it of numbers: “When I consider what people generally want in is very likely that the solu- calculating, I found that it always is a number. I also observed tion of an elemental step will itself be extremely simple making that every number is composed of units, and that any number it available with relative ease. 4. Forth, proceed to solve each may be divided into units. Moreover, I found that every number elemental step, either one at a time or several at a time, but in which may be expressed from one to ten, surpasses the preceding the correct order. 5. Fifth, when all elemental steps are solved, by one unit: afterwards the ten is doubled or tripled just as before the original problem itself has also been solved. the units were: thus arise twenty, thirty, etc. until a hundred; then The following citation taken from al-Khwarizmi’s book on the hundred is doubled and tripled in the same manner as the algebra shows how he used to define an algebraic equation in units and the tens, up to a thousand; the thousand can be thus words, and demonstrates the logical order he followed to solve it. repeated at any complex number; so forth to the utmost limit of “One māl and ten shay are equal to thirty nine dirham.” numeration.”8 Al-Khwarizmi had fully grasped the revolutionary “The question in this type of equation is as follows: what concept of zero, which was to change the future of mathematics is the square, which combined with ten of its roots, will give a and many other fields of science for that matter. He had realized sum total of 39? The manner of solving this type of equation is how important it was to use zero as a place-holder9 in positional to take one-half of the roots just mentioned. Now the roots in the base notation of numerals. In addition, he provided methods for problem before us are 10. Therefore take 5, which multiplied by arithmetical calculations, and it is believed that he also included itself gives 25, an amount which you add to 39 giving 64. Having a procedure for finding square roots. taken then the square root of this, which is 8, subtract from it half Al-Khwarizmi’s book on “Hindu Art of Reckoning” was the roots, 5 leaving 3. The number three therefore represents the principally responsible for spreading the Indian system of nu- root of this square, which itself, of course is 9. Nine therefore meration in the Islamic world. The use of these numbers spread gives the square.” In modern notation, the above equation may be throughout the Muslim world over the next two centuries, leading written as x2 + 10x = 39. Following the al-Khwarizmi’s proposed to the speedy development and progress of science. method the solution is: The original Arabic version of “Hindu Art of Reckoning” (x+5)2 = 39 + 25 = 64 x + 5 = √64 = ± 8 was lost but a Latin translation of it entitled “Algoritmi10 de According to modern mathematics the quadratic equation numero Indorum” survived and it was this Latin version that in- involved has two solutions (+8 and -8). Since al-Khwarizmi was troduced the Hindu numerals to Europe, now generally known as unable to accept the existence of negative numbers, he did not take Arabic numerals. The introduction of Hindu place-value system into consideration -8 as a root for this equation and he accepted of numerals and zero as a place-holder in positional base notation only +8. Consequently, he came to the conclusion that x = 8 - 5 is probably one of Al-Khwarizmi’s most important contributions. = 3. After al-Khwarizmi, other Muslim mathematicians built on his concrete ideas of algebra and arithmetic. LEGACY “Of all the great thinkers who have enriched the diverse LATIN TRANSLATIONS OF branches of knowledge during the era of early Islam, Muhammad AL-KHWARIZMI’S WORKS bin Musa Khwarizmi occupies an outstanding place. Being one Al-Andalus was the geographic term Muslim Arabs used of the greatest scientists of all times and the greatest of his age, to denote those areas of Spain that came under their control in Khwarizmi was a versatile genius, who made lasting contribu- the Middle Ages for 781 years (from 711 to 1492 CE). Cordoba, tions to the field of Mathematics, Astronomy, Music, Geography the capital of Muslim Spain, became soon the center for intel- and History.”11 Al-Khwarizmi left among others a Golden Rule lectual enlightenment and learning. Scholars from various parts for the world to create science with. He himself used it to solve of Europe were attracted to Cordoba to study Arabic and Islamic many major problems of algebra, geometry, astronomy, and in sciences. Al-Khwarizmi’s books were also brought to al-Andalus other fields of science. This Golden Rule henceforth referred to and were translated into Latin in the early 12th century. These as algorithm states that all complex problems can be solved by Latin translations exerted enormous influence on the development

Winter 2016 29 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E of science in Europe and had a profound impact on the advance and poet, Alexandre de Villedieu (1175-1240), and “Algorismus of mathematics, astronomy and geography. Al-Khwarizmi has vulgaris” written in the thirteenth century by the English monk been held in high esteem throughout the centuries since then. and astronomer, Johannis de Sacrobosco (1195-1256), owe a lot to al-Khwarizmi’s book and were used for several hundred ZIJ AL-SIND-HIND years in Europe. In the tenth century the Spanish astronomer Maslamah ibn Ahmad al-Majriti (c. 1000) made a critical revision of the original FOOT NOTES: Arabic treatise of al-Khwarizmi’s Zij al-Sind-hind, which later 1. George Sarton: “Introduction to the History of Science,” Volume 1, “The Time of al-Khwarizmi,” Carnegie Institution, Washington, 1927, pp. 563-564 was lost. It is assumed that al-Khwarizmi’s detailed trigonometric 2. Restoring and balancing refer to the transposition of terms in a given algebraic tables containing the sine functions were probably extrapolated equation. Restoring is the process of removing negative quantities from the equa- to tangent functions by al-Majriti.13 The al-Majriti’s revision was tion by adding the same quantities to each side. For example, the algebraic equation x – 2 = 12 becomes x – 2 + 2 = 12 + 2 through “restoring,” and as a consequence translated into Latin presumably by Adelard of Bath (1080-1152) one obtains x = 14. Balancing is the process of cancelling out quantities of the same 14 in 1126. This Latin translation made al-Khwarizmi’s Zij into type on both side of a given equation. For instance, the algebraic equation x + 3 = the western canon of astronomical and mathematical studies. 7 + 3 turns into x = 7 by “balancing” the two equal numbers 3. By the help of these two operations it is possible to convert any algebraic equation into its simplest form. 3. As quoted in “The Teaching of Mathematics” by Victor J. Katz, see ALGEBRA – http://curriculumredesign.org/wp-content/uploads/Stockholm-Katz-slides- 15 Al-Khwarizmi’s World Map Al-Khwarizmi’s work on algebra was translated into Latin 17APR2013.pdf 4. “Al-Khwarizmi’s Six Types of Rhetorical Algebraic Equations” translated and by the English scholar Robert of Chester in 1145 CE, and another annotated by Louis C. Karpinski, in “A Source Book in Medieval Science” edited Latin version was done by the Italian translator, Gherardo da by Edward Grant, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (USA), 1974, pp. 106-110 Cremona (1117-1187) in 1150 CE.16 The Spanish scholar, Juan 5. The Rule of Three is a shorthand version for a particular form of cross-multipli- Hispalense or John of Seville (?-1180), produced another Latin cation. For an equation of the form a/b = c/x, the Rule of Three states that x = bc/a. 6. Solomon Gandz: “The Sources of al-Khwarizmi’s Algebra,” Osiris, i (1936), translation. These Latin translations were used as textbooks in pp. 263-277 various European universities till as late as the 16th century. It 7.Roshdi Rashed: “al-Khwarizmi’s Concept of Algebra”, in “Arab Civilization – was due to these Latin versions that the term algebra found its Challenges and Responses”, Studies in Honor of Constantine K. Zurayk, edited by 17 George N. Atiyeh and Ibrahim M. Oweiss, published by State University of New way into the European languages. York Press, Albany, 1988, p. 104 In the course of time European mathematicians discovered 8. “The Algebra of Mohammed Ben Musa,” edited and translated by Frederic Rosen, the outstanding significance of al-Khwarizmi’s work and began to Kessinger Publishing LLC, London, 1831, p. 3 9. As an example, the number 508 contains a zero as a place-holder, since it means apprehend that he not only had initiated the subject in a systematic that there are 5 hundreds, 0 tens, and 8 ones. form, but had also demonstrated how to solve linear and quadratic 10. It is to be noted at this stage that in the course of time, Algoritmi, the Latin cor- equations. During the time of Renaissance, al-Khwarizmi was ruption of al-Khwarizmi’s name, metamorphosed into algorithm. 11. Ahmad Kh. Jamil: “Hundred Great Muslims,” Library of Islam, Des Plaines, classified as being the “original inventor and founder of algebra.” IL U.S.A., 1987, p. 140 12. http://kenatica.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/the-golden-principle-of-al-khwariz- ARITHMETIC mi-algorithm/ 13. George Sarton: “Introduction to the History of Science,” Volume 1, “The Time Al-Khwarizmi’s treatise on “Hindu Art of Reckoning” sur- of al-Khwarizmi,” Carnegie Institution, Washington, 1927, pp. 563-564 vived only in its Latin translation most probably done by Adelard 14. Four manuscripts of this Latin translation have survived and are kept at the of Bath in the 12th century. This Latin translation, henceforth Bibliothèque Publique (Chartres), the Bibliothèque Mazarine (Paris), the Biblioteca 18 Nacional (Madrid) and the Bodleian Library (Oxford). referred to as “Algoritmi de numero Indorum” , had a twofold 15. A unique Arabic copy of Al-Khwarizmi’s algebra that was kept at The Bodle- effect: On the one hand it introduced to Europe the numbers that ian Library of the University of Oxford was translated in 1831 by Frederic Rosen are called “Arabic numerals,” on the other hand it gave rise to the into English. 16. Both, Adelard of Bath and Gerard of Cremona were scholars in the Translation word algorithm deriving from al-Khwarizmi’s name rendered in School of Toledo in Spain where a great number of books were translated from 19 Latin as Algoritmi. The term “Arabic numerals” comes from the Arabic into Latin. fact that Europe learned of them from the al-Khwarizmi’s Arabic 17. European scholars and monks who studied the Latin translation of Al-Khwariz- mi’s algebra often would simply shorten the long Arabic title to the words al-jabir. text. It should be reminded however that al-Khwarizmi himself Using the characters of the Latin alphabet to transliterate al-jabir, it became algebra. had called them “Hindu numerals.” Today these numbers are 18. The Latin translation was originally untitled and commonly referred to by the correctly described as Hindu-Arabic numerals. first two words with which it started: Dixit algoritmi (“So said al-Khwarizmi”). The term algorithm came to mean in medieval Europe the Using these two words and taking into consideration the content of the original Arabic text, Baldassarre Boncompagni (1821-1894), an Italian science historian whole system of decimal numbers and arithmetical operations who printed the Latin manuscript in 1857 after its discovery, suggested “Algoritmi such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as de numero Indorum” (“Al-Khwarizmi on the Hindu Art of Reckoning”) as the title well as extracting of square root.20 Later on, it came to denote for the Latin translation. 19. Al-Khwarizmi’s name is the origin of guarismo in Spanish and algarismo in any regular process of solving problems by following a finite Portuguese, both meaning digit. number of logical steps.21 The Arabic numerals introduced by 20. An early German mathematical dictionary “Volltandiges Mathematisches al-Khwarizmi, like much of his new mathematics, were not wel- Lexicon” (Leipzig, 1747), gives the following definition for the German word Algorithmus: “Under this designation are combined the notions of the four types of comed in Europe wholeheartedly. In 1299 there was a law in the arithmetic calculations, namely addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division.” commercial center of Florence (Italy) forbidding the use of the 21. The Latin phrase algorithmus infinitesimalis invented by the German polymath Arabic numerals.22 The idea of zero was met with great skepti- Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) was to denote “ways of calculation with infinitely small quantities.” Nowadays, any algorithm refers to a set of in- cism. Many mathematicians even as late as Renaissance Europe structions and numerical calculations that produces various kinds of results when believed zero to be a “worthless nothing.”23 The Arabic numerals carried out. Algorithms are critical to computers, programming, engineering, and along with zero were finally accepted during the 16th century. software design. 22. Dirk Jan Strujk: “The Prohibition of the Use of Arabic Numerals in Florence,” Al-Khwarizmi’s influence in the realm of arithmetic was Archives internationales d’histoire des sciences, 84-85, 1968, pp. 291-295 tremendous. Two important books on arithmetic, “Carmen de 23. After its introduction by al-Khwarizmi, zero was used in the Islamic world for Algorismo” written in the twelfth century by the French teacher about 250 years before the Western world ever knew of it.

30 No. 84 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E An Interview with your Iranian parents handled your diversion from political Maziar (Maz) Jobrani science to acting and comedy?

Comedian and Actor I had started to do plays when I was twelve years old and wanted to act and do Shahrokh Ahkami standup as a profession. But my Iranian parents were not supportive of a career I am delighted to have the that would be so unpredictable. They opportunity to interview a very wanted something more secure like a ca- funny man. Besides being reer in law. It took a lot of back and forth a prominent comedian and discussion. Eventually I realized that you actor, there is Maz, the son, live once and you should live your life Maz the husband and Maz the pursuing your passion rather than trying to father. During this interview I please your parents or anyone for that mat- would like to introduce all of ter. They were shocked when I dropped Maz to our readers. out of the Ph.D. program, but came around Let’s begin with some background. to be very supportive. Where were you born? or your family encounter any difficulties? What were the difficulties you I was born in Tehran on February met in on your career path 26, 1972. When I was six we moved to I was six so at the time I was just both personal and California. looking to play with other kids. When we professionally? first came to America my father was on Before we get into your move business and we stayed at the Plaza Hotel I loved what I was doing so I really to the United States, can in NYC across from one of the biggest didn’t see any of it as difficulties. Sure you tell us a bit about your toy stores in the world FAO Schwarz. So, there was the realization that coming from parents? as a kid I thought it was pretty cool to a Middle Eastern background some of the be in New York. I think it must’ve been early roles I was going out on were ter- Sure, my father was from a city harder for my parents to adjust. They had rorist parts. However, I quickly realized named Tabriz in the northern part of Iran to leave the country where they grew up I didn’t want to do those parts and let my and my mom was from Tehran. Her fam- and come to a foreign land they didn’t agents know. I haven’t auditioned for one ily were originally from a town called know very well. of those parts in over 15 years now. Hamedan. My father was a successful businessman while my mom was a house- Your family settled in Tibu- You are part of the “Axis wife who raised us. ron, California just outside of of Evil” comedy group, can San Francisco. you tell us how and why this Do you have any memories of It is interesting that your group was formed and who Iran while you lived there? studies at the University of else is part of this group? California, Berkeley were in I left when I was six so most of my political science and Italian, I was part of that group. We haven’t memories was playing with my friends how did you come to be toured together since the end of 2007. I and relatives. We loved Spider Man, Zor- interested in these subjects? have been touring solo and now have three ro, Muhammad Ali and all other things Showtime comedy specials. That said, we little boys loved. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. came together in the year 2000 when Mitzi I figured the best thing to study in under- Shore, the owner of the Comedy Store in If you can, elaborate on the grad for that occupation was political sci- Los Angeles felt like there was going to reasons for your move to the ence. While I was at California, Berkeley be a need for a positive voice for Middle States. I decided to study Italian and also did a Easterners and Muslims in the west in year abroad in Italy. It was one of the best the near future. This was before 9/11. She Simple, the Iranian revolution was years of my life and to this day I recom- put us together and called it the Arabian happening and my family left. It was late mend students in college to try to study Knights Show. 1978 and there were protests in the streets. abroad for one year. Eventually me, Ahmed Ahmed and Anyone who had been successful under Aron Kader changed the name to the Axis the Shah stood to be in danger so many I have read that you were also of Evil Comedy Tour and shot it as a spe- people left around that time. enrolled in a Ph.D program cial on Comedy Central that came out in at UCLA, but you decided early 2007. It really helped launch all of What kind of personal impact to pursue your childhood our careers. did this move have on you and dream of acting and comedy. your family? Did you find it Please tell us how this dream What, why and how did you easy to assimilate? Did you developed for you and how decide to make the subject

Winter 2016 31 T H E A R T S & C U L T U R E of your comedy performance to be a good comedian and it takes more this in their own households? racism and race relations, time to be a great comedian. I hope to get Islamophobia, Iranian better and better every day. I tell young I really want my kids to learn about culture, Islam in the United comedians that you have to get on stage their backgrounds, but it’s really hard in States and Middle East? Do 5-10 times a week and do that for 10 years this day and age. I try to keep teaching you think this subject specific before you get good at it. I’ve been doing them some Persian words and I really am comedy has enhanced or it for 18 years and I keep going! hoping to find a fun way for them to learn hindered your comic career more about Iran. If I could travel to Iran and in what ways? Just a few more questions on I would go and take them. I’m not sure if your professional life, if you the current regime would welcome me. Well if you were to see my current do not mind. You have many I went back about 20 years ago when standup you would see that I take on many credits in both TV and movies, my father was still alive. I really loved see- more subjects than that. I have a lot of recently I have read that you ing Iran, but I was only there for 2 weeks. material on my kids nowadays because are more discriminate about It felt a little depressing too because of they’re a big part of my life. You write the roles you would now play, the lack of opportunity for young people. about what you know and what your ex- why the change? periences are. I have read many articles in I still write a lot about issues concern- Again the main thing I won’t play are which you have commented ing Middle Easterners in the US because terrorist parts. I feel there’s enough nega- on politics etc., I am not ask- there’s a lot of anti-Middle Eastern senti- tivity against people from that part of the ing you to do that here as we ment in this country and I find it ridicu- world without adding to it with negative believe everyone has the right lous. With Trump and what’s going on I depictions in movies and TV. to have his or own personal think there’s a need for someone like me opinion. to keep talking about these subjects and Let’s turn now to the private Do you, however, believe that try to show how ridiculous it is to hate side of Maz. How did you it is important for Iranian- any one group. meet your wife? Americans to be more engaged in their communities It is interesting to me to hear Through a friend who was at the same or should to continue to as- comments from my non – Ira- law firm as her. similate as they have done? nian friends after they have attended your performance. Tell us about your two I definitely think we should be in- Following your acts, 99% of children? volved with politics. This is our country the comments are positive and now and if we sit on the sidelines we will they believe they learned more I have a five year old girl and an eight not be counted and our rights won’t be about Iranians. year old boy. Anyone who has kids will met. We have to get involved! They see them in a very tell you they’re the best thing in the world. different and positive light They’re tiring but also wonderful! How do you spend your free and are now educated on time? I know you sit on the the difference of an Iranian You have a great combination board of the Persian versus an Arab. Do you agree of ethnic culture between your American Cancer Institute? with this, do you get the same wife and you, how important Do you still sit on the board? feedback and is it the premise is it for you to keep your of your subject matter? cultures alive in your children Yes, I am involved with PACI. They and can you give our readers do great work and I suggest people look I just talk about what I think is funny. advice on how to accomplish them up and get involved. I also like to If you come to my shows you will see play soccer with my friends and I try to that there’s a good mix of people. I think exercise a few times a week. that we have a lot more in common than you would think. I love having a diverse Do you have an opinion on audience and it feels like most of them the future of Iranian enjoy themselves. Americans?

Are you happy where your I think we’re making some noise in career has taken you thus the US and I feel optimistic about our far and do you believe it is future. possible for you to achieve a higher level in your career as Do you have any words of a comedian? wisdom that you would like to give the next generation? Yes, I’m happy with where I am and I continue to grow every day. It takes time Find what you love to do and go for it!

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Gendarmerie 23 Zine Does Not Have Any Confirmed Knowledge As to the Truth and Ve­Racity of These Articles

Gendarmerie 23 Zine Does Not Have Any Confirmed Knowledge As to the Truth and VeRacity of These Articles