at most four are awarded during a President’s term of Chavez is my brother, the brother of the whole Iranian office. nation and of all freedom seeking people in the world... he is a perpetual warrior against the dominant system, a worshiper of God and a servant of the people" (Reference D.) In reciprocation of this fulsome praise, during a visit to Venezuela, Chavez presented him, on September 18th, with the Order of Liberator saying, "We are awarding the Liberator Medal to President Ahmedinejad in order to tell the free nation of Iran that we have realized their freedom and resistance and that we side by them" Figure 18: President Khatatni presents the Supreme Medal (Reference E). of Independence and sash to Mir-Hossein Mousavi. President Mohammad Khatami, in an official ceremony on July 14, 2005, awarded a sash and a Supreme Medal of Independence to Mir-Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister (Figure 18) (Reference C). This medal is suspended by a green ribbon with narrow white edge stripes. The Order of Liberty is awarded to those who are already recipients of the First Class of one of the specialized or general orders and who have continued in their effort in Figure 19: Venezuelan President Hugo Chevez. realizing the sacred objectives of the Islamic system. This is a single degree award, and at most eight are awarded The Order of the Islamic Republic has three grades that during a President’s term of office. are awarded, upon nomination by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the approval of the Council of Ministers, as The Order of the Islamic Republic is awarded to follows: Presidents, Kings, and other high ranking foreigners, heads of international organizations, or cultural or ¯ 1 st Class - Presidents, Prime Ministers, and persons political celebrities in acknowledgement of: of similar rank. ¯ 2nd Class - Ministers and persons of similar rank. ¯ l- The promotion of Islam and the ideology of the 3rd Class - Ambassadors and persons of similar Islamic Revolution. rank. 2- Defending the rights of the underprivileged. 3- Defense of the independence of their nation from Specialized Orders cultural, economic and political colonialism 4- Defense of their nation from the invasion of All of the general and specialized orders listed below superpowers or their subordinates. are of three grades, which in any one year are limited in 5- Securing liberty and human rights for their number as follows: nations. 6- Support of Iran in international relations. 1st Class specialized orders - at most 5. 7- Securing anti-arrogance positions. 2nd Class specialized orders - at most 10. 8- Co-operation in the establishment or development 3rd Class specialized orders - at most 15. of healthy relations between Iran and their own nations. 1 st Class general orders - at most 3. 9- Support for the establishment of global peace, 2nd Class general orders - at most 5. security and welfare. 3rd Class general orders - at most 7. Finally, during the state visit to Iran in the summer of These awards are accompanied by a monetary benefit 2006 by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President as follows: Ahmadinejad, at a ceremony at Tehran University on July 30th, presented Chavez with the Order of the Islamic 1st Class - 50 Yek-BaharAzadi gold coins. Republic of Iran (Figure 19). In presenting the blue and 2nd Class - 30 Yek-BaharAzadi gold coins. white sash and star of the order Ahmedinejad stated, "Mr. 3rd Class - 20 Yek-BaharAzadi gold coins. 20 JOMSA Maadiran Group of Companies in acknowledgement of The Order of Knowledge is awarded to persons who the role the company has played in promoting industry demonstrate considerable and rare endeavor in the and employment in Iran. In addition he also awarded promotion of the scientific level of the nation through: the Order of Merit to Sir Mahmood Amiri, chairman of the board of Iran Office Machines Group (Maadiran), Valuable scientific works and publications. in recognition of 40 years service in the fields of office Honest effort and service in the promotion of the machines and related industries (Reference F). scientific level of students through lecturing in the universities of the nation. Figure 21: The Order of Merit and Management. Figure 20: Obverse of the Order of Research. Later that month on July 28, 2004 the President presented the state Medal of Honor to the President of Iran’s The Order of Research (Figure 20) is awarded to persons Football Federation Mohammad Daadkan - a total of 28 who contribute to principal or rare changes in one of the recipients were so honored at this particular presentation following instances: (References F and H). 1- Provision of new research methods. It would appear that certificates accompany awards and 2- Studies and research that contribute to scientific one such certificate is illustrated in Figure 22. improvement. 3- Discovery of new research methods. 4- Transfer of basic research to applied domains The inscription translates as follows: 5- Any kind of important innovation, invention, and exploration. This is a reward for your effort and we are thankful for this (Holy Quran) Honorable Sir Mahmood Amiri, The Order of Merit and Management (Figure 21) is In accordance with Law 129 of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this certificate of merit is awarded to you for awarded to those who play effective roles in the execution your fabulous services provided to the holy system of "divine commandments and punishments" and the of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Honorable Sir, this establishment of justice in society as follows: certificate awards (order) to you to be on the second level of merit and excellence. 1- Effort in scientific and technical compilation of regulations. Syed Muhammad Khatami, 2- Worthy records in the realms of justice or President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. legislation. 3- Defending justice and giving people what is General Orders lawfully theirs. 4- Detection and prosecution of crime. The Order of Development is awarded to individuals In 2004 President Saeed Mohammad Khatami presented who have showed considerable effort in one of the the Order of Honor in Merit and Management to the following areas, in appreciation of their endeavor in the Vol. 59, No. 3 21 Figure 22: Certificate for the Republic of lran awards. development of the nation: 2- Proper use of technical facilities and economic resources. 1- Development of the nation - especially in deprived 3- Planning or implementation of important industrial areas. and agricultural plans. 2- Reconstruction of areas damaged by disaster and 4- Innovation in the promotion of work andproduction war. methods and increase in productivity. 3- Provision of successful development plans and 5- Increasing technical and vocational levels. programs. 6- Establishment of the best human and Islamic 4- Raising the quality and quantity of products which are vital to the economic development of the relations at work. nation. A recipient of the Third Class of this Order is the current The Order of Service is awarded to individuals who have Defence Minister, formerly Revolutionary Guardsman, achieved considerable success in the following areas : Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar. 1- Continuous and honest effort in providing services The Order of Courage is awarded to individuals who are and performing duties. successful in view of this high human quality, in one of 2- Providing deprived and underprivileged people the following domains: with relief work. 1- Being a volunteer in performing difficult works The Order of Work and Production is awarded to that are of special importance to the nation. individuals who have achieved remarkable improvements 2- Accept risky state missions or important social in the spheres of industry and agriculture in one of the duties that may have probable risks. following areas: 3- Proper and worthy use of their body powers and capacities in order to achieve a sacred objective. 1- Increase in the production capacity of the nation in quality and quantity. Following the success of the "Iranian Hercules" Hossein 22 JOMSA .