Turkey :-(

Feeling terrible to see the news from Turkey :-( It's just sad to see how priceless workers life is for government officials and owners :-(

:-(

New Facebook movement from Iran, Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women

Since the early days of Iranian revolution and the new restrictions which was imposed on women clothing by the government, the Iranian women has never given up. Unlike Iranian men, the brave Iranian women never gave up in front of radical religious authorities which were afraid of their freedom. Recently Iranian women has started a new movement publishing their photos without Hijab on Facebook (click to see the page) :) This is a part of the 30 years old battle of Iranian women against forced Hijab ... This is a report from Yahoo UK on this matter. 

Funny thing is that on the other hand in some countries in Europe where freedom is supposed to be respected, some women can not wear Hijab at work. I have lived more than 20 years of my life in Iran under restrictions from a conservative government. What I've learned is that never press minorities for their believes. So although I don't believe in Hijab, I think it is wrong to ban people from harmless actions like covering their hair because of their believes.

Officially Shahab

Perfect shot from Beijing

Anyone who has visited Beijing (specially the old town) knows Beijing is like a fort. It feels like a military spirit has covered the whole city. You could think yeah right, this is typical communist countries, however in other grand Chinese cities you do not see such thing and actually see the police in charge. However in Beijing it looks like the red army rules ...
This said, it doesn't mean one would not enjoy the ancient cultural spirit which could be found overall in Beijing. It for sure is one of the best cities I've visited and for last but not least where I tasted one of the best foods, the Beijing duck :-)

This photo which I saw on the news, really stunned me for a minute and had to post it on my blog here and write about it. I don't know the photographer, but I should admire her / him to the highest regards. Perfect shot, showing the military spirit of Beijing and even shadows are reflecting typical Chinese faces ...

Source: TIME

Source : TIME magazine website

Family Table ...

One of the best collection of touching photos called Family Table from Steve McCurry weblog :-) These pictures first of all made me miss my own family table even more ... Anyway enjoy the perfect collection :-)

The family is the nucleus of civilization.- Will Durant

Perugia, Italy

Researchers have confirmed what parents have known for a long time;
sharing a family meal is good for the spirit,
the brain and the health of all family members.
- Anne Fishel, Ph.D.

India

In family life, love is the oil that eases friction,
the cement that binds closer together, and
the music that brings harmony.
– Eva Burrows

Viet Tri City, Vietnam

Honduras

There is no better classroom
than the family table.
- Kaye Earle

Tibet

Burma

Other things may change us,
but we start and end with the family.
- Anthony Brandt

 
Sri Lanka

India

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
- Jane Howard

Lebanon

Indonesia during monsoon season

You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you,
but at the same time you carry them with you
in your heart, your mind, your stomach,
because you do not just live in a world.
A world lives in you.
- Frederick Buechner

Macedonia

Pakistan

Burma

Our family dinner table was like Speakers’ Corner in London.
We discussed, debated, argued, declaimed -
all of us at the same time.
- E. Thomson Earl

Hungary

Afghanistan

R.I.P. Mandela

Mandela is not among us any more ... It's sad to loose a peace prize winner that actually acted the same way after coming to power ... A human rights activist that the power did not change him ... Not everyone is like him, not even peace prize winners ...

Morsi left, I am happy, but I am worried for democracy ...

Tanks are tanks & a coup is a coup ... When there are demonstrations out there and people are chanting in the streets why the hell should the army bring the tanks to the streets ??? Morsi with all his mistakes and (evil) plans was an elected president. The elected president seat should be respected and what army did was not something to celebrate in my eyes. People have the right to remove even an elected president, but not the military !!! Yesterday Egyptian military started a tradition that made me worried. Not about this Egyptian government (as I dislike conservatives), but the next chosen ones who might also have conflict with the military.
Update : There is no next one with free election. It was a coup and president Mubarak is free now !!!

Photo taken from CNN.com on 04.07.13 (Spender Plant Photos)

& another life would go on, but in memory of a beloved one :-)

Almost one year ago my grandmother (Mamanjan) passed away. Exactly one year ago I started Mamanjan Family Foundation in memory of my dear grandmother. One year has passed and Mamanjan family foundation has now proudly sponsored a child in Iran in this period of time. This girl is a talented girl which we have put our hope in her. 

We hope she lives her life, enjoy each second of it and make her own choices for her future life. 

May our mamanjan rest in peace ...

I had my serious differences with my grandmother. I had a huge generation gap with her. I did not believe in her believes, made fun of her believes and got mad at her because of some of her believes and vice versa. I think she also prayed numerous number of times so I would find my way back (her way). Not surprisingly non of us did change our mind, however the love between a grandmother and grandson remained :-)

Rest in peace Mamanjan :-)

Shahab
03.02.2012
Officially ME ...