3/12/2024 0 Comments Charah istanbul iran proud![]() ![]() "It's very regrettable to see a horrible tragedy so far reaching as the Holocaust being denied. President Ahmedinejad has repeatedly used anti-Israeli rhetoric Mr Mohtamed has been outspoken in his condemnation of the president's views - in itself a sign that there is some space for Jews in Iran to express themselves. Mr Ahmedinejad has repeatedly used rabid anti-Israeli rhetoric - slogans like "wipe Israel off the map" - and most controversially he has questioned the number killed in the Holocaust during World War II. Mr Mohtamed says the incident was defused by the Iranian security forces, who explained to people that the news was not true.Īnd with the coming to power of an ultra-conservative like President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, there has been increased concern internationally about the fate of Iranian Jews. "This provoked a number of opportunists in Shiraz," explains Iran's Jewish MP, Maurice Mohtamed, "and there was an assault on two synagogues." The paper falsely said the synagogues were in Iran - even describing one as the Yusufabad synagogue in Tehran and locating another in Shiraz. Mr Hammami says state-run television confuses Zionism and Judaism so that "ordinary people may think that whatever the Israelis do is supported by all Jews".ĭuring the fighting in Lebanon a hardline weekly newspaper, Yalesarat, published two photographs of synagogues on its front page full of people waving Israeli flags celebrating Israeli independence day. These days anti-Jewish feeling is periodically stirred by the media. Over the centuries there have been sporadic purges, pogroms and forced conversions to Islam as well as periods of peaceful co-existence. Jews have lived in Persia for nearly 3,000 years - the descendants of slaves from Babylon saved by Cyrus the Great. In the Yusufabad synagogue the announcements are made in Persian - most Iranian Jews don't really speak Hebrew well. "Imam Khomeini made a distinction between Jews and Zionists and he supported us," says Mr Hammami. He says the father of Iran's revolution, Imam Khomeini, recognised Jews as a religious minority that should be protected.Īs a result Jews have one representative in the Iranian parliament. "Because of our long history here we are tolerated," says Jewish community leader Unees Hammami, who organised the prayers. It is not a sight you would expect in a revolutionary Islamic state, but there are synagogues dotted all over Iran where Jews discreetly practise their religion. ![]() It is dawn in the Yusufabad synagogue in Tehran and Iranian Jews bring out the Torah and read the ancient text before making their way to work. Importance and glory of this avenue is vanishing.The Jewish presence dates back nearly 3,000 years.Īlthough Iran and Israel are bitter enemies, few know that Iran is home to the largest number of Jews anywhere in the Middle East outside Israel.Ībout 25,000 Jews live in Iran and most are determined to remain no matter what the pressures - as proud of their Iranian culture as of their Jewish roots. Today Chahar Bagh is used as one of shopping centers. The Chelel Sotoun garden and the Hasht Behesht garden (Bolbol).īeauties of Isfahan Safavid gardens names have remained in travelers books. Only some parts of two gardens have remained. Historic gardens were destroyed and converted into shops and houses. Isfahan was highly and carelessly expanded during 20th century. Chahar Bagh lost its beauty and glory during Qajar dynasty. Only women were permitted to promenade in Chahar Bagh and could spend there time for shopping.ĭuring Qajar dynasty even trees of this street were cut and sold and replanted. as one of the most beautiful streets of the world. Travelers who visited Isfahan have explained the Chahar Bagh Ave. but also orchards and beautiful palaces which were built in centers of gardens were beautifully designed. Residential areas begun from the eastern part of Imam square. Royal palaces were constructed from Chahar Bagh Ave to the Naghshe Jahan (Imam) square. The upper Chahar Bagh began from the Allah Verdi Khan Bridge to the Sofeh Mountain and the lower Chahar Bagh, from present Municipality to Shohada Squere.ĭuring Safavid dynasty beautiful orchards were built on the west side of Chahar Bagh Ave. It was a very pleasant promenade street.Ĭhahar Bagh consisted of three parts Central Chahar Bagh, started from present Municipality, stretched to the Allah Verdi Khan Bridge. The Chahar Bagh was surrounded by beautiful orchards (fruit gardens). A very wide street, with a canal of flowing water in the centre, and two rows of beautiful tall plane trees. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |