| International cooperation to save Isfahan By: Shahin Sepanta Isfahan is a historical city in the central Iran that has been recognized as one of the world treasures of art and architecture. |  |
This is an important tourist attraction of Iran and many renowned figures such as American Arthur Upham Pope and Williams Jackson, English Thomas Herbert, French Jean Baptiste Tavernier, Andre Malraux, Jean Chardin, Eugene Flandin, German Adam Olearius, Ernst Hoeltzer, Engelbert Kaempfer, Ernest Hertzfeld, Italian Pietro Della Valle, Spanish Don García De Silvia Y Figueroa, Russian Veladimir Bartold, Moroccan Ebn e Batuta and many others have admired its beauty in their books and travel journals, naming it “Half of the World”, “The Second Paradise”, “The Turquoise Bridge” and “A Flower-laden Paradise Tree”. Isfahan is also known as a sister to many historical cities of the world such as Xian in China, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Florence in Italy, Saint petersburge in Russia, Yash in Romania, Barcelona in Spain, Yerevan in Armenia, Havana in Cuba, Friburge in Germany and Kuwait City in Kuwait. One of the unique architectural marvels of Isfahan is the “Naghshe-e-Jahan Square” and the extensive complex of buildings around it. It is considered as one of masterpieces of world architecture and was included in UNESCO’s registrar of World Heritage as the 10th Heritage of Human kind in 1991. It is considered to be the second largest square of the world after Tien An Men Square in China. It is ten times larger than Grande Place of Bruxelles in Belgium, 6.5 times than San Marco in Venice and four times than Place des Vosges in Paris. Other historical marvels of Isfahan include the 33-bridge complex that is known as the biggest historical hydraulic structure of Iran shadowing over Zayande River, as well as Four Gardens Boulevard, 40-Column Palace, Four Gardens School, Ali-Ghapou Palace and the Grand Bazzar. Despite the existence of all these wonders, people of Isfahan are very concerned nowadays for the future of their historical treasures. This is due to the fact that in order to reduce the traffic weight of the central area, the City Council of Isfahan has decided, without any sufficient preparatory studies, to construct a Metro tunnel in the vicinity of this unique complex of architectural masterpieces. People of Isfahan, as well as many non-governmental organizations have protested against such unwise project and have demanded authorities to dig the tunnel far from the historical texture of the city and employ other precautionary actions to reduce the traffic weight. Nevertheless, the City Council has continued its operation without paying any attention to such protests. Bearing in mind that Isfahan, as a cosmopolitan entity, comprises of many historical and valuable sites that belong not only to the Iranian people but are considered as the common heritage of the mankind, it is the right of everyone in the world to enjoy its marvels and, at the same time, take the responsibility of guarding it against all destructive threats. That is why people of Isfahan and their NGOs are begging all friends of historical heritage in every corner of the world to take action against this calamity in whatever way they deem appropriate to stop the annihilation of such a priceless art collection in the hands of some profit-mongers in the city government who are after their easy but destructive solutions for the traffic of the central Isfahan. Concerned about the above facts, and in order to attract the attention of all friends of cultural treasures to the cruelty that is being inflicted on this historical property of human kind, the Pasargad Heritage Foundation has declared the year of 2009 as “The Year of Isfahan” Another civil institution involved in this campaign is the “Coalition of Supporters of Isfahan’s Cultural Heritage” that is active in Isfahan and represents a number of cultural NGOs. This Coalition is also inviting the cooperation of all individuals and institutions that are concerned with the guardianship and preservation of human kind’s cultural achievements and creations. If we do not act today to save Isfahan, tomorrow may be too late. As a member of Human Family, what would YOU do in regards to saving the unforgettable Isfahan? drshahinsepanta@yahoo.com
|
| The New Iranian Year is declared by The Pasargad Heritage Foundation, As "The Year of Isfahan's Cultural and Natural Heritage" | |
| On the advent of a new spring and the Iranian Nowruz (New Year), Pasargad Heritage Foundation is declaring the Iranian year of 1388 (2548) as “The Year of Isfahan’s Cultural and Natural Heritage” in an effort to seek the attention of Iranians and all the friends of World Cultures to the plight of a historical city that is known as “Half-of-the world.”
Unfortunately, during the recent years, and especially during the present Iranian year that is coming to its end, in addition to all the intentional and unintentional neglect of the irresponsible Islamic authorities towards the totality of Iranian cultural and natural heritage, the dark shadow of destruction has fallen upon the beautiful city of unique bridges and turquoise domes. All reports are telling us that the heritage of this city, part of which is actually considered as World Heritage, is on the verge of destruction. This is a major irreparable catastrophe that cannot be ignored by the civilized mankind.
We have to bear in mind that the progressive man of today has recognized that one would not be considered a human who has emerged from the wild and has surpassed the darkness of the middle ages if he/she does not see such valuable human gains as the differentiating criteria of him/her from our early ancestors.
From freedom, peace, and human rights to man’s struggle against race, religious and sexual discrimination, poverty, and injustice, to his/her endeavors for the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, all are considered as man’s proud gains during a long history of evolution. Although the contemporary man is proud of his/her technological advancements, he/she has realized that such gains would not reflect his great elevation if they are not seen on the background of human cultural values and their inter-exchange.
It is upon such understanding that the cultural, historical and natural heritage of all human societies are considered as the sources of such values that are worthy of preservation by every civilized human-being.
Based upon such evidence, and to welcome the arrival of the Iranian New Year - this beautiful and brilliant symbol of Iranian cultural values - Pasargad Heritage Foundation would like to take the opportunity to ask for the attention of everyone to the dire necessity of getting involved in the preservation of the beautiful Isfahan’s heritage and by naming the solar year of 1388 as “The Year of Isfahan’s Cultural and Natural Heritage,” it hopes that this focused attention would persist all through this year. PHF invites everyone to use all their available means to spread the word and mobilize others to get involved in the struggle to save Isfahan.
At the same time, both PHF and its Committee to Save Pasargad are ready to channel all demands and petitions to the proper International organizations.
We wish that the New Iranian Year would prove to be a year that witnesses the national mobilization of an ancient nation to preserve its cultural and natural heritage and identity, making the present generation a proud one on the annals of history and in the eyes of the generations to come.
With utmost esteem and love Shokooh Mirzadegi The Executive Director of PHF February 20th, 2009
A letter from P H F to Mr. Andrew Murray Burnham The British Secretary of State for Culture As a part of Commemorating Cyrus the Great Day His Excellency, Mr. Andy Burnham Date: October 10, 2008 Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport United Kingdom Government Dear Sir, (See full Letter Text) |  |
|
Yazgird III and Omar Al Muslemin letters Copy of communications between Sassanian Yazdgird III (632 AD - 651 AD) and Omar Ibn Al Khatab Khalifat Al Muslemin, after the battle of Ghadesiyeh. The original copy of this letter from Yazdgird III (632 AD - 651 AD) is kept in the British museum of London. The date in which this letter has been written is after the battle of Ghadesiyeh. A natural disaster in the form of a massive sand storm was blown upon the front line of Iranian troops and so took away their battle vision thus causing the loss of this battle. Later on Muslim Khalif mentioned that Allah sent the massive Sand Storm in Iranian faces which was why they lost the battle. Allah was the protector of Muslim against Ajams. The battle of Ghadesiyeh did not just cost Iran a great loss due to a natural disaster, yet it also cost the life of greatest Iranian hero the Commander in Chief of Iranian Army, "Rostam-e Farokhzad." Arabs killed Rostam in this battle. Rostam and his squad fought until the last drop of their blood and at the end even after he lost his sword, he fought the Arabs with bare hands and his shield. (Continue) | 
|
Cyrus The Great Cyrus II, Kourosh in Persian, Kouros in Greek Cyrus (580-529 BC) was the first Achaemenid Emperor. He founded Persia by uniting the two original Iranian Tribes- the Medes and the Persians. Although he was known to be a great conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen, he is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he defeated. Upon his victory over the Medes, he founded a government for his new kingdom, incorporating both Median and Persian nobles as civilian officials. The conquest of Asia Minor completed, he led his armies to the eastern frontiers. Hyrcania and Parthia were already part of the Median Kingdom. Further east, he conquered Drangiana, Arachosia, Margiana and Bactria. After crossing the Oxus, he reached the Jaxartes, where he built fortified towns with the object of defending the farthest frontier of his .......Continue |  
|
Green Is the New Red, White And Blue Ann Elliott Cutting for TIME Special ReportSo far the U.S. has largely sat out the war against climate change—but that can change. We have a plan for making America the global leader on global warming......Main Page About This How to Win the War on Global Warming Americans don't like to lose wars—which makes sense, since we have so little practice with it. Of course, a lot depends on how you define just what a war is. There are shooting wars—the kind that test our mettle and our patriotism and our resourcefulness and our courage—and those are the kind at which we excel............. For More please Click... | |
The Campaign and I / Mina Zandi Happy Birthday Campaign! 2008-08-26 01:17:09 This August 27, the Campaign becomes two years old and I become an old-timer. I took it as a good amen that my birthday falls, more than half a century later, on that of a landmark movement, a movement with such a unique character, which one day will shine like a brilliant star in the horizon of our nation’s proud history, a movement which will be part of the Iranian treasury. Two years later, to my dismay, my only share in this giant fortune which has fallen to the women of my land is only this instance of the configuration of sun and moon... |  |
|
Threatening Strike in Front of Majlis Building: Protests against a New Majlis Bill on Gender Discrimination 
| Monday 11 August 2008 By: Emad Vakili The passage of the so-called "Family Protection Bill" by the legal and judicial commission of the eighth Majlis has raised the reaction of experts and women’s rights activists. continue... |
|
 | WWF has used very interesting methods in its propaganda to attract people's attention to global environmental problems such as using the following photographs that each of which is highly expressive. . click for more ... |
10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green "Mahshid Ahmadpanah" |
 | Join the Million Car Carbon Campaign by purchasing your Earth-Aid kit today.
How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time?
Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work.
continue... |
 | help to feed the hungry children all over the world Please go to http://thehungersite.com and click the yellow button. In this way you will give a cup of food to a hungry child in the world. The process is that with a simple, daily click of the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Hunger Site, visitors help provide food to those in need. Visitors pay nothing. Food is paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by Mercy Corps worldwide and by America's Second Harvest to food banks throughout the United States.
Please remember that by your simple click you will give help and hope to those most in need. Every click counts in the life of a hungry person. |
The Effect of Laws on Women’s Lives Why don’t we think the current laws are just? Translated by Rahma Tohidi Monday 28 August 2006 There are many things that we should know, but we don’t. There are many things that we do not know and we do not even think about them. The law is one such thing: until we run into difficulty with the law, we don’t think about it at all; and once we do, we only consider the laws that have challenged and prohibited us personally, and not in terms of how they affect everyone. Continue... |
View of isfahan
"Mojgan dabirinejad" Part 1  | Regarding cultural, historical and artistic heitages the city is considered as one of the seven most important cities of world. The historiy of Esfahan is divided into two ereas one-preislamic and second post-Islamic. There are few monuments which belong to the pre-Islamic era but major developments and expamsion of the city was simolatanous whit the advent of Islam. |
The city has more than 2000 historical monuments, and at lest 1000 of them belong to the 16th-18th century. In other words Esfahan is a glorius and perfect museum of Isfahan and IOslamic arts and architecture.The birth and flourishment of many typs of decorative arts and architecture has taken plase in this city. In every corner of it you can see the zenithand perfection of arts and architecture. On the other hand Zayandeh Rood River has given life and extraordinary beauty to Esfahan. Many great civiligation have been formed along famous rivers and Zayandeh Rood has been a major element for the creation of sucha gleaming civilization in this part of the world. The repurtation of Esfahan goes back to centuries ago and the city has torned to a most destination, not any for domestic travelers, but also for international tourists. No doubt, our tourism estabilishments and facilities are not sufficient but people of Esfahan compensate for it drough their hospitality and friendly behaviours. We would like to inform you that authorities and people of Esfahan are decisire to develop tourism estabilishments and facilities which will keep our guests satisfied. |
Association meetings All individuals, women or men, interested in improving and taking care of their environment are encouraged to join us in our cause. Our planet Earth, this natural wonder, needs our help to stay healthy and to survive.
Only together can we can keep our land green and our skies blue. Address: # 173 Abbass Abad Ave. between Azar & Ordibehesht. Association meetings are held on the last Sunday of each month at 4:30 pm |
|
|  |
