2020.03 Iran Course Notes

When you think of Iran, what comes to mind?

In the past two years, I have attended several salons introducing Iran. The common feature of every speaker is that they speak highly of Iran!

This mysterious country is frequently depicted negatively by the international mainstream.

It’s alarming… Iran is often associated with terrorism or the pursuit of nuclear weapons, posing a threat to humanity. However, when looking at the pictures of Iran in the book, I’m captivated by its fascinating geometric patterns, mosques, and ancient ruins in the desert.

These images have sparked my curiosity and desire to learn more about this country…

In the process of preparing this country introduction, I have decided to start with its history and educate my children about Iran’s past and present.

I will dedicate two classes to introducing each country.

The reason for this extended time allocation is primarily due to the need to cover current affairs, which can be quite time-consuming.

Although the students are young, I believe it is essential to spend more time discussing and encouraging them to express their opinions.

We will also focus on developing their ability to quickly absorb and process information, as my generation grew up during the information explosion era.

However, today’s children not only face an overwhelming amount of information but also need to be able to access and assimilate it promptly, extract and retain the key points in their minds, and articulate them in their own words.

I like to call it “the era of the super-fast human brain CPU” (a term coined by Lara herself~).

Therefore, this ability to learn and effectively communicate information is truly crucial~ (Oops… I went off on a tangent there for a moment…).

In the first class about Iran, we will actually be introducing “Persia” instead.

To be honest, not too long ago, I had a vague concept of Persia in my mind… Where is Persia exactly? Why couldn’t I find it on the map?

However, in our textbooks, we have all memorized the fact that “The Persian Empire was the first great empire to be established across Europe, Asia, and Africa.” Those depictions in the history textbooks of individuals with white beards, large golden crowns, and prominent noses are quite familiar.

But here’s the thing, they didn’t know each other… Perhaps it was quite chaotic during my previous school days, and the teacher may have failed to mention that Persia has transformed into Iran.

I must have missed that…

We are also familiar with the notion that the two river basins were the birthplace of human civilization. The names of those two rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, are even more challenging to remember.

But what exactly happened there?

God only knows… And so, we will begin with the story before the unification of the Persian Empire…

The founder of the Persian Empire was Cyrus the Great.

(Yes, we have all seen his pictures in history textbooks, but we are not familiar with him at all…)

In my grandfather’s case, he was a power-obsessed and paranoid man. He had two peculiar dreams in a row. The first dream involved grapevines growing out of his daughter’s womb. The second dream depicted his daughter urinating all over the place, symbolizing the whole of Asia.

When the monk who interpreted the dream heard this, he exclaimed, “Oh, how extraordinary! King, you will have a grandson who will eventually seize the throne from you and unify all of Asia as an emperor.” In ancient China, this may have been considered a good thing. However, the old king of Media, who lived in 585 BC, did not share the same sentiment. He resorted to the same tactics often heard of in European fairy tales, where the stepmothers and queens would eliminate anyone they deemed prettier or stronger than themselves. The weak protagonists in such stories always find a way to triumph in the end.

The protagonist of our story is the later unification of three small countries on the Iranian plateau, and the founder of the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great.

Cyrus conquered the Babylonian Empire in 539 BC and liberated all slaves and Jews. He declared that all people have the right to choose their own religion. This command was inscribed in cuneiform on a clay cylinder.

Such a significant historical moment deserves more explanation. Many things are not as taken for granted as they may seem. Only by understanding the historical context can we better comprehend the origins of the present.

In the second class about Iran, we return to modern times.

The Iran of the past 100 years is no longer the Persia we discussed in the previous lesson.

After the First World War, the United Kingdom and the United States became involved in Iran due to the discovery of oil. The British established the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which later became BP (British Petroleum). The United States, following World War II, supported its own influence in Iran and helped establish the Pahlavi dynasty.

The discovery of oil made Iran the wealthiest and most advanced country in the Middle East at that time. It became the first industrialized and automated nation in the region, constructing the Middle East’s first highway.

However, wealth can sometimes be a double-edged sword. The rapid influx of wealth led to excessive luxury, overwhelming the king. Some of the reform and modernization policies implemented by the young king also displeased the vested interests. Moreover, these reforms failed to significantly improve the lives of ordinary people, contributing to the wave of revolution.

The revolution finally erupted after the Pahlavi king held a grand celebration for the 2,500-year-old Persian monarchy, which was not well-received throughout the country. This led to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, during which the Iranians overthrew the extravagant Shah and welcomed the ultra-conservative Khomeini.

From that point on, Iranian women were no longer able to freely dress in fashionable clothing. Wearing a burqa or, at the very least, a headscarf became mandatory when going out. Women’s rights and interests suffered a significant setback.

Over the past 40 years, the reforms in Iran have had a significant impact on the country. While there have been some negative aspects, it is important to recognize that there are also positive and inspiring stories that emerge from Iran.

One incident that gained international attention was when an Iranian girl disguised herself as a boy to attend a football game and was subsequently exposed. The girl faced legal consequences and, unfortunately, her protest led to a tragic act of self-immolation. This incident sparked severe criticism of the Iranian authorities. However, it also brought attention to the issue, leading to changes in the rules allowing girls to enter stadiums to watch games, which was opened in October 2019.

It is crucial to acknowledge that there are many aspects of life in Iran that go beyond these negative incidents. While we may have certain preconceived notions, it is essential to explore the warm and open side of Iranians. Despite living in a country that has faced isolation from the world and where certain restrictions exist, there are many Iranians who possess a philosophy of life characterized by a willingness to help and understand others.

Discovering these aspects has made you consider Iran as a destination for deep travel, and it is indeed worth exploring the country beyond what we may initially assume or hear.