In Iran, They Want Fun, Fun, Fun.

[ghulam muhammed]

In Iran, They Want Fun, Fun, Fun

By Nicholas D. Kristof


One of the most pernicious misunderstandings in the West about Iranians is that they are dour religious fanatics.

About half of Iranians are under the age of 25, and Iran has done a solid job of raising their education levels. I was struck on my 1,700-mile road trip across Iran by how many of them share American values, seeking fun rather than fanaticism. They seem less interested in the mosques than in amusement parks (which are ubiquitous in Iran).

“Young people don’t really go to the mosques,” said a 23-year-old man in eastern Iran, cheerfully exaggerating. “We want more ways to have fun.” He said he drinks — alcohol is illegal but everywhere — and, until recently, used drugs. Iranian officials have suggested that perhaps 10 percent of the population uses illegal drugs, traditionally opium and heroin but increasingly methamphetamines as well.

This man had joined the 2009 democracy protests, but then, he said, he was detained and beaten for several days, losing a tooth in the process. That soured him on political activism, and, like many others, he now just wants to go abroad.

In the northwest, that sense of hopelessness has led some young Iranians of ethnic Turkish origin to favour seceding and joining Azerbaijan. In soccer games in Tabriz, fans sometimes outrage the authorities by roaring secessionist slogans.

You wouldn’t think a New Yorker could be made to blush in Tehran, but I was taken aback by the hook-up scene of one-night stands: young men with flashy cars troll for women chat them up and then drive off with them. There is also prostitution, and Tehran’s former police chief was arrested in 2008 in a brothel together with six prostitutes.

Remember that Iran is the homeland not only of stern ayatollahs but also of the romantic hedonism of “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.” In Richard Le Gallienne’s verse translation: “Did God set grapes a-growing, do you think,/And at the same time make it sin to drink?”

In the 1970s, disgruntled young Iranians rebelled against a corrupt secular regime by embracing an ascetic form of Islam. Now they’re rebelling against a corrupt religious regime by embracing personal freedom — in some cases, even sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.

They often also look warmly on the United States, which is quite dizzying. In Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt, we Americans hand out billions of dollars in aid and are often hated. I come to Iran, and people hand me gifts!

This youth culture of Iran is nurtured by the Internet — two-thirds of Iranian households have computers — and by satellite television, which is banned but widespread. A BBG/Gallup phone survey conducted in March found that one-third of Iranians acknowledged watching satellite television in the previous week, and the real number may be much higher.

“The effect of satellite TV is very big,” said one young woman who said that she was initially aghast when she saw fellow Muslim women in Turkey wearing bikinis but gradually decided that there was more than one way to live.

Police stage raids to confiscate satellite dishes and can fine homeowners as much as $400 for having them, but they’re not very efficient.

“You recognize that it’s the police taking the dishes away, and you just don’t answer the door,” said a shop owner in Gorgan. “So they take the dish and just go away,” without imposing the fine.

Pirated music, videos and video games are widespread. One popular — but banned — game now is Battlefield 3, in which American military forces storm Tehran. In one home I visited, the kids were playing Grand Theft Auto.

These young people are Iran’s future, and they can be our allies. But while we have a strategy in nuclear negotiations, I’m not sure we in the West have a strategy for Iran itself.

Western policy makers see Iran as fanatical, the same way they saw China in the 1960s. There was talk back then of a military option against China, and if we had taken that route, Beijing might still be ruled by Maoists — a larger version of North Korea.

My road trip across Iran leaves me convinced that change will come here, too, if we just have the patience not to disrupt the subterranean forces at work: rising education, an expanding middle class, growing economic frustration, erosion of the government monopoly on information. My hunch is that if there is no war between Iran and the West — which would probably strengthen the regime — hard-liners will go the way of Mao, and Iran will end up looking something like Turkey.

I think of a young man I met who said wistfully: “It’s normal for a boy and a girl to want to hang out together. What’s wrong with that?” The romantics are on our side and far outnumber the fanatics. We should bet on them, not bombs, as agents of change.

http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-soci ... fun/d/7685

[sixfeetunder]

Iran does not perform kadambosi to America, like KSA and other Muslim nations do. Iran is a thorn in the sweet American dream of world dominance. With the way the Iranian nation is progressing, it is set to become a future Islamic powerhouse. So apart from the financial sanctions and war threats, it is trying to portray the Islamic government there as 'corrupt' and' against the wishes' of the majority people who wish to 'be liberal' and 'sing and dance' and 'make merry' just like the Americans do.

They want to portray a certain picture to the world with their powerful media. The reality is that the majority of Iranians including the poor and middle class support the current Islamic government. It is some of the wealthy westernized urbans that want an unIslamic government so that they can drink openly and flaunt their bikinis.

As for the youth is concerned, youth, in any part of the world would be attracted to sex drugs and rockandroll as the hormones are in overdrive.

[aliabbas_aa]

In Iran, They Want Fun, Fun, Fun

because Iran is a shia majority country, also rarely the youth practice even shiism. I have iranian friends all of them are exactly like what is described .
The cause of this is also shiism, which is an irrational interpretation of Islam pushing rational youths to altogether give up Islam. This is analogous to what catholic christianity did to europe . Even the USA is promoting shiism in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan to supress threats to its existence.

[humble_servant_us]

Even the USA is promoting shiism in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan to supress threats to its existence.

If this was true Saudi Arabia should have been on the target of US and not Iran. A religious country because of its high values is always a threat. The irony is the so called champion of Islam Saudi Arabia is an ally of US and the irrational islamist Iran is the arch rival of US.

[aliabbas_aa]

saudi arabia is very sharp yet diplomatic in international affairs like the prophet pbuh .Unlike a Barking dog (Iran?) and you know barking dogs seldom bite rather get bitten! and this has been proven many times(sanctions etc) , KSA has used wisdom and patience to think much before acting and has always acted wisely. The hand of ALLAH swt is the on this holy place!. KSA and its people have done much damage to US interests without explicitly getting involved and named. Mostly people who convert to Islam in USA are due to their efforts and choose the true path of Islam.Many have formed a very strong Islamic lobby (ICNA,CAIR ,MSA etc) which are indirectly funded by KSA. Huge number of USA troops have embraced the true Islam and have achieved lofty goals.
Many think tanks in the USA have in fact written that its not the USA who is dominating saudi but its the saudi who has shrewdly dominated US policies and worked towards creating an "Islam friendly USA" thus raising the tide of Muslim emigrants threatening the american culture. KSA has always forced USA to be politically correct thereby gaining strong support for Islam friendly policies in the nation.One of the greatest success is that most universities including MIT, UCberk in the USA have officially sanctioned MSA (muslim student org) active groups. MSA conveys message of Islam to many american youths in Univ campus with astounding success.
What has Iran achieved by its superficial tantrums? It has only created more problems to its own people and all muslims over the world.

[humble_servant_us]

Many think tanks in the USA have in fact written that its not the USA who is dominating saudi but its the saudi who has shrewdly dominated US policies and worked towards creating an "Islam friendly USA" thus raising the tide of Muslim emigrants threatening the american culture.

Wow !

Why is Saudi not using its domination on US to resolve the Palestine issue. Why is Iran the only country "barking" for the plight of the oppressed Palestine people.

Atleast it makes one point clear, Saudi is being diplomatic with Taghoots like US and Israel, Iran has openly rejected the taghoots.

[sixfeetunder]

In Iran, They Want Fun, Fun, Fun

because Iran is a shia majority country, also rarely the youth practice even shiism. I have iranian friends all of them are exactly like what is described .
The cause of this is also shiism, which is an irrational interpretation of Islam pushing rational youths to altogether give up Islam. This is analogous to what catholic christianity did to europe . Even the USA is promoting shiism in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan to supress threats to its existence.

I have Salafi/Wahhabi/Ahl-e-hadith friends who are not exactly the best of Muslims. Does that mean all Salafi-Wahhabi-Ahl-e-hadith people are a non-practicing bunch? Your 'survey sample' is very small. By looking at a few Iranian friends of yours, you have summed up the belief of all of Iranian youth! Incredible!

Please visit Iran someday. Go to Qom if you can. Talk to some youth. Talk to some traditional ones and some modern ones. Drink some Iranian tea and soak up some of the atmosphere. Take some deep breaths and think again.

As for USA promoting Shiism in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan - This is really incredulous news to me. Where do you get your news from? Please start reading some good academic books. To start with, "The Shia Revival" by Vali Nasr won't be a bad idea.

To me, it seems you are confusing Ismaili or Sufi school with the Ithna Asheri. The ithna-asheris are fire-brand stuff, when needed. How was the Iranian revolution possible otherwise?

[aliabbas_aa]

I have Salafi/Wahhabi/Ahl-e-hadith friends who are not exactly the best of Muslims

A bad Muslim who has Imaan and does not chant "Ya ali madd" is a billion times better then a good muslim+mushrik who does that.

How was the Iranian revolution possible otherwise?

People were fed up with the long rule of the shahs and wanted a regime change , khomeni filled the gap.

[humble_servant_us]

A bad Muslim who has Imaan and does not chant "Ya ali madd" is a billion times better then a good muslim+mushrik who does that

How can a bad muslim have Imaan. How can a good muslim be a mushrik.

People were fed up with the long rule of the shahs and wanted a regime change , khomeni filled the gap.

It needs guts to fight the Super Power. Ay. Khomeni had it.

[aliabbas_aa]

A bad Muslim who has Imaan and does not chant "Ya ali madd" is a billion times better then a good muslim+mushrik who does that

How can a bad muslim have Imaan. How can a good muslim be a mushrik.

People were fed up with the long rule of the shahs and wanted a regime change , khomeni filled the gap.

It needs guts to fight the Super Power. Ay. Khomeni had it.

A good muslim is one who believes and follows all pillars of Islam and 6 articles of faith. Still the same muslim washes out his goodness by chanting "ya ali madd" becoming a mushrik and depriving himself of all goodness.

[mustafanalwalla]

Well Ali Abbas Bhai,

Since you are at it, i might as well continue it too


La Illaha Illalah
Mohmaddan Rasullalah
Aliyan Waliullah


Ya Ali Maddad.


Shah e Marda
Sher e Yazdaan
Quwatt e Parvar Digha
La fatta Illah Ali
La saif illah Zulfiquar


Ya Maula Mohammadan Rasullallah
Ya Maula Ali
Ya Ma Fatema Zehra
Ya Imam Hassan
Ya Imam Hussain
Ya Syedi Ya Abbas
Ya Maulana Immamut Taiyab Abul Quasim Mumineen
Ya Imamus Zamaan
Burhanuddin Maula Zindabad

[humble_servant_us]

A good muslim is one who believes and follows all pillars of Islam and 6 articles of faith. Still the same muslim washes out his goodness by chanting "ya ali madd" becoming a mushrik and depriving himself of all goodness.

And what about the diplomatic country who keeps on seeking help from America. Do they have any good deeds left.

[aliabbas_aa]

I see it as USA serving the needs of KSA. Anyways its better than chanting the superficial "ya ali madd" ."ya ali madd" invokes wrath of ALLAH swt and makes the chanter a mushrik

[humble_servant_us]

I see it as USA serving the needs of KSA.

The Muslim nation now needs a Christian country to serve its needs. What a great wasila (means) to fulfill the needs.

[aliabbas_aa]

Ya it needs the doctors and engineers etc who have toiled hard for decades only to serve the Bedouin Arabs!

[humble_servant_us]

Ya it needs the doctors and engineers etc who have toiled hard for decades only to serve the Bedouin Arabs!

Atleast the chanters of YA -ali(as) madad do not need mushriks for their development.
Prophet(pbuh) said- I am the city of knowledge and Ali(as) is the gate.

This is what happens when you want to enter the city without the gate, you get astray and lost and dependent on enemies of Islam for knowledge and developments.

[aliabbas_aa]

then you too should stop depending on your computers, gadgets etc all of which were invented by the western civilization. Infact the microchip in your pc has a very high probability of being manufactured in Israel or USA.

and
the Iranians do beg for many privileges from the USA and it still does some business with the USA. Iranian students goto US universities for knowledge! and this is sponsored by the Iranian govt!

[humble_servant_us]

then you too should stop depending on your computers, gadgets etc all of which were invented by the western civilization. Infact the microchip in your pc has a very high probability of being manufactured in Israel or USA.
and
the Iranians do beg for many privileges from the USA and it still does some business with the USA. Iranian students goto US universities for knowledge! and this is sponsored by the Iranian govt!

We are not the ones who are shouting everything as shirk, it is you who calls everything shirk.

We very well understand our beliefs and are atleast not hypocritical about it like others who call actions of others as shirk whereas when it comes to their own actions they simply justify it.

[mustafanalwalla]

Sorry to jump in like this but i have an opionion on this.

To carry of from where HSU left off, how do they justify it? They say that this particular Sunni / Salafi cleric is not competent enough to pass a fatwa/decree like this or then, those Sunni / Salafi Muslims who visit shrines are not true Sunni / Salafi Muslims or perhaps that Sunni / Salafi Priest has not understood the Quraan the way it is meant to be...

Dont create rules as per your convenience or to suit yourself. Atleast be true to yourself and take a stand. Either they are all wrong, or you are. You cannot have a scenario where some of you are right and some of you are wrong, just to suit yourself

[aliabbas_aa]

then you too should stop depending on your computers, gadgets etc all of which were invented by the western civilization. Infact the microchip in your pc has a very high probability of being manufactured in Israel or USA.
and
the Iranians do beg for many privileges from the USA and it still does some business with the USA. Iranian students goto US universities for knowledge! and this is sponsored by the Iranian govt!

We are not the ones who are shouting everything as shirk, it is you who calls everything shirk.

We very well understand our beliefs and are atleast not hypocritical about it like others who call actions of others as shirk whereas when it comes to their own actions they simply justify it.

why are you lying ?
We say from the Quran that we should not invoke for help other than ALLAH Swt .

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 16 Surah Nahl verse 20-21: All the other beings, whom the people invoke with Allah, create nothing! Nay, they are themselves created! They are DEAD, not living, and they do not at all know themselves when they shall again be raised to life!

is.nt ALI a created being?




'Wasila' - Intercession, Ways of Intervention...



Below are the selected passages from a scholarly response given by a learned Scholar Brother Burhan to a few questions on the above subject. To read the entire response, with the quotations from the Hadeeths, and the bio date of Brother Burhan, who happens to be a former Mustealiyyan Shiah Ismaili, please visit:

http://www.islamhelpline.com/



Question:

Brother I want to ask that how much extent the wasila of imams, noble companions, prophet is correct because many time I heard in a darees that "mera soya hai muqadar aey hussain ab jaga do" and etc., I say to my family Allah can do everything, so beg directly to Allah but they said that we take wasila then I said your wasila should be your prayers, ibadaats, deeds, so please tell me that by how much extent wasila should be correct?



Answer:

Beloved brother in Islam, to assume that by invoking in the unseen the righteous imams, or the noble companions of the Holy Prophet (saws), or even the Noble Prophet (saws) himself, or invoking anyone in the Universe other than the One and Only True Lord of the Worlds would be a clear and manifest form of the unforgivable crime of ‘shirk’ in Islam.



To assume that any of the pious departed slaves of Allah Subhanah, or anyone else in creation other than Allah Subhanah Alone can hear one’s invocations in the unseen, let alone has the power and ability to answer them or get them answered, is a clear and manifest form of the most heinous of sins: ‘shirk’ with Allah Subhanah.



One of the Noble and Exclusive Attributes of Allah Subhanah is that He Alone is the All-Hearing or ‘Al-Samee’. To assume that anyone or anything in creation can hear us in the unseen, let alone having the ability and power to answer or respond to our invocations, is to share one of Allah Subhanah’s Exclusive and Sole Attributes with one amongst His creation; and that is a clear and manifest form of the sin of ‘shirk’!



There is not a major Surah in the Quran, where Allah Subhanah has not warned the believers against this heinous practice and abomination of taking ‘wasila’, or invoking others with Allah Subhanah in the unseen! The noble and pious departed slaves of Allah Subhanah never advocated such a practice, nor did it behove them to do so!



Just study these Aayahs of the Glorious Quran to understand and comprehend the Wrath and Anger of Allah Subhanah on those who invoke other beings in creation with Allah Subhanah:



Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 16 Surah Nahl verse 20-21: All the other beings, whom the people invoke with Allah, create nothing! Nay, they are themselves created! They are DEAD, not living, and they do not at all know themselves when they shall again be raised to life!



Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 10 Surah Yunus verse 66: Note it well that all the dwellers of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah. And those who invoke others besides Allah, follow nothing but surmises and merely indulge in guess-works!



Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 35Surah Fatir verses 13-14: He merges night into day, and day into night, and he has subjected the Sun and the Moon (to His Law); each one runs its course for an appointed term. Such is Allah, your Lord! To Him belongs all Dominion. Those whom you invoke besides Him, do not own even a blade of grass! If you call them, they cannot hear your prayers! And if they hear, they cannot answer you! And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your ‘shirk’. None can inform you of the Truth, like the One Who is acquainted with all things.



Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 46 Surah Ahqaf verses 4-6: Prophet, say to them, "Have you ever seen them with open eyes those whom you invoke instead of Allah? Show me what they have created in the earth? Or have they any share in the creation and control of the heavens? Bring me a Book revealed before this, or produce some remnant of knowledge in support of your beliefs if you are truthful." And who could be further astray than the one who invokes, instead of Allah, those who cannot answer him till the Day of Resurrection. Nay, they are even UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE BEING INVOKED. And when all mankind shall be gathered together (on the Day of Qiyamah), they (the so called leaders and intercessors) will become enemies of those who invoked them and they will DISOWN THEIR WORSHIP!!!



Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumur verse 2-3: So worship Allah Alone, making your religion His exclusively. Beware! Religion is the exclusive Right of Allah. As for those who have taken other ‘auliyas’ (guardians) with Allah (and justify their this conduct by saying): “We serve them only that they may bring us closer to Allah.” Allah will surely judge between them concerning all that in which they differ. Allah does not show guidance to any liar and denier of the Truth.

Invoking other beings in creation in the unseen is a clear manifestation of the abomination and ‘the’ most heinous of sins in the deen of Islam, that is, ‘shirk’! Allah Subhanah has singled out this one sin as absolutely ‘unforgivable’ on the Day of Judgment, and has guaranteed the everlasting and unending punishment of the Fire of Hell to all those who die in the state of ‘shirk’, no matter what amount of good deeds they might have done! Such is the gravity of this abomination of ‘shirk’ or invoking other beings in creation in the Sight of Allah Subhanah, the One and Only Lord of the Worlds!

[Humsafar]

saudi arabia is very sharp yet diplomatic in international affairs like the prophet pbuh .Unlike a Barking dog (Iran?) and you know barking dogs seldom bite rather get bitten! and this has been proven many times(sanctions etc) , KSA has used wisdom and patience to think much before acting and has always acted wisely. The hand of ALLAH swt is the on this holy place!. KSA and its people have done much damage to US interests without explicitly getting involved and named. Mostly people who convert to Islam in USA are due to their efforts and choose the true path of Islam.Many have formed a very strong Islamic lobby (ICNA,CAIR ,MSA etc) which are indirectly funded by KSA. Huge number of USA troops have embraced the true Islam and have achieved lofty goals.
Many think tanks in the USA have in fact written that its not the USA who is dominating saudi but its the saudi who has shrewdly dominated US policies and worked towards creating an "Islam friendly USA" thus raising the tide of Muslim emigrants threatening the american culture. KSA has always forced USA to be politically correct thereby gaining strong support for Islam friendly policies in the nation.One of the greatest success is that most universities including MIT, UCberk in the USA have officially sanctioned MSA (muslim student org) active groups. MSA conveys message of Islam to many american youths in Univ campus with astounding success.
What has Iran achieved by its superficial tantrums? It has only created more problems to its own people and all muslims over the world.

Here's Saudi despots' useful idiot, singing to his masters' tune. I've to say, they may accuse you of all kinds of things, but they can't accuse of disloyalty. You make for a nice wahabi/salafi pooch.

[aliabbas_aa]

In my life as shia bohra i have always heard the mushrik and kafir world abuse and slander the so called wahhabis and this is more ripe now then ever before.
And when i realized the truth and accepted it, i had a chance to see the reality of the "Wahhabis" and i was deeply impressed by their adherence to the quran and sunnah for the love of the prophet pbuh at the same time i see those hypocrites from my community who only think about matam, jaman , mithas ,kahras and money . they try to even tease me that i can no longer relish those things!
Hence i guess i have to speak for the people who are abused and vilified by the mushriks and the kafirs of this world.

[salim]

I agree with ali abbas - KSA is rulling USA.

Also I have heard that there is reason why Saudi Wahhabies oppose Palestine freedom. It is KSA's hidden agenda. When KSA supports harassment of innocent Palestinians, world support Muslims. This way Saudis are gathering support for Muslims.

Some people say that God has given so much natural resources to KSA that they could have made middle east the most progressive and civilized part of the world, but KSA has a least number of universities and higher education center among all developed countries and many under developed countries. This people don't know the hidden agenda of KSA. With all their influence KSA found that education is waste of time and money. When people are illiterate and dependent they attract sympathy of rest of the world. This is the reason they are against of education.

There is a reason why there is no human rights in KSA. Specially women, children and minorities have no rights. This is the part of hidden agenda as well. When people around the world learns about KSA, they will be eagar to learn more about islam and quran that made KSA so evil, bad violent and inhumand. But when they will learn Qur'an they will find out that Qur'an is very different than KSA and they will conver to Islam.

There is also a reason why majorities of all terrorists motives are funded by KSA. When people see suicide bombing, shooting etc, they will realize that this world is not mortal and everyone will die once and will start remembering Allah. This way by promoting terrorism, KSA is supporting Islam.

Putting sarcasm aside - The co-owner of the Fox New is the King of Saudi. He is the 2nd biggest stock holder of the channel after Rupert Murdoch This channel is very much against Islam. Rupert and the King are very good friends.

[aliabbas_aa]

@salim bhai
fear Allah before posting such outright lies and slander!
get ur facts right!
the co owner is not the saudi king but nephew of the Saudi king. And i never supported the kings, princes of saudi arabia they are as bad as bohri mullas.
there is a mix of good and bad in them too.

you will find dozens of fatawas on http://www.islamqa.com alone condeming israel's actions
:

What is our stance concerning the slaughter of Muslims in Palestine and other parts of the world that is happening right now, where houses are being destroyed, farms are being wrecked, children are being killed, the wounded are being detained in the streets, houses are being bombarded and people are being prevented by the Jews and others, from buying the food and drink that they need? What can I, as a Muslim, do?

Praise be to Allaah.
1- You have to make du’aa’, and recite du’a’ al-qunoot in your salaah (prayer).

2- Collect charity and send it through trustworthy channels.

3- Support the weak and oppressed in all ways, including the media and the internet.

4- Get scholars, daa’iyahs, khateebs and writers to explain the oppression that is happening and the negligence on the part of the ummah, and to mobilize the ummah to defend the holy places.

5- Check on one’s own intentions with regard to fighting for the sake of Allaah, and see whether he is applying the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever dies without having fought for the sake of Allaah or having had the intention of doing so, has died following one of the branches of hypocrisy.” (Saheeh Muslim, no. 3533)

6- Pursuing all the means of building up material and moral strength, in preparation for meeting the enemy (in battle).

7- Reminding oneself and others of the virtues of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah and studying the rulings on jihad, and not having an attachment to this world.

8- Doing as much damage as possible to the enemies who are in a state of war with us, by boycotting their products, attacking them verbally and in writing to humiliate and annoy them, and to point out their kufr and shirk, and their insults to Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, publishing as much as possible in the audio-visual and print media about this serious topic whilst also connecting that to Islamic belief and the words of Allaah and His Messenger,

We ask Allaah the Exalted and All-Powerful to support His religion and cause His word to prevail.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid