Monday, April 1, 2013

Worth a Thousand Words...

young Iranian wiping the explosion mark of a hand-made grenade off the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great near Shiraz, Iran. CLICK TO SEE THE FULL SIZED IMAGE

I used to believe in a fierce version of Persian Nationalism, some years passed by before I learned the difference between patriotism and nationalism; hence decided to choose the former as a personal principle. Today, however, I am best described as a humanist patriot. I have no idea what I will grow into tomorrow! 

With that introduction, I would like to share a photo I found on a Facebook page named after a man many of us consider a national hero, Cyrus the Great

The dramatic photo depicts a young Iranian using what seems to be his shirt to wipe the explosion mark of a hand-made grenade off the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great near Shiraz, Iran. According to some accounts posted on social media, a group of by-standers described as resembling members of Basij militia had been taunting people who had gathered to celebrate Nowrooz near the resting place of a man they call "The Father of Iran".

I see this in essence as what is upon us as a nation, to wipe off the dirt that has tainted the face of our collective identity, culture and civilisation. We need to reclaim our place in the international arena as a respected people and definitely not as what is represented in our name today. 

Here is footage of the incident posted by citizen journalists on Youtube.