President Mohammad Khatami
Iranian of the Year
1997
March 23, 1998
The Iranian
This photograph is a detail of a larger one taken during Mohahmmad Khatami's speech at a rally at Azadi (Freedom) Sqaure marking the 19th anniversary of the revolution last month. He is hardly recognizable in the heavy snow. He seems obscure and insignificant. That's what's amazing about Khatami. His voice of reason and tolerance seems so out of place and vulnerable in a country where for years extremism and intolerance have reigned supreme.
Perhaps that's why, by an overwhelming majority, Khatami was voted Iranian of the Year for 1997 by readers of The Iranian. From comments below, one gets the impression that more than anything, he has rekindled hope in Iranians everywhere. Let's hope he can deliver.
Comments on Khatami
Courage to change course
* His courage to change the course of current Iranian policy towards the west.
<Abbas_Saffari-Fard@biogen.com>
Right time, right guy
* He is what Iran needed at this time.
Akbar Farahani
<afarahan@eta.com>
Vision, optimism, and hope
* Since his election by a massive, popular vote, the "Philosopher-president" by far more than any one else in recent years/history of the country has positively infuluenced the landscape of Iranian politics and society. He brought vision, optimism, and hope to the people of Iran, and in part demonstrated the hidden depth of the Iranian-Islamic culture/civilization to the rest of the world. Khatami has made the long dream and struggle of the people for the rule of law and for democracy in Iran eventually a genuine *POSSIBILITY* .
Alireza Rahbar-Shamskar
<arahbar@ccs.carleton.ca>
Brought hope
* When you want to vote for the Iranian of the Year, you have to look at this individual achievements in the past year. Although there are many great Iranians with great accomplishments, none of them accomplished as much as Mr. Mohamad Khatami. He went against the odds. The ulama in Qom had collectively endorsed Nateq-Nuri: the Islamic Republic propaganda machine was against him, thugs would break-up his speeches and beat his supporters. In Mashhad, he had to escape during one of his speeches because the Ansar Hezbollah attacked the mosque where the rally was held. Yet he came out a victor. Some might argue that he still has not accomplished half as much as he wanted during his short presidency. But you have to look at what he has accomplished. He has turned to the people of the world and has asked for peace. There are many student groups forming today in Iran who are questioning their state of freedom. The media has become much more relaxed and more permits are being issued for new, more liberal magazines, but most important of all, he has brought hope to Iran. He has now allowed and made an example of questioning the previously questionable regime. You can't expect the situation in Iran to change overnight. But you can applaud the individuals who are rolling the ball in the direction of change. I applaud Mr. Khatami for all his accomplishments this year, I applaud him for his vision, and I wish him the best of luck to turn his vision into a reality.
Amir Ali Fassihi
University of California, San Francisco,
School of Medicine
<afassih@itsa.ucsf.edu>
Respects peoples' rights
* He respects peoples' rights which is part of the duties of the governer in Islam.
Amir Kiumarsi
<amir.kiumarsi@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Brought honor and dignity
* He brought degnity and honor for the Iranian nation through out the world.
Amir Kompany
<akompany@lynx.dac.neu.edu>
Looking forward, not West
* He sees, that Islam has to look foward, not west.
A. Seyrek
<ASeyrek@t-online.de>
Not all terrorists
* He has given some respect back to the Iranians and made the world realize that we are not all terrorists!
Bobby
<Cbar@idirect.com>
Opened doors
* He has made the world think that Iran is not as wild as the U.S. makes it out to be and in fact has opened many doors to the West. His interview with CNN was particularly brilliant.
Cameron Douraghy
<Cameron_Douraghy_AT_GE-KRONBERG-PO3%CCMAIL-BO@gillette.com>
Opening up
* He put the starting point of opening Iran up... to the outside world.
Ebrahim Soujeri
<ESOUJERI@eenet.ee.emu.edu.tr>
Civility & friendship
* Because of his courageous efforts to bring civil order in Iran, and to promote peace and friendship among all nations of the world.
Treading new ground
* For attempting to tread new ground in Iran.
Open-minded
* Open-mindedness and willingness to once again implement the law and order in Iran and open up the gates to the International community.
Fariborz Zarfeshan
<mfafxz@mail.gwumc.edu>
A symbol
* He is the symbol of the Iranian people's desire for change.
Appears genuine
* He appears to be genuinely working for the people of Iran.
Hamid Musavi
<musavih@ttc.com>
Daring
* He's daring!
More respect
* Because he brought more respect for Iran and Iranians during the past year than any other person during the past 20 years.
Shahram Hamzai
<hamzai@att.com>
Compassion toward Americans
* Because of his excellently skilled and widely broadcast presentation demonstrating knowledge and a compassionate attitude toward Americans.
Hugh Mitchell
<hmitchell@startext.net>
Tries hard for freedom
* Because he tries hard for freedom.... and most Iranians love him.
Embodies courage, intellect
* His enlightened perspective on politics has given millions of Iranians (inside and outside) hope; because he's willing to constructively challenge the opposition (internal and external) has elevated the debate; and finally because he embodies courage and intellect, and not fear and ignorance.
Feerouz Jafari
<JafariF@ci.denver.co.us>
Not my real choice
* He has brought some minor changes to the nation. Although, no serious policy changes has occured yet since stupid radicals are still in power (Majlis). However, we do not have many choices left in selecting a politician. My real choice would not be a mulla since politics should never be mixed with religion.
Kam Dianatkhah
<kamd@m.al8.com>
Whispered hope
* He whispered new hopes for all.
Kas Ebrahimi
<kas@netscape.com>
Fresh air
* Fresh breath a of air in such a non-democratic environment.
Kavon Shamloo
<76532.1155@compuserve.com>
Moderate, open-minded
* Because his moderate approach to Iran's internal affairs and his open-minded approach to Iran's foreign affairs have brought more positive attention to Iran that anyone else could do over the past 19 years or so.
Abbas Lotfi
<LotfiA@nasd.com>
Last hope
* He is the first person in the regime who talks about freedom and respecting the law. It should be understood that any challenge for a better life, freedom, and human rights has to take shape in Iran, and not from abroad. There are no real political parties or movements in Iran. Therefore, the last and only hope is someone from inside of the regime. Khatami has started making changes. It is just the beginning. He may be the last hope! There is no dobt that only he can be the Iranian of the Year.
M.H.Ghaemi
<ghaemi@pg.gda.pl>
Positive process
* He has started a process that promises to affect many ordinary Iranians in a positive way.
Mansour Alipour-fard
<alipourf@spot.Colorado.EDU>
Great impact
* He can have great impact on the future of our country.
Mansour Keshmirian
<mansour@hynet.com>
Said the unthinkable
* Dared to break ancient molds one after the other, and say the unthinkable.
Masoud Loghmani
<masoudl@earthlink.net>
Brought freedom
* He is the reason for all the freedom that has been given to the people of Iran.
Hossein Mehdipour
<Mehdipour@NRDEP.nr.state.ky.us>
Changed world's perception
* Changing the world's perception of Iran and Iranians and giving new hope to all Iranians world wide.
Mehrdad Tabrizi
<Mehrdad_Tabrizi@mentorg.com>
Realistic on U.S.
* For his realistic and factual views on the relations between Iran and the U.S., and for bravely trying to open a door that has been shut for the past 19 years.
What is right
* The only Iranian politician in Iran with real courage to stand for what is right.
Mike Zibaie
<zibaie@us.ibm.com>
Turning point
* He made a turning point in Iran's political issues.
Mohammad Hadi Khabbaz
<khabbaz@civeng.unsw.EDU.AU>
The majority
* For the novel way he has represented the Iranian majority.
Intelligent image
* Portrayed a positive and intelligent image of Iran and Iranians among the Western world, especially the Americans.
Babak Nabili
<Babak.Nabili@COMPAQ.com>
Very special
* His flawless speech [during the CNN interview on Jan 7, 1998] brought back the dignity the Iranians deserve. After careful examination, U.S. officials recognized that they can not criticize any part of it. It takes a very special character to do what President Khatami has done.
Navid A. Seyedali
<navsho@email.msn.com>
He's the one
* Living in the U.S., I only get indirect feedback on him. But from what I have seen so far and read by him and of him, I think he is the one. At the least, he represents a new tide, a new attitude and thinking in Iran.
Omid Madani
<madani@cs.washington.edu>
Proved change possible
* He proved that it is possible to strive for change, no matter how repressive the political atmosphere is and his open mind for more human freedom and his goals for making Iran a more pleasant place to live.
<parisa.salimi@rss.rockwell.com>
New face
* Because of the admiration and respect of Iranians and other nations, for his thoughts, principles, and actions, in presenting a new face of Iran to the world.
Payman Arabshahi
<payman@fermi.jpl.nasa.gov>
Knows how to play the game
* Like a good statesman he has vision and like a good politician he knows how to play the game. He has managed to bring about the thawing of icy relations between U.S. and Iran. He will manage to maintain the dignity and integrity of Iran's sovereignty. I think he will seriously have an impact on Iran's internal political reality and effect relations between Iran and U.S.
Persis Karim
<persis@mail.utexas.edu>
Can change for better
* He is the person who can change Iran for the better.
Reza Nalbandi
<rezamehr@hotmail.com>
Many years from now
* Many years from now, we will remember President Khatami as one of the major reasons behind the creation of a truly democratic and internationally respected Iranian nation.
Reza Nassib
<Reza_Nassib@ccm.co.intel.com>
Force of hope
* The single most important force behind the hope that someday, Iran will be a nation of laws and a land of democracy.
Reza Shadmehr
<reza@bme.jhu.edu>
Well-mannered
* For showing that some Iranian politicians are educated and well-mannered, to the rest of the world, through his CNN intrterview.
Reza Shafii
<m1h1@ugrad.cs.ubc.ca>
Better future
* For giving Iranian hope for a better future.
Majid Safavi
<safavi@lucent.com>
Human, finally
* After 20 years, he has brought real hope to Iranians. I was in Iran in January and I could see some changes he has already made. There was more freedom for women and more respect for people in general. It seems like there is finally someone with a human heart running the country.
Saghar Barzmehri
<sbarzmehri@hotmail.com>
Made me proud
* Becasue after his speech on CNN, for the first time I felt proud of being from Iran. He has a lot more knowledge about politics, history and culture than other leaders in Iran.
A democrat
* He represents the hopes and aspirations of all Iranians for a more tolerant and free society. I believe President Khatami is a democrat and will do all he can to steer Iran in that direction. His presence has made Iran the talk of the town.
Shahram Mostarshed
<smostars@corp.cirrus.com>
From what I saw
* Having spent 10 weeks in Iran this past summer, I feel that the Iranian of the Year is President Mohammad Khatami.
Shahram Vakilian
<grd280@business.utah.edu>
Wise enough
* He is wise enough to lead a country like Iran in this situation.
Bita Naraghi
<bita-vahid-donna@worldnet.att.net>
Reduced tensions
* More than anyone else, he presented a civilized and mature image of Iran and Iranians last year and greatly reduced the tension that existed for decades between Iran and the rest of the world.
Vahid Naraghi
<vahid.naraghi@netvantage.com>
Impact on political landscape
* For his impact on the political landscape of the region and the world, and the role of democracy in Iran.
At long last...
* At long last we have a Head of State who can both articulate and communicate the real wishes and perspectives of the majority of Iranians, both internally and to the rest of the world. He has been able to gather overwhelming popular support, destroying the image of Iranians as fanatics. This image has been used by all of Iran's enemies to justify hostile actions from sanctions to invasion. He has the courage to tackle the power of the hardliners and the skill to do so without isolating himself. His intelligence and erudition have created a very favourable impression abroad and paved the way for renewal of U.S.-Iranian ties on a footing favorable to Iran.
Zahir Antia
<zantia@sprint.ca>
Good communicator
* He gave hope to people in Iran and provided respect for Iran in the International community. He is also doing his best and trying very hard to establish the rule of law, something Iran needs more than anything else. He is a good communicator with self confidence and has a very good grasp of political reality in the world.
Zia Hosseinipour
<ZiaHosseinipour@ij.net>
Related links
* Khatami's interview
with CNN(Jan. 7, 1998)
* Surveys
* Bookstore
* Cover stories
* Who's
who
Copyright © 1997 Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form.
|
|
|
