New and unexpected hope

Iranian peace bikers reflect on the end of their U.S. tour


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New and unexpected hope
by Ali Nasri
14-Oct-2007
 

A few months ago a group of 14 Iranians traveled around europe and the United-States by bicycle in order to bring the message of peace and friendship of the Iranian civil society to other nations, in a project called 'Miles for Peace'. This is a summary of their experiences after this intense trip and talking about their future projects. See video clips on Youtube and their own blog: milesforpeace.org/blog. People can also sign the petition support dialogue and peace between Iran and other nations >>> See biker's photos in Washington DC

On May 10th 2007, the day we started our trip, we were average Iranian citizens who saw themselves under the shadow of an imminent threat. A war that had already devastated two of our neighbors, Iraq and Afghanistan, was now staring us right in the face. And the same propaganda machine that had, a few years earlier, prepared the public opinion for the invasion of these countries, was now intensely focusing on us; capitalizing on the same fear and ignorance to justify greater economic sanctions and eventual military actions against our country.

We felt overwhelmed, misunderstood and isolated in a world that unfairly viewed us, or so we thought it did, as a bunch of terrorists staunchly seeking nuclear weapons for evil purposes. We could not afford to be silent. We had to be heard! We had to remind the people of the world of the great civilization that was, and is, ours. Share with them the richness of our culture and the depth of our spirituality. And reassure them, that as a nation, we have not initiated any aggression against any other country for the past 260 years!

With the ambition to spread these messages, and yet with realistic expectations, we packed our bags, took our bicycles and embarked into a long journey across the western hemisphere. We knew that the task that we had undertaken was an almost impossible one.

Truly, it was more the sense of responsibility than optimism that had driven us to this project. After all, how could a dozen Iranian citizens on bicycle have any significant influence on the western public opinion against the constant negative propaganda of media giants? Or again, how could they change the course of international politics in a world governed by corporate interests, ideological conflicts and geostrategical calculations?

But as we pedaled through the European and North American continent; from the ancient alleys of Rome to the green hills of Passau to the crowded boulevards of Paris, Los Angeles and New York, and as we met with thousands of people from the four corners of the western world, a new and unexpected hope began to emerge within us.

We encountered an impressive number of individuals rising up against injustice and going beyond their ways, to defend the rights of other human beings living thousands of miles away from them. We were witnessing a true spirit of universal compassion breaking through the boundaries of personal egos, nationalities and religions and gradually expanding all over the human family. A 58 year old British man who had been camping in the Parliament square of London for over 6 years to protest the suffering of Iraqi civilians, affirmed to us in the most determined voice that “Not a single Iraqi child shall be killed in my name”.

We came across an American woman in Washington D.C who was staging three weeks of hunger strike to protest the military threats of an American Senator against Iran. “I am fasting with my spirit” she said, clearly demonstrating, in her words and actions, that the spirit of humankind is truly one. In Chicago, we joined with thousands of other people who were gathering from London, Buenos Aires, San Francisco…to voice, each in their own way, the sufferings of people living in Baghdad, Kabul and Jerusalem.

Something strange and extraordinary might be on the verge happening! Maybe, through the beating drums of war, the loud explosions of cluster bombs, the poisonous dust of depleted uranium and the heart-wrenching cries of agonizing mothers; we are witnessing the painful, yet miraculous, birth of a new integrated world, and the emergence of a higher level of human consciousness.

On July 23rd 2007, the day our long trip ended, we were no longer average Iranian citizens, but engaged citizens of a new world!

We have traveled thousands of miles for peace, but it only seems like a first step on the long and difficult road that is ahead of us. A road to world peace, that we are now more determined than ever to cross.


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more from Ali Nasri
 
Mehdi

When did war win anything?

by Mehdi on

It is only a misconception that a war ever results in any victory. Never in history has this happened. It is only bad observation on the part of the observer who thinks some war was successful. A quick look around the world today and within the past 50-100 years makes it very clear that ALL wars were created by specific interest groups and then supported by ignorant people and it resulted in nothing but loss for the average person, and maybe some imagined gain for certain insane individuals. Those who work very hard to start a war, refuse any attempt towards peace and see bloodshed as the only solution, need to check their logic as well as their motives again. Others should also check the motives of such people more prudently. To some, it seems easier to destroy everything than to take responsibility for the situation. These people are always victims in search of revenge. Somebody else did it to them - they were given no choice. To such, any effort to establish peace and stability is suspect. Such efforts are always considered a conspiracy. It is sad that these people live in pain and fear and are very confused. I am not saying that the current regime is anything but undesireable. But what I am saying is let's not take the lazy way out (destruction). Let's insist that things will improve and let's not even give in to the invitations by the regime (or their criminal friends in CIA) to engage in an all out destruction. Use of force is only valid in defence, but to stretch the definition of defence is a covert attempt to create destruction. Some minds cannot even consider peace. Sad.


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To lost Identity .......I'm lost

by kurdish warrior (not verified) on

I'm really lost. Some people are really walking in twilight zone. Did you even read my comment??? Are you personally a kurd who are ahamed of me? and for what???? God bless.


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Kurds are ashamed you "kudish warior" calling himself a Kurd

by LostIdentity (not verified) on

yes sir;

Peace;


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Its so funny

by kurdish warrior (not verified) on

It's so funny when some people accuse you or your people of being a traitor to your country just because you advocate rising, taking arms against this mullahs. I Don't want to get into past but it's proven that with help of kurds Iran manageded to take halabja. Godbless all the iranians..lets hope for a democratic federal Iran...


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Kurdish warrior: some Kurds helped Saddam during the war

by An Iranian in the USA (not verified) on

Enough with the anti-Iran propaganda. When Saddam invaded Iran in the 1980s, some Iranian Kurds supported the Iraqis. I'm sure they did helped Saddam because they love Iran so much.


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No way I would support these people

by kurdish warrior (not verified) on

I'm ashamed of being Iranian when I see these so called peace activist representing the iranians. They are just another IRI agents. Don't support American strike but we def need to take arms against these mullahs.


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Bunch of cock suckers of the IRI regime

by Saman (not verified) on

Go tell your fucking Ahmadinejad to have peace with students in Tehran University , oh wait that won't work, he will hang you by the first available crane. You are nothing but a bunch of cockroaches on the payroll of IRI PR machine. These BS PR tricks are tooooooooooooo old after 28 years. Fuck you and your IRI masters, your time is short Khaye malls. ITSSSSSS TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING LATTTTTTTE FOR THIS KIND OF PEACEEEEEEEE GAMES>


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I like to walk in Iran and ask for justice?

by hajiagha on

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when I was lost so many are best friend in war, or wounded, or lost brother in war, then now look at Iran, fraud and corruption every where from Ayatollahs seyed Ali Khamenei to Rafsanjani, or vaez tabasi.....I like to go in Iran walk from one city to another's and ask for justice , what you thinks? why I am not free to send my messages out? if Mullahs in Iran sending this guy's here for peace?

 

من حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید هستم


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Bacheha.....Dametoon garm!!!!!

by EmbassadorSofPeace (not verified) on

Az divo dad maloolam o ensaanam arezoost!


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Hajijoon

by LostIdentity (not verified) on

I surely think that you're mentally disturbed. You're at war with everything that moves and not.......Give up the hatred....it gives you lots of energy but it kills your soul.....Flourish you sould with love and peace;

Peace;


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Dear Iranian Patriot, Thank

by Sohrab Ferdows (not verified) on

Dear Iranian Patriot,

Thank you for your comment but my concern is not the behavior of American government but behavior of Islamic Republic government towards Iranians and promotion of violence inside the country and anywhere else they can. My question is, why Islamic Republic insists on pursuing a path which can result in collision with strongest military might in the world? Why Islamic Republic government is following a policy which endangers integrity and well being of the nation? Dear friend, I have seen all of those that you mentioned and I am not defending American government policies at any time but I understand that American government is true representation of American people based on the standards which has been set by them a couple of centuries ago.

I argument is anout if they are right or wrong because I am not an American and do not live in United States either. My argument is about the constant danger that our people have been living under since coming of this totalitarian and despotic regime which values nothing that does not serve in promotion their ideology. If you have all that information that you should also know that Khomeini openly declared "war is a gift from allah"! How is that not promoting war? All leaders of Islamic republic at one time or another have openly promoted war in different occasions.

I don't intend to go through this lengthy process of showing that Islamic republic has biggest responsibility if any act of aggression happens against Iran but I like to know why all of sudden after 28 years of chanting death against everyone, now Islamic regime is trying to get close to "bad" Americans? A while back, Islamic regime had officialy informed American government that they are ready to enter negotiation and discuss everything including "sponsorship of terrorism", "middle east", "Iraq" and "nuclear activities". Why? whay should Iranian government which has driven its nation towards complete misery, ecdonomically or otherwise, want to have a foot step in issues like terrorist activities and meddling in Iraq?

Just a few months ago a few top leaders of Islamic regime were implicated in an act of terrorism by Argentian judge. A while back another group of members of Islamic republic government were implicated in an act of terrorism in Germany. Where is the peace and dialogue in that for Iranian people? why ranian should not have a relief from this terrorist warmonger regime once and for all?! sorry for typos.


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To Sohrab Ferdows

by Iranian patriot (not verified) on

Dear Sohrab,

The U.S. government is the Number One warmonger in the world: it invaded and is currently occupying both Iraq and Afghanistan. In my lifetime alone, it has bombarded and invaded Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Yugoslavia, Libya, and Nicaragua.

It overthrew democratic leaders in Chile, Iran, Guatemala, and other countries and helped bring to power murderous dictators in Indonesia, Zaire, El Salvador, Argentina, Dominican Republic, etc. which have killed many, many times more people than the awful IRI...It gave Saddam the chemical weapons to kill Iranians (along with European countries and the USSR), encouraged him to invade Iran, and to bomb its cities.

The U.S. government is the main instigator of violence in the world, NOT Iran. The U.S. would be to blame for attacking Iran, just like it attacked Iran through its former puppet, Saddam. The IRI has a terrible human rights record, but it is NOT responsible for the fact that the U.S. wants to control the ENTIRE planet, from the Middle East to Latin America, by force.


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حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید

hajiagha


این مادر حنده ها الا غ زاده های آخوندا مرتب می آیند روی خط و وزوز واز خودشان تعریف می کنند کیر تو دهن اون رهبر شیره ای تان وآخوند های دزد بیت الما ل با پول ملت اومدین خارح برای کون دادن.

go back in Iran mother fucker and tell to the Mullahs we saw so many fucking game before from you are first bring freedom and democracy in Iran and for Iranian stop stolen are money and oil by rafsanjani and others Mullahs

 

 

من حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید هستم


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Tonya

by Sohrab Ferdows (not verified) on

Thanks for reassuring me but I don't believe that these people are really accomplishing anything! I don't think there is anyone in this world who does not like to live in peace and biking for peace is of course always a noble idea. In this case, biking for peace certainly has been performed to raise awareness about the current tenssions between United States government and Islamic Republic government in Iran. The question is: is it possible to believe that a government which has supression of its own people at highest priority for almost 30 years and still treats slightest disagreement by Iranians towards itself with revolutionary punishments can make peace with anyone?

Islamic government officials of highest rank have been making all kinds of rhetorical messages and issueing all kinds of threats towards different nations for many years. This government can not be a trusted party in any kind of agreement about anything. They decieved Iranian people by taking advantage of their religious belief and now they are using all their national resources towards promotion nof violence in middle east and other places in the world. They have sponsored many terrorist activities against Iranians and others in every corner of the world. what kind of peace can be made with this government?

Islamic republic is after a guaranty for its continuity through friendship with western nations so that no one bothers them about their human right problems and terrorist activities. I appreciate your concern in this regard but I don't believe these bikers really have any "hand" so that my worries be safe in that!

I wish American government does not go with military attack against Iran but if something of this sort happens then I put the blame on Islamic republic government first which has been in the business of promoting violence and war for the past 28 years and always considered war "a gift from god"! This is what their leader says! Iranians are peace loving people like the rest of the world but it is Islamic Republic which is "misrepresenting" Iranian people's will. Iranians want peace for the world and for themselves too.


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to Sohrab

by Tonya (not verified) on

Without specifically addressing your question with quoted statements, let me assure you that this was not a simple bike ride for peace only.  If you could have only heard the passion in the voices of these brave men and women.  Human rights was as much as part of their mission as peace.  We listened to each one of them expressing their reactions, hopes and dreams for a new Iran.  I understand your concern but felt it necessary to reassure you that there was much much more to this movement than a bike ride for peace.   These are examples of the men and women who will shape the future of Iran.  I believe that your expectations are safe in their hand! 


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Peace and Akhoond DO NOT MIX

by Sasan (not verified) on

Ya all of you on the payroll of Islamo thugs of IRI be afraid, 28 years sucking the blood of Iranian is enough, its time to hang one Akhoond on every lamppost in Iran, THEN WE WILL START WITH THEIR THUGS...


Sohrab_Ferdows

I wonder why these bikers

by Sohrab_Ferdows on

I wonder why these bikers did not include promotion of human rights in Iran in their cause at the same time? peace is excellent but Islamic Republic needs to make peace with Iranian people first instead of supressing them barabrically.


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Awesome Job! Way to Go!

by Mehdi (not verified) on

Thank you so much for your hard work! Peace! Yeah!


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Support!!!

by Tonya (not verified) on

I wrote in the other article as well and I will search out every single one that discusses the efforts of these wonderful young people and add my voice of support.  I will not spend one nanosecond reading what Haji might say.  I skim over his comments holding my nose as I would passing a sesspool of human garbage.  Most of you have no idea what efforts this group went to to achieve their goal.  I do... we followed every step of their trip.  We met them in LA.  We heard the passion in their voice.  We respect their faith.  We honor their commitment.  Why don't you?????


Foad

Afareen....

by Foad on

On my part I like to congratulate the Iranian cyclists and wish them the best of luck.

I hope those Pahlavi cabals and warmongers like DK who insulted Iranian women by calling them burka wearers will take note.


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New and unexpected..........

by Faribors Maleknasri M.D. (not verified) on

that we iranians have not beginn with a war since long is worldwide an accepted reality. I see a lot of positiv aspects in the struggle of my countrymates to show the world what we want. Unfortunately understand the selfnamed supperpowers only the language of War. so we will defend us. since years they, i mean these supperpowers bark at us but till to this moment nobody hase dared to bite. Thanks God and thanks the hionest unit y of our nation and our gavouernment. Greetingsand


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To Ali Nasri and friends: I

by Ali (not verified) on

To Ali Nasri and friends:
I know no iran regime would pay for a bike tour like your in Iran. So It must been with your effort and your money.
congradulation to you and your friends.


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Dear Ali, Good for you, do

by peace lover from Iran (not verified) on

Dear Ali,
Good for you, do whatever you can for peace. Forget about the idiots who will always exist.
I am glad you've made it around the world on bikes.
Peace!


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FUCK REZA PAHLAVI AND MARYAM RAJAVI

by ShahRokh Niavarani (not verified) on

FUCK REZA PAHLAVI
AND FUCK MARYAM RAJAVI

AND FUCK THE LION AND SUN FLAG!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

REZA PAHLAVI'S FATHER WAS A FUCKING DICTATOR ACCORDING TO THE USA! I SAY FUCK THE PAHLAVIS!

AND FUCK THE TERRORIST MARYAM RAJAVI. SHE IS ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S TEROR LIST!


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times is close to fuck all mullahs in Iran

by hajiagha on

mother fucker, I am not saltanat talab or Mojahed, former of the revolutionary guard if I land in Iran and meet any Mullahs I will fuck of all them any one in front my face

.من حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید هستم


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Drop dead to all pro-war Savakis and Mojaheds

by Iranian patriot (not verified) on

We Iranian patriots will not let the Rajavist and Pahlavist scum get away with their warmongering, if their U.S. and/or Israeli owners attack Iran. The U.S. military is the most powerful in the world. Despite having the most advanced armaments and body armor, nearly 4,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq and many thousands more have been badly injured. You Rajavists and Pahlavists don't have their weapons or their body armor; it will be much easier to find you and teach you the ultimate lesson (IF you don't shut your mouths up about supporting an attack against Iran).


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حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید

hajiagha


نزدیک سی سال هر روز با یک نیر نگ و باح دادن به حکومت های خارحی ز دهان ملت ...کس کش ها بر گردید به همو ن خراب شده....ما که رفتیم حلوی گلوله و آخر سر هم کیر خوردیم......خرح مسآفرت خایه مالها ی مثل شما بهتر خرح مردم بشه....

من حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید هستم


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Dear hajiagha. You are lost

by A Doost (not verified) on

Dear hajiagha. You are lost in your hatred with those dirty words. Your hatred is preventing you to understand the human message in this report....God save your soul!


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.من حانباز حنگ و برادر شهید هستم

hajiagha


fuck all of them go back in Iran and tell to the mothers fucker Ayatollahs , stop killing people and torturing, stop stolen are oil and are money to bring in Canada or in french or bring for own,,,,stop this fucking game


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30 years is enough, Akhoond and peace do not mix

by Gholi (not verified) on

.


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