IRAN

To Ali from Shiraz, Hello,

To Ali from Shiraz,

Hello, Thanks for the invetation. Shiraz has always been a beautiful city. The last time I was in Shiraz was in 1980 and I stayed at Hotel Kourush for one week with my family. I had a great time. Things were not very bad then and hijab was mandatory yet. People were still free, kind of. Big cities in Iran like Shiraz and Isfehan are actualy very nice looking at recent photos. But what navid and I were saying is that many other places in Iran that have signficant historical value have not been taking care of. I know for a fact in my own Khuzistan we ave major anceint cities like Shushtar, Masjid Soliman and Dezful, Shush Danial. There so many open and exposed area not protected. Most everybody only associate Khuzestan with Abadan and OIL. Yes that is where the majority of Iran's Wealth comes from but it has many more things to offer as well. If that is not enough sacrifise. I was looking at photots of Ahvaz the other day. I was not happy at all. Miss match and confusing styles of building and architect. The Government does not allow planting of massive tree farm. Wants to keep it unhabitable. Not
much improvement. These are the type of neglect I am talking about. Iran is my motherland and I love every inch of it. I hate to see it wasting away. I hate seeing people not having better standard of living. Otherwise ,yes it is nice coming to Iran for a visit, but I like to see improvement for all of Iran not just few selective places.
Zendeh bad Iran, Persian Gulf forever
wishing for Free Iran

Picture 73 is my car's brother

from another mother! Notice the 3 lug nuts on the tires, as opposed to the minimum normal of 4.

Those who don't see the beauty

of Iran will destroy it. Many think that modernity is judged by modern buildings. Well take a look at Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. UAE or Turkey. Modernity is not based on economy or modern structures. It's a culture and a social growth.

Those who don't understand this simple concept are the ones who would destroy a beautiful historical structure for a modern design. People don't understand what Iran has or offers. I don't expect many Iranians in LA to know that. They think very simple, based on the cover. Many just want to change Iran to be a western like nation. Not realizing that our culture and history has taught us essential guides. Those who don't know it, just put it down. Those who know it, be it an Iranian or a European, cherish it.

Interestingly the other day I was speaking to an Iranian in a party. They told me how embarrassed they were about Iran and their people. He wished that they change their clothings and so on and so forth. I stop listening and just smiled. It's a sad thing to see an educated individual who has lived in the west...this is how much he/she knows. What can I say?

Afarin, great pictures!

You take great pictures!

To dear Bernie

I believe Mr William Knox D'Arcy was very much of the same opinion!

Wonderful

I'm an English man, never been to Iran, hardly travelled at all, something I intend to change in the near future.
I check out these photo essays frequently and I always come to the same conclusion.

Iran is a stunningly beautiful country, I mean really really amazing.
The landscape, nature, cities, architecture, it's almost surreal in it's beauty and art. There is also the culture of fine art, food, hospitality and as a nation the people are profoundly handsome.

I intend to go and spend some time there if at all possible but there is one question and it applies to Iran and a lot of other countries including my own. Why do we let politics and religion interfere with spreading the knowledge of culture and art?
We only get to hear the bad on the news and quite frankly it's getting more than a little tiring.

Anyway I would like to thank Basheem for a wonderful series of photographs and all the other contributors that feed my knowledge of what seems an amazing nation.

To Mitra

In the mean time, we can certainly hope for a brighter future for Iran and Iranians.

To Mitra from Khuzestan

Hi Mitra,

Please come back to Iran for a visit. You're wrong about our cities getting run down. You're right, there are some neglected places, but this doesn't mean the whole country is stuck in the past. Come back and see for yourself, don't listen to the new comers. They are blind by the glamour of the west. I used to live in Sweden but I moved back to my home city of Shiraz and I'm happier than ever. We left for a better life, but we shouldn't be that stubborn to stick with any life in the west just because we made a wrong decision in the past.

Hope to see all Iranians who left come back, or those who wish to stay outside of Iran at least become more active and defend Iranian interests.

Long live Iran

Ali

To Navid, I understand ,

To Navid,

I understand , there are many negelected places in Iran and some are even more negelected than others.

These photos are raw and beautiful, because Iran is simply beautiful. #40 is even nicer than any other donkey in the world.

Iran is what it is due to many factors. I have not been in Iran over 20 years. However, I have seen the new comers that just happy to be out and do not want to look back. The others left behind want to survive or just hold on to what they got. The rich think of getting richer and do not think about others, as long as they can do everything under the covers. Some Iranians do not just give a d...... It is sad to say but is it true. Some Iranins admit that are miserable living with this regime, but are scared of anything new. Some are totaly brian wash even they might be wearing western style clothing and listen to rock music but have lost their power and worth. What cay we say? The more bearded one is or chadoury , then you are consider worthy to speak.
Our beautiful towns and ancient cities are getting run down. We need to ask the government. Oh ,I forgot that they are busy caring about Allah that who cares about the PEOPLE or where these people live!

Navid...

Navid,

Iran at this time is like an african nation somewhat a combintion of the following countries: Sudan, Algeria, Cameroon, Yemen, Burkena.

Tehran: The most godless sin city in iran...

Obeservation

Most Iranians see pictures of Iran and think it is beautiful. I challenge iranians to look at iran and seek perfection. I hope one day i can look at pictures of iran think how fortune iranians are, how they have improved their lives. I have seen ample pictures of iran posted on this site, and they all seem to show how the lives of iranians is so backward. Yazd is one the most ancient centers of civilzation in the world, and it is such poor and desolate city today. I ask each one us wonder why.

PIC 40 says it all

Iran in 2008 is still a backward and poor country

Great photography though

Great pictures

Dear call me a cynic, all I got from pic 40 is that the photographer is a democrat ;)

Picture #40

Picture #40 says it all!!

You have captured the essence of the subjects.

Some the most brilliant pictures I have ever seen from Iran.
You have captured the essence of the subjects.
Great job.

Great Pictures

Thanks for sharing these. they are beautiful. Great work.

Sightseeing

This is the first time I've seen photos of this caliber on this site.
You clearly know a thing or two about photography and composition.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful images.
K.

What a disater Iran Is

Looking at these pictures actually made feel sad about iranians; how deprived and poor we are. this is 2008 and my country men live in such poor condistions. Such sad and pathtic images of nation that once was the envy of the world. I think a lot of the pictues are from the CITY of YAZD which is one of the largest cities in Iran, no vibrant life in that ciy.

Beautiful pictures

and very well photograffed. Do you have more background information of places you have visited?

Amazing Pictures

I love how in a barber shop,you got to see pictures of a different Iran.
The reason why IR can survive is because of people like in that barber shop.

Loved them all!

Thanks for sharing! I loved them all.
You like cats?
I will be checking out your flickr pages next.

Amazing Diversity

One of the most original, diverse and unique sets of images I have ever seen on iranian.com. Wish you had included more information as to whereabouts of some of the locations and also if you are planning to sell any of them.

Either way, thank you for sharing them.

Thank you.

These are beautiful pictures. Great style and composition. I wanted to see more and more.  

Feshangi