Iranian.com’s Person of The Year, 2009: submit your nominations

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Nazy Kaviani
by Nazy Kaviani
17-Dec-2009
 

Don’t get upset with TIME’s strange methods and final choice for Person of The Year, 2009. After all, it’s their award and they can give it to whomever they deem appropriate, no matter how inappropriate we think the choice is.  But, hey, Iranian.com is our medium and we can do our own selection! 

I know that the world does not revolve around Iranians, but this was a particularly important year for Iran and Iranians and of all years, this would have been a good year for Iranian people to be recognized.  From Omid Reza Mirsayafi, a young blogger who died under torture in prison in March after he wrote a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, to millions of vibrant young people who came to streets to protest the rigged elections in Iran, risking life and limb for the chance to speak their minds, to scores of journalists who have been imprisoned in Iran for the past six months, we have hundreds of deserving individuals who can be named persons of the year, no thanks to Islamic Republic’s treatment of its best and brightest people with suppression, abuse, torture, and execution. Many of these people, you would agree, have received not only national recognition and pride from Iranians worldwide, they have been noticed internationally, too. We have fabulous artists who have made music and film and authors who have written good novels and non-fiction. We have scientists and politicians and businessmen whose accomplishments have made news. Hey, this year we even have criminals in suits and murderers! We’ve got a huge pool of people from which we can choose Iranian.com's Person of the Year, 2009.

Whom would you nominate as Person of The Year, 2009 and why? If you need help deciding, you can consult the Iranian of the Year section on the site where more than 450 people have appeared this year. The Person of the Year doesn’t have to be an accomplished or “good” person. It can also be a very bad person. We have some of those, too!

You can submit your recommendations here, or if you feel particularly passionate about any one person, you can write a blog about his or her nomination. Make sure your blog title starts with: “Person of The Year, 2009:…” for the name to be thrown in the hat.

Hopefully once we have a good list, Jahanshah and Foaad can post a poll and people can cast their votes in a quantitative way. Let's not be bitter about the omission, but create new opportunities for inclusion!

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Monda

And of course you remember this person of 2009

by Monda on Sat Dec 26, 2009 06:45 PM PST


محمد یوسف رشیدی مورخ 6/9/88 در خانه پدری خود در نوشهر توسط وزارت اطلاعات بازداشت شد و تنها خبری که از خانواده اش در اختیار دوستان وی قرار گرفته است خبر اعتصاب غذای او در بازداشتگاه اداره ی کل اطلاعات اطلاعات استان مازندران است. محمد یوسف رشیدی یکی از فعالان دانشجویی چپگرای دانشگاه صنعتی امیر کبیر تهران است که در اعتراضات دانشجویی علیه حضور احمدی نژاد در دانشگاه نقش برجسته ای داشت و از زمان سخنرانی محمود احمدی نژاد در دانشگاه پلی تکنیک در تعلیق از تحصیل به سر می برد. او در هنگام سخنرانی احمدی نژاد پلاکارد بزرگی را در مقابل او بالا برده برد که روی آن نوشته شده بود:«رئیس جمهور فاشیست، پلی تکنیک جای تو نیست

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Monda

Anahid jan,

by Monda on Sat Dec 19, 2009 05:43 AM PST

In that case I agree with Noosh Afarin. 


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Noosh Afarin

جاودانه های روزهای سبز

Noosh Afarin
Fri Dec 18, 2009 09:42 PM PST

 

 نازی جان؛
  به نظر من ؛ تک تک کسانی که سکوت ٣٠ را شکستند و یک حرکت مردمی را بر علیه ظلم بیداد دولت پایه گذاری کردنند، در صدر هستند.                  

//www.blip.tv/file/2986418

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Sadra

Iranian artists and intellectuals

by Sadra on Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:09 PM PST

Iranian artists, thinkers, and activists who each did something important for the green movement and for people of Iran.

1.  Arash Sobhani and his band Kiosk for their tireless and free participation in protest gatherings all over Canada and US

2.  Akbar Ganji for organizing the New York hunger strike, bringing worldwide attention to events in Iran.

3.  Googoosh for breaking her silence and participating in the New York hunger strike

4.  Mohammad Reza Shajarian for telling IRIB that he does not authorize their use of his music after their shameful coverage of protest news.

5.  Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Shahrnush Parsipur, Shirin Neshat, Jafar Panahi, and Bahman Ghobadi for sharing their international spotlight with the green movement. (did Shohreh Aghdashloo do this? I don't remember.)

6.  Mohsen Namjoo for deciding to forego returning to Iran and embracing the green movement in his poetry and music.

7.  Iranian National Soccer Team who wore green wristbands in support of the green movement, facing expulsion and mistreatment as a result

8.  Last, but not least, Iranian journalists who have had to face jail and torture for forced confessions:  Ahmad Zeidabadi, Isa Saharkhiz, Saeed Laylaz, Fariba Pajooh, Jila Baniyaghoub, Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, Mohammd Ghouchani, and tens more.


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Shifteh Ansari

3. The worst Iranians (ever)

by Shifteh Ansari on Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:28 AM PST

Ali Khamenei, for approving of the elections rigging and then ordering a brutal confrontation with peaceful protesters.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his illegal occupation of a seat for which he is not qualified.  During his term Iran has been pushed into further isolation and prospects of war and sanctions have loomed near.

Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi, for having allowed the Iranian Judiciary to go to further ruins during his term, obliterating all semblance of justice in Iran.

Tehran Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi, for continuing to prosecute and torture free thinkers of Iran.

Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, for his role in the brutal crackdown on Iranians and their subsequent imprisonment, torture, rape, and murder at illegal detention centers.

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, for dismissing reports of abuse, rape, and murder at Kahrizak as "false," and joking about it at a Parliament session when he thought the mic was off.

Hossein Taeb, Basij Commander, who trained and unleashed thugs to attack peaceful protesters during the June uprising.

 


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Shifteh Ansari

2. Omid Reza Mirsayyafi

by Shifteh Ansari on Fri Dec 18, 2009 09:45 AM PST

This young blogger was imprisoned for a letter he had written to Ali Khamenei in his blogs.  He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, but within the first few weeks he was murdered under torture at Evin Prison on March 18, 2009.  

 

//iranian.com/main/2009/mar/omidreza-mirs...


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Anahid Hojjati

To Monda and Souri jan,I guess who we choose gets publicity

by Anahid Hojjati on Fri Dec 18, 2009 06:23 AM PST

 

Dear Monda, as I understand, Nazy wants Iranian.com readers to choose Iranian of the year.  As far as if it matters who we choose, since some people are frustrated with other lists of persons of the year, at least this way, they can have their say.

 Souri jan, sorry if I did not get the joke.  Happy holidays to everyone.

 


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Mona 19

...

by Mona 19 on Fri Dec 18, 2009 06:07 AM PST

and many other courageous and self sacrificing men, women, and youth of my country who face cruelty and unjustice with patience, strenght, perseverance, bravery...and other virtuose qualities, and innocent souls who lost their lives in the hands of oppresors.... May my fairest land be glorious and free

Mona  P.S.Thanks Ms.Kaviani, and have a very wonderful holiday

 

 

 

 

 


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Monda

Anahid jan

by Monda on Fri Dec 18, 2009 05:31 AM PST

I thought it was for Iranians anywhere.  My mistake!

In that case does it really matter who We choose?


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Anvar

Imprisoned Baha’is (7 Yaran)

by Anvar on Fri Dec 18, 2009 03:51 AM PST

Long before the recent sham elections, kangaroo courts, forced confessions, public protests, bloodsheds, and the inception of the Green Movement, there have been others at the receiving end of the wrath of the Islamic Republic.

These peaceful Iranian men and women have been in the notorious Evin prison, for over a year and a half, awaiting a trial.  One of the charges against them is “Insulting Islam.”   Their belief in gender equality, separation of religion from politics, and obsolescence of (all) clergies has been misinterpreted as an insult to Islam.  A “crime” that’s possibly punishable by the death penalty.

These people have sacrificed their own wellness and livelihood for the betterment of lives and enlightenment of all Iranians.  

Even though there are many more Baha’is in Iranian prisons; I nominate these 7 brave souls as Persons of The Year to symbolize our ongoing struggle against hatred, oppression, and superstition.

//www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article...

//news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-updat...

Just a suggestion:  When we have so many “good” people to be recognized as Person(s) of The Year, let’s not award this title to anyone “bad.”  

Anvar


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default

Karroubi

by sag koochooloo on Fri Dec 18, 2009 02:53 AM PST

1. Karroubi - To prove there is a good cleric out there, willing to stand up for good values and justice for the people.

2. Mahmoud Vahidnia / Majoid Tavakoli - To prove we have brave young souls that will take us to a better future.

Very difficult, as there are so many candidates like journalists, Human Rights lawyers and advocates, innocent victims like Neda, Taraneh, Sohrab etc.


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Nur-i-Azal

It must be NEDA

by Nur-i-Azal on Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:58 PM PST

Period!


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Sargord Pirouz

Brig. Gen. Mighani: Person of the Year

by Sargord Pirouz on Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:20 PM PST

Brigadier General Mighani is the commander of the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force (IRIADF). Last month, he commanded the Sky of Velayat 2 air defense drill.

This position in Iran's military is especially important, given the continual threats by Israel and the United States of air strikes to be launched against the Islamic Republic.

Brig. Gen. Mighani is a distinguished pilot, formerly with the IRIAF flying F-14A Tomcat interceptors.

While the rest of Iran competes over who most adheres to Imam Khomeini's legacy, and many in the diaspora play chickenhawk, Brig. Gen. Mighani works overtime trying to make the most out of an underdog force of meehan defenders.

He should be iranian.com Person of the Year. 


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Souri

We know it honey.....

by Souri on Thu Dec 17, 2009 07:34 PM PST

That was a joke!

We do it every year. Now we are used to this election, we know what it is about!

I tried to be funne\y, obviously I failed :-(


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Anahid Hojjati

Dear friends, this is for Person of the Year for Iran not for...

by Anahid Hojjati on Thu Dec 17, 2009 06:06 PM PST

 

Couple friends are thinking this is to find Iranian.com person of the year so they mention for instance JJ.  No, this is Person of the year for Iran but is being held by Iranian.com.


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Souri

Can I nominate myself?

by Souri on Thu Dec 17, 2009 05:48 PM PST

I vote for myself as "Iranian of the year" of Iranian.com :)


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Arthimis

All those who walked the walk...

by Arthimis on Thu Dec 17, 2009 03:57 PM PST

Although I agree with the Mr. Ari Siletz's choice of Ayat Of Satan Khamenei and his Evil role that subsequently lead to our current Iranian uprising, I for one can only vote for all those brave Iranian men,women and children who put their lives on the line and in many cases sacrificed their precious lives against an EVIL Islamic Tyranny in Iran for all the rest... 

All those who walked the walk and not just Talked the talk...

Azad va Peerooz Baad Iran va Iranian Rasteen


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Ari Siletz

Ayatollah Khamenei

by Ari Siletz on Thu Dec 17, 2009 03:14 PM PST

The main reason Ayatollah Khamenei should be IC Person of the Year for 2009 is that he was the most important individual in creating the resurgence of Iran's democratic will. His catastrophic leadership helped expose the absurdity of velayat e faghih and ensured that 2009 was a period of national reconsideration. He still wields unrivaled power over Iranian lives, but no longer over our national future. The decisions he has made, and those he has yet to make, have shaped the path of Iran's politics and have made our determination an example to the world.

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Anonymouse

Mahmoud Vahidnia - for publicly criticizing Khamenei

by Anonymouse on Thu Dec 17, 2009 03:06 PM PST


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MM

The Iranian Students as the Person of the Year

by MM on Thu Dec 17, 2009 02:53 PM PST

It was the bravery of the Iranian students, combined with the efforts of others, to make the green movement protests a huge success.

It was the Iranian students that gave their best (Neda/Majid.......) to the regime's worst (Basij all the way up to Khamenei).

It is the Iranian students who have kept the pressure on the dictators.

The Iranian Students, as a group, is my choice for the Person of the Year.


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Patriot

Neda Agha Soltan

by Patriot on Thu Dec 17, 2009 02:44 PM PST

I believe for the visibility her unfortunate and horrible death brought the Iranian people's peaceful protests, Neda Agha Soltan is a unique and worthy candidate for the title of person of the year.

//iranian.com/main/2009/oct/neda-agha-sol...


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Anahid Hojjati

I nominate "Majid Tavakoli" for Person of the year

by Anahid Hojjati on Thu Dec 17, 2009 02:05 PM PST

 

I nominate "Majid Tavakoli" for Iranian. com 's person of the Year.  I believe real leaders of Green movement are students and Majid is a leader among leaders.  This is third time that he is arrested.  His arrest and the regime' s efforts to shame him by taking pictures of him in feamle clothing resulted in widespread campaign by Iranian men. I could write still more but basically I nominate "Majid Tavakoli" for person of the year. 

 


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Monda

Jahanshah Javid

by Monda on Thu Dec 17, 2009 02:04 PM PST

has my vote on this site.  Because if it wasn't for him I would not be so clearly addicted to iranian.com.  It's JJ's wisdom, passion, hard-work and good professional ethics that make this site one of most favorite places to be (virtually speaking).


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Shifteh Ansari

1: Ahmad Zeidabadi, Journalist

by Shifteh Ansari on Thu Dec 17, 2009 01:56 PM PST

"Mr Zeid-Abadi is known for an open letter he wrote from prison in 2000 protesting the judiciary’s treatment of imprisoned journalists. The letter was widely distributed despite attempts by authorities to suppress its publication. His work led Iranian authorities to imprison him again in August on a six-year sentence, and to impose a lifetime ban on practicing his profession as a journalist." From here:  //www.wan-press.org/article18351.html

and

"Almost immediately after the rigged election, Zeidabadi was arrested. For 17 days he was held in a cell no larger than 1 by 1.5 meters. He went on a hunger strike for another 18 days in solitary confinement. For 35 days he was held alone in absolute silence in a completely silent part of Evin prison, cut off from any communication whatsoever with the outside world. The absolute silence affected him so much that, according to his wife Mrs. Mahdiyeh Mohammadi, he wanted to commit suicide.

Since then, he has been savagely beaten in jail in order to force an apology out of him to Ayatollah Khamenei for the open letter that he wrote. He has been beaten for referring to the Ayatollah as the "leader," as opposed to the "Supreme Leader," in his letter. Mrs. Mohammadi has said that her husband's interrogator has told him that, "'We will crush you here. We will not allow you to leave the prison as a hero.'" From here:  //www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/11/courageous-principled-journalists-eisa-saharkhiz-and-ahmad-zeidabadi.html 


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yolanda

......

by yolanda on Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:26 PM PST

Hi Nazy,

     You are so fast! I will still vote for Iranian protesters 'cause their bravery has captivated the world! Thank you for your timely article!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"


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