Last week, Congress took the unprecedented step to recognize the Iranian New Year, Norooz. The House passed resolution H.Res.267, sponsored by Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) and wished the Iranian-American community, as well as the Iranian people, a happy New Year. The resolution was as uncontroversial as could be -- just a sign of America's humanity. Oddly enough though, two lawmakers from Florida, Congressmen Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Bill Posey (R-FL), chose to vote against it, effectively stating that they don't wish 300 million Norooz celebrators worldwide a happy new year.
At the National Iranian American Council, we were very dismayed by this decision and decided to reach out to the Florida lawmakers in the hopes that they wouldn't punish the Iranian people for the errors of the Iranian government. The text of the letter is below.
Dear Representatives Miller and Posey,
On Saturday, March 20, Iranian-Americans joined with their friends and family to celebrate Norooz, the Iranian New Year, a joyous occasion in which we put the trials and tribulations of the passing year behind us and looked forward with our friends and family to a year full of new beginnings.
This year, we took special pride knowing that for the first time in history, we have achieved recognition for Norooz in the House of Representatives. H.Res.267, wishing the people of Iran and Iranian-Americans a happy new year, passed the House last Monday by an overwhelming 384-2 vote. It is not often that American politics provides opportunities for Iranian-Americans to celebrate their heritage, as often the conflicts and tensions between the U.S. and Iran's current government overshadow our rich culture and history.
We are grateful to the 384 Members of Congress who, in the spirit of Norooz, honored our treasured Iranian traditions and heritage with grace and appreciation. But we are also concerned that two Members of Congress decided to vote against wishing Iranians and Iranian-Americans a happy new year.
When NIAC reached out to your offices to inquire why you voted this way, Mr. Posey provided the following explanation:
"The resolution does not make the distinction between peace-loving Iranians, including many Americans of Iranian descent and, Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad has no respect for the basic humans (sic) rights of Iranians or anyone else and I do not wish him a prosperous new year."
Mr. Posey also said that "We shouldn't pretend that everything with Iran is smooth and happy." Rep. Miller explained his opposition similarly, stating that "the language fails to exclude terrorists and dictators like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad."
Norooz is a time when we momentarily put aside our troubles--and this past year has been especially difficult as many of us have watched with heavy hearts the suffering of our friends and family in Iran. With your votes and with your explanations, you have once again permitted rulers like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to impose themselves on our lives, even at our most cherished moment of respite.
Your reason for opposing this measure is that it did not distinguish between "peace-loving Iranians" and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But in voting against wishing Iranians and Iranian-Americans a happy New Year, you have reduced 70 million Iranians down to one man who is not even their rightfully elected representative. Perhaps some think only of Ahmadinejad when they hear the word "Iran", but for us, there is far more to our heritage than Iran's disputed president.
3,000 years of history cannot be obscured by one small man's shadow.
You seem to imply that the President, the Secretary of State, the House of Representatives, and possibly soon the Senate, are playing into the hands of Ahmadinejad by wishing the people of Iran and Iranian-Americans a happy new year. But it is actions like yours that confer upon Ahmadinejad an authority that he could never attain on his own. Your refusal to vote in favor of the Norooz resolution elevates this man's status at the expense of all people of Iranian descent and three millennia of one of the world's great cultures. You have placed one temporal ruler--who is still struggling to regain order after falsely claiming 25 million supporters last June--equal to the timeless tradition of Norooz that has been celebrated by millions of people for ages.
Congressmen, our culture and history does not belong to the politicians that rule Iran by force, it belongs to the Iranian people. And this is the distinction--this inherent distinction--that allows Iranians and Iranian-Americans to celebrate our heritage and our traditions without regard for Iran's current rulers.
I ask you to reconsider your position. Norooz transcends politics, nations, religions, ethnicity, and ideology. Zoroastrians, Muslims, Baha'is, Jews, Christians, atheists and agnostics all celebrate Norooz. People across national and ethnic boundaries celebrate Norooz, not only in Iran, but also in countries and regions including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kashmir, Kyrgzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Even Republicans and Democrats were brought together to recognize this special tradition.
In the spirit of Norooz, we are sending flowers to your office, a symbol of new beginnings and goodwill, as well as a copy of Funny in Farsi, by noted Iranian-American author Firoozeh Dumas, to serve as an introduction for you to the Iranian-American community.
We are eager to hear back from both of you regarding your decision to vote against the Norooz Resolution and I look forward to your response. I thank you for your time and wish you a pleasant spring and a prosperous and happy Norooz.
Sincerely,
Trita Parsi
President, National Iranian American Council
Follow Trita Parsi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tparsi
I've married into an Iranian family and Norouz is by far the most wonderful, family oriented celebration I've ever experienced.
I have enjoyed learning about Norouz and have been happy to see it mentioned more and more in mainstream media (If I recall even Steven Colbert had some good natured fun about the holiday last year.)
Norouz is a pre-Islamic celebration marking the new year and the current government of Iran doesn't like that it is the most popular holiday in Iran. This is one reason why the republicans in Florida should have signed the bill, but no matter.
Norouzetoon shad bashad, everyone!
Same to you, and everyone else.
May it be a better year for everyone.
I also remember Colbert asking if Posey's mother was an alligator.
I still want an answer. (Posey is a Birther).
Happy Norouz!
Khirad, Parsi, are Persian too, and not necessarily ............. just sayin'.
Playing devils advocate, I wrote this to make you think that how off your attitude is, I personallly despise such garbage.
Should I judge you solely based on your nationality, which part of the world you're from, which religion, or religious background you're from, due to your being an athiest or not, your ethnicity, and/or the color of your skin, without knowing much about you as a person?
Oh by the way, I'm an Iranian-American.
I have never been anywhere else with so many anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-20th century billboards. You never want to be stopped by a police officer unless you can speak fluent crackerese and have a kit to spray on a farmer's tan. They goin teach tha uppity city boy a lessun.
I am always amused when driving on 75 between georgia and florida. Once you hit florida you don't even need a sign -- the broken down mobil homes announce you have arrived. Someone is voting Posey, Miller, and their ilk into office. Now you know where they live at least.
How utterly trite and patronizing. The CIA was responsible for overthrowing Iran's democratically elected government and installing a brutal dictator which it helped rule the country for 25 years until a bunch of religioius extremists finally got rid of him.
Do you know why Khomeini and the others were finally successful against the Shah? it was because he was such a monster and used such horrific means to quell his opponents (rape, torture, summary execution, etc) that only hyper relgious maniacs who believe in a paradise after death had the courage to oppose him.
That's the monster the US and the CIA created when they installed The Shah - and by extension the Mullahs - and America owes Iran a HUGE appology for that.
But aren't Christmas and Hannukah celebrated on a national level here? So, what exactly is wrong - as you seem to be slyly insinuating - with celebrating a non-Jewish or non-Christian tradition?
It's another illustration of how the lunatics are taking over the asylum - and that patches12 - makes it newsworthy.
Argument: This is not important (trivial) and will be forgotten in a week.
Response: At a time when Hollywood is churning out movies to demonize us (300, etc.), it's important to us that we feel that we are not being ostracized. The actions of these two representatives will not be forgotten and they will be reminded of it when elections come around and a large part of their voting constituency no longer supports them.
Response: This resolution does not congratulate or pay tribute to the Iranian government in any which way. Obama's video message to the Iranian government and this resolution are completely separate and mutually exclusive. This is a resolution aiming to recognize a holiday that millions of Americans of various ethnic backgrounds celebrate.
Argument: Congress should be spending time on American affairs, not Iranian ones.
Response: I agree. This resolution, however, concerns American affairs connected to a constituency of several million people who are citizens of this country. Although weeks were spent in preparing the resolution and spreading the word, our representatives spent a total of less than 10 minutes voting on this resolution. No extra tax money was spent in doing so. Further, the organizations working on this resolution all have a proven record of attempting to normalize relations with Iran at a time when lobbies, like AIPAC, are spoonfeeding resolutions to our representatives to start a war with Iran. In normalizing relations, the United States will avoid foreign entanglement and be able to focus on policies at home. This is in line with the wishes of the proponents of this argument.
(cont...)
This resolution did not take up more than ten minutes of the representatives' time, and further, did not cost taxpayers any additional money. In no way did this resolution call for an overture to the Iranian government. That's an incorrect framing of this resolution. This was a recognition of millions of Persian-Americans' culture and rich heritage. Like I stated above, not all Persians are Iranian by ethnicity. This isn't a resolution without precedent either. Several have been passed to recognize other ethnic holidays.
For those who think Norooz is irrelevant, I direct you to the concept of "Spring Cleaning". This is a principle that originates from this holiday. Indeed, many Americans (and other Westerners) were celebrating our Norooz in a way that they did not realize -- by doing a thorough cleaning of their abode in time for the beautiful weather Spring brings with it.
Please see my other posting for direct responses to some of the arguments proffered below.
However, I think that NIAC is seeing the no vote the same way the Iranians would: as a slap in the face and a clear statement of deep-rooted animosity towards the Iranian people.
The Iranian people are highly symbolic. The Axis of Evil speech was one of the main reasons Ahmadinejad won in 2005. I think that we do need to send the message that we support Iranians more than we support the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmadinejad, or Khamenei, but we also need to keep in mind that many Iranians already get the feeling we hate them, so we have to be careful in how we protest.
Then again, I think the no votes will go unnoticed. It's an interesting story, with some lessons to be learned for sure, but a week from now nobody is going to remember this.
Support for Iraq invasion and war
Permanent sanctions
Constant threat of attack for many years
(these were all during Eisnehower's admin.)
Iranians don't have any beef with anyone, but they are aware who the instiigators are for the status quo, while they wish for a war to be started with Iran.
They would be wise to recalculate their behavior. Millions of Americans, not just of Iranian origin, celebrate this holiday, including a portion of their voting constituency. Perhaps when the next election term presents itself, they will find that they should not have stepped on our feet in this regard.
One more thing and from an American angle, I am appalled by the behavior of our politicians as of late. During the passing of the healthcare bill, several reps voiced racial slurs. What happened to the decorum? This is what we pay taxes for? Americans, take heed.
I think Americans are aware of the difference between the people and the government of Iran. I also think that the American government, or the current administration, is also more aware of this distinction.
As for the grudges, America historically holds them as well. But the youth of the country is moving on, as is the youth of Iran.
And the racial slurs in congress/media make me sick. Let's debate facts, not names and hatred.
Over 25,000 Iranian Jews happily celebrate Rosh Hoshanah every year within Tehran. On behalf of the Iranian people, I wish you an advanced, happy Rosh Hoshanah.
But, also, I will use this moment to inquire about your holiday, Purim. Essentially, the holiday is based on a mythical Persian Shah of old who succumbs to the whims of his Jewish Queen, Esther (also fictional). He slaughters the "enemies" of the Jews based on her request alone, over 20,000-30,000 of his own subjects. Many Jews have told me that this is a holiday that slanders Iranians... basically, we are the butt of the joke. Jews wear costumes during this holiday like Halloween. Are you making fun of us? I am simply curious and do not know. Please clarify. I'd appreciate it. Thank you.