In the e-mail, a petition to stop the violence in Iran. I for one, have signed it

Dear Friends,

Iranian activists have appealed to the world to oppose the violent crackdown on their protests. Massive new protests are planned, the regime is divided. A united global outcry of 1 million voices could help stop the violence. Call on world leaders to unite against the crackdown:

Today, the hearts and hopes of people around the world are with protesters facing awful risks on the streets of Iran. Regardless of who won the election, the question now is one of fundamental human rights.

Top Iranian leaders are divided, so every bit of pressure matters. With massive new protests imminent, Iranian activists are urgently appealing for a united international response to oppose the violent crackdown.

Sign the petition below calling on ALL governments to condemn the crackdown and withhold recognition of any Iranian government until election concerns are peacefully addressed. Then forward this email to friends and family -- let's build a massive global outcry of 1 million voices against the crackdown:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown

We'll deliver the petition directly to the leaders of Iran's largest trading partners and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the UN, and other international groups respected in Iran. A united international response will puncture the regime's spin that the US and UK alone are behind global criticism.

People power is sweeping global politics. But where leaders respond violently to nonviolent protest, from Burma to Zimbabwe to Iran, global solidarity is needed to show governments that repression weakens their rule, rather than strengthening it.

Avaaz means "voice" in Farsi, the Iranian language. Let's show the people of Iran that, whoever they voted for, we support their right to have their voices heard. Click below to sign the petition, and spread the word by forwarding this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Ben, Milena, Paul, Raluca, Brett, Iain, Pascal, Raj, Graziela, Taren, Paula, Margaret, Veronique and the whole Avaaz team.

PS - For more information on the Iranian elections and protests see these news sources:

BBC -- "Iran silences protesters": http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8112036.stm

Associated Press -- "Struggle amongst Iran's clerics bursts into the open": http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jGSJEAPs_r2T2wxsL5G3t4z-jajQD98VC5T81

Al Jazeera -- "Iran's Mousavi urges defiance" : http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/06/2009621191831403557.html

The Huffington Post -- Iran Live blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html

What a Surprise

In my hunger for information, I finally went to search bloggers under Iran or Tehran. Not easy nowadays as so many people are listing their blogs under Iran, to confound the dictators over there. Still, I found, among a few others, Q(uestion) Mark, and left a humble comment.

Today the question mark turned into an exclamation which filled my heart with gratitude as the same person left on my Farsi blog here such lovely words of acknowledgement. I hope more people get inspired to go, visit and leave many loving messages.

Since June 12 I cannot find peace. I keep going back to the internet and Youtube, to Guardian and Haaretz, NYTimes, - like Diogenes with his famous candle, yet now it's the darkness I'm searching as the light is in those young innocent hands. I have so many things in my heart.
Above all, love. And I'm thinking all the time, if only during WW2 there were those twitters and facebook and blogs, those cellular phones which until now I could find no justification for their usage, abhored, deploring them and their noisy users.

If all those were with us during the Holocaust, maybe it wouldn't even begin to happen.
What can be done to save people from the grip of those hungry for power?
Q. Mark says, Let us know you care.

So little. Why is not the World Tribunal in Belgium bringing them to trial, even if not in their presence, why is UN so quiet?
Speak out, Speak out, your silence is deafening.

An Answer to Ahmadinejad on the Holocaust

Just found it on YouTube. I wish someone could translate it into English. As it is, it sounds so melodious - in complete contrast to the visuals.

Here he was. in full view

I'm still nursing the tail of a slight flu invasion, so I couldn"t attend the meeting with Hossein Derakhshan.

But Hanan had met and photographed both him and Lisa Goldman, the host and originator of this unusual visit.

Thanks, Hanan, for posting the photos on Fliker.

A Most Unusual Invitation

I've just received this e-mail:

If you ever wanted the people in Iran to really know what Israelies think about them, their country and the political situation - this is your chance....

Hossein Derakhshan, one of the most famous Iranian (Parsi for all you Israelies that are not sure what Iranian is) bloggers, now living in Toronto, is in Israel for a short visit writing a story on our country and people - so the thousands of his readers in Iran can know what Israel is really about!

If you want to meet him and share your thoughts come Monday night to Lima Lima and share your opinion
http://www.hoder.com/weblog/

Tel-Aviv "Lima Lima", January 30th, From 20:00 to 23:00

The blog is indeed worth visiting. As for Lima Lima, it's some kind of night club. Never been there, yet if I'll manage to make it, I'll faithfully report!