John Ghazvinian: America and Iran
In his new book, America and Iran: A History 1720 to the Present, John Ghazvinian explores a history that goes beyond the all too familiar political talking points of these two contemporary adversaries. For anyone paying attention to the news cycle, the fraught relationship between the United States and Iran may appear like a historic and even inescapable hostility. Both Americans and Iranians are quick to point to their mutual grievances. For Americans the moment of original sin is the U.S. embassy seizure of November, 1979. But for Iranians the original sin of the U.S. dates back to the coup of 1953 that ousted Prime Minister Mossadeq, reinstalled a despotic king, and altered not only the course of Iranian history, but also of U.S.-Iran relations.
Nominations Now Open for NIAC’s 40 Under 40!
From tech leaders and business gurus, to athletes and artists, Iranian Americans have definitely made an impact on this country. That’s why NIAC is proud to launch its first ever “40 under 40” campaign to recognize 40 Iranian Americans under the age of 40 who have inspired, trail-blazed, and made a lasting impact on our community and in their respective fields.
Shab-e Yalda Mobarak!
Earlier this year, NIAC Chicago and the entire NIAC family welcomed the summer solstice with a day of poetry and lively discussion. Since then, thanks to your generosity and support, our community has achieved many big wins. And last night, we closed out 2020 with a bright night of Shabe Yalda celebrations.
The Illuminated Hafiz: Love Poems for the Journey to Light
A new translation of works by the celebrated poet Hāfez, The Illuminated Hafiz: Love Poems for the Journey to Light, gives English-speaking audiences a fresh look at this distinguished Iranian-cultural icon. Born in Shiraz, Iran in the 14th century, Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muḥammad Ḥāfeẓ-e Shīrāzī, known simply as Hāfez—denoting someone who has memorized the Quran—was a Persian poet whose words are still recited today by millions throughout the world.
روز جهانی حقوق بشر، ادای احترام به نسرين ستوده
امسال به مناسبت روز حقوق‌بشر سازمان ملل، بخش دیده‌بان ویژه حقوق‌بشر در نایاک تصمیم گرفته است از نسرین ستوده، مدافع حقوق بشر برجسته ایرانی تقدیر کند و از مردم می‌خواهد در حمایت از وی به تماشای فیلم مستند «نسرین» که قرار است به زودی اکران شود، بنشینند
On Human Rights Day, We Pay Tribute to Nasrin
As its name indicates, this is a portrait of Nasrin in her own words, and how her story conveys the story of a nation that has struggled for over a century to realize the promises of self-determination, freedom, and equity that human society has long espoused, though only nominally fulfilled. Though Iran has had—and continues to have—many national heroes, activists, and patriots that have sacrificed their lives in pursuit of such promises, Nasrin stands out like iconic figures of the past that transcend national borders and sentiments. The story of Nasrin is the story of all of humanity, which is still fighting at every turn to achieve what may sound ordinary, but is indeed wondrous: justice.
درخواست نایاک برای حذف لباس‌های ضدایرانی تولیدی طرفداران ترامپ
در چهار سال اخیر که دولت ترامپ سر کار بوده است، شاهد گسترش تبعیض علیه جوامع مهاجر و یک گفتمان به شدت خشن در عرصه جهانی بوده‌ایم. این پدیده برای ایرانی امریکایی‌ها چیز جدیدی نیست؛ دولت ترامپ که استفاده از ادبیات جنگ‌طلبانه و تفرقه‌افکن در مرام‌نامه‌اش جایگاه مهمی دارد، بارها از جامعه ما بدگویی کرده و با ما مثل شهروندان درجه دو رفتار کرده است. امروز از طریق اعضای جامعه خود دریافتیم که یک تولیدکننده لباس «طرفدار ترامپ»، تی‌شرت‌هایی را برای فروش گذاشته که روی آن در توصیف ایران، از دشنام «فاک ایران» استفاده شده است
NIAC Calls for Removal of Anti-Iranian Pro-Trump Apparel
Over the course of the past four years of the Trump administration, we have seen rising discrimination against immigrant communities and increasingly vicious discourse on the global stage. Iranian Americans are not strangers to this phenomenon — our community has been vilified and treated as second-class citizens by an administration that has made belligerent and divisive language a cornerstone of its platform. Today, we learned from members of our community that “Pro Trump” clothing label is selling T-shirts using an expletive to describe our country of heritage: “F–k Iran.”
بیانیه نایاک در مورد درگذشت استاد شجریان
در سالی که پر بود از چالش‌های بی‌سابقه و اخبار بد، خبر درگذشت استاد محمدرضا شجریان ضایعه‌ای بس ناگوار و ویرانگر است. شورای ملی ایرانیان امریکا (نایاک) به خانواده و فرزندان ارجمند استاد، بخصوص همایون شجریان که پا جای پدر گذاشته و همه ایرانیانی که سوگوار این فقدان بزرگند، عمیقاً تسلیت می‌گوید. شجریان که با عنوان «استاد» شناخته می‌شد، تنها یک خواننده اسطوره‌ای نبود. صدای منحصر به فرد او به فریاد عدالت‌طلبی ملت تبدیل شد؛ مبارزه‌ای که عمر آن به بیش از یک دهه رسیده است
NIAC Statement on Loss of Iconic Iranian Vocalist Shajarian
In a year filled with exceptional challenges and bad tidings, the news of Mohammad Reza Shajarian’s passing is especially devastating. NIAC offers our deepest condolences to his son, who has carried on in his footsteps, as well as his family and all Iranians who are mourning this immense loss. Known simply as “Ostad,” Shajarian was more than a legendary Iranian singer. His iconic voice became the cry of a nation in its struggle for justice, which has spanned for over a century.
Amir Amirani’s Anti-War Film: “We Are Many”
NIAC is honored to join peace activists and organizations in partnership with We Are Many, to offer our members a chance to watch a timely and important documentary film about the largest organized anti-war protest in history. Directed by British-Iranian filmmaker Amir Amirani, the film tells a story of hope, unity, and the power of mass mobilization. Watch the trailer below and rent the film here.
NIACast Episode #12 – Ambassador John Limbert’s New Novel, “Believers: Love and Death in Tehran”
Assal and Mana sat down with NIAC Advisory Board Member Ambassador John Limbert to discuss his new novel with co-author Ambassador Marc Grossman, Believers: Love and Death in Tehran. Though a tale of fiction, Limbert brings his knowledge of Iran’s history, language, and culture, as well as his own experience as one of 52 American hostages held by Iranian students in 1979, to this engrossing spy novel set in Iran at the outset of the U.S. embassy seizure.