Iran's Islamic Leaders Notable Efforts

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The Iranian Cultural & Natural Heritage Year 18 March 2008 By Amil Imani LONDON, (CAIS) -- According to the World Encyclopaedia, 'culturalgenocide' is a term used to describe the deliberate destruction of thecultural heritage of a people or nation for political or militaryreasons. Since coming to power twenty-nine years ago, the IslamicRepublic of Iran has been in a constant battle with the Iranian peopleas well as her culture and heritage. Over its life span, the Islamic Republic zealots have triedinnumerable times to cleanse the pre-Islamic Persian heritage in thename of Islam. First, they declared war against the Persian New Yearor �Nowruz�, and then, they attacked other Persian traditions andcustoms. In 1979,

Khomeini's right-hand man, the Ayatollah SadeghKhalkhali, tried to bulldoze Iran�s greatest epical poet Ferdowsi'stomb and Persepolis palace. Fortunately, the total bulldozing of therelics of the palace was averted by Iranian patriots who wished topreserve their heritage; who literally stood in front of thebulldozers and did not allow the destruction of this heritage ofhumanity. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which holds in great contempt anynon-Islamic belief or heritage, has embarked on destroying manypre-Islamic archaeological sites in Iran such as Pasargadae andPersepolis -- some of humanity's most prized cultural heritage, on thepretext of building a dam. The heinous destruction of the two Buddhastatues by Afghanistan's Taliban pales in comparison to the presentbarbaric designs of the Islamic Republic. Pasargadae and Persepolis are more than a mere collection of ancientstructures. They are

embodiments of humanity's historical respect forliberty and tolerance of diversity. For 2,500 years, the mausoleum ofCyrus the Great has stood on the plain at Pasargadae, a simple butdignified monument to a revered king. Many fear the newly built damand reservoir, so close to Pasargadae, will pose a great threat to thetomb of Cyrus the Great, despite numerous reports that are coming fromthe Islamic Republic News Agencies stating otherwise. These archaeological sites are non-renewable resources and eachcontains unique information about the human past. The loss of theseprecious and irreplaceable archaeological sites would forever seal ourunderstanding of the world's cultural heritage that can never berecovered. We look at archaeology as a necessary and importantendeavour that can reveal information essential to self-knowledge andalso provide lessons for our future successes in managing ourselvesand our uses of the

planet we inhabit. The worldwide people of our planet are fascinated by archaeology andthe secrets of our past. It creates wonder, enigma, delight, andsurprise. There is a natural human curiosity and captivation about thepast within most of us. We want to know more about it, to understandit, and perhaps to try to experience it. Archaeology is one way to dothese things. They are our treasures left behind by the dwellers ofthe past. The Iranian culture and archaeology are so rich almost noplace that one could say is devoid of interest. And certainly a listmust be compiled of the sites which merit the most consideration. For the above reasons, 'The International Committee to Save theArcheological Sites of Pasargad' has proposed that the year 2567 ofthe Persian calendar (or March 20th, 2008), be named 'The Year ofIranian Cultural and Natural Heritage'. 'The International Committee to Save the Archeological

Sites ofPasargad' has invited every concerned citizen to join forces with themin an innovative, grassroots, public-private partnership to offerresearch and interest in Persian cultural heritage. It is their goaland intention that people everywhere learn about the human origins andachievements. They hope that this would also increase awareness amongthe general public with respect to the cultural liabilities incurredby improper treatment of the archaeological heritage and degradationof archaeological resources through the looting of sites, theft ofartifacts, and illicit international trade in antiquities. We werereminded by the events during the Persian Gulf War in 2003 whichgenerated increased awareness of the vulnerability of Middle Easternarchaeological resources. Alexander H. Joffe, from the review of Managing Archaeology andArchaeological Remains, in Situ Preservation, Journal of Near EasternStudies 1999

Vol. 58, No. 2, p.137 has noted: �The question is not if the battle to preserve archaeological sitesand landscapes will be lost but how fast and how badly. When the lastdam is flooded, the last minefield laid, and the lastfactory/strip-mall/apartment block finished, and when the fewremaining big-name archaeological sites are fenced in and prettied upas �parks,� will more than a few people notice or care? Probably not!And that is a sad commentary on society at large and on us. The upcoming observance of The Iranian Cultural and Natural HeritageYear in the spring of 2008 is not just an Iranian event; it ishumanity's most precious heritage event -- your and your descendents'heritage. It is an event of great value which is in dire need of yoursupport. Generations of humanity will bemoan the loss of this livingtestimony to the nobility of mankind. The destructive hand of any kindof zealots must be stayed. Stand

up, raise your voice and do what isin your power to preserve what is rightfully yours. --------- To from this service or to change your details, such asemail address, please reply to this email, subject "" or"update". Please email your enquires and comments to: feedbacks CAIS Archaeological and Cultural News:http://www.cais-soas.com/NewsUpdate.htm, is a webpage of CAIS onlinepublication (http://www.cais-soas.com), Copyright � 1998-2008(http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/copyright.htm), The Circle of AncientIranian Studies (CAIS). whilst this e-mail and attachments have been scanned for virusesprior to leaving CAIS, you should carry out your own virus checkbefore opening any attachment. We accept no liability for any loss ordamage which may be caused by viruses or interception/interruption ofthis mail or any

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