Introducing our new IFLAC Intern

Dear Iflac Members and Friends,

I am delighted to introduce our new IFLAC Intern for the month of July – Pejman Masrour, who is Iranian – American and Bahai.

Pejman’s Masrouri

Pejman has introduced himself to us in the following short Bio note, and has also written an interesting, inspiring and well-written article below, on why he has chosen to intern at IFLAC.

WE WELCOME YOU PEJMAN MASROURI TO IFLAC AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING IFLAC FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP WHILE STUDYING AT THE HAIFA UNIVERSITY. BEST SUCCESS.

 

Prof. Ada Aharoni

 

 

From Pejman Masrouri:

Introduction

Hello my name is Pejman Masrouri, I am an Iranian-American student currently attending Michigan State University at East Lansing, Michigan. I chose to intern with the IFLAC organization because I believe in its principles and world mission. As a Baha’i I share IFLAC’s vision of peace in the world and believe that education is the best path to this objective. My work with IFLAC, however small, will still be a contribution to this goal. I have also always been fascinated by other cultures and have always enjoyed learning about other cultures. I hope that I will be able to help foster greater cultural understanding through my work at IFLAC. I am honored to be working with IFLAC and with Professor Ada Aharoni and am glad to do my part in transforming our world into one of peace and tolerance.

 

Article: Why I chose IFLAC – by Pejman Masrouri

As a Baha’i, few things resonate with me as the stated platform of IFLAC, which mirrors many of the central tenets of the Baha’i faith. Having been raised with these values, IFLAC was a natural fit for me. I place great value in education, and believe that the ultimate goal of education is to make the world a better place. This is why I believe ventures such as the IFLAC International Peace Culture Television Project are a good step towards furthering the culture of peace.

The culture of peace is not limited to any form of communication or technology, which is why the vision should be shown through the various media avenues including literature, radio, and television. We should use whatever are the best means by which we can spread the knowledge of peace. Professor Ada Aharoni’s film: The Pomegranate of Reconciliation and Honor, show, just how important it is to teach all sides of history. It tells the story of the Jewish exodus from Muslim countries, which to this day has barely been talked about, and there has not been a formal apology from the countries who banished their Jewish communities which had lived there for generations.

 

I am proud that at the same time period, my fellow Iranians rejected anti-Semitism and as such the substantial Jewish community in Iran was not forced into exile. However, this triumph of tolerance and peace would be short- lived with the Islamic Revolution of 1979, whereas the vast majority of Iranian Jews left the country. The nation which was once a beacon of tolerance now regularly espouses anti-Semitism, supports terrorism and has proclaimed its divine mission to annihilate the state of Israel! Terror and violence has become one of the greatest threats to peace and stability not only in the Middle East but for the whole world as well.

Dedicating an entire IFLAC Anthology on the topic of terror is appropriate and timely,  because I believe that human society has reached a point whereas the disease of terror can no longer be ignored, and instead, must be examined and studied so that an appropriate solution can be made. It is of paramount importance for the culture of peace that all acts of terror be denounced and that we also speak out against silence, apathy and even sympathy for such acts of terror. Over time as the human race rejects terrorism as a tool for political aims, we hope to see a lasting peace in the Middle East, and in our global village.

 

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