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Loving our enemies: The people of Iran
by John Dear SJ on Mar. 17, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionA delegation of 20 American peacemakers planned to visit the much maligned nation of Iran in late February. Only six received visas. Among these were David Hartsough and Franciscan Fr. Louie Vitale. They returned brimming with fondness, hope and heartening stories.
David, the delegation leader, is a long time Quaker peacemaker who worked with the American Friends Service Committee for 18 years and co-founded Nonviolent Peace Force, an international project that places trained nonviolence workers in conflict situations. He currently directs Peaceworkers, an organization that supports nonviolent movements around the world.
In Iran, the delegation met people from all walks of life, merchants and professors, students and politicians, families and clergy, and the report of their sincerity by no means surprises me. David said: “The Iranian people are friendly, beautiful, kind and generous. They love the American people and would like more people to people contacts and exchanges. To pretend we’re enemies is sad.”
But apprehension and anxiety hang on the air — so much so that only about 300 Americans are in Iran at any one time. Such a climate of tension makes delegations like David’s a balm for worry and fear.
And more than a balm. The delegation shines light on American hypocrisy and offers a hand of reconciliation. American relations with Iran are checkered indeed.
• In 1953, the CIA overthrew the democratically elected Iranian government headed by Prime Minister Mossadegh.
• In 1988, the U.S.S. Vincennes shot down an Iranian civilian airliner. All 290 aboard died, but no apology from the U.S. was ever issued. The ship’s captain, William Rogers, later received the Legion of Merit.
• The U.S. propped up the rule of Iran’s Shah—a brutal and repressive ruler of his own people.
• And in Iraq, the U.S. propped the rule of Saddam Hussein as he waged war against Iran between 1980 and 1988, unleashing the obscenity of chemical weapons.
• And as for the red herring of nuclear weapons, the U.S. practices a glaring double standard. More than 10,000 sit poised in our arsenal. Israel keeps its own nuclear arsenal under U.S. defense. But Iranian aspirations bring down an unrelieved barrage of American threats. Namely, as done to Iraq, so to Iran — a threat maintained despite that, in Iraq, not one nuke turned up. Of interest there, as we suspected, were the rich fields of oil.
For all this, David takes the United States to task. “We were amazed to learn that Iran, a nation of 66 million, has not attacked another country in the past 200 years. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for our country. Being in Iran, we were struck by the arrogance of our own country. Iran is an ancient country and culture and a relatively young U.S. is trying to tell Iran how to act — as if it were relating to a naughty child. This does not go over very well in Iran.”
Iran’s culture is nearly transhistorical, reaching back some 2,500 years. Primordial and profound are the customs, artifacts, architectural lines. The mosques, museums and universities — the wisdom of the poets — they all bespeak an ancient reverence for life.
The delegation was gladly received in Esfahan, Shiraz, Tehran the capital, and Qom, the religious capital, where the major Muslim seminary is. By contrast, they were less warmly greeted at the airport. There authorities inked their fingers and imposed harsh questions — all part and parcel of a paranoid government.
Such treatment and more is visited upon all manner of Iranian activists: student organizers, human rights workers and women advocates, such as Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. (Ebadi is a brilliant lawyer and one of the world’s leading activists. I spent a memorable evening with her in Denver a few years ago.) Iranian activists are harassed, in part because of rampant suspicion about shenanigans by the United States.
But the common people received the delegation as a sign of hope. They met with wounded veterans of the Iran-Iraq war. “What was so powerful,” David said, “was that no one spoke of revenge.” They talked rather of building a new world, a world where weapons are banished and no one suffers anymore the anguish of war. Some in Tehran are building a peace museum.
David puts an end to the tendentious media image. “Contrary to the image many in the U.S. have of Iranians as terrorists running around with missiles in their pockets and threatening other countries, we found that almost every Iranian we met has a passionate desire for peace.”
At the moment, Iran is surrounded by war, all of it instigated by the U.S.—to the west, Iraq, to the east, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In this agitated sea of war, Iran is an island.
“Iran,” said David, “could be very helpful in helping bring peace to Iraq and Afghanistan. More, Iran and the U.S. could work together for a genuine peace between Israel and Palestine. Together we could help create a nuclear-weapons free Middle East. From my experience, the Iranian people and the American people would fully support our governments in moving from confrontation and threats to negotiations and peace. We could rid the world of all weapons of mass destruction if we worked together.”
Willingness to work together sprang up wherever David went. In a park in Esfahan, a man approached him smiling, pointing at David’s T-shirt. It bore words of conciliation: "Peace with Iran” in English and Farsi. The man said, “Thank you for your message. We are all children of one God under one sky on the same earth. We need to see ourselves as brothers and sisters and friends, not as Iranians or Americans or Muslims or Christians—or enemies.”
David’s new friend was named Hamid, a fireman at the Shiraz airport. He and his family were in Esfahan on holiday. And the conversation grew animated. “All religions teach us to love one another,” Hamid said. And he talked of the peaceable influence in his culture of the Sufis and the poet Hafez. “I in turn,” said David, “encouraged him to read Mahatma Gandhi.”
Presently, Hamid’s family drifted toward him from the playground, curious about this visitor from America. “I immediately felt deep love for them,” David said. “I took a picture of Hamid with his family and they took one of me with Hamid.” A brief encounter to be sure, but when the threat of violence hangs on the air, a gesture of peace between like-minded people forms deep brotherly love. “I wish everyone could have this kind of experience across the barriers of nationality, religion and enmity by our governments, and discover our common humanity.”
They said goodbye and David moved along, through a busy bazaar. Out of one shop a man emerged, asking, “Where are you from? Where are you from?” When he heard America he offered a big smile. “Welcome to Iran,” he cried. “We are very glad to have you here. We would like many more people to come visit us from America. But don’t bring your guns!”
“Yes,” says David, “we need many more Americans coming to Iran, and many more Iranians coming to the U.S.” Only then can we know and understand one another. Only then can we “gain a greater appreciation of one another as people, and learn each other’s culture, history, and viewpoints.” A citizenry that loves its “enemies”—enemies more often than not foisted upon us by our government—will agitate that the government engage in diplomacy and in building trust. And conversely, agitate to “leave our guns and threats of war at home—or even better, in the dustbins of history.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency recently confirmed a U.S. intelligence report that since 2003 there has been no sign that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. The fact gains credence by the attitude of Iranian’s Muslim leaders. They tell David, “developing or using nuclear weapons is immoral and therefore Iran would never develop them.”
I pray that religious leaders in America embrace a similar attitude. Of course, some do, rare as it is. Among the few is Fr. Louie Vitale, 77. He told Muslim leaders there that to be in solidarity with them, he has kept the Ramadan fast every year since 2001. This bit of news moved them deeply. As he continued, they grew amazed. Louie went on to tell them of his two years in jail for opposing U.S. warmaking and the adoption of torture.
Here was a noble history coming around again — a Franciscan, speaking peace to Muslim sisters and brothers, in glowing emulation of St. Francis himself, who during the church’s infamous crusades offered friendship to the feared and maligned sultan.
The two weeks came to a close, and David offered an appeal to Americans. “I hope all people will contact President Obama and their members of Congress and encourage them to move away from confrontation and threats against Iran and to a commitment to resolve all our differences through diplomacy, negotiation and real respect for one another.”
And he assures us. “People on both sides would support this.” He offers a the prospect of real hope. Here is our chance to “move from the Axis of Evil to the Axis of Friendship, and leave the old politics of confrontation and war behind and replace them with a new politics of peace and friendship.”
* * * *
David Hartsough’s work can be seen at: www.peaceworkersus.org and www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org. For information on Fr. Louie’s upcoming national speaking tour, see: www.paceebene.org. St. Anthony Messenger Press has just published, John Dear On Peace: An Introduction to His Life and Work by Patricia Normile. John also has two new books, A Persistent Peace (his autobiography, from Loyola Press), and Put Down Your Sword, (Eerdmans) a collection of essays on nonviolence, all available from Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. On April 24-26, John will lead a weekend retreat on the lives and lessons of Gandhi, King, Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton at the Kirkridge retreat center, see: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.. For info on his books and speaking schedule, see: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
I know David Hartsough and
I know David Hartsough and Louie Vitale OFM, both peaceful people. This article is quite moving. It is full of grace. Thank you, John, for this wonderful vision of the beauty of a people and what could be.
Some VERY IMPORTANT
Some VERY IMPORTANT background on Iran:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/3/stephen_kinzer_on_the_us_iranian
http://www.democracynow.org/2004/3/5/how_to_overthrow_a_government_pt
http://www.democracynow.org/2003/8/25/50_years_after_the_cias_first
David; As an American of
David;
As an American of Iranian parents, I am glad that you could visit Iran and meet the people. Iran has not attacked any neighboring country in the past several hundred years even though it has been at the receiving end of much violence supported and purported by some of its neighbors. The Iranians harbor no fear or hatred of any group of people; specially the Jewish people. The Jewish people have lived among the Iranians as Iranians for more than 2000 years (after they were liberated by Cyrus the Great). As you may have sensed in your trip, any notion that Iran intends to attack any country is totally false. All the Iranians want is to leave in peace with their neighbors and the world.
Iranians celebrate life. Even their new year begins on the first day of Spring. They believe that living beings come back to life on the first day of spring. They celebrate this on March 20th this year. I invite everyone to send a happy new year message to their Iranian friends. The message is: Happy Norooz (happy new year).
Happy Norooz! to the people
Happy Norooz! to the people of Iran. Blessings on Fr. Louie Vitale, David Hartsough and all those who reach out in peace and love to those who have been made to appear to be enemies of the USA by propaganda. I know only a few Iranians....wonderful people! Perhaps we should call to mind the old cartoon: "We have met the enemy and he is us."
I marched with Louis Vitale
I marched with Louis Vitale OFM many years ago with the Catholic Worker in Las Vegas when a young black was shot by a policeman.I have taught classes with Iranian exchange students, who were the most loving, gentle youngsters, I have ever seen. What is our propblem? Why are we so incapable of coming together in peace?
Ah, More platitudes from the
Ah, More platitudes from the empty head of John Dear.
Here are the facts for a change. Some pertinent quotes out of Iran:
We must prepare ourselves to rule the world and the only way to do that is to put forth views on the basis of the Expectation of Return [the return of the Mahdi]." [65] (Jan. 5, 2006)
"They have created a myth in the name of the Holocaust and consider it above God, religion and the prophets." [66] (Dec. 14, 2005)
"Have no doubt… Allah willing, Islam will conquer what? It will conquer all the mountain tops of the world." (July 25, 2005) [72]
Canada and Alaska have vast lands, why don't you relocate them [Israeli Jews] over there and keep helping them over there with (aid of) 30 to 40 billion dollars per year for building a new existence over there." [38] (Oct. 5, 2007)
"They [world powers] should not think that the Iranian nation and other nations in the region will take off their hands off the throat of the Zionists and their supporters." [39] (Oct. 5, 2007)
"[The] creation of the Zionist regime, [and the] continuation of its existence... are an insult to human dignity." [40] (Oct. 5, 2007)
“The Zionist regime is the flag bearer of violation and occupation and this regime is the flag of Satan…It is not unlikely that this regime be on the path to dissolution and deterioration when the philosophy behind its creation and survival is invalid.” [42] (Aug. 18, 2007)
With God's help, the countdown button for the destruction of the Zionist regime has been pushed by the hands of the children of Lebanon and Palestine. By God's will, we will witness the destruction of this regime in the near future." [46] (June 3, 2007)
The real cure for the conflict is elimination of the Zionist regime." [59] (Aug. 3, 2006)
NCR wouldn't be a bad journal if it didn't give space to anti-American extremist nuts.
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Dr. Dale, All of the quotes
Dr. Dale,
All of the quotes you offer come from reactionary Islamist factions in Iran. If it were not for the actions of the US government and its 'allies' in the last century these factions would never have arisen. Despite attacks, destruction of a legitimate government, and the imposition of a puppet regime, the bulk of the Iranian people remain friendly to Americans. The facts of the situation are clearly given in the article. It is you who ignore them.
The NCR gives space to the likes of you as well as to those you deem "anti-American extremist nuts". I have read many articles by and about Fr. Dear, and find him neither "anti-American" nor "extremist" Calling him "empty head" says more about you than about him. When you use an expression like "anti-American" to describe a man sincerely in search of peace and truth, I wonder what you consider to be American. Could it be business interests?
This visit was all well and
This visit was all well and good, but I must point out some misleading items. In the list of historical events, I particularly missed a couple of things. One was the actions of foolish President Carter undercutting the Shah to the benefit of a megalomaniacal mullah. That is certainly the worst thing we have ever done to the Iranian people. Then I do not see any mention of the horrific actions of that mullah in allowing a mob of people invade the sanctuary of our embassy in Tehran.
Then perhaps Mr. Hartsough should spend more time meeting the American people. I know of no one who looks upon the Irenian PEOPLE as the enemy or as a group of wild eyed terrorists. It is clearly the ruling oligarchy that presents the problem. And it is their support of terrorists throughout the world that is the primary concern. Finally there is no double standard concerning nuclear proliferation. Most civilized nations support limiting such weapons to as few nations as possible.
Thanks David for your visit
Thanks David for your visit to Iran and educating us on the street life and the deep desire for peace among the ordinary people. I had the privilege of working as an Augustinian religious missionary priest in Algeria. My experience with the ordinary people on the street was wonderful and warmly welcoming. In relation to your Iranian visit I can now seen that, tension in life is been cause by our political leaders and it is the men and women on the street that suffer. when two elephants fight the grass suffers and even wheh they make love still the grass suffers. So what is the way out for the ordinary people crying for pease both in Iran and the US? Prayer!
Thank you David for your
Thank you David for your visit and bringing back information about the Iranian people. It helps me to know more about the people of the Iranian land. Peace
Dear Brian of Easton: ALL of
Dear Brian of Easton:
ALL of the quotes come from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the duly elected president of Iran who was elected by the majority of Iranians on August 3, 2005. They were not made by a minority of "reactionary Islamic factions" as you say. I have about 25 other inflammatory quotes attributed to the president who was elected by the majority of the Iranian people. Also, you fail to respond to these quotes, comments like Israel "should be destroyed because of the philosophy behind its creation... is invalid". Scripture states it was formed by a covenant between God and Abraham and his decendents. NCR is still a Catholic paper, these comments should concern us. Incidentally, I'm not a conservative/orthodox Catholic, I am a member of votf and am disgusted by the Trad's attempts to turn the clock back on Vatican II.
The Iranians, and I can't stress enough, elected Ahmadinejad by a majority, fully know his rhetoric and his stand on destroying Israel. By only blaming the policies of the U.S. for all their problems is anti-American. Needless to say, since the Iranians kidnapped Americans in 1977 and established an Islamic Revolutionary government we haven't had any policy making with them except buying oil from them, through circuitous means which I disagree with, making them rich so they can finance Hezbollah which foments trouble in Lebanon and assasinates Catholic and Christian leaders, oh,that's another story. You won't find Fr. Dear or David Hartsough writing about those problems in Lebanon caused by the Iranians, because it's obviously not our fault.
The Arabs in the Middle East and the Persions (Iranians) have mistrusted each other for a millenium, long before we came on the scene. The Iranian push for the bomb and its hatred of Israel has more to do with it's desire to dominate the Middle East.
Lastly, you obviously couldn't resist taking a swipe at me. You ask "I wonder what you consider to be American. Could it be business interests?" Alow me to respond.
First,"business interests". I am a physician and in my area I'm am one of the few to see welfare patients. Economically this is not good for my "business interests" as you call it but I care for many people when others don't because it is bad for their business.
Secondly, what I consider to be American, well, many things such as freedom of speech. Since you asked, my uncle was the first to die in WWII from this state, my father returned with a Silver Star among other medals, fought in the battle of Cassablanca, D-Day, landed at Omaha beach, fought in the battle of the Bulge, liberated a concentration camp and finally fought in Berlin. We have freedom of speech and can criticize the government(unlike in Iran) because of the sacrifices Americans have made. Fr. Dear and David Hartsough can write what they want to get attention, vast majority don't buy it anyway, but I also have the freedom to criticize.
As far as calling him a nut and an extremest I apologize, I should have said their positions are nutty and extreme. However, their views are slanted and I still consider them anti-American. They blame America under the guise of "peace and truth" while giving the Iranians a free pass when the officials they elect foment terrorism and want to destroy Israel.
Tyrants, and those who elect them are responsible for their actions, not us. Whether it was Germany in WWII or Iran, appeasement or mea culpa "America is to blame" as promoted by David Hartsough and John Dear is garbage.
Having viewed Independent
Having viewed Independent Lens on NPR last Fri. it was an awakening about the issues of Iran from their people.
We need to approach these people in love and friendship which John Dear has done. We don't have to agree with them but respect certainly helps.
Sorry, I typed 1977 rather
Sorry, I typed 1977 rather than 1979. Actual date was Nov 4, 1979.
Dear Dr. Dale, If you conduct
Dear Dr. Dale,
If you conduct a bit more research, you will find that all elections in Iran, since the beginning of the Islamic Republic, have been rigged.
This is an unfortunate fact that most Iranian people know.
Furthermore, assuming that they are not rigged (which is not the case), knowing that 100s of candidates are eliminated during each election by the Guarian Council, and only the most Islamists are made eligible, if you have 8 nut jobs running for presidency, who do you elect?
Can you imagine that the alternatives would have been far worse?
A little unbiased thinking and objective research will uncover much...
This documentary below may
This documentary below may help shed some light on the plight of the Iranian people. The vast majority of them are not fond of their repressive government. These people are struggling against the Islamic Republic every day in their owns ways. They are the main victims of the Islamic Republic.... The last election turnaround in Tehran was 12%. I think it's fair to say that most Iranians long for a regime change, but not through a war by foreign powers.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/iran/vid22001.html
Another war in the Middle
Another war in the Middle east would be a grave mistake. War resolves nothing.
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