Intimate Contact

In February 2008, I was delighted to be one of the Amateur UK Photographers short-listed in the Sony World Photography Competition 2008.
www.worldphotographyawards.org/shortlist/amateur-A...
www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/UK_amateurs_star_in_So...
bbs.bj.163.com/bbs/bjphoto/68697762.html
www.fotografuj.pl/News/Ogloszono_skrocona_liste_nominacji...
www.digit.no/wip4/norske_marcus_bleasdale_nominert_sony_w...

Shaypour - 4

www.flickr.com/photos/kombizz/2738581399/in/set-72...

King of the .....!?

Julie

silently RED

Peace Offering to the President George W. Bush

These people are part of a bigger group of Iranian people who love and promote 'P E A C E' ; to whoever whose heart are filled with hate!

In that occasion when I was trying to find a complete rainbow in full in order to take a photo, (you could see it in the background), I met them.

They asked me to send their image with a message of "LOVE" to the President of America, Mr George W. Bush. I tried to tell them I was not able to. They insisted so much that I did NOT want to break their hearts.

So I am uploading their images with their 'PEACE OFFERING' here, perhaps somebody closer to president George W. Bush give their message to him !

They are representive of three (3) generations of Iranian population.
The man with dark glasses educated in the West and now prefered to stay in Iran to earn more money.
The lady with 'Chaddur', an Islamic traditional covering is a grandmother with 9 grandchildren.
The third man on the right is a farmer and a jack of all trades.

20 SUGGESTIONS FOR PEACE .......DO GIVE THEM A TRY ! PLEASE !

1- Cultivate a home life where children develop a sense of well-being and wholeness.
2- Join a parent support group.
3- Provide a good example.
4- Help children experience forgiveness.
5- Don't buy war toys.
6- Avoid entertainment glorifying violence.
7- Curb backyard fighting.
8- Deemphasize possessions.
9- Tone down war expectancy.
10- Talk about war and peace.
11- Stress cooperative play.
12- Tell stories about love & peace.
13- Cultivate imagination.
14- Encourage autonomy.
15- Emphasize what it is that creates violence.
16- Have an abundance of peace materials in the home.
17- Cultivate friendships with other peacemakers.
18- Provide international experiences.
19- Support projects that express concern.
20- Send peace cards and letters.

Quoted from Lorne Peachey's Twenty Suggestions For Teaching Peace.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
STOP THE INSANITY

NO WAR WITH IRAN

Protest Congressional Resolution Supporting Naval Blockade of Iran!
A resolution before Congress, known as "H Con Res 362", is currently the central legislative priority of the pro-war lobby AIPAC, www.aipac.org/.
It is another step in the push for war. It is "demanding" a blockade of Iran, to be initiated by President Bush. Part of the specific language is the following:"Demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran," What does this mean?
According to Francis Boyle, Professor of International Law at the University of Illinois "I do not see how this could be done without a blockade given its comprehensive and unequivocal language." A blockade is an act of war. This can lead to catastrophic consequences for all of us.
This Resolution now has 220 cosponsors (including more than 100 Democrats, several of whom are in leadership positions) in the House of Representatives, a majority of members.
It now seems likely to be taken up by the full House after the 4th of July recess. There is also a companion measure in the Senate. While this resolution is "non-binding", it will only add fuel to the fire, and make it easier for Bush/Cheney in their quest for war.

Take Action!

Go to www.StopAIPAC.org and follow the link to find out more and send a note to your congressperson. Call your congressperson and tell them to speak out in opposition. Tell your friends. Join in Protest. Together we can stop this, together we can hold our representatives accountable.

www.voicesforpeace.net/
www.stopaipac.org/
www.stopaipac.org/iranresolution.htm

Al-Quds Day or Yawm-al Quds

Yawm-al Quds or Al-Quds Day is a day of solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians and all oppressed people in general. All over the world rallies and marches are held on this day, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan.

The history of Quds Day dates back to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran nearly 30 years ago. One of the first actions Imam Khomeini took as leader of the newly formed Islamic Republic was to cut off the supply of oil to the two apartheid regimes of Israel and South Africa and put sanctions on both of them. He inaugurated Al-Quds day as an integral part of Ramadan so that Muslims would never forget their responsibility and duty towards Palestine and all oppressed people in the world. Imam Khomeini, on 16th August 1979 inaugurated "The Day For The Oppressed" with the following words:

“The Muslims of the world should view Quds Day not only as a day for all the Muslims of the world, but one for all the deprived, and from that sensitive point, they should stand against the oppressors and the world-plunderers and should not rest until the oppressed have been set free from the oppression of the power-wielders.” During Ramadan, when our minds (should) be focused on empathizing with those who are suffering, it is worth remembering that there are thousands of prisoners who will be celebrating Eid in captivity for no other crime than their faith, or their nationality, or their ethnicity, or their beliefs, or a bit of all or some of these reasons.”

www.inminds.co.uk
www.inminds.co.uk/qudsday2007.php
www.inminds.co.uk/boycott-israel.php
www.inminds.co.uk/download.php?id=67
www.ihrc.org.uk/file/qudsposter.pdf
www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/ramadan21.asp
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYWHUQUx81Y
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzG-WBP_PkM

One Thousand Rials

It is the current currency in Islamic Republic of Iran.
It worth 1000 Rials, or 100 Tomans if you get rid of the last zero.
With 1000 Rials, you could do:
- to go for a short distance by taxi
- to buy 5 bus tickets
- to pay it to a unfortunate begger
- or, to keep it in your money collection for good.

Asaid Mammad

I really like this shot. Shows great expression and I also like the composition. In looking at it I seem to see a little red eye in here left eye. It might be me but there is just a little. IMHO it does not ruin the shot though. Let me know you think?

I see what you mean. But it doesn't bothering me... in fact, maybe it what her eyes makes special?

You are right about that, she is a special lady. Great shot indeed.