The paradox that is Persia: Abbas Milani at TEDxStanford

Summary

The speaker explores the 'paradox of Persia,' challenging the stereotypical portrayal of Iran as a nation led by angry, oppressive leaders. Highlighting the rich history and cultural contributions of Iran, from the era of Cyrus the Great to the advent of Islam and the unique development of Shi'ism, the talk underscores Iran's complex identity. It emphasizes the ongoing societal changes, particularly the role of women and the country's intellectual and cultural vibrancy, suggesting that Iran's current regime does not represent the true spirit of its people.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The portrayal of Iran in the media often focuses on its political and religious aspects, but there is a rich and complex society with a history that is much more diverse than what is commonly known.
• 📚 The term 'Persia' is historically used to refer to Iran, highlighting the country's ancient civilization that dates back 2,500 years and its significant contributions to Western consciousness.
• 📖 The 'paradox of Persia' is a concept that encapsulates the contrast between Iran's historical and cultural achievements and its current political situation.
• 👁️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the full scope of Iran's history, which includes moments of both darkness and light, to appreciate its true nature.
• 🎭 Persian women have been pivotal in the fight for a democratic society in Iran for over a century, reflecting a progressive aspect of Iranian society that is often overlooked.
• 📚 The story of Shahrazad, the creator of 'A Thousand and One Nights,' symbolizes the resilience and creativity of Persian culture, as well as its influence on Western literature and storytelling.
• 🕌 The advent of Islam in Iran led to a unique blend of religious and cultural elements, resulting in a form of Shi'ism that is distinct from other Islamic societies.
• 🌟 Iran has a long history of intellectual and religious reform, including the 19th-century emergence of the Bahá'í faith and early feminist movements.
• 🌐 Despite external pressures and colonialist attitudes, Iran has maintained its independence and cultural identity, reflecting a strong sense of national pride and resilience.
• 🚀 Today's Iran is a vibrant society with a large internet-savvy population, a thriving underground music scene, and a sexual revolution, indicating a significant disconnect between the government's ideals and the people's aspirations.

Q & A

What is the 'paradox of Persia' mentioned in the script?

The 'paradox of Persia' refers to the complex and often contradictory nature of Iranian history and society. It highlights the contrast between the stereotypical image of Iran as a country run by angry, fundamentalist leaders and the reality of a rich, diverse, and culturally significant civilization with a history of intellectual and artistic achievements.

Why is Iran sometimes historically referred to as Persia?

Iran was called Persia in the English language and in most Romance languages before the Islamic Republic era. The name Persia is associated with the region's ancient history and the Achaemenid Empire, which was one of the great empires of the ancient world.

Who is Shahrazad and why is she significant to the 'paradox of Persia'?

Shahrazad is the storyteller in 'A Thousand and One Nights,' also known as 'Arabian Nights.' She is significant because her stories represent the rich narrative tradition of Persia and symbolize the country's ability to adapt and survive through wit and creativity, even in the face of adversity.

What is the historical significance of the Zoroastrian faith in Iran?

Zoroastrianism, the pre-Islamic religion of Iran, has significantly influenced the theologies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It introduced concepts such as the idea of a Messiah, a millennium, Hell, and Heaven, which have become integral parts of these religions.

How did the advent of Islam in the 7th century impact Iran's cultural and religious identity?

The advent of Islam in the 7th century led to a period of resistance followed by the development of a unique form of Islam in Iran, Shi'ism. This form of Islam has elements of Zoroastrianism, reflecting Iran's pre-Islamic heritage, thus contributing to the paradoxical character of Persian identity.

What is the role of women in the modern struggle for a democratic society in Iran?

Women in Iran have been at the forefront of the battle for creating a democratic society for the last 150 years. They have shown remarkable assertiveness and have been key drivers of change, challenging traditional norms and advocating for greater rights and freedoms.

Why is the 19th century described as a period of both despotism and intellectual development in Iran?

The 19th century in Iran was marked by increasing despotism under the Qajar dynasty, but it was also a time of significant intellectual and religious reformation. This period saw the birth of the Bahá'í faith and the beginning of the women's rights movement, indicating a complex and multifaceted society.

How did Western perceptions of Iran during the 19th century reflect the 'paradox of Persia'?

Western perceptions of Iran in the 19th century were paradoxical, with figures like Emerson and Goethe expressing romantic adulation for Iranian culture and poetry, while at the same time, colonialist attitudes portrayed Iranians as needing civilization and guidance, reflecting the complex and often contradictory views of the West towards Iran.

What is the current state of women's rights and societal changes in Iran according to the script?

Despite the theocratic government and restrictions on women's rights, Iran is experiencing a vibrant societal change with more than 60% of college graduates being women, a significant presence on the internet, and a burgeoning music and sexual revolution, indicating a society pushing against the constraints imposed by its leadership.

How does the speaker suggest understanding the current Iranian government in relation to its historical context?

The speaker suggests viewing the current Iranian government as a part of the country's rich and complex history. By understanding the historical context, one can see the current leadership as a shadow of a history that has had both downfalls and remarkable achievements, thus providing a more nuanced view of Iran.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Paradox of Persia

The speaker, Roozbeh Fakhr, introduces the 'paradox of Persia,' challenging the common media portrayal of Iran as a country solely defined by its current political climate and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural complexities of Iran, which have been misrepresented or overlooked. Fakhr highlights the contributions of Persian women to the pursuit of democracy and references the storytelling tradition exemplified by Shahrazad, the creator of 'A Thousand and One Nights,' to illustrate the rich cultural heritage of Iran.

05:03

📜 Historical Significance of Persia in Western Consciousness

This paragraph delves into the historical significance of Persia in shaping Western identity, referencing canonical texts like the Bible and Herodotus' 'Histories.' The speaker discusses the dual perception of Persia as both a praised civilization in the Old Testament and as the 'Other' in Western historical narratives. The paragraph also touches on the long-standing Jewish presence in Iran, the influence of Zoroastrianism on major world religions, and the unique development of Shi'ism in Iran, which has been influenced by pre-Islamic Persian beliefs.

10:06

🏺 Cultural and Intellectual Developments in 19th Century Iran

The speaker explores the 19th century as a period of both despotism and intellectual renaissance in Iran. Despite political challenges, Iran experienced significant cultural and religious evolution, including the emergence of the Bahá'í faith and early feminist movements. The paragraph contrasts the romanticized view of Iran held by Western intellectuals like Emerson and Goethe with the colonialist narratives that depicted Iranians as in need of Western 'civilization.'

15:10

🚀 Modern Iran: A Vibrant Society in Contrast to Theocratic Rule

In the final paragraph, the speaker contrasts the current theocratic government of Iran with the vibrant and dynamic society that exists beneath the surface. Despite restrictions on internet access, music, and women's rights, Iran is experiencing a cultural and social revolution. The speaker highlights the significant role of women in Iran's struggle for change and the country's ongoing contributions to global culture and human heritage.

Keywords

💡Paradox of Persia

The 'Paradox of Persia' refers to the complex and often contradictory nature of Iranian history and society as presented in the video. It encapsulates the contrast between the stereotypical view of Iran as a theocratic and repressive state and the rich cultural heritage, intellectual advancements, and progressive movements within the country. The video uses this term to challenge the simplistic portrayal of Iran and to highlight its historical and contemporary complexities, such as the development of Shi'ism with its unique Iranian characteristics and the ongoing struggle for democracy and women's rights.

💡Shahrazad

Shahrazad is a central figure in the video, known as the creator of 'A Thousand and One Nights,' a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. She is used as a metaphor for the storytelling tradition of Persia and its ability to weave complex narratives that reflect the paradoxical nature of Iranian history. The video mentions Shahrazad's ingenuity in telling stories to delay her execution by a jealous king, symbolizing the resilience and creativity of Persian culture in the face of adversity.

💡Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is identified in the video as one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, which significantly influenced the development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The video points out that concepts such as the idea of a Messiah, Heaven and Hell, and the millennium originated from Zoroastrianism. This religion's legacy is seen in the video as a foundational element of Iranian identity, even after the advent of Islam, with its influence still visible in Iranian culture and Shi'ism.

💡Shi'ism

Shi'ism, a branch of Islam, is highlighted in the video as the state religion of Iran with unique characteristics that differentiate it from other Islamic societies. The video suggests that Iranian Shi'ism has been shaped by pre-Islamic Zoroastrian influences, resulting in a distinct form of Islam that is deeply intertwined with Iranian national identity. The discussion of Shi'ism in the video serves to illustrate the blending of religious and cultural identities in Iran.

💡Islamic Republic of Iran

The term 'Islamic Republic of Iran' is used in the video to describe the modern political system of Iran, established after the 1979 revolution. The video contrasts this theocratic government with the progressive and democratic aspirations of the Iranian people, emphasizing the ongoing struggle between the conservative leadership and the desires of the populace for greater freedom and representation.

💡Persian Carpets

Persian carpets are mentioned in the video as a cultural symbol of Iran, reflecting the country's rich artistic heritage. The carpets' intricate designs, such as the paisley motif, are said to embody the paradoxical identity of Iran, combining pre-Islamic and Islamic elements. The video uses the image of Persian carpets to illustrate the enduring and evolving nature of Persian culture.

💡Jews in Iran

The video discusses the long history of the Jewish community in Iran, dating back nearly 3,000 years. It contrasts the positive treatment of Jews in Iran with the persecution they faced in Europe, highlighting the tolerance and integration of religious minorities in Iranian society. The video also notes the presence of a significant Jewish population in contemporary Iran, despite the anti-Israeli rhetoric of the government.

💡Biblical References

The video makes several references to the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, to illustrate the historical importance and positive portrayal of Persia in Western religious texts. It mentions the story of Esther and the praise for Cyrus the Great for his role in freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity. These references serve to emphasize the deep historical connections between Persia and the West.

💡19th Century Reforms

The video discusses the 19th century as a period of both despotism and intellectual and religious reform in Iran. It points to the emergence of the Bahá'í faith and the early women's rights activism as evidence of Iran's progressive tendencies during this time. These reforms are presented as part of the ongoing paradox of Iran's history, where periods of repression are interspersed with movements for change and enlightenment.

💡Cultural Contributions

The video emphasizes the significant cultural contributions of Persia to the world, including its influence on Western literature, philosophy, and religion. It argues that understanding these contributions is essential for grasping the common human heritage. The video uses the example of Persian poetry and its impact on Western literature to illustrate the cross-cultural exchange and the enduring influence of Persian culture.

Highlights

Iran is often portrayed as a dour country run by angry old men, but there is much more happening inside Iran that is very promising.

The 'paradox of Persia' refers to the complex and multifaceted nature of Iranian society and history.

Persia, now known as Iran, has a history that dates back 2,500 years and has significantly influenced Western civilization.

Shahrazad, the creator of 'A Thousand and One Nights,' symbolizes the paradox of Persia with her storytelling that saved her life.

Iranians resisted the Arab conquest and maintained their language and cultural identity, unlike other conquered regions.

Shi'ism in Iran has unique characteristics influenced by Zoroastrianism, setting it apart from other Islamic societies.

The 19th century saw both increasing despotism and remarkable intellectual and religious reforms in Iran.

Iranian women have been at the forefront of societal change for the last 150 years, contributing to a vibrant and evolving culture.

Iran has a rich history of interaction with the West, including both romantic adulation and colonialist attitudes.

Despite external pressures, Iran has maintained its independence and resisted colonization.

Iranian society today is vibrant and dynamic, with significant contributions from women and a growing internet presence.

More than 60 percent of college graduates in Iran are women, indicating a major shift in education and societal roles.

Iran has a thriving underground music and sexual revolution, despite restrictions imposed by the government.

The speaker argues that understanding the rich history and contributions of Persia is essential to understanding our common human heritage.

The talk concludes with a call to appreciate the complexity of Iran beyond the stereotypes presented by its current leadership.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Roozbeh Fakhr Reviewer: Leila Ataei

Iran that you see in the media, Iran that you see talked about

Iran that you see written about, most often in the last 30 years,

is a dour country, run by angry old men,

who shout death to America, death to Israel,

who promote a cult of martyrdom.

But it's also a society that produces Maz Jobrani.

And I am here to tell you

that there is a lot more happening inside Iran than what you see here.

A lot more things that are very very promising.

I'm not here to tell you that there's nothing to worry about Iran,

but I'm here to tell you that if you really understand

the paradox of Persia,

you will find a country that is worth being interested in.

And it is a country that does not deserve to be stereotyped

by the behavior of its current rude impolite and impolitic leaders.

Why do I call it the "paradox of Persia"?

For those of you who are older than 35,

you would know that before the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Iran was called Iran.

If you are a little older, at least 85 years older,

you would know that in the English languages,

essentially in all the Romance languages,

Iran used to be called Persia.

So when we talk about Persia, we're essentially talking about

what you today would understand as Islamic Republic of Iran.

And where does this paradox begin?

It begins essentially at the dawn of Western civilization.

And it begins at the dawn of the great Empire

that Iran was 2,500 years ago.

So I'm going to try to give you a little bit of its history

of these 2,500 years

and try to pick moments of that history that show you the Iran that is different

than the Iran that you generally hear about, or read about.

But it's 2,500 years of history, and I have 14 minutes.

If I'm very lucky, 17 minutes.

So how do you do this in 17 or 14 minutes?

I'll do it. I decided to take my cues from a Persian woman.

And this is not by accident.

Persian women are now in Iran at the forefront of the battle

for creating a democratic society.

They have been for the last 150 years. I'll tell you a little bit about them.

But Persia has also given us the greatest storyteller of all time.

Many of you don't know her as Persian.

Many of you know her maybe as the person that gave you

what you probably know as "Arabian Nights."

But Arabian Nights actually is called:

"A Thousand and One Nights."

And the person that created "A Thousand and One Nights"

is a woman called "Shahrazad."

Shahrazad gives us the paradox of Persia.

Shahrazad is the daughter of a Prince,

some say the daughter of the Prime Minister.

She is married to this murderously jealous King.

The dark side of the Iranian history

as well as the light side of the Iranian history.

And if you've read the story, you would know

the jealous King, in order to make sure that he's not cuckolded by his wife,

he's been cuckolded once, he doesn't want it happen again,

he kills his wives every night after he consummates marriage.

Shahrazad comes and decides the way to delay this is tell him a story,

and keep the punchline for the next day.

The punchline continues for a thousand and one nights.

That's why we get a 1001 nights.

She is saved, we have one of the greatest stories of all time.

We have basically one of the most remarkable story structures.

The episodic story structure

that every television series you love is based on

really comes from "A Thousand and One Nights."

It has a structural story, it has the overall narrative

and it has episodes that you can take in and out.

By the time the West got ahold of "A Thousand and One Nights,"

it became "Arabian Nights."

By the time Hollywood got hold of it,

it became "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves of Baghdad. (Laughter)

That's what often happens, unfortunately, when Hollywood gets its hands on Iran.

So, I'm going to give you 4 episodes of Iranian history.

The beginning, the advent of Islam, the 19th century, and today.

And in each case, I'm going to try to give you

a sense of this paradox that defines what it means to be Persian,

what it means to be Persia.

I can say with some certainty there is no country that I know of

that has been as central to Western consciousness

as Persia has.

That's a big claim to make, but I'm willing to back it up.

And I have 2 and a half minutes to do it,

and I am going to try to do it in 2.5 minutes.

We have two canonical texts

in the development of the Western consciousness of itself as the West.

One is the Bible.

The other one is Herodotus' "Histories."

These are the two canonical texts.

Herodotus is essentially about the war between the Greeks and the Persians.

And Herodotus is very clear.

He says the Greeks began to see themselves

as different than the East in opposition to Iran.

So Iran was essentially at the time the Other of the West.

It was the force that they defined themselves in opposition to.

Herodotus has wonderful things to say about Iran.

But he also has some very negative things to say.

Herodotus might well have been in fact Iranian himself.

He lived in the part of the Asian minor,

that at the time of his birth was dominated by Iran.

If you've read "Creation" by Gore [Vidal],

you would know the story of Herodotus's life.

Go to the Bible, the Old Testament.

Again, I suggest, there is no country that is as praised in the Old Testament,

other than Jews themselves,

who are the central characters of the Old Testament, as the Persians.

There is no mortal in the Old Testament that is as praised as Cyrus.

Cyrus is the person that freed Jews from the Babylonian captivity.

Cyrus is the one that rebuilt Jerusalem for Jews.

So it is at the result of the Babylonian captivity,

that we have the first mass migration of Jews into Iran.

Jews have been living in Iran for almost 3,000 years.

And I can tell you, again with some certainty,

except for the 20th century,

Jews lived more comfortably, more safely in Iran,

than they did in Europe.

You never had pogroms like you had in Europe, in Iran.

And Jews have lived there comfortably.

And today, as I speak in spite of the lunacies of Ahmadinejad,

in spite of the anti-Israeli rhetoric of the regime,

there are more Jews living in Iran today than in the entire Muslim world together.

There are close to 25,000 Jews living in Iran today.

Before the revolution there were about 125 to 150,000 of them.

So Iran has had this rather remarkable history with Jews.

The other remarkable history, again in the Bible,

I won't repeat it, this story of Esther.

2,500 years ago an Iranian king was married to a Jew,

and at the same time,

the dark side, the paradoxical side of Iranian history,

manifests itself in the efforts of the Prime Minister

who tried to commit the first act of genocide against Jews

and when he failed, you have the Feast of Purim,

you have the Savior, you have Esther,

who is incidentally buried in Iran.

The place of burial for Esther is in Iran today.

Some of the hoodlums in the Islamic republic

recently tried to demolish it; fortunately, they did not succeed.

Fast forward, 700-800 years, to the 7th century,

and you have the advent of Islam.

Islam comes to Iran in the 7th century.

Iran was by then Zoroastrian.

Zoroastrian faith again is very little known in the world.

But Zoroastrian faith has probably contributed more

to the theologies of Judeo-Christian and Islamic systems

than any other religion in the world.

Let me give you briefly some of the ideas

that have come from Zoroastrianism and found their way into Christianity

into Judaism, into Islam.

The idea of a Messiah, the idea of a millennium,

a thousand-year cycle of history, the idea of Hell, the idea of Heaven,

all come from Zoroastrianism.

The word you know and use for Heaven is in fact a Persian word.

Paradise is a Latinized version of Pardis, which is the name of a Persian garden,

which incidentally is also captured most beautifully

in some of the carpets you see.

There is no theme more repeated in Persian carpets

than an effort to recapture Paradise.

So Islam comes to this country

that already had this very sophisticated Empire

and a very sophisticated theology. What happens to it?

Well, what happens to it, first of all,

Iranians fight for about a 150 to 200 years to resist this.

Iranians were the only country that were conquered by the Arabs

but did not take Arabic language.

The concept of "Arab," the strange concept of "Arab,"

as everyone who speaks Arabic, was developed in that early phase.

Iranians were the exception.

They kept the language, they did not take Arabic.

Persian remained their language.

And then something very remarkable has happened.

And historians, scholars, have been writing about this

increasingly fascinatingly detailed accounts.

And that is: that Iranians took some of the Islamic Ideas

and gave them an Iranian bent.

Shi'ism, which is the state religion in Iran today,

many scholars will tell you has more in common with Zoroastrianism

than it has with any other Muslim society.

And the dominant esthetic motif, after that Arab invasion,

something you see in many Persian carpets,

in many Persian fabrics,

probably the motif you've seen more than anything else from Iran,

is the paisley.

The paisley is said to be this paradoxical identity of Iran.

Partly Zoroastrian, pre-Islamic, partly Islamic.

The pine tree was the tree of Zarathustra.

It was bent by the Arab invasion, but it wasn't broken.

So Iran took a paradoxical character,

partly pre-Islamic, partly Islamic.

And its Islam that's different than anywhere else in the world.

The Islam that is dominant in Iran today, the Shi'ism,

has many characteristics of the Zoroastrian ideas we talked about.

Fast forward again to the 19th century.

In the 19th century, you have two, again, fascinating developments

both inside Iran,

and in the perception of Iran in the West.

Paradoxical development.

The 19th century is the age of increasing despotism in Iran.

But it's also an age of remarkable intellectual development,

of remarkable religious reformation.

Very little talked about in the West.

But it is the age where Shi'ism is undergoing a remarkable shift,

and you have the birth of a new religion.

You have the birth of the Bahá'í movement, out of the Babi movement.

Two years before Seneca Falls,

what is considered to be the first feminist convention in America,

an Iranian woman by the name of Qurratu'l-'Ayn

walked on stage, took off her veil, and gave a talk.

The sight was so stunning

that someone took a knife to his own throat

and another one went on the stage and tried to kill her.

That is 150 years ago.

That's the beginning of the women's movement in Iran.

And you can move forward in the last 150 years,

and see that, this remarkable turmoil, this remarkable change,

this remarkable assertiveness of Iranian women.

In the West, as Iranians are undergoing this change,

you have two different approaches to Iran.

You have a romantic adulation of Iran.

You have Emerson, the quintessential American intellectual,

falling in love with Iran, falling in love with Iranian poets.

He tries to learn Persian to read some of this poetry in Persian.

Goethe, the quintessential romantic in Europe,

tries to learn Persian because he says: Hafez and Saadi and Rumi,

the best selling poets in America today,

Khayyám, who is the subject of what is considered

maybe the best translation of poetry in history...

I am sure all of you have at one time

been told by your beloved, or have told your beloved

that a jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou, is all you need.

That is from a Persian poet called Khayyám.

That aspect, is part of the paradoxical approach of the West

to Iran or Persia in the 19th century.

But you also have the development of colonialism.

Colonialism has come to this region.

Iran is one of only 6 countries in the 3rd world that is not colonized.

When the West begins to colonize the world,

Iran is one of the 6 countries that survive,

maintains its independence.

But at the same time, colonizers, particularly British,

begin to develop a rather nasty language to talk about Iran.

Talking about Persians as shifty people.

Talking about Persians as eternally inclined toward despotism.

In need of a British hand to be civilized.

England!

Iran had a city that was 2 million people, it's estimated,

a thousand years ago.

Iran had a city that had 5000 professors in the 11th century.

England, at the time, was a cow pasture.

(Laughter)

At that time in the 20th century,

someone enlightened in England understood that's a dangerous game to get into!

The idea of civilizing Iran. Civilizing India.

The white man’s burden. Women were not part of this.

Today's Iran is the last moment of this paradoxical history

I'm going to talk about.

You all know about the leadership, you know about the government.

You know it's one of the most despotic theocracies in the world.

You know that there's a disproportionate amount of power

in the hands of one unelected official.

You know that the government has come in order to create an Islamic society.

Ayatollah Khomeini, who founded the state, said: "Economics is for donkeys.

We made the revolution to change people into Islam."

And I can tell you with absolute certainty,

Iranian society today

is as far away from the model that Ayatollah Khomeini had in mind

as it is possibly to imagine.

What you have in Iran, beneath the surface,

is a vibrant society, that is in many ways bursting at the seams.

More than 60 percent of college graduates in Iran today are women.

Iran has 40 million people with access to the Internet.

Iran has 5 million Facebook subscribers.

And Facebook is banned in Iran.

(Laughter)

Music is banned in Iran from being officially shown on television.

Women are banned from singing on television,

as a solo vocalist.

But Iran is undergoing a remarkable musical revolution.

Iran is undergoing a remarkable sexual revolution.

One journalist says

instead of calling Iran the Islamic Republic of Iran,

we should call it the Erotic Republic of Iran.

(Laughter)

Truly what is happening with women, at the forefront of the struggle,

is one of the most fascinating heroic stories.

So my hope

is that by hearing some of these episodic aspects

of a very rich, complicated history,

every time you see an image of a Mullah on television,

you see that, that is the shadow of a history that is remarkably rich.

It has had its downfalls, but it has had its peaks,

and it is in my view impossible to understand what we call

our common human heritage

without understanding the very significant contributions

that Persia has made.

Thank you very much.

(Applause)