First, it is the US sanctions against Iran that prevents sending money via bank accounts to Iranian charities. What better way of saying sanctions only hurt the ordinary Iranians? But, let’s be fair! In 2003, following the earthquake in Bam, President Bush lifted the ban and issued a general license to enable relief organizations to provide services in Iran. I just hope, soon, very soon, I see the same from President Obama.
Then, there is the sad situation inside Iran. Soon after the earthquakes hit, villages and the photos of devastation reached outside of the affected area, social web sites, bloggers, Twitter and Facebook users voiced their criticism of the government and national media handling the crisis. For example, the front page of Keyhan newspaper said “The West’s new plot to weaken the resistance in Syria is compromising the Syrian borders.” As you have guessed, Iranians wondered why news of their fellow country men and women killed and displaced is less important than unrest in Syria.
On the same topic, a Facebook user created this image that mocks IRINN, an Iranian TV station which plays a cooking show at the time of the earthquake,.
See another example of a cartoon criticizing the nightly news about reports on poverty in Europe, unrest in syria and Israeli threats here.
I also saw a witty Facebook status I would like to share with you the translation of it:
“Don’t forget people of Azerbaijan don’t have access to Internet, so instead of updating your condolences to them, act!”
By Parisa Saranj, Aslan Media Columnist
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