Understanding Iran

Students in Ms. Small's and Mr. Graney's Political Science classes took part in an "Understanding Iran" panel discussion at the Search For Common Ground office in Washington, D.C., in association with George Mason University. HHS student Parand (R) thanks Shirin Saeid of George Mason University for organizing this event. This event took place February 11, 2005. Photographs by Doug Graney and Rebecca Small.

The panel included Mahdi Gharavi, President of Shia Club at GMU, Ms. Saeid, Dr. Chip Hauss Department of Public and International Affairs and Director, Policy and Research at Search for Common Ground, Dr. Sumaiya Hamdani Department of History-Islamic Studies Program and below (L) Rebecca, head of the Iran division at SFCG.

Narwin (R)- Since Iranians are not Arabs like Palestinians are and since Iran secretly dealt with Israel during the Iran/Contra affair and considering Israel attacked Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, why won't Iran simply recognize Israel?

Parand, and Nicole

Ms. Saeid makes a point.

Hazima (L)- You claim that the Iranians are a tolerant people because they allow Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians seats in parliament, but they also deliberately exclude Bahai’s from Parliament. Why?

Kim and Alicia

Farzana (R)- Would a newspaper that promoted a more secular government, establishing relations with Israel and supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq be allowed to exist?

Ebony- If I, as an American, were to visit Iran, how would I be treated?

Jeanette- What are you most proud of regarding Iran? What would you like to see change the most?

The impact of this discussion would last beyond this day......