Dear All, The very idea that it's some type of taboo breaking for a Canadian resident to visit Israel, a very open country, shows the vast gulf between the Moslem mind and the West. If an Israeli visa on the Iranian passport is some sort of "stain" that is beneath the honor of a Moslem, why go? What can you possibly change in Iran, a religious dictatorship? Oh, I know all the formulas about how Iran is a "democracy" since the leadership is elected. So were the Soviet republics but they were still tyrannical aristocracies versus Iran being a religious aristocracy. We have the situation that the only time there's been true democratic regime change based on the ballot occurs under "kaffir" rule - Irak under the Americans and the West Bank under Israeli administration. Nowhere else in the Arab world have you had true change adn Iran follows the same autocratic model.
- By: emanuel appel on January 26, 2006

It is wonderful that you are doing this trip with the intent of replacing whatever stereotypes might exist in people's minds with a human connnection. I live in the Boston area and number Iranians among my friends and colleagues. It has been hard for me to reconcile the rhetoric coming out of Iran with my personal experience of these Iranians, who I have experienced to be warm, open-minded, non-judgemental people. I found reading your blog very encouraging; reading it makes me think that peace will eventually be possible, even if it might be a long way away. One comment on the comments...Someone wrote that you should be honest that you are a "Persian" and not an "Iranian". Aren't there a lot of Iranian citizens who take pride in their Persian roots? Why is being a "Persian" mutually exclusive with being an "Iranian" and if it is, doesn't that disenfranchise a large segment of the population?
- By: Elizabeth Ross on January 26, 2006

Hossein, I hope the talk went well and that it helped to bring down some of the barriers between Persians & Jews, who, as you pointed out, have historically been friends. I pray that someday soon Iranians & Israelis will be friends again.
- By: David All on January 26, 2006

Just remember that you do not represent those Iranians like me who want regime change and abosulte freedom. You do represent yourself please. Thnx
- By: Winston on January 26, 2006

I just want to say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart. It breaks my heart every time I hear of the suffering caused by the conflicts between Israel and the Muslim world. I firmly believe it will only end when enough people on both sides realize that too many people have already suffered and died. Bless you and your work! Sa'alam & Shalom (forgive my spelling), JoAnna
- By: JoAnna Kelleher on January 25, 2006

I think that phone number is one digit too short.
- By: savtadotty on January 25, 2006

will you visit the westbank as well? perhaps a lecture in Beir Zeit university
- By: ihath on January 25, 2006