All posts by islam

SRI to deliver homegrown Pars 1 satellite in Dec.

Iran Space Research Center (SRI) is to deliver domestically designed and manufactured remote sensing satellite Pars 1 to Communication and IT Ministry in December 2019, the center’s head announced on Sunday.

As Hossein Samimi told Mehr news agency, Pars 1 is passing the final steps in SRI.

He added that the research center is planning to design and produce remote sensing satellite Pars 2 and in this regard will cooperate with Iranian universities and private companies.

“Pars 2 is more developed than Pars 1 and comes with a higher resolution and better operation,” he said.

SRI has many different projects namely remote sensing satellites such as Saba, Pars 1 and 2 and telecommunications satellites such as Mesbah-2, Zohreh, Ghaem-1 and SRIsat. .

The center is focused on producing ‘Remote Sensing’ and ‘Communication Satellites’ based on the sixth five-year development plan of Iran.

It is intended to develop space technology by conducting research, plan making, localization, implementing and monitoring projects as well as recruiting and training professionals in different space-related areas./MNA/

Message of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to the great Hajj

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon his exalted, trustworthy messenger, Muhammad the last of the prophets, and his pure progeny, especially the one remaining with Allah on earth, and on his chosen companions and those who faithfully followed them, until the day of judgment.

Every year, the time of Hajj is the resort for the Islamic Ummah where they receive the Lord’s mercy. Quran’s call of “And proclaim Hajj among men” [Quran 22:27] is a call to everyone throughout history to come to this distribution of mercy, so that their God-seeking hearts and souls, and their thoughts and views benefit from its advantages; and every year, the lessons and teachings of Hajj propagate throughout Muslim world by congregations of people.

The Hajj presents a miniature scale of a set of fundamental pillars of the Islamic society by placing the elixir of Dhikr and servitude—which is the main element for the cultivation, progress, and growth of individuals and the society— next to congregation and unity, which are the symbols of the unified Ummah; the movement around a unique center, and on the path towards a common goal—which are the keys to the endeavor and livelihood of the Ummah based on monotheism—;and through harmony among every Hajj pilgrim, where there is no distinction—which is the sign of removing discrimination and providing everyone with the same opportunity. Every one of the rituals of Hajj including Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, wuquf, ramy, movement and repose, is a symbolic reminder of a part of the picture presented by Islam of its ideal society.

Exchange of knowledge and assets between people of different countries and places far apart, and spreading awareness and experience, asking for the news of one another, removing barriers of misunderstanding, bringing the hearts closer, and storing strength to confront common enemies are the vital and magnificent outcomes of Hajj, which otherwise would not be achieved through hundreds of the usual and typical gatherings.

The ritual of Bara’ah which means refusing every instance of mercilessness, cruelty, wrongdoing and corruption of the tyrants of any time, and rising against intimidation and unjust levy by the arrogant throughout history, is one of the great advantages of Hajj, and an opportunity for oppressed Muslim nations. Today, repudiating the front of shirk [polytheism] and kufr [disbelief] made up of the arrogant powers—the foremost of them being the U.S.—equals refusing the killing of the oppressed, and waging wars. It equals condemning the sources of terrorism, including ISIS and the American Black Water. It is the Islamic Ummah’s shout at the child killers of the Zionist regime, and their backers and cohorts. It is a condemnation of The United States and their associates’ warmongering, in the sensitive regions of West Asia and North Africa, who have pushed the nations’ pain and suffering beyond limits and who bring them new catastrophes every day. It means refusing racism, and discrimination based on geography, race, and color of skin. It means refusing the arrogant and vicious behavior of aggressive and seditious powers against dignified, noble and just behavior recommended to everyone by Islam.

These are some of the benedictions of the Abrahamic Hajj that the pure Islam calls us to. And this is the incarnation of an important part of the ideals of the Islamic society that every year, through every one of the participating Muslims, and directed by Hajj, puts on a grand and rich spectacle, calling everyone through a clear language, to try to create such a society.

The elite of the Muslim world, some of whom are now present at Hajj from different countries, have a crucial and important duty. These lessons must be transferred to all nations and the public through their efforts and ingenuity, and moral exchange of ideas, motivations, experience, and knowledge must be realized by them.

Today, one of the most important issues of the Muslim world is Palestine, which is at the top of Muslims’ political issues, regardless of their school of thought, race, and language. The greatest injustice in recent history has happened in Palestine. In this painful affair, all that a nation had—their land, homes, farms, belongings, dignity, and identity—was confiscated. With God’s assistance, this nation has not surrendered to defeat, and has not given up, and today, they are on the battlefields more enthusiastic, and braver than yesterday. But the ultimate outcome requires assistance from all Muslims. The ploy of Deal of the Century prepared by the oppressive U.S., and its treasonous cohorts, is a crime against human society, and not just the Palestinian nation. We are inviting everyone to active participation in overcoming this deception by the enemy, and with the power and help of God, we consider this and every other ruse by the arrogant front doomed to failure against the efforts, and faith of the Resistance front.

Almighty Allah said: “Or do they intend a plot? But those who defy Allah are themselves involved in a Plot!” [Quran 52:42]. True is what Almighty Allah said. I supplicate Almighty God for success, blessing, comfort, and acceptance of prayers for every one of you respected pilgrims.

Sayyed Ali Khamenei
August 6th, 2019 (Dhu’l-Hijjah 3rd, 1440)

‘Box Man’ receives 2 nominations at Hollywood Dreams Filmfest.

Iranian short ‘Box Man’ written and directed by Manouchehr Teymourzadeh was nominated in two categories at Hollywood Dreams Film Festival in the US.

The Iranian short film ‘Box Man’, in its third international screening, was nominated for best foreign film and best supporting actor award at Hollywood Dreams Film Festival in the US.

The film had previously taken part at the 9th London Lift-Off Film Festival in the UK, and was nominated in three categories at the Action on Film MegaFest Festival in the US.

Written and directed by Manouchehr Teymourzadeh, ‘Box Man’ narrates the story of a middle-aged reporter who is making a film about a teenager who lives inside a box and refuses to come out despite his mother’s pleas. Meanwhile, the reporter gets closer to the world of the teenager and becomes enraptured by his life inside a box.

The Hollywood Dreams International Film Festival (HDIFF) and Writers Event is dedicated to the movement, the language and the power of Film, Video and the Written Word. Film is a powerful tool that crosses all boundaries and languages and connects people universally, says the event’s website.

HDIFF is the sister festival to the long running Action on Film MegaFest Festival in the United States. /MNA/

MSP Iranian filmfest. to screen 7 acclaimed films in US

The second annual MSP Iranian Film Festival, slated for mid-August in Minneapolis, US, features seven award-winning and acclaimed Iranian films.

MSP Film Society celebrates the varied perspectives on modern Iran with seven films, including ‘African Violet’, ‘Orange Days, ‘Bomb, A Love Story’, ‘Dressage’ and ‘The Girls’, according to the event’s website.

The second annual MSP Iranian Film Festival will take place on August 15-18, 2019 at the Film Society’s Screen 3 at St. Anthony Main Theatre, Minneapolis, US.

The Festival showcases acclaimed and award-winning new Iranian cinema, and presents a variety of themes, genres, and perspectives of contemporary Iran.

On Sunday, August 19, a reception celebrates the end of the film festival and the beginning of Twin Cities Iranian Culture Week.

Encore performances of three films are scheduled throughout Iranian Culture Week.

/ MNA/

Guests from 27 countries to attend Iran’s children filmfest.

Director of 32nd International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Alireza Tabesh, said several foreign guests from 27 countries would attend this prestigious cinematic event later this month.

He also emphasized the importance of the quality of films which has been submitted to the festival’s secretariat, adding that the festival has abandoned the tradition of film production for the festival and the quality of the films rather than quantity matters.

“In this edition of the festival, we have established a video library section and invited the regional and international distributors to the event,” he added.

In the course of the festival, for the first time in the country, the economic profiling of films will be presented to the filmmakers on their way to the national competition.

“The industries adjacent to the cinema industry are of fundamental importance in the boom in film production” he said.

Paying Special attention to animation and short animation films works leading to the National Competition Section, having a close look at non-cinematic short and feature films and launching new web series section are all indications that the festival in this era has a particular look which will go beyond just cinema,” he added.

“In this edition of the festival three top cinematic figures of children and youth cinema including filmmaker Mahin Javaherian, leading filmmaker Alireza Rezadad and top artist Maryam Saadat would be commemorated,” Tebesh added.

Out of 217 films including 12 feature, 105 short films, 16 long feature, 16 short, 66 short, 6 animated, 39 weblog, 36 works were selected by the Iranian Selection Board of National Section of the festival including 7 feature, 10 short feature, 7 long feature and 12 short animated films.
He added that 235 movies were submitted to the international sections of the festival secretariat of which 100 features, 45 animated features, 40 animated short, and 50 short fiction were reviewed by the International Selection Board and eventually 42 films were selected including 12 feature, 10 animated feature, 11 animated short and 9 short fiction films.

Tabesh reiterated that 39 works also have been submitted to the web series of the festival.

Asked about the number of international films and the impact of sanctions on the films’ presence in the festival, he said: “The festival is a symbol of public diplomacy, especially when our enemies are trying to tarnish the real image of our country.”

Commenting on presence of Turkish film’s participation in the event, he said: “Fortunately we will have participants from Turkey and we will hold several international workshops.”

Tabesh underscored that the motto of festival is to make the flood-hit children’s dream come true.
“In collaboration with the Iran Youth Cinema Association, a mobile cinema would be established in the flood-hit areas in Iran to display the festival’s film,” he added.

Presided by Tabesh, the 32nd International Film Festival for Children and Youth is slated to be held in Province of Isfahan on August 19-26, 2019 in the national and international sections./ MNA/

Leader calls on youth to push forward sci-tech boundaries

The Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on the elite youth generation to strongly continue scientific growth of the country and to enhance boundaries of science and technology.

He made the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with a group of Iranian students who have managed to collect medals in different international science olympiads as well as members of Iran’s U21 volleyball team which collected the world title last week.

“Achieving beneficial scientific progress for the country is possible through a revolutionary, Islamic-based approach, and elite youths must set the primary goal for reaching the frontiers of science and technology and pushing them forward,” said the Leader.

“Despite the efforts that have been made in the scientific and technological movement after the Islamic Revolution, especially in the past twenty years, we still have a long way to go, and the most important task of the elite generation is to push forward the boundaries of knowledge in addition to continuing their successful scientific path,” Ayatollah Khamenei stressed.

Refereeing to Iran’s great achievements and top ranks in the field of nanotechnology, he noted, “it is now expected that elite and next-generation youth would discover hundreds of such fields as nanoscience as well as unknown scientific phenomena in areas such as biotechnology. They should not be satisfied with the mere continuation of the scientific path.”

Elsewhere, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to Iran’s winning the title of 2019 FIVB U21 Men’s World Championship, saying, “thanks to God, our youth volleyball players were able to turn into a source of pride and stand at the top of the world. This is a very valuable achievement that made people happy.”

He went on to say that gaining this trophy with an Iranian coach is so important. “I have always believed that it befits the country’s sports teams would have Iranian coaches.” /MNA/

Iran capable of exporting $25bn technical, engineering services

Member of Board of Directors of Engineering and Technical Services Exporters Association Farzin Mahdyar said on Tue. that Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys high capability of exporting $25 billion worth of technical and engineering services.

He made the remarks during his weekly press briefing and pointed to the problems facing export of technical and engineering services especially in some neighboring states and added, “currently, total technical and engineering services delayed in neighboring Iraq stand at $1.8 billion which has created serious damages to the Iranian exporters of technical and engineering services financially.”

He went on to say that Islamic Republic of Iran in carrying out technical and engineering services in countries such as Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) and also Iraq, adding, “in this regard, Iraq has enjoyed high potential and capability for cooperating with Iran in the field of export of technical and engineering services which can lead to the enhanced cooperation jointly in relevant issues.”

Turning to the incentive export packages of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) provided for exporters of technical and engineering services, he added, “it should be kept in mind that Iraq is Iran’s largest target market, so that suitable condition should be provided for Iranian exporters to export their technical and engineering services to this country.” /MNA/

Iran unveils new smart bombs

Iran on Tuesday unveiled three new precision-guided smart bombs, in a ceremony with Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Website.

The unveilings come amid tensions between Iran and the United States along with Britain in the Persian Gulf.

The new air-to-air missiles revealed by Tehran are called the “Yasin” and the “Balaban” as well as a new series of the “Qaem” missile and were developed jointly by the ministry and Sa Iran (Iran Electronics Industries).

According to the Mehr news agency, the Yasin is a smart missile with folding wings that can be fired from a range of 50 kilometers (30 miles) of its target from manned or unmanned aircraft.

The Balaban smart bomb is guided by hybrid inertial navigation system (INS)/Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance and sensors to boost its precision capabilities and is equipped with folding wings and can be mounted under an aircraft.

The Qaem optic smart bomb meanwhile is a heat-seeking missile equipped with heat and cylinder seekers that allow the bomb to hit within 50 centimeters of a target. Similar to the Balaban, it can be installed on various kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles such as fighter jets and helicopters.

Hatami hailed the missiles’ launch as “another significant achievement of power and dignity for the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“It shows that despite the viciousness and conspiracies of the Great Satan America and its mercenaries, the Defense Ministry will not hesitate for a moment to defend the Islamic Republic and to expand security,” Fars quoted him as saying.

The three missiles were unveiled two days after deputy military chief Brigadier General Mehdi Rabbani was quoted by Fars as saying that the country’s missile range was continuing to increase.

“For at least the next 10 years, no regional or trans-regional country is able to counter or fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran in ground warfare,” he stated, adding that “our missile power also deters any regional and extra-regional acts of aggression, and the range of the missiles is also increasing constantly.”

Also on Tuesday, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani warned that all U.S. bases in the region are within range of an Iranian strike if any war were to break out.

“It may be the case that some regional countries and the Zionist regime have devised such plans against Iran, but they know well that if they inflict any minor damage to Iran, they will receive our firm response as all American bases in the region will get stuck. And if they have a little bit of rationale, they will not enter a war with Iran,” he stated.

Despite new U.S. sanctions on Iran are meant to pressure Tehran over its influence in the region and its ballistic missile program, Tehran is continuing to improve its missile capabilities, defending the program as being purely defensive. / Tehran Times /

New breast milk bank opened on World Breastfeeding Week

The fifth breast milk bank in Iran was established in the city of Shiraz during a ceremony on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, an annual celebration which is being held every year from August 1 to 7.

According to studies, breast milk is the best choice for infants and increase their IQ nine notches in comparison with babies who do not consume human milk, the head of Iranian Scientific Breastfeeding Promotion Society, Farid Imanzadeh, said during the ceremony.

He also pointed to emotional links between infants and mothers during breastfeeding, saying, thee breast milk bank is for mothers who cannot feed their babies and provides them with sterilized breast milk.

The bank collects breast milk of volunteer mothers and keeps them after pasteurization and sterilization for infants who cannot be fed with breast milk, he explained.

The first breast milk bank was established in the city of Tabriz, northwestern Iran, in 2016.

Other Iranian cities namely Ahvaz, Mashhad, and Isfahan are also equipped with breast milk banks.

In recent years, mothers tend to use the formula for their newborns, but the health ministry promotes breastfeeding nationwide, the deputy health minister said during the ceremony.

Alireza Raeisi said that breast milk prevents several diseases and is one of the best foods for newborns.

The health ministry plans to prescribe a formula for newborns suffering from diseases or mothers who cannot feed their infants, he said.

“Recent statistics released by the health ministry show 14% growth of breastfeeding in comparison with previous years and we anticipate more growth in the coming years.”

Meanwhile, neonatologist Ali-Akbar Sayyari said breast milk contains several antibodies and is sterile. Breast milk is nutritious enough for a baby after six months of age.

No other diet is recommended during breastfeeding for mothers, he said.

World Breastfeeding Week 2019

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) website, the WBW encourages breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

This year, WHO is working with UNICEF and partners to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early life, when it matters most. This includes enacting paid maternity leave for a minimum of 18 weeks, and paid paternity leave to encourage shared responsibility of caring for their children on an equal basis.

Breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike. Increasing breastfeeding to near-universal levels could save more than 800,000 lives every year, the majority being children under 6 months. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It is estimated that increased breastfeeding could avert 20,000 maternal deaths each year due to breast cancer. / Tehran times/

Iran Greco-Roman team win 2019 Cadet World

Iran Greco-Roman team claimed the title of the 2019 Cadet World Championships on Sunday night in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Reza Saki from Iran, a 2019 Cadet Asian silver medalist, defeated Russian Stepan Starodubtsev, who was second at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, for the crown at 71 kg.

Starodubtsev led, 1-0, at the break, but just moments into the second period, Saki scored on a four-point arm throw. He held onto the lead for the remainder of the bout, winning gold with a 4-1 victory.

For the title at 51 kg, Saeid Esmaeili used a first-period takedown to give him an eventual 2-1 win over Elmir Aliyev from Azerbaijan. It was both wrestlers’ first World Championships.

To open the night, 2019 Cadet Asian champion Samatbek IZIMGALI (KAZ) spent only 59 seconds on the mat to claim the gold medal at 45 kg, defeating Asadbek BAKHRAMAOV (UZB) by fall.

Iran had previously won two gold medals in the opening day.

Amiireza Dehbozorgi had defeated Ziya Babashov from Azerbaijan 3-1 in the 48kg final bout and Shahrokh Mikaeili emerged victorious over Armenian Razmik Kurdyan in the 110kg final.

Securing two individual champions on Sunday, Iran won the team title with 148 points, followed by Azerbaijan with 123 points and Russia with 99 points. / Tehran times/