PS: I had actually encountered Mr. Jehanbegloo previously this summer, via this exchange of letters: http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-letterstoamericans/article_2067.jsp on the “American Dream”.

PS: I had actually encountered Mr. Jehanbegloo previously this summer, via this exchange of letters on the “American Dream”.

Yes! In fact he’s the exact opposite – a distinguished Middle Eastern intellectual with a conciliatory approach. Interesting to compare his political marginalization with Tariq Ramadan’s. Folks like this need to get a little more air time in the media!

Why does this blog zero in on the desi angle of everything you post? This is a focused, cultural interest blog, not a general-purpose site. It brings readers together for that exact reason.

Peace and thanks for the links.

If you want to have a constructive discussion, leave the sarcasm at the door. Thank you!

How lucky for him that you found the ‘desi’ connection after two months and deigned to make the effort!

Anyways here’s the blog set up to keep track of just this issue.

Here’s something the man wrote , so that you can get an insight into what sort of man is deemed an enemy of the Iranian state.

I was glad to read that a petition had been signed by nearly a hundred muslims and arabs – good for them but one would hope that the Iranian response is somewhat more forthcoming than similar appeals signed by such as Juan Cole (who took so much effort to explain away and excuse the Iranian president’s threat to wipe out Israel) and many hundreds of N American academics and luminaries. I saw one petition addressed to the EU, asking it to intervene. This was signed by about 40 French academics (there is a convoluted ‘desi’ angle but pleasure of discovering it should be yours) and other persons. What alarmed me was that the very first signatory was by a Bahai community rep – the mullahs had better not see that one!- and I fervently hope that for his own sake, Dr Jahanbegloo is muslim.

>>But there is resistance among some of those who could have the greatest sway on Tehran — Muslim scholars. “Some people are reluctant to publicize human rights in Iran when Iran is facing pressure on the nuclear issues,” said Mansour Bonakdarian, who teaches history at Hofstra University. “They are afraid that too much discussion of human rights in Iran could be exploited by the U.S. and its allies.”>>

That’s a relief! Wouldn’t want said reluctant muslim scholars to be confused with real intellectuals.