Iran often takes the spotlight in discourse on Middle Eastern politics and its bearing on global affairs.
Needless to say, for mostly unsavoury reasons. And with the latest sinister act of terror here at Tehran and the ugly shadow it is bound to cast this time it seems to be no different.
So, once the action is condemned, as it should be, and condolences offered to victims and survivors, as it must be, and pundits opine on the terror attacks in the light of politics, as they ought to, there will nothing more to be said on Iran.
To which I can only sigh.
There is another side to this land, seldom talked about in the purely politically contextualised discussions. This detracts from the grander view, no doubt. Resulting in a gloom and doom picture that many seem to mistake for reality.
What the world thinks about Iran
Take, for instance, what a former classmate, and dear friend of mine, hailing from Sri Lanka and coming here for his father’s diplomatic career at their country’s embassy told me once.
He did say that his family members were quite worried when they heard his father would be stationed in Tehran as a Sri Lankan diplomat.
Another friend, Canadian, told me he had to once patiently explain to someone abroad that Iran is not a war zone and indeed he could venture forth in all manner of business without compromising his precious safety.
And then there was I, coming across a French student taking a course at the Iranian Shahid Beheshti University, who informed me that his parents actually feared he would be kidnapped, robbed, shot at or, generally speaking, meet a very gory end should he set foot on Persian soil.
Suffice to say, he had some convincing to do prior to his arrival.
I shook my head each time on hearing such wild misconceptions, partly bemused and mostly disturbed.
If my two decades’ worth of residency here as a Bangladeshi is anything to go by, Iran is anything but.
Myopic misconceptions
In the time I have spent thus far, I found Tehran to be a thriving metropolis, complete with most modern amenities, graced with beautiful artwork, murals, and sculptures (my favourite being a work that paid homage to Dali’s Persistence of Memory) -- and definitely as safe as the typical urban environment would be.
Or perhaps a bit safer than the average city.
The alpha and omega of our discussion and commentary on Iran need not to confine itself to politics and terror
Staying out well past midnight with friends at the local park without having my parents fret is certainly something.
Nor do I find Iran to be utterly regressive or lacking in sophistication.
Its cinema scene is thriving. Prominent foreign books have official translation here.
And I am willing to wager a lot of money that many would be surprised to know that Game of Thrones has an official Farsi translation, albeit censored.
Though the fact that it exists rather than being outright banned indicates the censors, at the very least, appreciate literary merits.
Arts aside, progressive attitude are extended in the scientific sphere.
Royan Institute carries on research in the controversial field of embryonic stem cell research, sans the controversy.
While In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment is conducted without much fuss.
And certainly, putting aside the grander affair of arts and sciences, we come across an equally richer and nuanced picture when we focus on the individuals here, the aggregate of their dreams and fears, like everyone everywhere else, will not add up to a monotonous geopolitical shade, as portrayed by the media and believed by the masses.
Something Brandon -- yes, that Brandon Stanton, the one who conceived Humans of New York Project -- discovered as he picked up his camera and came here.
What I have known here through living, going about my business, hanging out with friends (of both gender group in case you are wondering), and being up to no good, he discovered through his photography and the interviews conducted, the human side.
All this is not to dismiss the well-intended political pundits and expert analyst with this or that opinion, no doubt relevant and important, but that is all we seem to have.
The alpha and omega of our discussion and commentary on Iran need not to confine itself to politics and terror.
It is high time we bear this in mind.
Syed Raiyan Nuri Reza is a freelance contributor based in Iran.