[freedom44]

It's interesting you ask that because i had this conservation with someone the other day.

My answer is that it's very difficult for people to simply convert in Iran. However, in the United States and Europe many Iranians have converted to Zoroastrianism or Christianity. Although many that left the country were already Christians. (There are about 1 million Christians in Iran).

The best answer is for an absolute reformation of Islam. Those calling for human rights, democracy, and secularism to reign power. This is very possible, but the people who can lead just haven't had the power to. Plus, the fundamentalists believe in violence so they use it to stave off those using civil disobedience.

It's interesting to note that just last year the original successor to Khomeini and hard-liner Grand Ayatollah Montazeri said that Suicide Bombings are against the teachings of the Koran and un-Islamic, he issued a fawta against it.

In conclusion i believe that the Iranians and Turks share some similiarities in that they see themselves first as nationalists then as Muslims. If there is to be a reformation it will have to come from one of these two countries.

[McGavin999]

It is very encouraging that the people of Iran are once again becoming aware of their roots. The Persians have a noble history and contributed greatly to civilization and it would be a real shame for it to be forgotten.

The Islamists have almost totally destoyed the beautiful traditions of the middle east. A bedouin would have died of shame if harm had ever come to a guest in their country. Today they bomb tourists and foreign workers, who have been invited as though they mean nothing.