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Iran Redirect‑class Mid‑importance

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Sectarian, not ethnic

Often times different groups of people (primarily Kurdish, Arab and Azerbaijani Turk) groups attempt to portray Iranian goverments (mostly Pahlavi and the Islamic Republic) as being Persian chauvinist (in the case of the Pahlavi dyansty) or carrying on a policy of Persianization (as some claim the Islamic Republic does). Iranian ethnicity is two fold: religion and culture. Since the Safavid dynasty took control religion has been the primary definition of Iranianess. That religion is Shia Islam. There is no doubt that Sunnis are a discriminated minority in Iran. The ethnic groups that are primarily Sunni (Kurds, Baluch, and Turkoman) are routinely left out of the economy and politics. However, distinctly Shia groups (Azeris, Lurs, some Kurds, and Persians) are well integrated into the economy, politics and the military. Most of the ruling elite in the country (whether it be Pahlavi or Islamic Republic) are of ethnic minority origins. The Azerbaijani Turks seem to be the most prevelant amongst the ruling classes; most notably, Khamanaei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.

Can anybody explain why the article refers to Arabs as a tribal, rather than ethno-linguistic group? And is their inclusion this way part of the attempts to Persianise the Khouzestan page on this site? Thanks - AMcD

This is a small attempt to salvage what was important in the silly article on Persian Chauvinism. It is haphazardly written and needs much change + plenty more detail. Refdoc 21:05, 13 Jul 2004 (UTC)

I moved it today from "Policy towards ...", thinking teh subject deserves a broader treatment than just from the policy point of view. Refdoc 23:40, 14 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Beware of correctness of this article

I am an Iranian of Bakhtiari origin. This article makes it sound like I am an ethnic minority in my own country. It talks about 67 ethnic groups in Iran --something that I have never heard before and I really doubt if it is true, and where you draw a line between groups who are so close in many ways-- but it doesn't mention that of all Iranian groups (those who are of original Iranian tribes, not non-Iranians such as Arabs and Jews) each one of them feels they are just as much Iranian as other Iranian groups. We marry among each other we share the same culture and we feel we belong to the same origin. I am surprised to see how this article makes it sound like various Iranian groups view one another as if they are from different origins. -213.176.80.98

First, as mentioned above - the article was written haphazardly and needs editing. I do not agree though fully with what you write , Roozbeh. I think Iran is unique in several ways - it is probably more ethnically diverse than many other countries of similar population size and yet - so much unlike many failed experiments e.g Soviet Union or Yugoslavia - a strong common cultural identity is obvious throughout Iran. I struggled to capture this in a short article but I think the current article is hinting in this direction. It will obviously need +++ work. What I would really like to know - is this common identity the product of recent (i.e last 100+ years) history or much older? Also the common identity is not always equally strong and there are separatist tendencies - have always been and it would be surprising in a country of the size of Iran if not. Even a cultural monolith like Germany had attempts in Bavaria and in the Rhineland to become independent at various times in the 20th century. The question is what to make out of them. One response would be to refuse even mentioning them - and being by result being somewhat economical with the truth, the other would be to overstate them - to paint Iran as a country full of struggling minorities, desperate to shake of the central yoke - wich would absolute nonsense. - Wrt to Bakhthiaris remove them, if you like. I added them as I thought rural/nomadic Bakhthiaris are so distinct in culture/dialect that they are worth mentioning. Maybe I am wrong. Refdoc 11:05, 25 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Please note that I have not written the above comment. It was an anoymous comment that was written on the article itself, but I moved here. I'm fine with the article. roozbeh 11:38, Jul 25, 2004 (UTC)

I was astonished to see the comment unsigned. I see you have now added the IP address. Thanks Refdoc 12:00, 25 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Iran's Ethnolinguistic Diversity

take your pan-tukism ideas elsewhere. Iran is a mesh of different ethnic groups with many differing view points. Most (wether tukic or persian etc) are totally aligned with the Iranian national view point. Other groups are not totally integrated 100% - namely kurds and arabs and balouchis to some extent- this is due to their own national aspirations or tribalism. And yes, the iranian government does operate a policy of persianisation.

Here is the summary of the facts from Ethnologue.com

Languages of Iran Islamic Republic of Iran, Jomhouri-e-Eslami-e-Irân. 67,503,205. National or official language: Western Farsi. Literacy rate: 70% to 75% among those 6 years old and over (1995–1996 Iran Statistical Center). Also includes Eastern Farsi (1,000,000), Hulaulá (300), Tajiki, Turkish (2,570), people from Afghanistan (3,000,000), Kurds from Iraq (120,000), Shi'a Arabs from Iraq. Information mainly from E. Drower 1939; R. Macuch 1965; I. Garbell 1965; T. Sebeok 1969, 1970; G. Doerfer et al. 1971; R. Oberling 1974; D. L. Stilo 1981; R. D. Hoberman 1988a, b. Blind population: 200,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf population: 3,978,055. Deaf institutions: 50. The number of languages listed for Iran is 77. Of those, 75 are living languages and 2 are extinct. Living languages

..

Arabic, Gulf Spoken 200,000 in Iran (1993). Southern coast; Khamseh nomads live in eastern Fars Province; other Arab nomadic groups in several southcentral provinces of Iran. Alternate names: Khaliji, Gulf Arabic. Dialects: Al-Hasâ, Khamseh. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic Arabic, Mesopotamian Spoken 1,200,000 in Iran. Khuzestan Province, southwest side of Zagros Mountains, along the bank of the Shatt al Arab. Alternate names: Mesopotamian Gelet Arabic, Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic

Armenian 170,800 in Iran (1993). Northern Iran, Azerbaijan Provinces around Khoi, Shahpur, Ahar, Tabriz, Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz. Alternate names: Haieren, Somekhuri, Ermenice, Armjanski, Armani, Erâmani. Dialects: Eastern Armenian, Agulis, Astrakhân, Jolfâ (Dzhulfa), Karabagh Shamakhi, Khoi-Salmst (Khvoy), Urmia-Maragheh. Classification: Indo-European, Armenian

Azerbaijani, South 23,500,000 in Iran (1997). Population includes 290,000 Afshar, 5,000 Aynallu, 7,500 Baharlu, 1,000 Moqaddam, 3,500 Nafar 1,000 Pishagchi, 3,000 Qajar, 2,000 Qaragozlu, 130,000 Shahsavani (1993). Population total all countries: 24,364,000. East and West Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Zanjan, and part of Markazi provinces. Many in a few districts of TehranTehran. Some Azerbaijani-speaking groups are in Fars Province and other parts of Iran. Also spoken in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey (Asia), USA. Alternate names: Azeri, Torki. Dialects: Aynallu (Inallu, Inanlu), Karapapakh, Tabriz, Afshari (Afshar, Afsar), Shahsavani (Shahseven), Moqaddam, Baharlu (Kamesh), Nafar, Qaragozlu, Pishagchi, Bayat, Qajar. Distinctive linguistic differences between the Azerbaijani of the former USSR (North) and Iranian Azerbaijani (South) in phonology, lexicon, morphology, syntax, and loanwords. Teimurtash (7,000 in Mazanderan; possibly the same as Teimuri, Timuri, Taimouri) and Salchug (in Kerman Province) may be dialects. Qashqa'i may be a dialect. Part of the Qizilbash merchant group speak the Afshari dialect, which is strongly influenced by Persian. The dialect spoken in Syria is different from Kirkuk of Iraq, and may be closer to Turkish (Osmanli) than to Azerbaijani. There is a gradual transition of dialects from Turkish to Azerbaijani from central to western Turkey. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani ...

Balochi, Southern 405,000 in Iran. Southern Sistan va Baluchistan Province. Alternate names: Baluchi, Baluci, Baloci. Dialects: Makrani (Lotuni). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi Balochi, Western 451,000 in Iran (1986). Northern Sistan va Baluchistan Province. Half are settled in cities and villages, half are nomadic. Alternate names: Baluchi, Baluci, Baloci. Dialects: Rakhshani (Raxshani), Sarawani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi

...

Fars, Northwestern Scattered in isolated pockets of Fars Province. Dialects: Close to Sivandi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Fars, Southwestern Central Fars Province: Somghun, Papun, Masarm, Buringun, Kondazi, Davâni, others. Alternate names: "Tajik". Dialects: Related to Lari. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars

...

Farsi, Western 22,000,000 in Iran (1997). Population includes 800,000 Eastern Farsi in Khorasan, Gilan, Tat, Bakhtiari, Lur. Population total all countries: 24,316,121. Throughout Iran. Most heavily concentrated in central, south central, and northeastern Iran. Also spoken in Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey (Asia), Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan. Alternate names: Persian, New Persian, Parsi, Irani. Dialects: Ketabi, Tehrani, Shirazi, Old Shirazi, Qazvini, Mahalhamadani, Kashani, Esfahani, Sedehi, Kermani, Araki, Shirazjahromi, Shahrudi Kazeruni, Mashadi (Meshed), Basseri, Yazdi, Bandari. The literary language is virtually identical in Iran and Afghanistan, with very minor lexical differences. Zargari may be a dialect used by goldsmiths (also see Balkan Romani in Iran). Dialect shading into Dari in Afghanistan and Tajiki in Tajikistan. Many of the dialects may be separate languages. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian

...

Kazakh 3,000 in Iran (1982). Gorgan City, Mazanderan Province. Alternate names: Kazak, Kazakhi, Gazaqi. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian

...

Khalaj, Turkic 42,107 (2000 WCD). Northeast of Arak in Central Province. Alternate names: Khalaj. Dialects: Not a dialect of Azerbaijani, as previously supposed. An independent language distinct from other extant Turkish languages (Doerfer 1971). Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani

...

Khorasani Turkish 400,000 (1977 Doerfer). Northeast Iran, in the northern part of Khorasan Province, especially northwest of Mashhad. West dialect in Bojnurd Region; north dialect in Quchan Region (probably the largest), south dialect around Soltanabad near Sabzevar. Alternate names: Quchani. Dialects: West Quchani (Northwest Quchani), North Quchani (Northeast Quchani), South Quchani. Midway linguistically between Azerbaijani and Turkmen, but not a dialect of either. Oghuz-Uzbek in Uzbekistan is reported to be a dialect. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkish

...

Kurdish, Central 3,250,000 in Iran. Northwest Iran, primarily Kordestan, West Azerbaijan provinces, areas north of Kermanshah. Mukri is spoken around Mahabad, and Sineyi (Sine'i) is spoken around Sanandaj (Sine). Alternate names: Kordi, Korkora, Kurdi, Kurdy, Sorani, Mukri, Mokri, Sine'i, Wawa. Dialects: Mukri, Sanandaji (Sine'i, Sina'i, Sineyi), Southern Jafi, Pijdari. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish

...

Kurdish, Northern 350,000 in Iran (1988 Stanzer). North and west of Lake Urmia, extending to border with Azerbaijan. Some small communities live in the Caspian region (Mazandaran, Kalardasht ). Khorasani Kurmanji speakers live east of the Caspian Sea, in northern Khorasan Province, bordering Turkmenistan. Centers include Quchan and Bojnurd. Alternate names: Kurmanji, Kurmancî, Eastern Kurmanji, Kordi, Kurdi. Dialects: Khorasani Kurmanji. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish

...

Kurdish, Southern 3,000,000 in Iran (2000 Fattah). Western Iran, Kermanshah, Ilam provinces; Eastern Iraq bordering these provinces including Xanaqin. Also spoken in Iraq. Dialects: Kolyai, Kermanshahi (Kermanshani), Kalhori, Garrusi (Bijari) Sanjabi, Malekshahi (Maleksh ay), Bayray, Kordali, Feyli, Luri. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish

...

Laki 1,000,000 (2002 Fattah). 150,000 monolinguals. Population includes 10,000 Nahavand Lurs. Western Iran, Ilam, Lorestan provinces, cities of Aleshtar, Kuhdesht, Nurabad-e Dolfan, Khorramabad. Alternate names: Leki, Alaki. Dialects: Lexical similarity 70% with Western Farsi, 78% with Luristani (Khorramabadi), 69% with Northern Luri (central rural dialects). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish

...

Lari 80,000. Ethnic population: 100,000. Throughout Lar District, South Fars Province; Shiraz; United Arab Emirates. Alternate names: Larestani, Achomi. Dialects: Lari. Verbal system is quite distinct from Western Farsi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars

...

Lasgerdi In Lasjerd, Semnan Province (40 km southwest of Semnan). Dialects: Related to Sorkhei. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani

...

Luri, Northern 1,500,000 (2001). Ethnic population: 1,700,000 (2001). Western Iran: Central and Southern Lorestan, Northern Khuzestan, Southern Hamadan Province, the southern edge of Markazi Province, some regions of Ilam, and possibly a small population in eastern Iraq. Populations also in Khorramabad, Borujerd, Andimeshk. Alternate names: Lori, Luri. Dialects: Khorramabadi, Borujerdi, Nahavandi, Andimeshki, Bala-Gariva'i, Mahali (Rural), Cagani. The major Northern Luri dialects (Khorramabadi, Borujerdi, etc.) are found in Lorestan and Khuzestan. Some local regions in Ilam Province (Posht-e Kuh) are said to speak Northern Luri dialects. Mainly south Kurdish dialects are spoken in Ilam Province (Fattah 2000). Also, according to Fattah, there are a small number of villages in Iraq, where a dialect of Northern Luri may be spoken. Close to Kumzari. Lexical similarity of Mahali dialect 80% with Western Farsi, 69% with Laki, and 73% with Bakhtiari (Haflang); Khorramabadi dialect 85% with Western Farsi, 78% with Laki, and 75% with Bakhtiari (Haflang). Similarity to Western Farsi is due to language shift, but also to lexical borrowing. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri

...

Luri, Southern 875,000 (1999). 300,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 900,000. Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad Province (Yasuj is center of Boyerahmadi, Dehdasht is center of Kohgiluyeh), eastern Khuzestan Province (Kohgiluyeh), Northwestern Fars Province (Nurabad is center of Mamasani, Shul is center of Shuli), Shiraz. Alternate names: Ruliy, Lori-ye Jonubi, Luri, Lur, Lor, Lori. Dialects: Boyerahmadi, Yasuji (Yasichi), Kohgiluyeh, Mamasani, Shuli. Southern Luri is on a continuum between Bakhtiari and Western Farsi "dialects" such as Bushehri and Fars Province varieties. There is a non-Lur tribe in Fars Province called Kurdshuli, which is reported to speak a Southern Luri dialect. Their winter quarters are at Qasr-e Dasht near Sivand, which is 70 km from Sharaz on the Shiraz-Esfahan road (Ivanow 1959, unpublished). Close to Kumzari. Lexical similarity 75% with Western Farsi, 80% with Bushehri dialect of Western Farsi; Mamasani dialect 75% with Bakhtiari, Boyerahmadi dialect 86% with Bakhtiari. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri

...

Qashqa'i 1,500,000 (1997). Southwestern Iran, Fars Province and Southern Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad Province. Shiraz, Gachsaran, and Firuzabad are centers. Alternate names: Qashqay, Qashqai, Kashkai. Dialects: Very close to Azerbaijani. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani

...

Turkmen 2,000,000 in Iran (1997). Northeast, mainly in Mazanderan Province, along the Turkmenistan border; important centers are Gonbad-e Kavus and Pahlavi Dezh. Alternate names: Torkomani. Dialects: Anauli, Khasarli, Nerezim, Nokhurli (Nohur), Chavdur, Esari (Esary), Goklen (Goklan), Salyr, Saryq, Teke (Tekke), Yomud (Yomut), Trukmen. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian

These data showhs that about %36-38 percent of Iran is Turk/Turkic, while %40-44 percent is Pers/Persianised however Persian is "lingua franca" in Iran throughout these groups.

Çağatay Göktürk Turkey

Article needs developing

There is a policy of Persianisation in Iran, which is aimed at maintaining Persian hegemony and the primacy of the Farsi language. I think this article needs to explain in more depth the intricate and complex history of cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity in Iran. Yes, some minority groups identify strongly with Iranian nationalism, but equally there are some - such as the Kurds and the Arabs - that do not necessarily share this identity and who are attempting to win autonomy or even secession. Whether you think this is a bad thing or not is beside the point. There remain those who feel ethnically separate and this is an important issue, perhaps too painful for the supports of the theocracy or the monarchist opposition to acknowledge.

Sentence rewrite

I propose changing "The current governmental policy can be characterised by a mixture of celebrating and furthering cultural diversity under a joint Iranian national umbrella, while holding down (occasionally violently) political separatism. Some ethnic minorities have reported racial or religious discrimination."

to "While the Iranian constitution clearly states that linguistic and cultural minorities have equal rights, some ethnic minorities, such as Jews, Arabs, Balochis and Kurds, complain of racial or religious discrimination . The government has also held down (occasionally violently) political groups that mobilise around ethnicity."

As I think it reflects on actual stated policy - as set down in the constitution - and also introduces themes explored in the rest of the section. I think the current wording is vague and POV and needs changing.--الأهواز | Hamid | Ahwaz 01:28, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Paragraph change

This is, in my mind, original research and not a neutral point of view: "While, many of these ethnic groups have their own languages, cultures, and often literature, their languages and cultures are essentially regional variations of Persian and are all native to Iran, similar to the relationship between Welsh, Scottish, and English cultures, which are all similar and are native to Britain. Despite their overwhelming similarities, in modern times, their differences occasionally emerge as political ambitions, largely as a result of provocation from outside powers. One of the major internal policy challenges during the centuries up until now for most or all Iranian governments has been to find the appropriate and balanced approach to the difficulties and opportunities caused by this diversity, particularly as this internal diversity has often been readily utilized by foreign powers."

This plays down the cultural differences within the Iranian population and portrays them as some foreign-instigated unrest, which is the Iranian government's line. Iran is, in fact, a heterogeneous society. It would be unique - in fact miraculous - if Iranian society was naturally harmonious. In the current climate of political repression, I think it is accepted that ethnic unrest is more than just a British plot but a sign of underlying social, economic, political and cultural problems. Certainly, this is the basis for UN General Assembly and EU Parliament resolutions on the matter, which have all recognised that ethnic minorities are subject to persecution by the government. So I propose the deletion of the above paragraph and its replacement with something more objective, which recognises that Iran is a diverse country where there have been grievances and accusations of persecution based on ethnicity and religion.--الأهواز | Hamid | Ahwaz 01:55, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Why Are We Undermining Our Unity?

Persian refers to all citizens of Iran or Iranian nationals before 1935. Since then, we have been referred to as Iranians by the West. Hopefully there are no disagreements here.

Confusion arises from the fact the there is no English word or equivalent for the people that we refer to as "Fars". Translating this word into English as "Persian" leaves the impression that the Persian speaking Iranians are somehow more Persian than others! I am puzzled as to why we are creating such divisions in our country, particularly when all Iranians have played an important role in our country's history.

To alleviate these problems, I propose using the correct term "Fars" to replace the word Persian when referring to anything to do with ethnicity in the English language, and be adamant about the use of this new word.

It is also worth mentioning that "Fars" is only a reference to Iranians who are from regions of Iran with no secondary language. These regions have substantially different traditions and varying historical significance and fitting them into a single ethnic group creates a misleading majority who seem to have played a more important role in Iran's history.

A simple new word, at least in the English language, would eliminate much of this unnecessary and couter-productive clarifcation of Iranians.

Regards, Behrou Ghazizadeh
Toronto, Canada —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 74.210.40.154 (talk • contribs) 21:26, 15 January 2007.

Statistics

These statistics should be given in the article (at least the first category):

Ethnic groups: Persians 35%, Azeris 37.5%, Gilaki-Mazandarani 8%, Kurds 7%, Arabs 3%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, Lurs 2%, other 1%(based on CIA data)

Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 35%, Turkic languages 37.5%, Kurdish 9%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, other 2%

Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Bahá'í 2%
Badagnani 19:16, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

Template

This template: {{Asia topic|Ethnic groups in}} should be added to the article. Badagnani 19:18, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

Houshyar - RV without review

Houshyar did you even look at what you're reverting? I reformatted all references that were already there to look properly with citations and added 1 more references. I removed that reference now, so please, discuss your edits now in here, exactly as you said in your previous revert. Here is the reference which I want to add, bring your preferrably scholarly arguments to oppose CSIS expert:

According to Edward Luttwak of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washigton-based think-tank:

"out of Iran's population of 70 million or so, 51 per cent are ethnically Persian, 24 per cent are Turks ("Azeris" is the term used by the regime), with other minorities comprising the remaining quarter. Many of Iran's 16-17 million Turks are in revolt against Persian cultural imperialism; its 5-6 million Kurds have started a serious insurgency; the Arab minority detonates bombs in Ahvaz; and Baluch tribesmen attack gendarmes and revolutionary guards... Persian nationalism is a minority position in a country where half the population is not even Persian." (Edward Luttwak, "The Middle of Nowhere", Prospect Magazine, London, May 2007, Issue 134)

Discuss your edits in detail here, otherwise, your reverts without discussion will require some attention from arbitration and mediation. Atabek 22:53, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

Dont make POV edits (such as changing sentences to fit your POV, changing words to reflect your POV, etc...), and dont change the article drastically without discussion.Your quote from the Prospect magazine is highly POV, as it is written by a neo con in a neo con magazine, in a time when the neo cons want war with Iran. He is not a scholar and a non-biased one at that to make such determinations about Iran. He is a biased anti-Iranian government necon. It is his personal opinion and should not be included in Misplaced Pages, especially because he really has no credentials in this field (these are the same type of guys that said Iraq and WMD's).

Furthermore, Amnesty International mostly gets its information from seperatist groups, as it has no observers in Iran. It also frequently makes mistakes. just in the past year it claimed that Arabic is not taught in Iranian schools, yet anyone who has ever had an education in Iran knows that Arabic is taught in all Iranian schools. Amnesty International later apologized.Hajji Piruz 23:13, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

I don't see why you're just blindly reverting the article without even looking at formatting that was done with the references that were there in first place. You can't even spell the name Baghirov properly and put the reference to the correct wikipage, and current version looks like grammatical and formatting disaster.

If you read completely what I wrote above, the source is CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies), not Amnesty International. The extent of Wikistalking and edit warring has, I presume, resulted in confusion of yours between the page on Ethnic minorities in Iran and the Azeri cartoon controversy in the Iran newspaper. This is a talk page for Ethnic Minorities, and there is no Amnesty International reference in this article. Moreover, for every reference to AI "apology" please, provide a legitimate source, preferrably from AI website, not from personal blog. Atabek 23:53, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

What are you talking about, this page is on my watchlist. LOL. Atabek, its amazing how at the same time your denying that an Arbcom between you and I is necessary, you continue to make comments like the above.Hajji Piruz 00:01, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

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