5 Comments

Every dictatorship must either repel, expel. jail or kill its best people. Your portrayal of Mariam shows that she was one such casualty. I am sure her murderers have no self-esteem, no values., and no joy in their lives, but they deserve painful deaths, nonetheless.

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Inspiring story. To live under the Islamic state of Iran as a man for me was everyday choking. I can imagine e that for women due to the gender apartheid is even worse. To be so passionate about life and be so brave is simply inspiring. She went through the difficult process of getting a visa and she succeeded. Her determination and independent thinking to be willing to stay consistent and resist Islamofacism is admirable.

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What a moving story. I wonder if my other Persian friends will read it.

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Beautifully written, and such a tragic waste. Thanks for this, Pouya. I hope your work helps more people to understand what is really happening in Iran.

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By the way, your description of Mariam reminds me of several of the Soviet dissidents mentioned in Ayn Rand's essay "The 'inexplicable personal alchemy'", from "The Return of the Primitive". The way those brave individuals stood up to the Soviet dictatorship, and did so with love in their hearts, is also reflected in Mariam's life and works. This entry in the Ayn Rand Lexicon captures their sense of life perfectly: http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/benevolent_universe_premise.html

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