Interview with Blogger Kourosh Ziabari

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 27th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

In the name of God.

My name is Kourosh Ziabari. I am an Iranian journalist, web designer and blogger as well. I was born in 1990 and it seems I am too young to be a journalist, but I’ve started my journalistic career under the surveillance and guidance of my father and mother who are also journalists and helped me to learn the basics of writing and reporting.

During these years, I have won several international and national prizes that I prefer to mention later.

As you may know, the amount of black propaganda against Iran is intensively being increased and if you don’t know much about Iran, maybe you will believe what you hear from mainstream media.

I launched my English blog in order to oppose and counter this unilateral propaganda and help the public opinions to find out more about what is really going here in Iran.

My blog could be found in http://cyberfaith.blogspot.com and introduces the Persian lifestyle, Iranian culture, arts and prosperous Iranians worldwide.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Writing means a main part of life for me. I spend most of my life among papers and journals due to my parents’ job. Sometimes I lose opportunities to study and learn more, but I try my best to be a good writer always and I count seriously on the helps of almighty God in this way.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

I have many memorable experiences with blogging. Receiving the national prize of Golden Frog for young bloggers in year 2006 was one of them. Also I was very amused to be interviewed with Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) for the first time because of my blogging career.

Also it was a memorable day for me to visit some of my never-seen blogger friends in a summit held about cyber activity in my mother town (Rasht in the north of Iran).
What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

Exchanging ideas is the best way, I think. I try to frequently email my favorite bloggers and write them about my ideas, criticisms and suggestions. Additionally I comment on blog posts which I think are controversial or lack the scientific validity.

I surf among the new blogs and try to make friends from them and one of my permanent activities is to communicate bloggers from other countries.

But one of the latest projects that I am working on, is a communal blog called “100 Nations, 100 Muslims”. I’ve planned to gather 100 Muslim bloggers from 100 countries to make a suitable place for their writings and notes about Islam, Islamic traditions and customs, the Holy Quran and our Prophet (PBUH), the reflection of friendship and humanism in Islam and any other topic which helps the Western world to learn more about the last divine religion.

This blog could be found at http://100muslims.blogspot.com and started to work a few days ago with 3 members from Iran, Egypt and Bangladesh. I invite all of my Pakistani and other Muslim brothers, sisters to read the guidelines and instructions about the membership, if they accept our regulations and instructions then send a membership request by commenting in the blog and I will register them as the new blogger.

Once the number of bloggers reached to 100, we would start our work officially and enjoy working together for presenting a better introduction of Islam.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

I think that the most innovative “misuse” of technology in politics today is misleading the public opinion and providing them with any fabrication, lies.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media are not sincere and loyal with their addresses, just spreading falsehood and untruth.

For example, when I read the media news on my country and trace the reports about social life, freedom of express, security and human rights in Iran in important news websites and channels, I strongly believe that the world of 21^st century is really facing a technological disaster.

They tell you everything they want and you are “forced” to accept because you have not any other ways.

When some political lobbies pay grafts to mainstream media in order to propagate falsehood and set up black sphere on a specified country, then what is the solution?

When hundreds of websites, TV stations and radios conspire to enfeeble the wills of an independent nation, so what is possible to do?

Islamic Republic of Iran is climbing the mountains of technology, science, economy and culture in the world, so they want to stop us and keep on their monarchy.

They are treating in a same way about other developing countries; Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Malaysia. Bombing, attacking and funding terrorist groups is just one of their simple ways.

They would not spare any type of media war and black propaganda…

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

The modern technologies are helping people get closer together and enjoy the fast and quick means of communication. They help you answer a letter in less than 2 minutes, check the latest breaking news by going to a simple www address and meet your friends by webcam even if you are far for thousands of kilometers.

But these new technologies are not necessary helping to improve the humane etiquette and social traditions.

I think that they lead to more laziness for people because you would never bother yourself traveling for hours and days to reach another country so as to meet your grandpa or grandma when you can easily chat or voice-conference them.

These new technologies are creating a deep gap between families, blurring the traditional family customs and relations and I think that it is not good for our future.
What do you think sets your site apart from others?

Unfortunately, I see pessimism and repugnance is the dominant spirit governing on blogs and bloggers as well these days.

Every blog which you open, there are news about US violating human rights, conflicts in Iraq arise due to occupation, Israel kills more innocent Palestinian children and the death toll of infants in Gaza strip increases more and more.

Also about my country, you know that what the mainstream media write. Police crackdown on people, innocent youth executed, security guards arrest journalists and such repetitive, boring lies.

I try to keep myself different by writing about peace, love among nations, introducing Iran to the whole world, providing my readers with a realistic view of Islam etc.
If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

I have many samples and standards in my life to follow them so as to reach success and prosperity. In the field professional career, I wish to become as successful and authoritative as journalists such as Jeff Jarvis or Larry King.

But the most important ambition of mine is to become alike of my uncle, I call him “Uncle Hossein” who has been martyred during the Iraqi imposed attack on Iran.

He was a pure, loyal and faithful person and martyred in the age of 19, but I am sure that the majesty God will prepare the sublime heaven for him.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I have had many happy and depressing moments in my life, like all of the other people. I never forget that memorable night when I attended to the music concert of Master Shahram Nazeri, the mythical singer of Iranian traditional music who is known to west as the “Iranian Pavarotti”. Without exaggeration, I can tell you that there were more than 15,000 audiences at the city hall and enjoyed listening to Mr. Nazeri and his group.

Also there were many sad moments in my life that I prefer not to say, because they are passed and the almighty God helped me to survive and tolerate them.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

At first, I will choose the ancient Persepolis which is an imperial ceremonial palace in the southern Iran and annually receives more than 5 million visitors from all around the world; secondly I will choose Paris of France. It was one of my childhood wishes to travel Paris and see the Eiffel Tower and finally I want to travel to Holy Mecca, where the beauty and peaceful tradition of pilgrimage is conducted.

What is your favorite book and why?

I guess it is a common interest of all Muslim nations. The Holy Quran is our beloved book that will remain forever without any change and fabrication.

It talks about love and respect for all humankind (not only Muslims), it learns us to be just and kind, and to feed the poor and hungry; help the wayfarer and the orphan child and not to be cruel and miserly.

The other book which I love most is Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, the most esteemed poetry book of Persian literature. Shahnameh revived the Persian culture and protected the purity of Iran’s literature.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

I try to judge on people by their deeds, behaviors and moral values. Maybe you see a poor and indigent man who is deprived of any wealth and possession but he enjoys a real treasure which is dignity, kindness and respect.

Our religion, Islam demands us to not humiliate anyone because of his poverty and also not respect anyone because of his richness. All people are equal with a same origin and same type of creativity.

The thing is that if you use your potential capacities and talents, you would succeed, whether you are rich or poor, healthy or blind…

Is there anyone from your past that once told you couldn’t write?

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

At the time being, there are some websites and blogs for citizen journalists and bloggers who are enthusiast for professional jobs in the field of writing, reporting etc. They pay for the journalists and bloggers who are affiliated with them and I think that it is the best way to benefit from their writing skills financially.

Also I know that there are some opportunities for bloggers to participate in blogging festivals and competitions. If your blog is good enough to gain points and public grace, you will simply win any award!

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Anyhow, blogging is alike any other job that needs time, think and energy. If you want your blog to be successful, you must devote your time and your concentration on what you write. But writing is not all. Every good piece of writing needs “study” and if you want to enhance your writing skills and abilities in order to attract readers and addressees, you must read enough books, articles and newspapers to become conversant in your special field of work. Maybe it is sports, politics, culture, technology and so on.

Good and professional blogging needs concentration, motivation, information and “time”!
What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?

if the bloggers behave correctly and recognize that how much they are influencing the world, I think they can be the ambassadors of peace and friendship. When a blogger talks to his/her counterpart in another country, he/she dispatches a message of love, understanding and amity.

Bloggers must try to grow the international peace and that is one of their main duties.

Who are your top five favorite bloggers?

It varies in different positions. Regularly reading a blog for me doesn’t mean that I am totally accepting the blogger’s opinions and ideas. I read many blogs to get information about different viewpoints and ideas, but my favorite blogs that I enjoy reading are: 1- http://Maziaran.blogfa.com (In Persian) belonging to Maziar Nazemi, the IRIB sports correspondent / 2- http://300themovie.info (In English) which belongs to Pendar Yousefi and is allocated to ancient Persian culture and modern day Iranian lifestyle. / 3- http://www.najafzadeh.ir (In Persian) which belongs to Kamran Najafzadeh, an Iranian TV reporter and writes about his concerns, job etc. / 4- http://2min.parsiblog.com (In Persian) which is a communal blog and writes about the religious issues. / 5- http://www.ahmadinejad.ir (in three languages) which is written by President Ahmadinejad, the only blogger leader in the world.
Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

Yes, there were always posts or articles that attracted national and even global attention. The western and mainstream media try aggressively to pretend that Muslim women are in a rough and harsh situation, forced to cover all of their faces and compelled to wear only black chadors, oppressed by their husbands and lack any social freedom. I posted some articles about the real conditions and freedoms of Muslim women with pictures showing Muslim women wearing colorful and fashionable attires that attracted western journalists and readers, gained many readers and also changed many viewpoints!
What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Pakistan is a brother and neighbor country of Iran’s with friendly and warm people. Pakistan is one major Iran’s economic, cultural and diplomatic allies. The two nations of Iran and Pakistan share many common interests with lots of similarities. We wish to have a secure, happy and independent Pakistan.

The respected and decedent Mrs. Binazir Bhutto was really a symbol of freedom, struggle and strive for liberty.

The Iranian nation is really regretful for her loss, may God bless her.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

Once I first started my blogging career, I was very impressed by the experienced and old Iranian bloggers whose blogs enjoyed more than 40 or 50,000 daily visits. I wish I were them and could gain such a popularity and fame. But the more time passed, the more I learned that popularity and notability is nothing to do with the number of blog visits or comments.

I gradually learned that I will become reputed and popular if I treat on my conscience, sense of responsibility.
What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

If you consider carefully, you’ll see that the most of world developing countries are Islamic nations and imparting religious background. It has many reasons that are not our topic of discussion, but I think that there is a substantial transcendence for them in compare with developed countries.

You can find an exquisite and scrumptious serenity and peace in these countries that the developed countries are deprived of.

The people of Western developed countries are drowning in corporeal and material pleasures. They have forgotten the ethic principles and spiritual beauties, so they are suffering from increasing anxieties and stresses.

When you enter the calm and silent allies of Persian, Turkish or Pakistani parishes, you enjoy seeing the tranquil and graceful mosques, friendly and warm people and you will understand the real taste of being a moderate citizen;

a citizen with normal income and tolerable possession who enjoys living a pacific life, remote from the uproar of express trains, planes and factories.

Our countries, in my view, are not developing. They are developed, but in the fields of culture, civilization.

Iran has the outstanding Sufi poet Mevlana (Rumi) who learns us the proper way of life by his verses. Iqbal Lahouri that Iranian and Pakistani nation share with together, is also another distinguished personality and so many other examples that prove we are leading the global culture.

What is the future of blogging?

Blogging is impacting the world abundantly and I am sure it will become on of the most effective media in the near future. Today, there are thousands of quotations from bloggers found in newspapers, TV channels and websites. Bloggers today affect the decisions of governments and states in many cases; they are also taken into account as a new social layer and I am sure that the process of freelance blogging will be improved and simplified too.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

Today, blogging is a certain part of my life. I have many regular readers worldwide who want to know my ideas about different issues. Also I think myself that my blogs are highways that connect “brains” and “minds” together.

As Iran is a source of international attention these days, I am sure that a neutral blogger who writes with his “heart” and “soul” would be welcomed by the readers!

What are your future plans?

Once during a live interview with Iranian satellite TV, I said that I wish to become the United Nations Secretary General one day and improve the human life and serve the mankind.

I do my best to reach this far goal which I think that will be fulfilled

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

At first, I want to thank you warmly because of the opportunity which you provided for me. It was a nice and memorable discussion and I hope that our readers are not yawning bored after reading this long interview.

Secondly, I invite all of our Pakistani sisters and brothers to travel Iran and enjoy meeting new people, new attractions and a new world. I have many Pakistani friends and I am sure that they are hospitable, tender minded and genial like all of Iranians.

I hope success for all of the Pakistani and non-Pakistani readers and invite them all to visit http://cyberfaith.blogspot.com and http://helloyahoomail.net if they want to learn more about Iran and find out about the hidden and concealed face of this 7500 years old land of Persian Gulf.