1. IRAN A Different Perspective Mohammad Morovati, Nov 2007 m.morovati@gmail.com

2. Preface: This presentation is prepared to be presented in 30 minutes for Introduction to Macroeconomics class students. Eco304L, University of Texas at Austin, Fall 2007. This is not necessarily a usual approach to the topic but more customized to what course instructor, professor Norman requested to be covered and compared with some other Islamic countries. This presentation does not necessarily reflect the composer’s opinions.

3. The wrong picture…

5. Outline of this presentation Some pictures of Iran Location, climate and demographics Political system Islam and other religions Women References

6. Some pictures: Historical sites Pre-Islam palaces

7. Some pictures: Historical sites After-Islam palaces AaliGhapoo palace 40sotoun palace

8. Some pictures: Historical and religous sites Yazd Jame mosque Imam Reza Shrine

9. Some Pictures: My old classmates!

10. Some pictures: Where I was born, Tehran

11. Some pictures: Tehran (a rare clean day!) Not always you can see the mountains which are covered with snow.

12. Ski resorts near Tehran

13. Tehran: Azadi Square

14. Tehran at night

15. Tehran: Traffic jam

16. Tehran: Highways

17. Iran: Nature

21. Iran: Geographical Location

22. Climate and Demographics Population: 70’000’000 (2006) Median age: 26 years GDP per capita (PPP): $9000 Major government income : Oil and Gas Labor force : agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45%

23. Political System: Islamic republic ParliamentPresident Judiciary system Election Assembly of experts (86 Islamic clerics) Supreme Leader

24. Political System (detailed)

25. Political parties: Reformists Former President: Khatami Conservatives New President: Ahmadinejad

26. Islam and other religions Religions in Iran –Muslim 98% Shi'a 89% Sunni 9% –other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian,…) 2%

27. Zoroastrians The old religion of Iran before Islam Iranians converted to Islam 14 centuries ago 20’000 Zoroastrians live in Iran now They are free to have their temples and ceremonies My Father was born in a Zoroastrian neighborhood!

28. Historical Zoroastrianism

29. Zoroastrian Temple in Yazd

30. Islam and Christianity Muslims believe in Jesus, prophet Mohammad as his successor 19 th chapter of Quran is named “Mary” Christians are free to have their religious activities and ceremonies They have their own schools and churches

31. Churchs

32. Islam and Jews Muslims believe in Moses 17 th chapter of Quran is named “Bani Israel” (The Jews) Around 30’000 Jews live in Iran (Second in middle east after Israel) They can have their school and temples There is no conflict with Jewish people.

33. Khatami meets a jewish center in Tehran

34. Iran and Israel conflict: Political rather than religious

35. Minorities in Government Each of the main minorities (mentioned above) have one guaranteed seat in Parliament. Minorities can vote for muslims or their candidate 1 out of 270: Much more than their population ratio

36. Women Dress Code Sports Right to Vote Government Universities Driving, etc…

37. Women: Dress Code compliance with Islamic Dress Code is enforced in law However, The interpretation of Islamic Dress Code is not unique Let’s see some pictures….

38. Typical youth group

40. More religious women in streets

41. More religious women: Islamic Dress show

42. Typical women: Islamic Dress show

43. Typical women in streets

44. Less religious women in streets

46. Shirin Ebadi, Peace Nobel Prize, 2003

47. Khatami and his daughter Ebtekar, Khatami’s vice- president

48. Women dress code More or less cultural rather than political enforcement Rageh Inside Iran, documentary from BBC4, watch 33:15Rageh Inside Iran

49. Women: Sports Free for any kind of sport but NOT in presence of men: separate sport facilities Thus, No photos of women swimming pools available! Women should wear Islamic sports dress in presence of men

50. Islamic Sports dress (for public)

51. Islamic sports dress (for public)

52. Islamic Sports dress (for public)

53. Stadium

54. Women Right to vote: According to constitution women and men have the same political rights. Government: a few women in cabinet a few women in parliament relatively more in other positions

55. Women Education : Same 12 level education before college. Since 2004, more than 60% of university entrants were female! Parliament insisted in 2004 that there can not be any gender limitation in admission to universities. Universities are not separate and classes are mixed

56. Women Driving Law is the same for men and women regarding driving. Labor participation: 50 (as % of male rate) 75% increase since 1990 81% for USA source: Human Development Report, UNDP

57. Women, On-going Struggle to ensure equal rights Despite all above, the law is not completely fair in some cases and women activists struggle continues. There have been some improvements but there are more issues in law to be resolved related to: –Marriage –Bequest –Judge position –etc…

58. References: To have a better understanding of Iran, I would recommend the following sources:

59. Recommended Videos about Iran Rageh Inside Iran, (90 min, BBC 4 documentary)Rageh Inside Iran, The Jews of Iran (8 min, Australian SBS)The Jews of Iran Daily Life (4 min, video clip)Daily Life Skiing in Iran (13 min, documentary about skiing by a foreigner tourist)Skiing in Iran Beautiful Iran (4 min, Video clip)Beautiful Iran Nature (9 min, Iran nature)Nature Iran, historical Treasure (10 min, Iran history)Iran, historical Treasure Maz Jobrani (5 min, Comedy standup about Iran!)Maz Jobrani

60. Recommended Pictures from Iran: Iran (Great Gallery of life, art and nature)Iran Daily Life Tehran Nature

61. Recommended Websites: CIA World Factbook Wikipedia, IranWikipedia Wikipedia, History of IranWikipedia About Iran, A flash fileAbout Iran Iran Tourism

62. Thank you! Comments or questions? m.morovati@gmail.com