Iranian Azeris set up national council in Turkey, aspire for independence

Representatives of Azerbaijani Turks

Todays Zaman: 14 May 2012 / AYDIN ALBAYRAK, ANKARA

Representatives of Azerbaijani Turks living in Iran have announced the establishment of an “International South Azerbaijani Turks’ National Council,” which ultimately aims to become independent from Iran.

“Our ultimate aim is the independence of Turks living in ‘Southern Azerbaijan.’ But we seek independence by democratic, peaceful means, not through the use of weapons,” Cemal Mehmethanoğlu, the spokesperson of the council, declared at a press conference held at the Azerbaijani Cultural Association in Ankara on Monday.

But Azeri Turks at the press meeting also stressed — presumably desiring not to be associated with any US or Israeli intentions towards Iran — that their search for independence has nothing to do with a possible military intervention into Iran by the US or a military airstrike against Iran’s nuclear installations by Israel. They assert that their goal is a century-old dream which goes back to the days before the foundation of modern Iran in 1925, and is therefore independent from any other initiative. …

Turkmen carpet has a long history

1474-79
St John Altarpiece - Oil on oak panel, 173,6 x 173,7 cm (central), 176 x 78,9 cm (each wing)
Memlingmuseum, Sint-Janshospitaal, Bruges
MEMLING, Hans (b. ca. 1440, Seligenstadt, d. 1494, Bruges)

Turkmenistan Online:

Turkmen carpets are still recognized today even among the expert carpet dealers in the United States and Western Europe as “Bukhara carpets”. Bukhara is one of the ancient Oriental cities among the Silk Road where Turkmen people used to sell these beautiful hand-made wool textiles. Many world rug specialists consider these carpets (especially the antique masterpieces) as one of the most genuinely unique and high quality carpets in the world.

The main peculiarity of world-renowned Turkmen hand-made carpets is that they are actually woven from pure wool unlike most of Persian rugs where some cotton is blended to accelerate and simplify the rug weaving process. A special elastic pure wool yarn is spun from the wool of Turkmen “Saryja” sheep bred only in climate conditions of Turkmenistan from times immemorial – this wool is a major raw material for Turkmen textiles.

Various highly nutritional vegetation of local pastures attaches the most valuable properties to the wool of “Saryja” – high hygroscopy (the ability to easily absorb moisture from air and retrieve it back), effective protection from cold, high solidity of fibers, flexibility.

Turkmen hand-made carpets are made only from ecologically pure wool creating the most comfortable and aesthetic conditions.

An amazing beauty and longevity of Turkmen carpets is a result of magnificent carpet-weaving traditions that have attained high perfection and rich artistic expressiveness of the design during more than 4 thousand years of their existence.

Turkmenistan Flag Day pole rises into the Guinness Book of Records

The bigest flag in Turkmenistan

TREND: Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, February 20/ Trend H. Hasanov/

A day has been given as a public holiday on the occasion of the National Flag Day of Turkmenistan, originally celebrated on February 19th, but transferred to Feb 20, an official Turkmen source reported.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov‘s decree expects all agencies, enterprises and organisations irrespective of ownership to observe it.

National Flag Day first appeared in the calendar of important dates in Turkmenistan in 1995 and is celebrated by building ceremonies, celebrations and the President’s address to the people.

A flagpole has been erected in the main square of the Turkmen capital Ashgabat in front of the national museum. With a height of 133 metres and weighing nearly half a ton and measuring 52.2 by 35 metres it has been accepted into the Guinness Book of Records.

The Turkmen flag was adopted in 1992 and is green with a vertical red and burgundy stripe, on which five prominent carpet designs can be seen with a white crescent and five stars.
The use of green is not accidental. It was used on the banners of the sultans of the Seljuk Empire which arose in the middle ages in the country. Green symbolises the unity of time, life and the earth. The crescent represents a clear sky and the five pointed white stars symbolise the five regions of the Caspian country. …

Public Holidays Around the World – Week 19/20 – in Turkmenistan

Magtymguly Pyragy-Second painted by Dr. H. Ownuk - Toronto

In News and view from movei One: By Florence Foster – May 7, 2010

May 10 – Please note that the Move One Office in Kosovo will be closed due to European day.

May 12 – Georgia – Saint Andrew the First Called Day
This religious holiday celebrates the Apostle Andrew – the ‘first-called’ as he is regarded as the first Preacher of Christianity in the area as well as founder of Georgian Orthodox Church. It is observed by attending church services and taking holy water home.

May 18 – Turkmenistan – Day of Revival, Unity and the Poetry of Magtymguly
This nationwide holiday commemorates the day in 1992 when the Constitution of Turkmenistan was adopted, making it a secular and democratic state as well as honoring Magtymguly, a renowned Turkmen poet.

Traditionally, festivities start with the laying of flowers at the main monument of Turkmenistan – Independence Monument in the national Park of Independence.
The Turkmen President, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, normally inaugurates the celebrations by put a wreath on the footsteps of the monument surrounded by with numerous government officials and other prominent figures in Turkmenistan.

Happy Newruz bayram celebrate –

Happy Newruz bayram celebrate

HOJANEPES NEWS:

HAPPY NEWRUZ BAYRAM CELEBRATE !

NOWRUZ BAÝRAMY BARÇAŇYZA GUTLY BOLSYN !

С НАСТУПАЮЩИМ NOWRUZ БАЙРАМ !

نوروز بایرامی بارچانگئزا قوتلی بولسئن!

Three Americans in Turkmenistan

Kenny, Anna and their teacher Mr. Shields

Turkmen Adventure’s Blog: Kenny and Anna are two high school students at Hatboro-Horsham High School in Horsham PA traveling with one of their teachers, Mr. Shields to Turkmenistan for two weeks to teach and learn as part of a cultural exchange with IREX and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Culurual Affairs.

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Day 12 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: Tuesday Night:

Hey Everyone! To add on to our exciting day yesterday, we visited our new friend, Aman‘s house. It was so interesting visiting a traditional Turkmen home! Aman lives with his wife, Maral, daughter, Anna, and his parents. …

Life is painting a picture not doing a sum

Turkmen Bride

Name:	Ramona(Iulia) Olar
Email:	uliaiulia2@yahoo.com
Bio:	”Life is painting a picture not doing a sum” – (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Born in Romania. Poet. 3 books. Came to Canada in 2006, start to paint as self-taught artist in 2009, because of the languages barriers: “The art of paintingis silent poetry” – (Plutarh).Member of Willowdale Group of Artists from 2010. Participates actively in the Art Program at Working Women Community Centerunder coordination of Nasrin Khatam, attends the classes Tuesday- Acrylic:Rose Ghattas, Ph.D. – Art Educator and Wednesday – Oil colour: Hangeldi Ownuk.Exhibits: Romanian Festival, 2009-Mel Lastman Square Romanian Festival, 2010 – Mel Lastman Square University Settlement, 2010-100 years Celebration (group exhibit) Web Resource: Willodale Artists

Arash Saghar Remains in Ward 209, Five Months after his Arrest

Arash Saghar

The Humanrights House of Iran: Arash Saghar, a Mousavi campaign worker in eastern Iran, remains in ward 209 of Evin Prison 5 months after his arrest

RAHANA – 5 months after his arerst, Arash Saghar remains in limbo in the notorious ward 209 of Evin prison, according to one his friends. Saghar was a senior Mousavi campaign worker in Sunni regions during the June 2009 presidential election. He is reportedly being interrogated over his relationship with Molavi Abdolhamid, the leader of Iran’s Sunni minority.
Saghar who is a native of Gonbad Kavoos was Mousavi’s campaign liaison officer with the region’s Sunni population. He was arrested on November 22, 2009 and his refusal to cooperate with his interrogators has resulted in his continuing detention. Following his arrest, Saghar was fired from his work.

Man with golden voice, Ted Williams, one year after shooting to fame

Ted Williams

YAHOO News:

Just over a year ago when the world first saw Ted Williams, he was homeless and standing at the side of a road holding a sign that said he had a great voice.

Now the man with the golden voice has a much different look. He has a clean haircut, glasses, is no longer wearing a camouflage jacket and is living under a roof.

Williams shot to fame after the Columbus Dispatch newspaper posted a video shot by Doral Chenoweth. Williams was standing at the side of a road with a sign that read, “I have a God given gift of voice.” Curious, Chenoweth asked Williams to say something and the video took off.

Ismailova Theatre of Dance

Merey Ismailova - Theatre of Dance

Neighbourhood Arts Network:

About: Ismailova Theatre of Dance brings theatre and dance together to express sincere feelings, tell real stories, show touching characters and dreams through original choreography. Dancers and actors of Ismailova Theatre of Dance work in various dance styles such as classical ballet, contemporary dance, traditional folk dance, commercial dance, contact improvisation, musical theatre, physical theatre.
The Ismailova Theatre of Dance regularly performs on various stages of the city and provides educational opportunities in dance, acting and singing.

Thoughts about art and community:

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov registered as a candidate for President of Turkmenistan

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov

Turkmenistan Ru: President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has been registered as a candidate for the highest office in the country. The Turkmen leader received the appropriate certificate today at the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CEC) of Turkmenistan.

Upon completion of the registration procedure, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov got acquainted with the working conditions of the CEC. He viewed an electronic scoreboard for monitoring the pace of election across the country, as well as reference materials for preparation and holding of elections, instructions for filling out of documents. The President of Turkmenistan also viewed samples of identification cards for local and foreign observers and media, boxes for stationary and early voting and voting at home.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Foreign Terrorist Organizations

U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE: Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) are foreign organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. FTO designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business.

Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations

1. Abu Nidal Organization (ANO)
2. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
3. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMS)
4. Al-Shabaab
5. Ansar al-Islam (AAI)
6. Asbat al-Ansar
7. Aum Shinrikyo (AUM)
8. Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)
9. Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA)
10. Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) …

The Murder of Rafiq Tagi!

Rafiq Tagi

Pen Info: And they broke another pen, to keep the oppression alive…

Sword against pen, torture and persecution against free speech and freedom of thought: this is the way of custodians of darkness; this is the natural extension of the inquisition and heresy tribunals of the medieval age, now revived under the cover of Islam and by Muslim fundamentalists. The guardians of the inquisition spilled the blood of another writer: Rafiq Tagi. He was a prominent Azerbaijani writer and intellectual whose views ran counter to the official and fundamentalist interpretations of Islam by Iranian mullahs.