SU_A_34

[i] Hello, [name]. My name is [name] and I will interview you today for the Specially Unknown project for the Red Starline Museum. I’m going to ask you a few questions, but maybe you can tell you a bit about yourself first. Which country do you come from? How old are you? What do you do in your life?
[r] Hello, [name]. I am [name]. I am 33 years old. I am from Iran. I will talk very briefly why I came to Iran. Iran is located in the Middle East, on the border of Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Iraq. Iran has a particularly long history.
[i] And what do you do in your life?
[r] When I was in Iran, I worked as a welder inspector and my hobby was actually fitness. So I have been there for three years in Iran champion. And I am always busy studying, sports and working in Iran.
[i] And what did you study?
[r] I have in Iran Human Resources studied. But I couldn’t finish my studies Because of the problems I had in Iran.
[i] And can you perhaps tell a bit about your family?
[r] I have a very large family in Iran. My mother, my brother and my sister are still in Iran. But I always have contact with them. When I was nine years old, my father actually died by a car accident. So my mother was all alone. She had to raise us and that was a difficult period for her. And in my eyes she is someone I always admire.
[i] And did you say you have a sister?
[r] Yes.
[i] and how old is your sister?
[r] My sister is actually seven years older than me and my brother also seven years older than me.
[i] and what do they do?
[r] She is actually champion of a Wushu Sport. Such as karate for example. And my brother actually works He works in an institution in Iran. From a government.
[i] So you are really a sporty family?
[r] Yes.
[i] and what will that come? My uncles are all champions, they are very famous in Iran. So hence when we were small, we always looked at them. And my uncles are actually my inspiration. So …
[i] So you have an example all your life?
[r] seen an example of someone who is always concerned with sport.
[i] and is it something normal, for example for your sister, To be a champion in this kind of sport in Iran? Is it just something for Iran?
[r] in Iran, sports such as Wrestling, Judo or Karate are all popular.
[i] and even between girls too?
[r] between girls too, yes.
[i] Ah Okay, that’s really interesting. So she has kept her busy with sport all her life?
[r] She has kept her whole life busy with sport, yes.
[i] Okay, interesting. And why did you choose to study Human Resource?
[r] I always keep, when I was small and so far, to … It is interesting for me, the human behavior. So I want to observe people, people see how they behave towards other people. And I believe that people are influenced by other people. So what you give You get back. So people who have a power to communicate with people, or can make a very easy contact with other people, then they are praised by me, for example, Because I am someone who can deal with everyone. And that was always interesting for me, people who have a trauma, like me, for example. My father died when I was little. So I have a lot … Had problems when I was small. So that is the thing that I am very interested in, in human behavior and similar things.
[i] Can you perhaps tell you a bit about your childhood? How was it for you when you were a child?
[r] When I was a child? When I was a child, I just remember that I was always lonely. So that loneliness is a feeling that is really not tolerable for every child. A child cannot realize why am I alone. So I am always all my life when I was little just because my mother had to work because of my father that he had died. And my brother and sister were in puberty then, So they stick with their things. So I was all alone. So there were no children around me that I could deal with them.
[i] And how was it in general in Iran in Iran? How was the relationship between people?
[r] Then it was good in Iran. When I remember, when I was little, the economy was very good. And people were more candid than today. And that is the reason that many Iranian want to be somewhere else than in Iran. So those flights to other countries because of problems they have in Iran, for example. Because they are treated unfairly in Iran. And they have no balance. They have no balance in their lives and no stability in their lives. So with every change … We are creatures who need stability and fixed pattern. So in Iran, when you wake up tomorrow You don’t know what will happen today. It’s about economics, it’s about religion, it’s about … Problems, for example … you can’t express your displeasure in the audience. That is the whole story. So if you say something wrong about government, if you do something wrong, you will be punished by people who have power. And have two faces, actually. So the first … For example, if you go to Iran, You see a country that is really great, is nice. People feel happy But while they are not happy. But social interaction in Iran used to be, I think, better. I have been here in Belgium for a few years, but I am not sure if it is still the same as before.
[i] And what is the difference between the atmosphere of life in Iran when you were small and comparing when you were twenty years old? How did it change?
[r] Change … That is the good question. A child probably has no strength because it is a child. But when I was twenty years old, and 24, I already said it, I was always busy with fitness, still now. So when I was twenty, I could decide for my life myself. And I actually had to defend my mother. I actually had to defend my friends with them too. And I had such a feeling of … my mother is a hero in my life, so I have to be like her. So she was alone all her life. She had to work alone, only raise, with great problems then in Iran. Because if someone, a woman alone in Iran, many eyes are aimed at her. First, sexual eyes. Second, people who think, why is she alone? So she’s with someone else? Or this and that. And third, working for a woman in Iran is difficult. Because there are a lot, how should I say, Barriers for a woman who wants to work in Iran. So in my eyes, she is always a hero and still a hero. And I admire her. And when I was twenty, and so far, I have two children myself, I will never give up in my life. And then it was like that. So that’s the story.
[i] and you said it is difficult for a woman to work in Iran.
[r] It is always difficult. Some people want to hide that they have no problem in Iran. The women in Iran indeed have a problem with the work. Because here in Europe too, I’m not going to say that in Iran, but people here are all the same, but not in Iran. So a woman in Iran is someone who can only cook and make a child. That is the vision of not all men in Iran, of course not all men, but of many people who grew up in an Islamic family.
[i] And what did you think about it?
[r] I find it horrible. I think it is likely that you have a woman and you do her not to find a job, because of other men who want to or are allowed to touch her. I don’t know … I am a man who gives freedom to my wife. Otherwise she will be locked up in this way. But I generally talk. I am not going to say that all men are like that or all women are. Lots of women who, Like men, work in Iran. But in the eighty percent, ninety percent they are all treated unfairly in Iran.
[i] And did something happen that someone tries to change that or not?
[r] Nobody. Of course there are people who want to change, but they have no power. So, for example, the manager of Iran, so people who have power in Iran, can influence Iran. So they have a significant influence in decisions that happen in Iran. So if, for example, as a man says, I can work a woman without all those eyes. So a woman can easily study. Or a woman can cycle on the street, for example. And feel safe. Maybe I will be punished for other days. Or are sent to prison. Or am I judged from, yes, you have a European or Western mentality. And that is not allowed.
[i] Has this situation always been like that in Iran, or was it different?
[r] No. On time from our Shah, Mohammad Reza Shah I’m not going to say because I wasn’t there then But I heard of it then it was just not like today that we see.
[i] So it used to be a little better?
[r] I don’t know. I’m not just going to say.
[i] Have you perhaps heard something from your parents?
[r] I have seen a report with shah, And of course heard from my parents too. But I can’t say my opinion about Shah, But I think it was a little better then. I think. But of course, here in Europe we sometimes have no safety. People kill other people, or always states. We don’t have here either. I’m not going to say it’s Iran. I say it anyway, the social identification in Iran. People are concerned with useless things, especially the youth. Especially people who are twenty to thirty years old are concerned with ridiculous things. While I see here in Europe that many young people are involved in developing. Like studying, such as very good things. And the only thing is true. As long as you can give your opinion in the audience without a problem, that is the whole thing. But in Iran now, I have seen a lot of reports, those people just want to say, and people dare to say their thing in the audience. But I don’t know what will happen to them afterwards, I know that myself.
[i] and how old were you when you decided to leave Iran?
[r] then I was 27.
[i] And do you remember the moment when you have made the decision, okay that’s enough and I’m going to fly now?
[r] Yes yes, I had 27 years old, we were with my wife. So one day we decided together that enough is enough. So we just go back to another country. But we didn’t know where, just happened. Because of all those situations that I told her. And then we came here.
[i] But why was that day special? Yes exactly, why did you make the decision in that day, that okay, now it is enough? What was the reason, that made you think, that now …
[r] I think there were many reasons. So it’s not just about religion, about economy or … But now I hear a lot that people who come from Iran have economic problems. Okay, we have economic problems. But on the other hand, You have to see that Iran has reserve fossil energy security, Such as natural gas and petroleum. So we have that. But we can’t make that from money because we don’t have contact with the other world. That’s the problem. That is the exact problem.
[i] So Iran is a bit closed?
[r] of course closed. Iran just wants to be independent, while people who live here in Iran start to live. If you want to be independent, you just have to give social services and a lot of things to your people. But they don’t give that. So they keep themselves for their own money. And I don’t know what they did. The managers of Iran have great money. And you see people who have a lot of money in Iran and on the other hand people who have no money. So something is wrong. And the most problem is freedom. That is the exact problem.
[i] So you felt that you were not gaining freedom?
[r] No freedom. Of course no freedom. Now, maybe all those things I see, from those reports, sometimes I watch the TV, sometimes I see freedom, but in a different way. Freedom of … difficult to tell. Because, for example, a detainee, someone who is in prison who is suddenly released. He does everything. He eats again, maybe it goes … he does everything, that’s freedom. In Iran, that’s the story of Iran. So those young people do not know what to do. Those thinking of, yes … they are doing wrong, I have to say. And all those problems, the same, Is by the government in Iran. So that is not exactly the same as in Iran.
[i] Can you tell a little about that day when you left? Did you have to prepare something to … your journey to prepare?
[r] That was really coincidental. That was really … That was exactly a nightmare. Because suddenly selling everything and destroying everything.
[i] did you have your own house?
[r] No, no. We were a tenant there, just rented in an apartment. But that was difficult, because that was really a big change for us. Selling everything back, with friends, with … especially for family saying goodbye, that was really difficult. For me personally, saying goodbye to my mother was difficult. That was the most difficult thing there was. But I had to do that But I don’t know why. Still not. Because that was … suddenly everything, Suddenly, happened in one time. That is really gone, because enough is enough. I’m tired. We were really tired. And then … I say … The most difficult piece was saying goodbye to family.
[i] and how did you explain that to your mother?
[r] who also agreed. Because … She also still has [name], so he knows what the situation is in Iran for young people. Young married people. We were married for two years. And that was difficult. Everything came with one and too much stress. And we decided together, okay, we’re gone. We are going to leave everything here and leave.
[i] and what was the preparation for your trip?
[r] Preparation for travel? Just nothing. Just come here with a visa and two … Our clothes.
[i] Do you have smugglers or how were you gone?
[r] No, we are not … I say it anyway … We actually fled here in a different way. There are people who suddenly flee to another country, but there are people who a little … I always intended that I can ever return. Still still. As Iran ever … is safe, but that will never be safe. No, just with a study visa. We came here. And that was also a flight, But in a different way. There are a lot of people who do that. A lot of people. Because they see a hole of I will go back someday. So I’m not going to destroy everything. We did not want to destroy everything. We had a vision of yes, we will come back someday. So if Iran is ever safe, we will return.
[i] So you have applied for a student visa? We have applied for a student visa. We came here. And then we thought yes, we could stay here in Belgium with a student visa. But that was a different story. Then we heard from someone that you cannot stay here with a student visa. We could not look back at Iran either. And that was really a strange situation. That was really a difficult situation. And then we had no paper. So my wife had to stop studying. With the university. So she had to find a job. I couldn’t find a job. I couldn’t Dutch. I was completely confused where I am. And then she worked and we heard someone you can just stay here through a job. That was not good advice either. Because her job was not a bottleneck profession .. And I thought, I just have to choose a different way. You hear from other people, You just have to apply for asylum. And that was a difficult story. And so far I have such a feeling of … I wasted my time for nothing.
[i] You mean those years by student visa?
[r] No, no, with that asylum. I have done it hard. Because I was someone who was active. I wasn’t coming like other people. I was really active here in Belgium. I applied for asylum and was refused twice. And every time I had to wait a year, some people for three years, some people might wait longer. And I waited two years. And in the end they recognized me here as a refugee.
[i] But what do you mean that you have wasted your years?
[r] I have wasted for many years, Because I had to study here. We came here to study. But I couldn’t study, I had to work when my wife got pregnant. So she couldn’t work I had to work myself. That was a difficult period. I applied for asylum, was refused, a second time refusal. Two years, three years waiting with one child. I had orange paper then, that was not a paper just someone with his data on the paper. And can only work. So I couldn’t study. I always had stress. Someone who stresses, I don’t have a normal life.
[i] And what did you study then?
[r] Then I had to register at Lingapolis for Dutch lesson. She also studied for English literature. And I for Human Resources.
[i] So you continued to study what you have in Iran …
[r] Yes, yes, yes. Now I still study psychology. So still the same direction.
[i] and that was bachelor or?
[r] Bachelor. For me bachelor and for her master. Because she brought her bachelor in Iran, so here … That was the story.
[i] and how was it for you to start Dutch?
[r] That was a foreign language. In the beginning it was very difficult. And I remember when my boss said to me you have to study twenty hours a day. I said, twenty hours a day? I have my private life.
[i] We said that?
[r] For he was … He that day … He gave me such an inspiration of … You have to wake up. If you want to stay here in Belgium, If you want to grow here, if you want to study here and all those things … you have to be able to do the language. So then he gave me a Dutch book. He says, you have to study twenty hours. I said, but I can’t. I have to work. I have a child. How am I going to study? Studying twenty hours. Otherwise you lose your job. That’s how I tell me. I say, okay. I am starting to study. Studying with people chat. But I had Chance because I am communicative. I started a book. And all those words that I didn’t understand from people … I googled and seen immediately. Yes, this book. Yes, this and that. I learned so Dutch. I have a lot of friends around me. I also learned from them. I always keep myself busy. Now still with Dutch. And then I went to Lingapolis. Lingapolis is a …
[i] a language institute.
[r] a language institute that with the University of Antwerp.
[i] have you followed the language year or not? The language year is about nine months. Really intensive.
[r] After that, yes. Then intensive. Simply day training. You had to go to Antwerp at nine hours a day, four hours a day. Fight.
[i] And what was it like for you to concentrate so much on the language?
[r] Dutch language is difficult. Everyone knows. In the beginning it was super difficult. Super difficult. Sometimes I just threw the book against my mother. I’m not going to learn that. I’m just going to talk English like other people. Many people talk English, huh. I’m also going to talk English. I’m not going to learn Dutch. But then I thought … I was reminded of what my boss said to me. You have to learn Dutch. You should never give it up. And that is my character that I learned with my mother. Never give up, just continue. And chat on the street with many people. And then I also had some problems in Lingapolis, but then … My teacher says to me, you have a street accent. So you have to be able to talk a decent language. But now I really feel at home here in Belgium. So I can communicate with everyone, I have a good job. Family, I can study now.
[i] And when did you find a job?
[r] What do you mean?
[i] I mean you said you are studying, Dutch studied and then you also had to work.
[r] Yes, I study Dutch intensively in Lingapolis. So I received benefits. And I went to VDAB. And I said, I’m just starting to study. But there were a few problems, I think they were problems. And in the end, I’m not going to tell that, because that’s nonsense. I think that’s ridiculous. But I started working myself and at the same time just studying. Combine with working and studies. So at the moment, I studied a business organization, but I couldn’t finish. Because of problems I had in the university. And now, I work as a logistics employee. And also, I study in the evening for psychology and focused on work organization.
[i] and which company do you work at?
[r] at Greenyard company, that is a fruit and vegetable company.
[i] and what do you think about that job?
[r] I think it’s a nice job. Because there are a lot of people I come across a day. So, a job, so that I can just pay my invoice, maintain my family. That’s not my dream job, But that’s a good job. Temporary, maybe.
[i] And what is your dream job?
[r] My dream job is actually helping people. That is why I chose Psychology Labor Organization. So people who can’t find a job. People who have a trauma of … They don’t feel well. I can help them. So … Work as a supervisor, As a leading help. I like to do that.
[i] and I know you do a lot of sport. What is sport in your life?
[r] Many people have recommended me. You have to start working in this sector. Because you have great experiences. I have been champion in Iran for three years. But here in Belgium … You can’t from sport … That’s hard here. People have a different mentality. So sport is not that you can make money out of it. So I just put aside for my own hobby. But I got a few months ago … I just wanted to start my own business. A fitness club. But… It didn’t go well. So I stopped. But maybe ever … I want to have my own business too. Fitness club maybe. But I’m not sure yet. I’m just going to study. And I am concerned with my children. That’s the most important thing.
[i] Maybe we can talk about your arrival in Belgium? Do you remember the moment when you arrived in Belgium? How was your feeling about the country, about the people?
[r] Then I have never been out of Iran. That was my first country that I ended up there. I was just confused. Where I am.
[i] Why were you chosen for Belgium?
[r] because my brother -in -law was here. My wife’s brother. She was here and said … [name], I can come here because I am here. And I thought, yes, He can help me. So that’s normal if you have a family in another country. So you are going to choose to go to another country anyway. That is the country that you have family. And that is the reason I came here.
[i] So you arrived in Belgium?
[r] Yes, I was just confused. But why do people talk like that? White people … That was a bit weird for me. The first or second year was real … I was just confused.
[i] and when you were in Iran, Did you have a picture about Europe?
[r] I had no picture. I didn’t know what Belgium was.
[i] I may mean in general about Europe.
[r] I had never been from Belgium to go somewhere else. Never in my life, Not my wife either. I thought, I’m here, I’m going to start exercising. Studying, my wife too. We were never from Belgium to go to somewhere else. Never. But then it was really difficult for us. We had no option, we had no other choice. So we just had to flee somewhere else. But in a good way. But the good way we had chosen was really a bad way.
[i] And what was your feeling when you first arrived in Belgium?
[r] The feeling of, I am lonely. I felt myself locked up. Because you are no one here. So you are someone who … They are not going to count on you. You are someone who comes from Iran. But I still have self -confidence. I have self -control. So if you are stressed, you lose your self -control. So I have self -confidence. I knew who I was. So [name], just continue. You just have to show who you are. First start learning language, And then start working. Then they only realize, okay, He is someone who has a passion. And lives on.
[i] and have you changed the feeling? Has the feeling changed?
[r] mean …
[i] yes, the feeling that you had in the beginning, compared to what you have now.
[r] still perhaps now. Still still, I feel … I feel at home here. But… It’s hard to tell, but … I am … Born there in Iran, so I remain someone in Iran … I’m Iranian, that’s in my blood, so I can’t change that. But in my eyes people are all the same, it doesn’t matter. I love Belgium. Because they have such a … have created atmosphere. A multicultural atmosphere. That people all live together, communicate together. I like that very well. I like that very well. Sometimes… Sometimes there is a conflict between people, that is normal, that is other cultures. For example Muslim and Catholics, Catholic and atheists, atheists with …, that’s normal. But I think that’s really perfect That is a good challenge. But for … Who… To Europe … You have to say immigration. Immigration, that’s difficult, so … I’m going to say, I feel at home, but … I don’t lie, But I don’t feel at home. I also don’t feel at home at home.
[i] What is the largest … biggest difference, why you don’t feel at home?
[r] There are many aspects that play major roles here, such as culture for example … Small things to great things. People here eat sandwich in the morning. But I may eat rice and chicken. They find me weird, I think they are strange. But I respect them, but also me. From a little thing … To a big thing, for example … Here they drink … Alcohol, but I don’t drink alcohol. That’s a for example, for example. That’s the thing, and … I have my puberty, I left my life there in Iran. I have experienced a lot of things at school in Iran. I left my friends there in Iran. I left my life there in Iran. So I can’t say … Even my child … He is now seven years old and he says to me … He doesn’t say dad to me, he says [name] Against me … [name], when will we go to Iran? What does Iran look like? Where is Iran? Shall we go to Iran once? And he wants Persian talk. While Dutch is his first language. So he has to Speak Dutch. She talks, he also talks Dutch. But he also has a feeling of where is Iran? I’m going. Never been, never seen before. He knows nothing about Iran. So that’s something … difficult to tell. Even that I am here for twenty years, thirty years, forty years. I love my country. But in my eyes, I have seen In my eyes Belgians, Europeans … We are all people. All people, It doesn’t matter. As a person it is important. Who is Catholic, who is Muslim, who … Atheist is not at all.
[i] What have you told your child about Iran?
[r] I told everything. Iran has a country that has four seasons. It’s not like Belgium. That was the first thing I told my child. Where people talk, All Persians like me. You see many people there. They chat a lot. They are a bit more frank. Opposite here. We have gastronomic food. Our real delicious food. Yes, I told him a lot.
[i] And which languages ​​do you speak with the children?
[r] Persian, hey, Persian but sometimes I switch to Dutch. Persian, Dutch, both. But usually Persian.
[i] So at home you speak Persian, But at school you speak Dutch?
[r] But at home I sometimes speak Dutch. That is our second language. The first language is such a difficulty for them. You have to learn Dutch, but they learn Dutch anyway. Better than us. But also Persian.
[i] and with your wife, Do you always speak Persian?
[r] Yes, always. But sometimes Dutch. Sometimes Especially when we are on the street. But here in Belgium it is true that when you talk your own language on the street, some people look so weird. What kind of language is that? And some think that is a very beautiful language. And I come across a lot of people who say to me, what kind of language is that? That is such a beautiful language. But some who just look at me. So I’d rather go, but I always switch Dutch and Persian. I always switch. For example, I say to my son. Baba, come and have a look here. Come and have a look here. I always switch. One word Dutch, One word Persian.
[i] I have heard a lot that Persian is really a super beautiful language.
[r] That is a beautiful language. That is a beautiful language. I also like that. Especially if you sing. I sing. I am a singer, so if you sing, that sounds super nice.
[i] Can you sing something?
[r] Sing?
[i] a small piece.
[r] in Dutch or English? I sometimes sing in Dutch.
[i] in Persian.
[r] [interviewed sings]
[i] wow. Super nice. So you are sporty and also a Zinger.
[r] That comes from my …
[i] So many talents.
[r] But I sometimes sing in it Dutch, I like to do that too.
[i] And is it in your family that you have so many talents?
[r] who sing, do, no. They just sing. So we actually have a good voice.
[i] and have you tried to do something creative in Belgium?
[r] not in Belgium. Not in Belgium, but you can find my music in YouTube. That is what [name]. It is my son’s name. [name], that means … wait, wait. Is on YouTube. [name]. That’s on YouTube. And one is also on the way.
[i] and you write yourself?
[r] No, no, no. I have a good friend. Also from Iran. He is my big brother and really a good friend of mine. So those songs … All come from him.
[i] So there are already a few songs on YouTube?
[r] No, just one. One on the way is really special … About my flight here in Belgium. That is about that.
[i] in Persian about your flight?
[r] in Persian, yes. So actually my whole story that I have told now is there. Those are classical music. So you hear every … Those who persevere can understand a little. So they know it’s about a flight. So all my story of my life is in it.
[i] And is there also a video?
[r] We are planning to make a video, but not now.
[i] Are there subtitles in Dutch?
[r] maybe.
[i] Maybe it’s interesting … For people who might be from the museum … Would like to watch a video. Maybe for a few subtitles that it is about.
[r] A good idea.
[i] that would be very interesting.
[r] I have reserved a recording studio for within one month. So if that is done, then I might be able to subtitles in Dutch.
[i] Then you get more fans on YouTube.
[r] Yes, that is possible, but it’s about flight. So whoever flees here or to other countries, that’s the story.
[i] Is it a bit of a general story or really personal story?
[r] That’s … Look, it’s about someone who is here … Has fled and … That mentions goriz , That means flight. Flee somewhere. So you have nothing to lose. So you need someone … To be able to talk, to live. Surviving, I have to say. So you are going to hang up all those problems. You are going to commit suicide. Where am I? But there is someone in your life … who saved you. That can be your child, that can be your partner, that can be anyone. That’s the story. I always say, if you go somewhere for your entire life … you can’t return to your home country. So you have to … have inspiration. You must have someone with whom you can talk. So that is the reason you are still alive. That can be love, That can be money. That can be everything. For me it was personal … eh … I have my mother anyway … She came to Belgium twice, but I have … left my love. But now that my wife and my two children are … People who … His reason to live.
[i] and I know you have a tattoo of your son’s wife.
[r] Yes.
[i] may show you a bit.
[r] It is [name]. That is the name of my son. First son. So second that is still. They are my everything. They were born here. They are saved our lives, I think. We were completely lonely and only here in Belgium. They came here and … Did they drive our lives. Maybe I wasn’t here or maybe … We were really not good … We had no good feeling here in Belgium, then. But with their … births, that was really … They have changed everything.
[i] I know … that there are many different values ​​… Compared to the Iranian values ​​and the Belgian values. Maybe you can tell a little … What the most important values ​​of Iran are … that are really important to you … and then also about the Belgian values.
[r] Look, for example, an easy example is … About values ​​and norms. If I go to somewhere … I open the door for those who come behind me. Example, huh. Simple example. Here in Belgium is like that. So people respect each other. That is a very important thing. But in Iran … I’m going to refer to the example, if you go to somewhere … that person who goes for you … Will close the door … Then leave the door open for you. That is a whole story. So I am someone who … I’d rather open a door for someone than closed the door. That is the exact story of Iran. They close all those doors to other people. People who have a talent. People who want to grow. Women who want to grow. They have a dream. Studying, sports. Why has a woman who goes to a competition … He takes part in a competition … Really a big game … He has to go with a headscarf?
[i] like your sister.
[r] like my sister. Why with a headscarf? Why not with … Just freedom, Like other people.
[i] So they always had to go with a headscarf …
[r] Everyone in Iran. But why? So you have … Okay, it’s about religion, but it can also be in a different way. A bit of a friendly way. If you want to introduce something … Introduce a bit of good. Nobody say: You are obliged … You can’t do anything about it. You are obliged to be a spectator. Be a spectator. Just watch. Watch and listen. I really hate that. That’s it. But here in Belgium … you want to grow. Okay, here is open, door is open. You want to grow, do it. You want to study, you want to work out, you want to work. Everything is open to you. Okay, that’s how you have to say … I’m going to say now … Europeans or here in Belgium are a lot of racists. Because that is not true at all. Are not a racist. We are, we all have a piece of racism in our blood. They have done experiments. So nobody is a racist. We should not see that. Maybe we have less … In Belgium you have to open the door to talk. Only then who wants to talk to you. That’s the story. So here in Belgium you have balance in your life. So … They think so of the quality of life and what you give to that person … Determines the quality of what you get. So it gives you a good quality. You give back good quality. It’s that simple. It’s not difficult. Because those politicians make it even more difficult for us. No, yes that’s not … For example, you give a good car. So the environment remains better. That’s true. It’s that simple. If you give something You get it back. You give respect and you get respect back. But in Iran it is true, They give no respect. And they expect respect from people. That’s the story. That is a huge value in Iran.
[i] And what are the positive values ​​you would like to love Iran? Something positive that you really like in Iran.
[r] in Iran?
[i] Iran, yes.
[r] I say that Iran … I love Iran. Iran is my country where I was born. Everything is Iran in my eyes. Everything is beautiful. Everything is beautiful. Four season, food, People talk to each other. Everything something. But norms and values ​​in Iran … Nothing.
[i] I mean something of culture. Would I have imagined it?
[r] A particularly long culture in Iran. You can’t compare it with Europe. They know that themselves. We have a very long history. 7000 years ago so far. Iran is a special country. Everyone knows that. Everyone. It is not equal to other countries on the Iran border. Iran is a really special country. But… Bergen, Sea. If you go to North goes, you see the sea. If you go to South, you see desert. There is something everywhere. It is really beautiful land. But the problem is everywhere. I say so anyway. It’s about respecting people. Treat people well. So that they want to be treated. Do not want to be treated. So they treat people. And you know, in Iran is this moment … If you use your strengths excessively. Then you say, yes this is my duty. Like a child. I have strength. So you can say to a child, you sit, you can’t move. But if I use my strengths excessively that I have. I’m big, I’m a strong cousin. He will say, okay, I’m going to drop that laptop. To tell him, You are nobody. That is the story in Iran. You use excessively from your strengths. Iran’s leaders say: we have power, we do everything we want. And luckily people do everything else. Or people will secretly do something. Secretly drinking alcohol for example. Drinking alcohol is not … It’s not religion. Drinking alcohol is not healthy. Everyone knows that, like smoking. That is not healthy. Islam says, no, Islam says, okay. Catholic does not say that either. Unhealthy is unhealthy. If you drink too much water, that is not healthy either. That is not healthy. But that’s the story in Iran. You use excessively from your strengths and power. And people secretly go to the party. Secretly drink alcohol. And they get even worse the young people of ours. So … How can I say? They are curious to know drugs. Go try that. Alcohol is prohibited. Secretly drink. And they get poor quality of alcohol. So that doesn’t come from outside to Iran. So they produce all those poor summaries of alcohol. That can be dangerous for a young man of 20 or a young lady of 25. But they don’t care. So they just leave. They use drugs. Kealeel in Iran. Now I know anyway. They produce themselves. But why does it have to be? We have very intelligent people in Iran. But the problem is that are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or such things.
[i] And now you have two children. And I wonder, which values ​​are you going to raise your children? With Iranian values ​​or with Belgian values? Or maybe a mix?
[r] That’s a good question.
[i] What do you mean that?
[r] I always say that my son problem is the least. But there are animals see are better than some people. So just try to be a person. Just try to be helpful. You should not be a doctor, you should not be an engineer, you don’t have to study. No, you just have to be a good man for your wife. Being a good father for your children. Being a good son for myself, for your father. Just try to be good. Good things to do. Being perfect, that’s the problem. Nobody is perfect. I always say, I don’t want you to be perfect. Simply normal person. Normal people and try to be good. Religion is not important. You can choose yourself. When that grows up, you can choose yourself, okay. Who you should be. But just try … to be good people. And being useful for society, that’s the most important thing. It doesn’t matter, you were born here, you have to be good for this society. Belgium. Helping people, that’s the most important thing in my opinion. Some people who say, they are perfectionist, we have to be perfect. They just fall. Anyway. But you just have to be normal people. As long as I can talk to you As long as I respect you. That’s the most important thing. And in your eyes, wife is a woman, man is a man. The elderly, all people. All, we have to … respecting an animal … to a great person. There is no difference. Someone who is higher than you, you have to respect it, who is among you, you should not respect it. No. For example, if I go to a company or … To somewhere, I see people brushing. I say to my son or my sons, you have to respect them. He is working, You don’t have to walk. First ask for permission, then walk. He is an important person. If he is not here we have a problem. That is important to me. But in Iran, for example, that is not the case. People… respect people to get respect. I mean … I give you … A glass of water, but I expect you to give me a coffee. That’s a bad vision, That is a bad mentality. I give you … the glass of water … Simply because you are thirsty. I don’t have to expect anything from you. If you give me something, it’s great. If you don’t give me anything, then great. No problem. Because it is exactly the same story in our private life. My wife has to cook. If she doesn’t cook for one day, we have a disaster. No, she is also human. She also has to go outside. She also has to study, she also has to make up. You also have to show from I am a woman.
[i] So you really have an open …
[r] Yes, you have to show her. Why not? We men have a problem. You don’t have to go to Iran, That is the exact problem. You shouldn’t look. You just want … She is a beautiful lady. She just wants to show beauty. If you have a problem Then you shouldn’t look yourself. So, hence … I raise my children like that. Just respect people. We are all the same. Okay [name], thank you for this interview. It has been very interesting. We are going to follow you on YouTube, on your page.
[r] Thank you.
[i] thank you for you to sing and really an interesting story. And good luck with your future and with your work and study.
[r] Thank you. Thank you.
[i] Okay, thank you.