Iran from a Different Lens | Maryam Ghadiri | TEDxPurdueU

When only one side of a story is told, the truth can be blurred or completely disjointed. When Maryam arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and predisposed opinions causing her to hide her own identity as Iranian. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.
Maryam Ghadiri is originally from Iran and came to Purdue University to pursue her PhD. Her main passion in life is nature, education and art. She tries to combine her passion with her current work at the Center for Global Soundscapes at Purdue University. For her PhD, she designs multi­modal curricula for middle school and the visually impaired youth to teach the ecological concepts of soundscape ecology through different hands on activities and field work. For her, environmental education is not just teaching science, it is mainly about creating amazing learning experiences to motivate young students and make them value nature as well as science. As a visual artist, she always incorporates art in scientific activities and believes that art and science can be interconnected as they inspire both scientists and artists.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@tingwang9465]

I am a Chinese from China. And my boy friend is an Iranian. I travelled in Iran for two months last year. I was amazed by this beautiful country. The history, the architecture, the food and beautiful culture. I just couldn't get enough of it.

[@jackyoung9691]

ting wang I am mixed from Iran and Iraq. I have a Chinese girlfriend she is very nice and I love her.

[@nurashams4093]

Thanks, but I want to have a Chinese girlfriend, what can I do?

[@jackyoung9691]

Nur a Shams go to China

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

@@jackyoung9691 Hahah... Good one.

[@eg3730]

@@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982 hi

[@hajiadam7132]

I am an Omani , recently i visited Shiraz Iran for the first time for a short holiday. My stereo type of Iran was totally different influenced by Arab and Western media. I enjoyed every minute of my stay in Shiraz, unfortunately didn't have enough time to travel to different destinations, and I want to do it very soon. Very safe country. Welcoming people, kind and very friendly. To my surprise found thousands of western tourist from Europe in every corner i visited. Talking to them they expressed very positive view about their visit and were surprised that the reality in Iran was different than the western media version of Iran.

[@kamranghermezian5813]

Next time when you wanna take a trip to Iran , call me

[@md.yasirkamal3548]

Good luck Iran. The oldest but sustained civilization. And a true Islamic country.

[@Shervin86]

Haji Adam as an Iranian living in UAE and visiting Oman often it makes me so happy to see this and I hope your perception spreads... ✌&💚

[@jobee1585]

Just don't break their laws ....lol you might recant your last statement

[@Shervin86]

Jo Bee at least you only get punished for breaking laws in Iran, as silly as some of those laws may be; not due to your nationality or ethnicity as is the case in certain countries... 😉

[@nastassjatoll]

I’m South African and I just returned from the most amazing vacation in Iran 🇮🇷 I fell in love with this country and its people and I cannot wait to return ☺️

[@amirmohammadganji485]

Nastassja Toll 😊 thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

I love Iran 🇮🇷 I was there last month great country great people miss it so much! Greetings from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@dexterdev]

I love Iran... Cheers from India...

[@mozart4128]

had you been to Iran?

[@dexterdev]

mozart4128 No But If I get a chance I will come.

[@mozart4128]

i am indian my name is Mahesh, I had Iranian Gf and had been Iran 2 times.message from Vienna,Austria.

[@kamkam9059]

mozart4128 how was she .. iranian girl are beautiful but i read a report said millions with HIV in iran !!! becoz of thier poor and sex for money all over iran

[@dexterdev]

Ali Alshamsi WTF are you saying man. Don't insult people. I can understand your politics here.

[@mortezaibrahimi3333]

Afghani born in Iran, Iranian people are kind and beautiful long live iran

[@ela7942]

I don’t think so because always they have a very bad behavior with Afghan people if you don’t know you can search some videos in KZbin the name of bad behavior of Iranian people with Afghan people in farsi

[@abbasrahimi9606]

keep your mouth shut

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

And of course, we love our other half, our Afghans brothers and sisters..

[@saminjoon3409]

ممنون از قدرشناسیت عزیز❤

[@smirhash]

ارادت و عشق به شما همتبار عزيز به اميد روزگار بهتر و همبستگي بيشتر

[@marcelaalejandravargas8268]

Visited Iran 3 times, married to a wonderful iranian man who treats me with respect, dignity and love. I do not appreciate the way politicians in power in Iran make most of their rules, but the people are not to be judge by them. Iran is beautiful, and Iranians are smart, funny and friendly. :D Visit Iran! :D, take advice from Costa Rican woman. :D

[@ShayanFiroozi1]

Really happy to hear that , i'm from south of Iran , i'll be happy to be host of you and your husband , hope to see you in Bandar Abbas , Hormuz and Qeshm Island

[@vivekanandshukla6964]

No problem will be then when a man will marry to a woman from Iran ....

[@Aylin79]

Dear friend, please do not say that on your personal experience basis as the truth about Iran can't be observed and felt only by marrying an Iranian one who's probably grown up out of Iran or lived most of his life abroad. If you had lived for a few years in Iran, you wouldn't have said that about it. The rate of women being abused in our country is high and it is very obviouse.

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

@@vivekanandshukla6964 Que????

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

@Velvet M ولوت خانم, این شما هستید که باید خجالت بکشید با این ادبیات چاله میدونیتون. درست یا غلط, این عقیده این خانمه و در حال حاضر این شمائید که باعث خجالت شده اید. و اما ساره خانم خیلی متاسفم که شما چنین چیز بدی را تجربه کردید اما نمیتوانید این را بسط بدهید به یک ملت. دست بلند کردن بر روی حتی یک انسان هم بسیار اشتباهه. اما اگر شما فکر میکنید مردان ایرانی با همسرانشان به خشونت رفتار میکنند پیشنهاد میکنم به مردان دیگر نقاط دنیا توجه کنید. آیا میدانید که بر طبق آمار زن آمریکایی کتک خورترین زن دنیاست؟ البته قسمت بزرگی از این آمار بدلیل این است که اینجا همه چیز گزارش و ثبت میشود اما در کشوری مانند ایران کمتر ظلمیست که گزحتی ارش داده شود.

[@smmn722]

i am an Arab and i love with Iran the land ppl nature and their farsi language sometimes i speak little Farsi just to feel like i am princess ? Iranians should be proud of their roots

[@sweetmelody5326]

Samaha Mn 💐you’re really sweet💐💐💐 I’m Iranian and I know Arabic a little too. it is one of my favorite languages ❤️❤️

[@marmary5555]

Please refer to our language as *Persian* (not farsi) and trust me, Iranians are *very proud* of their roots.

[@marmary5555]

@Matin _T That's right. Some of you need to be educated . So shove that _farce_ up your asses. It's called *Persian.* Period.

[@miladesfandiary2794]

you are very sweet. you are a princess.

[@miladesfandiary2794]

@Matin _T tell me about it.

[@azizdavlatov5837]

Zinda bad Iran wa khalqi azizi Irani! Long live Iran and good Irani people! Cheers from brotherly Tajikistan :)

[@mtm4671]

Aziz Davlatov we love Tajikistan 🌹🌹💙❤😍

[@annachan8151]

Aziz Davlatov ❤❤❤❤❤

[@EvilUSEmpire]

Zende bad Tajikistan va Afghanistan

[@arashbahrami4439]

Aziz Davlatov Zende bashi hamzabane aziz

[@miladesfandiary2794]

azizi tajiki ;)

[@tinybackwoodscabin2825]

I watched lots of documentary vids about Iran 🇮🇷 completely agree with you, beautiful country, warm and loving people, and I don't care what the media says))) wanna one day to go visit and see for myself.

[@PeymanEzzati]

thanks, just wait couples of years and let us change some things ;)

[@nooshinsalami7917]

you are always welcome to Iran I as a tour guide can give you any information regarding travelling to this country

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

You will be welcome and have a blast.

[@amirmohammadganji485]

We welcome you with open arms

[@user-yh4tc5vh5f]

The Iranian region historically richer in terms of cultural progress than the west ever was. Some measure of pride is worthy.

[@fppiroozian8458]

World will be much more beautiful if we all move on from who is better that who....

[@shaimaebrahim2598]

Woah somebody knows our history...I still have faith in humanity 🤟🏼

[@hediyehb9082]

I love that her mimic and gesticulation is soooo Iranian and her accent. It's so lovely and passionate

[@navidmohammadzadeh2141]

A smart, comprehensive and self-explanatory presentation about the home, Iran Beyond Politics. Lovely and Brilliant.

[@soumyajain5462]

I am an Indian and love Iran

[@thomasjoseph2859]

I met a young lady in a doctors office. “Where are you from I asked”? “Iran” she said. I then apologized for my governments treatment of Iran.

[@parissaz]

Thank you Thomas Joseph. People like you make the world a better place!

[@shimashr1908]

You're such a gentlmen

[@persiancat2008]

Iranian government hasn't been so innocent either. No need to apologize.

[@P.H.888]

Then she said “the Iranian government is much worse, that’s why I didn’t stay because I didn’t fancy being jailed”!

[@thomasjoseph2859]

P Harrison Actually she didn’t say that. However I am not certain she would be correct. After all. In the United States we have a very large prison population reduced to Slavery for US Corporations. I can’t think the inducement to profit for the state governments and corporations isn’t fueling the increased imprisonment in the US. I know many people in prison need to be there. I have worked in California Juvenile facilities and State hospitals as a nurse. But I can also tell you people are put in prison here who are completely, totally innocent. I believe it is not an insignificant number given the widespread corruption in the state and federal court systems. Almost without exception every time the Innocense Project gets someone released, there was police and prosecutorial misconduct. And there are 100 waiting for them to work their case for every one they take. Listen to Chris Hedges talk about his students in prison. Our slavery system is kind of hidden from us if we are not a part of the group of victims (unless it’s happening in front of your face- like Jimmy Dore talks about in his Chicago upbringing). As for US foreign policy I can’t think of a contemporary government that is worse except maybe China, Israel and Indonesia. Of comparisons like that are unrealistic because I have not directly been victimized by those countries. It sure looks like a lot of people are though.

[@mohitverma]

I'm an Indian, and i love Iran! 🇮🇳❤🇮🇷 Iran is not a barren land with camels and Bullet.. It has the Known Past of 4000+ Years. The Land of Cyrus the Great, Dauris and Arash 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇷🇮🇷

[@amermh144]

Whats wrong with a country being barren and having camels? Why this condescending stance?

[@shaimaebrahim2598]

The only ppl who know us well 🌝

[@AshaBlack]

And us Iranians love our Indian friends, we share a lot of the same things in our cultures.

[@BN-hj9fw]

Thank you 🥺💝💝 I like Indian's dance too It's very beautiful

[@Rishi123456789]

I'm an Indian and Iran is by far my most favourite country in the Middle East. Islamic Civilisation is just Iranian Civilisation with the religion of Islam attached to it. 😌

[@alikhakzadi]

we can now proud because of your hard work for telling people who really we are. thank you maryam.

[@fatemeesmaeili4755]

بهتون افتخار می‌کنم 😊 ایران ما به چنین نقش آفرینانی می باله⁦❤️⁩

[@BharathKumar-ox4fx]

We Indians know the cultural heritage of Iran =Persia.. Our development stretches back to ages... Not just years..

[@davidcuervo1734]

I would like to one day visit Iran. From what I’ve seen, Iran has beautiful natural resources, welcoming and friendly people, and people proud of their heritage and country.

[@MarziehKhoshhal1991]

Come to Iran I love and host tourists who come to my country

[@vikvik9573]

MUCH LOVE FROM ROMANIA ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@user-fq7wr2vt5c]

girl I see you everywhere!

[@vikvik9573]

@@user-fq7wr2vt5c ❤️ Because I LOVE IRAN✌️❤️🇮🇷

[@lokihammerfall7781]

Intelligent lady...Well done.

[@maryamzara5523]

LONG LIVE IRAN 🇮🇷🇮🇷❤️❤️

[@osmanyousaf7866]

maryam zara Same to you. MashAllah

[@jobee1585]

Why only iran?

[@parast0063]

❤🌹😊

[@hamefkhan3147]

Love iran

[@hkar4385]

@@jobee1585 not only Iran other countries are interesting too

[@elizabethweaver8834]

This is absolutely wonderful, Maryam! I am so happy that I was able to monitor Rueff Gallery during this exhibition. It was a beautiful and educational exhibition, and so many of the visitors learned from it. Great talk!

[@mehrdadkadkhodaei6388]

Mayram , thank you for doing this great job and this wonderful talk. I am proud of having an Iranian lady like you who has introduced Iran in such glorious way. I am proud of my nationality and identity. I am Mehrdad , from Iran.

[@rezasadrialamdari3829]

Thanks to Maryam khanoom , that’s a nice expression of Iran ,my home land. We love people from other parts of world.

[@raminimani8901]

Well done Maryam! It was an indeed very positive initiative. Personally, I think not only in the USA but other countries in Europe the majority of people are highly exposed by the politically driven media that undermine the reality of Iran. Thanks for your efforts in portraying a true picture of Iran.

[@Dylan-ge6dn]

Fantastic and beautiful story

[@hailamaafi4799]

amazing talk! we are proud of you.

[@swavhimanmahanaveyan3368]

Beautiful,I wanna see your country n culture someday too...

[@miladesfandiary2794]

you would be very much welcome. :)

[@AliKouhdel]

This video brought tears to my eyes, as an Iranian who lives outside Iran, I could totally relate myself to the content. Hopefully one day all the misconception fades away between people of different countries

[@cleander97]

Dear Maryam, I happened to be born in Germany, but don't like when people associate me with the country i was born in. I like to be known for what i achieve. Schopenhauer once said "The cheapest sort of pride is national pride; for if a man is proud of his own nation, it argues that he has no qualities of his own of which he can be proud of".

[@Hugo-dc9nd]

While I generally agree and have no national pride myself, I think that Iranians have so much to be proud of. I would be proud to be Iranian.

[@ElPopeSmoke]

What A great speech Dear Maryam, I have never felt more related and represented in a video. It was like hearing my own thoughts and feelings mirrored through you. We are Proud of you and thank you so much for bringing us so much hope and joy.

[@IamIran-gn5ir]

I love my country and I'm proud of my land and my culture but I value humanity more than nationality and boarders . It doesn't matter where r you from , what matters most is who you really are inside. Nationality doesn't define you ! Thank you dear Maryam 🌹

[@PouyanAsgharian]

Thank you so much for introducing Iran beyond politics.

[@homajm9940]

it was perfect Maryam! thank you :)

[@shahrzadyekta5147]

I WOULD SAY PROUDLY IM SHAHRZAD FROM IRAN🌻✌

[@juanpedro4083]

I love your country.

[@mohsenmasjedi4363]

Great job Maryam, as an Iranian i appreciate. My recommendation to those non-Iranian watching this show, travel to Iran, discover the reality by your own vision.

[@maryamghadiri3474]

can't agree more. Thanks Mohsen

[@earthman6700]

I'm working on it. 😉

[@pladimir_vutin]

or just watch Reza Jorjani on youtube! that'll do!

[@ajaykharat5772]

Iran is beautiful country with full of beautiful ladies, Subhan Allah,,, love them

[@bahmannamazi5716]

⁦Dear Maryam, thank you so much for your efforts in introducing my beautiful country with a culture which dates back to 7000 years ago. I can not believe those pretending to have any knowledge of my and your Iran.

[@chandranavinjikat7394]

Great talk. An Iranian proud of her country , it's diversity, its culture and it's glorious past.

[@TanitZelda]

Finally an Iranian who doesn’t spew out anti Islam rhetoric and presents her culture with beauty and not resentment .... I loved the fact she didn’t shy away from saying “mesmerizing Islamic architecture with beautiful colors and patterns “ Iran zinbadad long live Iran ❤️

[@johnsnow4728]

Yeah if your culture destroyed by Islam and the women punished coz they don't hijab or boys getting in jail coz of a Nirvana t shirt ( talking about me ) then u should be hate also Islam but deep down we know it's not real Islam and we will get back our country which is a hostage by fake version of Islamic republic .

[@newestflameneverdies]

It's mesmerizing Persian architecture with beautiful colors and patterns. It was invented by the ancient Persians.

[@darksowhatt]

For all those who say "go back to iran if you like it so much", she never said a word about how good you can live there! It's just about the beauties of iran that you can never see in news. It's hard to live in iran and we all admit it but it's still a beautiful country. Peace!

[@alikolahdouz2499]

You are right, bro. Living in Iran has lots of problems.

[@lga8862]

So come to Brazil and see how wonderful it is here. we are prisoners inside our own homes, bandits everywhere, shootings and stray bullets, hundreds of robberies every second, houses full of electric grids, if you have money, not to mention corruption of politicians who rule the country and laws that protect bandits and condemn the victim, ahh before I forget you have almost 100 taxes a year to pay, you die and you don't finish paying health insurance that doesn't even work in many cases, die in the hospital line if you can't afford it particular clinics. Finally stay in Iran and thank God for having security and conditions to live with little, here with the salary you only put food on the table 15 days, another 15 starves.

[@christopherburton322]

Milad Tahmasebi it’s hard to live In Iran because US politics put economical sanctions on your Country.making it hard to shrive.but our media isn’t talking about because there warmongering on Iran,we want your oil.

[@christopherburton322]

We want full control of your government like we did with Libya,Iraq and now Syria.

[@christopherburton322]

At the end of the day my country bully’s other that they think is smaller than them.

[@azadehmortazavi5352]

Well done Maryam, thank you for your deep thought & beautiful speach,love to see you👌❤

[@tomkelly8827]

Beautiful talk by a beautiful Iranian woman. Thank you for this reminder. Of course Iran is a beautiful and diverse and amazing place and certainly it is important to look beyond the current political landscape no matter what group of people someone comes from. As a Canadian I want to see USA and Iran at peace and I think this talk goes a long way to securing the peace. Thank you for your effort and the effort of those who helped this to happen too

[@soniaam6418]

As an Iranian who has experienced the same things, I'm really proud of her and her work. Love this video

[@barrybehrouz8021]

A wonderful suplement to all the portrayals of Iran. Wished I could have seen the photo exhibit....

[@shellydsouza8902]

When I was at University in India, we had many Iranians students studying with us. Beautiful, smart people!

[@naturehousenaturehouse7546]

ty maryam i proud we have ppl like u

[@erikkadurdle8422]

Great, eye-opening talk!

[@Parsianada]

Great video! Always nice to see another positive view of Iran. :)

[@blackkktie6879]

Thank you Maryam for your great performance , we proud you

[@mariemirian7798]

Beautiful country, nature, architecture... and people are so kind and generous that you would feel like home with a different culture while you visit

[@fuadhuskic234]

Hi that’s the very kind knowledgeable about she’s country it’s beautifully listening young lady like you and your very old civilization with name Iran God bless your country your family from West Bosnia thank you very much...

[@mustafahussain5816]

Wow Maryam that was nice comparison and u have good communication skills , Iran what a beautiful country and friendly people

[@rumiwithaview]

This is such a beautiful talk. Thank you for bringing attention to the beauty of Iran and it's people ❤

[@AminKhan-ds8rb]

من عمیقا از شما تشکر میکنم که به دور از سیاست بازیهای کثیف به دنبال معرفی چهره ی زیبا ی ایران به مردم دنیا هستید. مشکل اساسی ما فقدان افرادی مثل شماست. بازهم سپاس

[@abideenturky]

Amin Khan ؛ ملت ، با دولت شریک است، در انزوای کشور، فقط ملامتی را بالای چند تا آخوند باندازیم، غلط است: قدرت آخوند ها از مردم سرچشمه می گیرد

[@AliTahreiSh]

Abideen Turky عابدین ترکی جانا سخن از زبان ما می‌گویی

[@Aylin79]

عزیز جان کاش فقط بازی کثیف سیاسی بود, وضع و سطح کشورداری دولتمردان ما به قدری با حرص و طمع شخصی و انحراف فکری آمیخته هست که از دایره بازیهای کثیف سیاسی خارجه.

[@mjd7146]

@Matin _Tخوب شما اسم یه آخوند رو بیار که به قول خودت عقلش درست کار میکنه و اهل تحقیق و ... حالا شما یا پدرتون اگر آخوندید، یادداشت میکنیم، میگیم که بچه ها کمتر فحشتون بدن.

[@mjd7146]

@Matin _T گور پدر ترامپ. گور پدر امریکا. من طرفداری از امریکا و سیاست هاش نکردم و نمیکنم. بله بقیه کشورها میدونن که با امریکا چطور رابطه ایی و در چه حدی برقرار کنن که منافع کشورهاشون حفظ بشه ولی ایران با شعار های عوام فریبانه و مرگ بر امریکا گفتن فرصتی برای چپاول کشور و فساد های سازمان یافته باز میکنه. من البته از مردم ایران هم دفاعی ندارم بکنم. چون همه ما فقط فکر منافع شخصی خودمون هستیم. دچار از خود بیگانگی شدیم. و آرمان هیچ معنی برامون دیگه نداره. با اخلاق بیگانه شدیم. پس من دفاعی از امریکا ندارم بکنم و نه از خیل عظیمی از مردم خودمون. بله آخوند هم از دل مردم بیرون اومده ولی اون بخشی از دل و قلب مردم که دسیسه جو ، کینه ورز و فریبکار بوده و هست. ما باید اول از درونمون این زشتی ها رو پاک کنیم و در درونمون اون چیزهایی که بالاتر گفتم رو احیا کنیم بعد اونوقت لکه آخوند هم خود به خود پاک میشه. مگه کتاب قحطی هست که کتاب اون شارلاتان رو بخونم. بعد هم پسر دسته گلش هست کافیه اخبار همون شازده پسرش رو دنبال کنم. ببخشید من خیلی گرفتارم فرصت ندارم اگر پست گذاشتید باز پاسخ بدم. موفق باشید.

[@karon1773]

Amazing talk, merci Maryam

[@farzadeli3841]

well done. We're proud of Iran and Iranians like you. That was quite impressive for only 4 years of living in a new country.

[@light-yi2me]

I was working in a Greek restaurant in Winnipeg while studying in university in 80's. A British guy thinking that I am Greek started a short conversation and I corrected him that I am From Iran then confusion happened and suddenly he saw the light and said oh I ran! I looked him and said oh, well Sure we made you run😜

[@earthman6700]

I'm English, that's funny. 😅 I usually say Eeran. Like 'e ran away. 😁

[@amirmohammadganji485]

Yeah ikr. If you told an Iranian I’m going to AYE ran they would be like you ran where?

[@erinnasim]

Amazing talk, love your dress!

[@ThePrince1369]

Amazing talk. Wish I could be a part of her exhibition.

[@khemparsram8839]

I have lived in Dubai for 47 years and made so many friends from Iran here...all warm hearted and loving people...

[@NikMoattarzadeh123]

Great talk Maryam, I feel the same when it comes to introduction of myself to Europeans as an Iranian. I'm so proud to be called Persian.

[@AyubKhan-qx2sd]

Dear Maryam Ghadiri !!I like the way you have been expressing your views intelligently you have got smart communication power as an smart Speaker you have been talking all about your country development culture and diversity and country recognition ..you are talking all about your self country identity and family origin you belong to .. you should be proud being an Iranian woman in the world .. you are very deep in your understanding the Media has been playing a very important role for portraying the true picture of your Thoughts and country . This is good you have rejected the all misconceptions the people hold against your country origin and your people by your smart expression intelligently..

[@lovesallweneed]

Great talk. Thank you.

[@sean7854]

Great job Maryam !!! Way to represent all Iranians .

[@user-yb1bb1ku8j]

We are proud of you

[@Imwinner19]

I don’t know you my dear . I’m Iranian and I have same problems 🙁 . really love you with my all heart. Thanks for everything you did. I hope you continue like this for several years 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@maryamatabati5812]

i am a Iranian and i was just searching in youtube about my country to see how world look at us. and then i saw your talk at tedx. i am so in love with your talk and every single thing about you. thanks for trying to show the world the real Iran.

[@maryamghadiri3474]

your note made my day, Thanks Maryam , I am happy it resonates with you

[@Moj7245]

Iran beyond politics, loved this, keep up the good work....,

[@arsensaakyan2821]

I love iran and persian cusin.

[@stanzavik]

Her voice and accent are mesmerizing

[@iranramezanipour936]

I have been living in Europe for 4 years now and I go through the same thing almost every day. It is so upsetting and exhausting trying to explain to every single person you meet that the reality is so much different from what they believe they know about Iran and at the end of the day, you end up feeling like an outsider and not accepted by the people because of the wrong perception they have of your motherland...

[@P.H.888]

So why did you leave? If it’s so soGood? 🧐

[@armanghanbari49]

Viva maryam.we proude of people like you who interduce the reality about iran.

[@Hala-wj7ou]

Beautifull, inteligent and a nice young woman.

[@mofara5979]

Hi Maryam Loved your speech, so true. Hamed from Australia

[@parastooesmaeili8800]

many thanks for what you did and for this nice presentation, wish you all the best and hopefully we all learn to be proud of our nationality instead of ignoring. thanks again for this presentation.

[@mohammadhosseinusefzadeh7399]

I was getting shocked at the beginning but at last you made me proud👌✨Nice talk

[@breathingnature7473]

I love your speech Maryam. We Iranian are proud of you! 🌹🙏🏼

[@shervinabrari6384]

from now on we can show and describe in the best way our motherland by your amazing speech . we appreciate you because of this description of IRAN Beyond Politics .

[@omidsammak]

Thank you for what you've done to your people, Iranians.

[@abbask56]

Social media will help people of the world realize how similar they are and how beautiful contribution they can have for having beautiful world.

[@golden220student7]

Thanks a lot that described very well Iran and Iranian people 🙏👏👏👏

[@mahtabjahantab7637]

Thank you Maryam. It was excellent and very simply described our feeling. I am shocked by people of other natinalities’ imagination of Iran as a result of biased media.

[@sirnavdeep]

Thanks for all your efforts to create awareness and put together this talk 😊🙏

[@mozart4128]

i am indian and live in austria. i had been iran 2 times. iran is very fantastic country. molla and islam is problem. otherwise iran is cool.

[@mozart4128]

but not all

[@mozart4128]

i dont know what you want to ask? i loved one irani from shiraz, and for her I went there. but we failed as her brother asked me to accept Islam. I asked where comes relgion in matter of love? finally i came back. I introduce my self. I am Indian and live in Vienna,Austria. Please introduce your self. Are you from Iran? May I say some thing. I will never travel to any Islamic country. Because it is not comaptable to person like me who was born in democracy and live in democracy.

[@mozart4128]

from which country are you?

[@mozart4128]

but how u know about iran?

[@mozart4128]

what you know about Austria and India?

[@Ludvik211]

Beautiful! Greeings to Iran from Galiza!

[@Codesixir]

That Persian Accent is great

[@offbeatmediafarshadfarrokh5982]

And I am proud of you, Maryam, from Iran.

[@KamramBehzad]

Great work. Thank you Maryam jan.

[@kenilworthyambem7062]

The future looks bright for beloved Iran's reputation beyond politics. Very fact that more and more tourists are pouring in despite travel complications speaks volumes about the undeniable charm of this country. My impression is that each of them fell in love with everything the country had to offer. Never been there, but Im already mesmerised just by random youtube clips. I will never forgive myself if I dont visit before my 20s. I'm not one to sing unnecessary praises but for mine own part, I'd rather be taken away by the rustic elegance of the Farsi language's phonetics than the brash creaminess of French phonetics!

[@MatthewCohan20]

Maryam wow it was great speech I believe everything you mention.

[@mariakanavos-hadjipavlou5225]

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO MARYAM JOON!

[@ninaclaire6906]

I recently read this book of memoirs written by an Iranian, with a catchy name "limu shirin" (sweet lemon). anyways that got me very interested and gave me a different lens through which I saw Iran. I hope Iranians find peace one day. hello from Germany

[@denasedaghat1122]

I'm just too proud of you,keep goin girl💪

[@ehsanja1153]

Thanks Maryam outstanding job !

[@Farda2011]

Love your speech, So true, Well said and full of feelings. I hope I see people like you everywhere in the globe. I hope I could be a help too. Media+Politics are the worst enemy of Our people, our identity, our culture, our prosperity and our pride.

[@iranianbrunette5164]

At my school people ask me the stereotypes and when I tell people that it’s not true they would ask questions thinking I was lying.

[@AliNaderzad]

I enjoyed this very much, thank you

[@farhadamira8845]

You are great Stay forward !