Back at home Ahmadinejad was applauded. He got what he wanted - glory and honor for the nation! Throwing all international protocol to the wind, the President of Columbia University has not only damaged the image of his colleagues but has also humiliated US intellectual elite and disgraced his nation.
The recent outrageous insulting remarks hurled at the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by Lee Bollinger at the very onset of his speech not only displayed an exaggerated overbearing pride but bore feelings of prejudice against him and the Iranian nation.
“In Columbia University, Ahmadinejad was a 'victim', and even hard-liners praised the President's calm demeanor during the event, saying Bollinger was spouting a 'Zionist' line," AP reported.
What Bollinger failed to foresee was that his 'act of hubris', would fatally boomerang. Pride comes before a fall!
Bollinger needs to be reminded that civility, which is characterized by restraint, esteem, and kindness, controls civil interaction in official settings-it, is civil interaction at its most formal!
You don't invite a foreign dignitary to grace your campus and then insult him publicly, because an invitee never imagines or foresees that he/she will be ridiculed, humiliated or attacked by their host before a huge gathering of people.
Iranian hospitality emphasizes guests, including foreigners, no matter whom, or of what rank or status, should be treated courteously.
The hospitality extended to foreigners reveals the rich and intensely warm and unique traits of the people and friendliness and generosity remains a highly visible trait of Iranian etiquette.
Moreover, in Iran, as in most other world nations and including some of the more civilized parts of the US, it is customary to honor a guest with common courtesy, the least that is expected of a person.
No wonder world - nations, media-men and scholars have reacted strongly to Bollinger's attitude and many found his remarks starkly discourteous.
Displaying respect shows good international relations, and etiquette as the code of such display is needed by anyone dealing with diplomacy.
This well-established international modus operandi has made it easier for nations and people to live and work together. Besides various governments, institutions and organizations honor with formality and attention to detail all-important professional encounters, down to the smallest aspect.
How discreditable! The US, probably like no other world country, which prides in laying emphasis on the freedom of speech as well as of the press to safeguard their so-called democracy, has proven to be a sham!
The demeaning of a foreign dignitary by the President of such a reputed university speaks volumes of how much power their media wields over the society as well as on the intellectuals who are believed to possess the right to freedom of expression. Alas! It is contrary to what the country claims.
As for Bollinger, his deficiency of knowledge of Iran's domestic affairs, it's social and cultural traditions, demonstrates his ignorance of even basic moral laws and civility, let alone his understanding of 'the history of illegal US interventions against Iran' ever since diplomatic ties were severed between the two sides thirty years ago, IRNA quoted the United Iranian Students Association (UISA) as saying.
But hats off to Ahmadinejad for maintaining an unperturbed attitude which won the people's sympathy, while his 'speech spoiled Bollinger's vicious plans', the Los Angeles paper wrote.
Ahmadinejad managed to get his message across the audience despite the signals he got to end the speech. His request for 'one more minute' only showed his zeal and determination to finish what he wanted to convey - a true portrait of Iran.
Back at home Ahmadinejad was applauded. He got what he wanted - glory and honor for the nation!
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=25307§ionid=3510301
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