Says Shahrokh Shahnazi, President of the Iran Table Tennis Federation, “We place sports as a bridge among our hearts for friendship with the U.S.”

The team trained for 3 days in Florida and played in the Pre-U.S. Open International Tournament in Coral Springs. The Iranian team spent afternoons visiting local youth centers and a boys and girls club. The team also took airboat tours of the Everglades.

The Iranian women also spent time hearing American women speak about the individual business success stories, and being encouraged to become leaders.

The Pre-U.S. Open International Tournament included players from 27 countries.

For the second part of the tour, the team traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the U.S. Table Tennis Open. All members advanced to the second round. Two males and one female member advanced to the singles semifinals. One male doubles team advanced to the doubles semi-finals.

The group participated in a 4th of July celebration, including witnessing a fireworks display. Fireworks were mentioned as also being very popular in Iran.

So I did some research and came up with some interesting results from various surveys. The best survey I could find that directly polled Iranians was from the World Public Opinion group (full details below). For comparison purposes, I found one key survey result …

45% of Iranians had a favorable or somewhat favorable opinion of American people  (28% had a  favorable opinion of the U.S. government).

Comparing this to a 2006 Pew Global Attitudes Project Survey of other countries:
Turkey - 17% had favorable or somewhat favorable attitudes towards American people.
Pakistan - 27%
Egypt & Indonesia - 36%
Spain - 37%
Jordan - 38%
China - 49%
* Japan (82%) gave the highest results for being favorable towards Americans.
* The survey did not include Iran.

A Zogby International poll of 2006 showed foreign opinions of American people:
Jordan - 31% had a favorable opinion of Americans (not the government)
Morocco- 28%
Saudi Arabia - 18% 
Egypt - 23%
Lebanon - 44%
* The survey did not include Iran.

So the surveys would seem to indicate the average Iranian citizen does have a view of American people and American culture that is not too different, and in some cases more favorable, when compared to citizens of many other countries.

Regarding the full World Public Opinion survey, their results of an in-depth poll, asking 134 questions to 1,000 Iranians, was conducted in every province in Iran according to international survey methods. A similar poll asked the same questions to Americans.

The study released in early 2007 by WorldPublicOpinion.org is a project of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, which is a joint program of the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland and the Center on Policy Attitudes.

Results of the survey include:

* 50% of Iranians thought having movies, TV and music from around the world available in Iran is a good thing.
* 87% of Americans thought having movies, TV and music from around the world available in the USA is a good thing.

* 45% of Iranians had a somewhat or very favorable opinion of American people.
* 29% of Americans had a somewhat or very favorable opinion of Iranian people.
 
* 52% of Iranians support greater trade between the U.S. and Iran.
* 65% of Americans support greater trade between the U.S. and Iran.

* 48% of Iranians support more Americans and Iranians visiting each other as tourists.
* 51% of Americans support more Americans and Iranians visiting each other as tourists.

* 46% of Iranians support greater cultural, educational and sporting exchanges.
* 72% of Americans support greater cultural, educational and sporting exchanges.

* Looking at whether Islamic and Western religious and social traditions are incompatible with each other.
24% of Iranians believe conflict is inevitable, while 36% of Americans believe conflict is inevitable.
Roughly the same amount (54% to 56%) in each country believe it is possible to find common ground.

* 81% of Iranians are concerned about terrorist attacks in their own country.
* 95% of Americans are concerned about terrorist attacks in their own country.

* 63% of Iranians believe globalization, especially of the economy, is mostly good for Iran.
* 60% of Americans believe globalization, especially of the economy, is mostly good for the USA.

How do Iranians think of themselves?
27% - Primarily as a citizen of Iran.
62% - Primarily as a member of my religion.
4% - Primarily as a member of my ethnic group.
4% - Primarily as an individual.

How do Americans think of themselves?
49% - Primarily as a citizen of the United States.
6% - Primarily as a member of my religion.
2% - Primarily as a member of my ethnic group.
43% - Primarily as an individual.

More information and the full survey results can be found on the World Public Opinion website.

Below is a listing of just a few of the many projects undertaken recently by the United States Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Iraq. The PRT is a civilian-military cooperative effort that provides a connection between the local Iraqi government organizations and U.S. and coalition partners.

More then 800 members in 31 PRTs and 4 smaller provincial support teams now operate reconstruction and stabilization programs in Iraq’s 18 provinces.

* A Muhanna PRT met with the local Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports and agreed to establish a network of 13 soccer fields and sponsor a home team for each field. Soccer jerseys, shoes, balls and other equipment would be provided. The Virginia Youth Soccer Association is one of the first American groups to ship soccer donations to Muhanna. PRT leader Paul O’Friel says, “The militias are targeting these kids - trying to recruit them as foot soldiers in their bloody campaigns. We want to give them an alternative.”

* The first comedy play performed in the Wasit Province since 2003 was sponsored by the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team, in coordination with the 214th Brigade Combat Team and the Iraqi Police Force. An estimated 1,500 people filled the hall (another estimated 3,000 were waiting outside) to watch the comedy performance depicting life in Iraqi villages during the 1950’s and 1960’s.

* A local PRT gave a $2,500 micro-grant to Abdul Jabar Abid Kasim to improve production on his fish farm near Baghdad. The grant provides cash for Kasim to repair his water pump, and buy more expensive, high-protein feed, which has already led to larger, healthier fish. 19 fish farms in the area have received grants.

* In Hawr Rajab, two farmers received 3,000 chicks to increase their poultry production. In the coming months, the PRT will distribute and feed more than 12,000 egg-laying chicks to an area that has suffered substantial losses from insurgents stealing chickens and destroying chicken houses. Another project hopes to refurbish a local poultry processing plant in Hawr Rajab.

* Twenty one medical residents from Samawa General Hospital traveled recently to Tallil Air Base for a day-long program of medical training, courtesy of two PRTs operating in southern Iraq. U.S. Army Brigade Surgeon Colonel Thomas Dove, a cardiologist, taught the seminar. This is the third training session organized by Dr. Dove. After one session, Dr. Hassan wrote to Dr. Dove, “We are doctors in competition with death, but today we know how important we are. Life has begun to flow in my medical body. It is again great to be a doctor. Thank you.”

* The Wasit PRT in March of 2008 started a year long project called the ‘Access to Information’. The program provides books and information resources to primary, secondary schools, universities and public libraries. Three internet centers with 10 computer stations, internet service, furniture, air conditioner and generator have been established. One, at a local high school, will service 1,000 students. The Open University internet center will serve approximately 1,000 professors. One of their programs will be a 14-week online course developed by the University of Oregon for instructors who teach English.

* A women’s sewing center was opened April 10 in Muafigiyah village providing both employment and training for local women thrust into the position of bread winners. Eleven women, who spouses had died and who had no other means to provide for their families, were initially chosen. They will also train 11 apprentices.

* In March, television journalists in the Kurdistan region attended a 2-week training program conducted by Professor Robert Hooper of the University of California - San Diego and sponsored by the Erbil PRT. Professor Hooper said, “They (students) readily revise basic concepts of news writing and journalism to the nuances of Kurdish culture … I found them to be some of the most engaging and inspiring colleagues I have met in over twenty years work in other nations.”

* The Babil PRT recently donated 1,000 date palm trees to Babil Province. The U.S. Agency for International Aid (USAID) has worked with PRTs in strengthening agribusiness. The Babil donation of palm trees was part a larger USAID program to establish 8 date palm nurseries with 4,500 trees.

* The Muthanna PRT has formed a local PTA (Parent Teacher Association) to work on a One Laptop Per Child program. Two English speaking Iraqis will go to Cambridge, Massachusetts for training in the use of laptops and practical electronic teaching methods. After training, the school teachers will start utilizing 200 computers in their Iraqi schools.

* In central Iraq, the Dubas Bug or the Date Palm Leafhopper can destroy an entire crop of dates. In May, 2008, with the various elements of the Iraqi government in the lead, MI-2 helicopters were used to spray the date palm groves …. 8,238 acres of land was sprayed from the air.

* Over 6,000 Kirkuk children from over 80 public schools completed a free prescription eyewear program that was operated by the Kirkuk chapter of Kurdistan Save the Children working in conjunction with the Kirkuk PRT. Free prescription glasses were provided to 275 vision impaired children.

* USAID, the local PRTs and Coalition Forces have doubled and tripled yields of many Iraqi farmers through a project to distribute hybrid seeds. Hundreds of farmers growing eggplants, green bell peppers and cucumbers have received modern agricultural training and have received record yields.

* Iraqis in the Fallujah District of Al Anbar Province are receiving solar powered water purification units. To date, seven units have been installed by the PRT and Marines of Regimental Combat Team One throughout the Fallujah District.

NBA Commission David Stern says, “the NBA embraces the opportunity to welcome the Basketball Federation of Iran and the Iranian Olympic team in a demonstration of how something as simple as a game of basketball can promote understanding.”

The Iranian team is preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Hamed Haddadi, a 7′2″ star in the Iranian Super League and a member of the Olympic team, has stated he will sign with an NBA club after he competes for Iran in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Jaber Darrehsari, who is 7′5″, is a young center who can dunk the ball without leaving the ground.

In addition to two games against NBA Developmental League players, the Iranian basketball team will also play against the NBA summer league teams of the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz.

The visit and cultural exchange resulted from President Bush’s 2006 call for expanded people-to-people exchanges wwith Iran.

The primary focus is to support ’safety-net’ or life-sustaining programs such as programs that fight hunger, poverty, homelessness and illness. Other programs support health and mental wellness for the victims of terror, the economically disadvantaged, the disabled, the elderly, people needing medical care, youth at risk and other human service projects. Most projects are operated in Israel or the USA.

Projects are chosen for funding that fall below the ‘radar screen’ of traditional outside funding, and are administered by local partners.

Donors are encouraged to choose where they want their charitable dollars to go, and are kept advised of how their contributions are making a difference.

Some of the Hands on Tzedekah projects include:

Israel - The Sandwich a Day for Every Child program is now providing meals for 4,800 children every day to hungry children.

Israel - Dave’s Kitchen project provides meals for more than 200 needy twice a week.

USA - Boca Helping Hands runs a soup kitchen, food pantry, supply meals to the homebound and provide over 7,000 sandwiches per month to children in low-income after-school programs. They also provide services to the homeless and low income families.

Israel - Table to Table had 51,000 volunteers participate in 2007 to pick and gather fruits and vegetables that were left unharvested at the end of the harvest season. The food is distributed to local nonprofit organizations who feed the poor.

Guatemala - Teamed with Mercado Global, a nonprofit fair trade organization, to help feed the victims of Hurricane Stan. Products used by Hands on Tzedekah are also purchased through Mercado Global to assist local Guatemalan workers.

Israel - Hazon Yeshaya Humanitarian Network operates soup kitchens and opened a free dental clinic in Jersusalem.

Israel - The Ben Gurion Community Center works in the Hadera neighborhood, which is home to many immigrants from Ethiopia, to provide after-school care for 100 chuildren. Hands on Tzedekah has help pay for desks, chairs, furniture, computers, air conditioning, games, books and other improvements and supplies.

Israel - Shearim Netanya is a small nonprofit that helps Russian immigrants of all ages in Israel. Every 10th child in Israel is a new immigrant. A daycare is operated and future plans include offering emergency assistance for food, clothing and medication.

Israel - Tech-Careers provides opportunities for Israeli Ethiopians by teaching computer skills and providing job placement services.

Israel - The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims provides homecare and other aid throughout Israel to disabled Holocaust survivors.

USA - Project Ezra in New York City provides aid to over 400 elderly who are suffering from economic, physical and/or psychological difficulties.

Israel - Shalva, a center for mentally and physically challenged children, helps special needs babies and their mothers. Hands on Tzedekah provides funding to help mothers travel to the Shalva Center.

More information on the programs and donation opportunities can be found on their website.
 

A special Iraq Scholar Rescue division has been set up to assist more than 150 senior scholars in Iraq whose lives and work are threatened. Iraqi’s Minister of Higher Education has identified hundreds of scholars with specific death threats against them. Some estimates put the number of number of Iraqi professors killed since 2003 at around 300, although the number could be much higher.

This new project provides fellowship assistance for threatened scholars through temporary academic positions at universities, colleges and other institutions of higher learning in the Middle East and North African regions (some exceptions are considered for other world regions).

Fellows are expected to teach, research or publish at host academic institutions and will be asked to continue to educate Iraqi students within and outside of Iraq. Through use of distance learning technologies, professors will be able to connect with their students back in Iraq while also working with displaced Iraqi students and students of the host country.

When conditions allow, scholars are expected to return home to rebuild universities and societies destroyed by conflicts. If safe return is not possible, the scholar may use the fellowship period to identify a longer-term opportunity.

Scholars from any country and any discipline may apply for fellowships to support temporary stays at institutions worldwide. A Scholar Rescue Fund Selection Committee reviews applications and awards fellowships.

The Institute of International Education was founded in 1919 and administers over 200 programs serving more than 20,000 individuals each year.

Information on their programs or donating to their nonprofit is available on their website.

Founded in 2005 by Brad Blauser, Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids was created to meet the needs of disabled children in Northern Iraq at the request of LTC David Brown. He and his soldiers noticed children around Mosul were pulling themselves along the ground because their legs did not work. Since that time, nearly 250 high quality pediatric wheelchairs have been delivered to these children by soldiers serving in Iraq.

General David Petraeus recently wrote “Brad, I just saw the CNN story on your program and wanted to thank you for what you’re doing. Your initiative has proven to be a wonderful idea, and you clearly have been doing a superb job turning that idea into reality. Needless to say, our troopers enjoy distributing the wheelchairs very much, and the goodwill they generate has been significant.  Well done/thanks very much — GEN Dave Petraeus, CG, MNF-I”

Many children in Iraq are born with birth defects such as Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida, and many have also suffered from war injuries. In many cases, there are no services to help these children with disabilities.

The wheelchairs are specifically designed for rough terrain by ROCWheels.

For only $300, a supporter can send a wheelchair valued at $2000 retail to Iraqi kids … with free shipping provided by USAID and the Denton Program. Donations of smaller sizes are appreciated also.

Information on donating, helping with publicity or fundraising, or just learning about their operations can be found on their website.

From the Russian invasion in 1979, through a civil war from 1989 to 1994, and Taliban rule from 1995 to 2001, the once productive agricultural country has had irrigation ditches filled with silt, forests cut down, orchards destroyed and countryside has been heavily mined. IFH staff has had relationships with Afghanistan for more than 40 years, and strives to work with local community leaders to identify needs and implement projects.

In early years, IFH established health clinics, developed a women’s quilting project and provided food, blankets, medicine and clothing to the people of Afghanistan. The current focus has switched to development and education.

Agriculture is the foundation of the Afghan economy. IHF provides modern training in the production of grain and vegetable crops, nut trees, fruit orchards and vineyards. Demonstration orchards have been developed. American colleges, such as Iowa State University and Wenatchee Valley College, are developing educational programs for Afghan agriculture, which are disseminated by IFH staff. Nangarhar University in Afghanistan and the Ministry of Agriculture provide extension agents to work in IFH programs.

Specific agricultural projects include orchard development, tree nurseries, drainage projects, canals and other infrastructure and training projects.

IFH works closely with local community councils of elders (shura) in many administrative districts and precincts, and have helped establish special interest councils for nomads, youth, academics, religious minorities, writers and for the first time, women.

The Primary School of Hope in Kabul was founded in 2000 and today serves 620 boys and girls receive education in Grades 1 to 7 in one of the best schools in Kabul. The Hope School plans to add one grade each year, reaching the full 12 grades by 2010. More computers are being added, and teacher training is being provided.

Donation, fundraising and other information on their activities can be found on their website.

The UNHCR estimates the number of Iraqi who have settled in other nearby countries as:
Syria - 1.2 to 1.4 million
Jordan - 450,000 - 500,000
Lebanon - 50,000
Egypt - 20,000 - 40,000
Turkey - 6,000 - 10,000
Iran - 57,000+

The breakdown of Iraqi population in Syria by religion is estimated as:
Sunnis - 53%
Shia - 22%
Christians - 17%
Islam unspecificed - 2%
Sabean-Mandean - 5%
Yezidis - 1%

Monthly departures to the USA of Iraqis referred by the UNHCR for 2007-2008 are:
Feb/Mar 2007 - 19 Iraqis
April 2007 - 1
May 2007 - 1
June 2007 - 63
July 2007 - 57
August 2007 - 529
September 2007 - 880
October 2007 - 450
November 2007 - 362
December 2007 - 245
January 2008 - 375
February 2008 - 444 Iraqis

“The number of Iraqis departing and returning to Iraq is not clear, with the rate of movements changing daily. What is clear is that the return movement has slowed significantly since late 2007 with many Iraqis concerned about the sustainability of security inside Iraq and their ability to access services and return to their homes.”

In addition to the estimated 2 million Iraqis who have fled their country, another 2-million plus are estimated to be displaced within the country of Iraq according to UNHCR.

The new KAUST University is scheduled to be open next year.

The Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at UT, the Mechanical Engineering Department at Cal-Berkeley, and the Computer Science Department and Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering at Stanford will select faculty and develop the curriculum for the new university.

In exchange for their assistance, each American university will receive a $10-million gift, $10 million for research on their home campus, and $5 million for research on KAUST’s campus, plus additional administrative costs.

The new school is an effort to help the Persian Gulf region become a more diversified economy.