Iranian President Honors Salem-News.com Writer Kourosh Ziabari

We extend our warmest congratulations to a writer who consistently educates our readers about the realities of Iran.

Photos of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Kourosh Ziabari courtesy: MEHR

(TEHRAN) - A Salem-News.com writer who consistently generates thought provoking articles about Middle East affairs, Kourosh Ziabari in Tehran, was honored by his nation's President at a special event that honors youth achievement in Iran.

We are very happy to hear of this extremely significant honor paid to our dedicated multi-linguistic journalist, whose work always brings a side of the story to American news consumers, that they miss entirely with mainstream media.

It is our consistent position at Salem-News.com, that people in the news regions are more qualified, and simply know more about local affairs and events, than news producers and anchors in New York or print journalists strapped to desks in Washington D.C., for that matter.

Prior to his joining our team, this extremely qualified writer told me about the rejection letters he received from American news groups, even the BBC and other European agencies.

When I saw his first written piece, I was more than happy to publish it... I was very motivated about the possibilities, and things have only progressed from there.

Event Honoring Iran's Youth

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad honored Kourosh Ziabari during the closing ceremony of National Festival of Iranian Youth.

The National Festival of Iranian Youth, which wrapped up last Friday with the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, introduced and honored 38 Iranian youths who had achieved national and international honors in various fields of culture, arts, science and society.

Sponsored by the National Organization of Youths, the festival awarded 38 selected Iranian youths in 14 fields of Quranic activities, cinema, literature and satire, fine arts, religious studies, rural activities, young soldier, paralyzed youths, young entrepreneur, media activities, young inventor, music, abroad-residing youth, social activities and performing arts.

Salem-News.com's Kourosh Ziabari receives national honors in Iran

According to Mehrdad Bazrpash, the director of National Organization of Youths and Iran's vice president in charge of youth affairs, more than 250,000 Iranian youths took part in the contest and submitted their works to the permanent secretariat of the National Festival of Iranian Youth.

The winning participants were introduced in separate ceremonies held for each of the 14 sections and more than 600 Iranian youths were introduced as the top contestants. Finally, 38 youths were picked up from the 600 final competitors as the winner of winners in each category.

Kourosh Ziabari was named the winner of winners in the category of media activities. He was honored by the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, receiving the honorary mention signed by him and the silver medal of Iran's Superior Youth. The media activities category did not award the Gold and Bronze medal to any participant.

My favorite personal story about Kourosh, involves an article he wrote, titled, In Praise of 'Salem News' which related how surprised he was to find an American media group that welcomed his work, that was not specifically an Islamic American group.

He assumed that in order to carry a point of view like his own, I had to be a Muslim convert, and I think he was most pleasantly surprised to learn that we are none of the above, and all of the above, at the same time.

Every major faith in the world is represented by our team, we have over 60 writers based in 13 countries, and our goal is always to diversify more. Perhaps over time, with the help of really talented writers like Kourosh Ziabari, we all have a chance. Congratulations to our brother and fellow Salem-News.com writer, it is an honor to share space with you Kourosh!-

Tim King

May-04-2010: In Praise of 'Salem News' - Kourosh Ziabari Salem-News.com