Radio Rasad Khaneh Interview with Ahmad Reza Taheri 

An Introduction of the prominent local academic & cultural faces of Sistan & Balochistan Province, Iran

Jamileh Khajeh: Mr. Taheri, if possible, let us begin with a brief introduction of your life from childhood till now.

Ahmad Reza Taheri: I was born in Saravan, Balochistan of Iran, and I finished my education of kindergarten, primary school, Guidance school, and Industrial school, in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan and Balochistan of Iran.  For my graduation and post graduation I studied Commerce at the Sindh University in Pakistan. I finished my second post graduation in Political Science and Public Administration at the Pune University, India. And, now I 'm at the final year of PhD at the same University.

Jamileh Khajeh: What made you following your father's educational discipline i.e. Political Science?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: To be frank, my father did not agree with me to change my discipline rather he advised me to continue my first discipline i.e. Commerce, and indeed he insisted on it. However, my interest in political science began when I translated a few of my father’s articles into English, and in fact, that was a starting point for my interest in this course of study.

Jamileh Khajeh: Just tell us in a few words, from political point of view, how do you see the world and the relations between nations and states?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: For the emancipation of the nations, nations enter into negotiations with their respective states to reach a form of socio-political contract. Such a contract is formed to preserve the security of the people. Thus, relation between a nation and its state is based on national interest of the country or society.

Jamileh Khajeh: In your view, what kind of relation exists between religion and politics?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Throughout the history, there have been always two blocks, one based on politics, and the other based on religion. Both have dominated the human society. Politics was in the hands of kings, and religious issues were decided by the church-holders or clerics. Based on this practice, none of these blocks could control society alone, in other words, power used to be shared between king and cleric. Such a trend was to balance each other’s power and preserve each other’s interest.

Jamileh Khajeh: In order to achieve a “global village” based on humanitarian grounds what is the mission of politicians?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: They must try to solve problems e.g. issues such as Western propaganda against Islam or vice versa. After all, it is the business of politicians, and a positive and efficient politician in the true sense of the term must be able to play such a role. 

Jamileh Khajeh: How a politician leads a life different from others?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: A politician is flexible, however, a politician must have flexibility in a positive sense, and not in a negative sense. I mean a politician's doctrine must be constructive for his/her society, and not destructive.

Jamileh Khajeh: What is the relationship between politics and economics?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Both can be regarded as disciplines of humanities or social sciences. A politician must have the knowledge of economics otherwise he/she cannot be a successful politician. In fact, all disciplines of social sciences are interrelated to each other.

Jamileh Khajeh: Tell us about your family, their role in your education, and how they act and consider your activities?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Parents certainly play a vital role in bringing up their kids. So, my parents too, provided a favorable situation for me to continue my studies, of course, without their support I could find it very difficult to continue my education. Fortunately, concerning my academic activities, there are no problems.

Jamileh Khajeh: How you have served your society?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Well, I have done nothing useful for my society so far. I would like to serve my Iranian society especially in the Sistan & Balochistan province.

Jamileh Khajeh: Well, how would you like to serve your society?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Whatever I have got or will get in the future, I would like to transfer them to my society in a systematic and useful way.

 Jamileh Khajeh: Tell us about your studies and academic works?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: At present, temporarily I 'm teaching at different universities in Saravan such as Azad University, Payamnoor University, and Agriculture faculty of Sistan & Balochistan University. My field of specialty is political philosophy. I have authored three books and my fourth book is a translation work from English to Persian. I have started to translate the book "PRINCESS" a world-wide known real story of an Arab princess.

Jamileh Khajeh: How would you see the color of life?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Black, red, blue, green, yellow, white, etc. J

Jamileh Khajeh: No, no… name one color only. Which color? Generally, how do you see the life and how you deal with it?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Well, if I have no other choice, then, I would select green color. Although, I deal with life with caution, I'm optimistic. 

Jamileh Khajeh: How old are you? And how long you would like to live? J

Ahmad Reza Taheri: 32 years old and would like to lead an unlimited life.

Jamileh Khajeh: Why…?

Ahmad Reza Taheri: J In principle, human being is a greedy creature and whatever man gets cannot satisfy him J

Jamileh Khajeh:  Mr. Taheri, I'm very thankful to you and wish you all the best.

Ahmad Reza Taheri: Thanks a lot for the time given to me.

Rasad Khaneh Radio Program; An Introduction of the prominent local academic and cultural faces of Sistan & Balochistan Province; Prepared by Jamileh Khajeh; Zahedan; Iran; Monday; 2008; Translated by Baloch Academist: www.balochacademy.org