“I am Mohamed Ramadan. I have been sentenced to death…. I want my voice to be heard by those who believe in the principles of justice and equality…. I am innocent of the crime of which I was accused, subjected to a sham trial and sentenced to death.”
A virtual documentary film presentation and debate organized by the Network of the Anthropology of the Middle East and Central Eurasia of EASA in collaboration with the Religion and Society Research Cluster, Western Sydney University. Introduction to the program by Dr. P. Khosronejad (Western Sydney University), and debate by Dr. R.
Week 1 Film Presentation:
THE SMELL OF DUST
Majed Neisi, 2002, 11 minutes, Iran.
Synopsis
During the sacred month of Moharram in Iran, Shiite Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. A rumour spread throughout the city of Ahwaz in the south of Iran: Imam Hossein had been sighted in an earth soccer field where the annual passion play (Taziyeh) commemorating him was being performed. The earth of the field was said to be blessed and to miraculously heal the infirm. People came out in droves, often with their infirm in tow; people unable to speak, blind people, cripples, and many more, brought together by their faith in miracles.
