Two Iranians among Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World
Time's 2012 list of "100 Most Influential People in the World" is made up by people who inspire, entertain and challenge people and change our world. The list includes obvious names: influential statesmen such as America's Barack Obama and Ron Paul, Turkey's Ali Babacan and Ahmet Davutoglu; TV personalities such as Stephen Colbert; sportsmen like Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow; and women activists like Samira Ibrahim (nominated by Charlize Theron) and Maryam Durani. There are also two Iranians on the list: Asghar Farhadi and Ayataollah Khamenei.
Asghar Farhadi, the Oscar winning director of "A Separation," is nomianted because he waged an anti-war cultural countercampaign with his movie and statement after accepting his Oscar: "At this time, many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation, and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country Iran is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics. I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, a people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment."
About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (nominated by Fareed Zakaria) Time writes: "The fate of the world in the next year might well hinge on a 72-year-old cleric who has never traveled outside his country and who lives a secluded life in Tehran. Whether Iran will make a deal with the international community or choose defiance — whether Iran will face an Israeli strike — will depend on the moods and wishes of Ayatullah Ali Khamenei."
