WHY
The current human rights movement in Iran has awoken the entire country and we aim to increase and sustain awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Iran. As time passes, we can become desensitized to far-away crises. The team behind #CookForIran believes that food is a powerful way to bring people together and keep the situation front-of-mind.
Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, Iran erupted in protest. Mahsa was arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing hijab according to strict government standards. She died in custody after being severely beaten. Her death sparked a movement.
Since then, hundreds more, many of them children, have been killed during protests - highlighting the lack of basic human and women’s rights in Iran.
The government has restricted internet service to stop content from being shared. It is of utmost importance for us to be the voice of the Iranian people, especially women, and demand their human rights through channels available to us.
There are many different organizations and ethnic groups advocating for freedom in different ways, our focus is on what makes us human and the underlying desire for basic human rights and freedoms.
Iran, modern-day Persia, is a country with 5,000 years of history, art, design and culture. The food and ingredients which originate from the country shine a light on one of the greatest historic civilizations, a civilization that influences cuisine across the globe today.
While Persians are Iran's largest ethnic group, Iran presents diverse ethnic group including Azeris, Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, Lors, Turkomen, Qashqai, Mazandarani, Talysh and Gilaki. Food is inherent to all of these people and cultures. Food is love for all Iranian people and the focus of #CookForIran.
Supporting the The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Iran
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to building healthy and resilient communities. They combine modern science, wise tradition, and human connection to create a powerful new medicine centered on an evidence-based and timeless concept: self-care and group support. They are teaching thousands to heal millions—and by teaching the teachers first, they ensure that they bring the spirit of their model, as well as the specific practices, to the individuals, families, and communities whom they serve. Mind-body skills are scientifically validated to reduce stress and restore physical and psychological health. The mind-body approach heals individual trauma and builds community-wide resilience. CMBM is committed to remotely training as many teachers, social workers, therapists, community activists, and physicians as possible.
Please visit the CMBM Iran Initiative page to learn more in the meantime.