Most of us hear some people calling Hamas as a terrorist group. The term was originally used by the Bush administration (beside Israel) to put Hamas in a defending position and to avoid any further negotiations with them. The reason was very clear: Hamas is not pro-west! US and Europe would like to see a group in power that is friendly to them, no matter if they are really terrorists (like Al-Qaeda before 9/11) and/or dictators (like Saudi King, Egyptian Mubarak, Jordan King, . . . you name it!)
The fact is that Hamas may be categorized as a hardliner compared to the Fatah in Palestine, but by no means we can call them a terrorist group. Hamas chose the democratic procedures in Palestine and is considered as on of the most popular groups among Palestinians and in the Middle-East. There is a big difference between Hamas and terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda (made by CIA) that respect no democratic ways and search power through terror and killing innocent people.
It was because of this policy that Hamas was able to win in an election held 2 years ago in Palestine. The Washington Post stated “the radical Islamic movement Hamas won a large majority in the new Palestinian parliament” in Jan. 26, 2006.
“The election results stunned U.S. and Israeli officials, who have repeatedly stated that they would not work with a Palestinian Authority that included Hamas, which both countries and the European Union have designated as a terrorist organization.”
“I am Cyrus. King of the world. When I entered Babylon… I did not allow anyone to terrorize the land… I kept in view the needs of people and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being… I put an end to their misfortune. The Great God has delivered all the lands into my hand; the lands that I have made to dwell in a peaceful habitation…. . .When my soldiers in great numbers peacefully entered Babylon… I did not allow anyone to terrorize the people… I kept in view the needs of people and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being… Freed all the slaves… I put an end to their misfortune and slavery (referring to religious minorities). The Great God has delivered all the lands into my hand; the lands that I have made to dwell in a peaceful habitation… “

"I have no religion, but if I were to choose one, it would be that of Shariati's."
Jean-Paul Sartre
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My Lord, grant me success in struggling during failure, in having patience in disappointment, in going alone, in Jihad without weapons, in working without pay, in making sacrifice in silence, in having religious belief in the world, in having ideology without popular traditions, in having faith (Iman) without pretensions, non-conformity without immaturity, beauty without physical appearance, loneliness in the crowd, and loving without the beloved knowing about it.
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photos: Farshad Palideh & Ehsan Mohammadi 
