Religion in space

Posted: Friday, September 15, 2006 5:06 PM by Alan Boyle

Religion can be a pretty touchy subject nowadays, and Iranian-American relations are another sore point. So as Anousheh Ansari prepares to become the first Iranian-born Muslim woman to travel to the international space station, there are a lot of political pitfalls to be avoided. At the same time, there are a lot of opportunities for inspiring young people, particularly in Iran. So far, Ansari is doing a good job on pitfall avoidance as well as international inspiration.

All you have to do is look at the messages from Iran on Ansari's blog, as well as the countdown page from the Iranian Space Agency, to see how warmly she's being embraced by her native country - even though she left 24 years ago, after the fall of the shah, in search of greater opportunities in America.

Reuters

Anousheh Ansari gets ready for flight.

The Iran angle is touched upon in interviews, including Space.com's Q&A with Ansari and The Associated Press' profile (which also touches upon allegations of insider trading surrounding her family's stock sales). There's even a bit of a flap over Ansari's mission patch, which includes the colors of the Iranian flag.

If the claims that U.S. officials want Ansari to strike those colors from her patch are true, "it's the stupidest damn thing I've ever heard," said Rick Tumlinson, co-founder of the Space Frontier Foundation:

"We're missing a tremendous opportunity to deliver a message to the real Iranian people," he told me. "She should wear the Iran flag on her suit, and our people should be proclaiming the fact that an Iranian woman, oppressed in her own country, can come here and make a fortune and spend it by pursuing her dream, enabled by an American company working with the Russians to fly her in space."

NBC News space analyst James Oberg, meanwhile, has been interested in what happens when Muslim news media chronicle the exploits of a Westernized Muslim woman in the news. For example, he notes that at least one picture of Ansari during training appears to have been altered to cover more of her hair - and in a posting to the sci.space.station discussion board, he wonders whether Ansari might actually alter the course of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan:

"Currently, the first day of Ramadan this year is expected to be September 24, following a sighting the previous evening of the crescent new moon by observant Muslims. But it's possible that Ansari's unique position in space may allow her to spot the crescent a day earlier, and if she reports it credibly, the entire Muslim world may have to start Ramadan a day earlier than expected."

I asked Ansari about that moon angle during this week's interview. To my mind, her answer was pitfall-free, and inspirational to boot:

"To be honest with you, I will be observing the moon as many times as I can, because I think it's a beautiful view up there. But it makes it that much more special, knowing that it's a very special time for Muslims around the world. For me to be able to observe that very closely is very special, and I look forward to it."

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Comments

I am an American born Muslim whose parents immigrated from Pakistan here. Dad's a doctor, mom's getting a Ph.d in psychology. I am always laugh and then get angry when I see Western media portray Muslim women as being weak and oppressed. Not my mom, nor my aunts-- who are lawyers, doctors, and accountants-- in this country. It is corrupt government back in my parents' homes that hold women and other minorities back. One of things my mom always stresses is how it was God and her faith that helps her overcome stereotypes while she pursues her education. I come from a religious family.

Rehan Siddiqui, Ann Arbor, MI (Sent Friday, September 15, 2006 9:13 PM)

Didn’t Star Trek portray the need to live together in harmony if we are to ever get off this rock?
As George Takei (Sulu) was once quoted, “Star Trek prevailed for many reasons, but at its core it states that PLURALISM is our strength!” A lesson I think this world has obviously yet to learn. Just look at how every series showed how much people of ALL nationalities can accomplish when they simply work together. We had Russians, Scotsmen, African American and lady captains, male and female doctors, male and female engineers, and aliens and artificial life forms of all types imaginable. We’ve even showed tolerance for the ideological extremes of the Klingons and how even those raised with “Ferengi values” can overcome their conditioning to become a valuable member of the crew (in Nog - DS9). The show’s writers protrayed the dangers of nationalism, hatred, genocide, and most any other human failing/tendency you can think of, and even how such evils can hide within any society. DS9, for example, showed how the federation itself could be taken over by power hungry admirals who would use the “fear” of the Dominion to take away human rights and seize power. They’ve equally portrayed the values of human courage, our desire to learn and explore, and the need to have HUMAN RIGHTS regardless of the situation.

Science fiction is not called an art for nothing. It reflects life in a unique way and gives us insight into ourselves!

Author Christopher Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Friday, September 15, 2006 9:43 PM)

Space or War folks; The two sure paths to progress. One will destroy everything, one will discover everything.

Glen W. Behrend

Glen, Allentown PA (Sent Friday, September 15, 2006 11:14 PM)

I hope she enjoys herself, as a memeber of mankind. And I hope she can comfortably practice her faith with vigor and understand the univerese, a universe governed by the alimighty's hand.

Dean Gittleson, Valley Center, Calif (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 12:16 AM)

Anousheh Ansari is a global space heroine. Let her worldly, multicultured, futuristic-thinking be free on the international space station. She carries the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of thosuands!
I was glad to see that Rick Tumlinson expressed what should be the opinion of any free-thinking American on the space flight patch issue. Here is the link to the initial report yesterday out of Texas. BIZARRE!
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/
dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/
wfaa060914_mo_womanspace.d4fdda8.html

Jack Kennedy, Wise, Virginia (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 12:42 AM)

It may sound hopelessly idealistic, but I hope neither Ms. Ansari nor the US government uses her trip to ISS to make political statements. I view space exploration and travel as a real new hope for people to leave our baggage behind, someday, and am already disappointed by the degree to which we've taken it up there with us. For all the 'international cooperation' talk, it still mostly boils down to national rivalry. It's enough to make me question whether we're really ready to go up there yet (VSE-snipers: take aim...).

JC, Fairbanks, AcK (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 1:43 AM)

Many rare womens reach this stage in life & they should not be dipressed by any thing.Give a chance to this world to show the greatness of women.

Ayesha Khan,Hydrabad,India (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 7:47 AM)

Allow this world to show the talent of women.America is the country which always encourage women but now don't depress,due to any reason.Make this world secular & united.

Ayesha khan,Hydrabad,Andhra Pradesh (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 8:03 AM)

Even without any overt attempt to do so, the political implications of an Iranian woman in space is going to be out there, as the posts right here here suggest.

The current political situation with Iran is well-known, and it will be interesting to see how their news outlets acknowledge the event, if at all.

For the above reason, some Americans may find some issue with her presence aboard ISS. (Despite being a US citizen.)

There's not much the US government is likely to say about the flight. After all, they didn't sponsor it in any way. (Though we may expect a positive spin, if it does.)

Highly fundamentalist Muslims are likely to see this as straying as far from the proper female role as one might get, and may openly condemn it as such.

Hopefully, some people *will* see the hint of Star Trek pluralism in all this...they're the ones to whom the future belongs.

(And...have humans ever been 'ready' for any particular technology? We still even use clubs against each other at times.)

Frank Glover (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 9:03 AM)

In the cosmic scheme of things religion is not important.The universe is vast and filled with life forms more advanced than ours.As we evolve our views on "GOD" and religion will change as we come into the knowlege that we will not be punished for being BAD !This woman did not choose to be Iranian,we are all HUMAN>

NM,Flemington,NJ (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 1:52 PM)

God help us all if the politicians get involved. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Anousheh Ansari becomes the face of the modern Iranian (male or female)?
The religionists and politicians will surly screw this up. I wish the lady all the best. She looks and sounds like someone we should all be proud of her.

John Hollingsworth (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 5:26 PM)

why try make a ant hill into a mountain the woman has earned her way forget the mideast religion she lives in america land of the free its called freedom of religion get it if she chosses to worship in her own way in space so be it same if christian chooses to worship jesus in truth and spirit keep politics out of it good ness

jerry mc missouri usa (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 8:08 PM)

May her view from space see the earth at peace. May Catholics and Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, and all religions live in peace.

Dwayne Reineke (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 8:34 PM)

Its ironic how religion allowed people to tolerate others enough to live together in cities and advance civilization, but will be the reason we will all be destroyed.

Just 1 of the sane 10% (Sent Saturday, September 16, 2006 11:26 PM)

Her smile and beauty transcend nationalities, religion, and politics.

Jerry Erikson, Herman, Minnesota (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:08 AM)

It is great to read such positive comments from all over the world about Anousheh and her trip to space . Regardless od what OBL claims this is a wonderfull world with all its people.

Reza , NJ ,USA (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 2:02 AM)

Ansari may well be doing a good job on "pitfall avoidance" however the media are doing their best to dig a deep one and push this highly successful *American* citizen into it.

cIclops (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 2:37 AM)

The devil is in the details, but the message from all of the world's great religions is simple and powerful: love one other. It is a universal message, and it is eternal. Infinite love is the ideal goal, the "nirvana", the "heaven", whatever you call it it is the essence of human goodness. Love seperates us humans from the animal kingdom. It is one of the common threads possessed by every human who has ever lived. I suspect even the most hardened suicide bomber feels love towards the young children of his/her own family. Who can't look at a baby and feel something in your heart? That's what religion speaks to. Love and religion will never die. That's what we all should talk about more often. Eternal love for our families and for all humans.

Hob Stinson (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 3:04 AM)

It doesn't matter whether some Americans take offence at her being in the US segment of the ISS. She's docking on the Russian end, there's didly squat they can do about it short of sending up a shuttle full of armed goons.

Chris Mann, Sydney (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 4:26 AM)

Thank you very much for your interesting to our website. I published that news and my source was ISNA. I didnt change any picture from Ms. Ansari as you can see so many pictures from anousheh without any scarf in spacescience.ir website. I just pick the picture up from ISNA and paste it in my pages.
"Space Science" is not a govermental website and we never thinking that seeing ladies hair have any problem.
We just are a Scientific NGO that are looking for Space Science and Technology Developing just for peace in our country.
Please do a favor for me and let your readers know about it.
Thank you very much in advance.

Shahram Yazdanpanah
Space Science & Technology Researcher
www.spacescience.ir

Shahram Yazdanpanah (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 5:00 AM)

Salam, may Allah Bless her journey. :) anyway if people are making this trip a political thing, please people. respect & cherish something nice for once. plus if Americans can look at themselves too, there are battered, homeless, raped & murdered women in America. yet you don't smear it as American culture do you? women are graded by their body parts, i wonder how their son would look at them. still, sorry if i hurt any American. basically i just wanna say have a nice trip Anousheh! :)

me (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 6:52 AM)

I usually am depressed by seeing rich people spend $20,000,000 on something as self-indulgent as "space tourism."

There are far more pressing and dire Earth-bound issues that could use that kind of money (give the money to the Gates Foundation, for example). While I admire her guts and accomplishments -- including being involved in charities, it's not that she was born a pauper.

She's had it pretty easy compared to most Muslim women. I live in the area in Los Angeles, California where it's easy to run into post-Shah Persian women. They're not dirt poor Bedouins.

Now, before you get all worked up about how insensitive I may be sounding, please read this WHOLE comment before jumping to conclusions.

Yes, I've looked at her blog, site and bio and the multiple reasons she is doing this. The woman has guts and talent and intelligence. Not to mention beauty.

I also have a lifelong affection for the Middle East due to having been there and had a father who was an expert in it from WWII on.

Meaning that I was born a "global citizen" and while I have studied Islam to a certain extent, I still feel so much of its doctrines are stuck in the medieval times. Particularly women's rights and role in life contrary to protests that Mohammed's wife is revered, and thus all women.

All you have to do is look at the Sharia laws about reporting rape (issue currently being addressed or avoided in Palestine). A woman doesn't have a chance. I don't know the situation in Iran or other Muslim countries, but it can't be too much better.

So for these reasons, I have to have the hope and humility to view Anousheh "indulgence as a rich person" as potentially having many positive repercussions for many young women, Muslim and otherwise.

But particularly Muslim.

For while born-with-silver-spoon-in-mouth or not, Anousheh may be a spiritual ambassador of what too much of the news reports of violence and intolerance and extremists seem to so easily forget:

________________

"O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous."

~ Qu'ran - Chapter 49, Verse 13

"A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A'ishah, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers for kindness what he does not confer for severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness)."

~ 1501 Marfu Hadith

________________

As my third-generation Scot, Southern New Jersey, agnostic Middle-East-affectionate father used to often say...

"Insh'Allah"

So Godspeed and best wishes, fellow global citizen Anousheh. May your dreams and courage bring forth more humanity and kindness.

P.S. Knight - Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 11:29 AM)

I think Ms. Ansari has the right attitude. It's a beautiful view, and she's going to enjoy it, regardless of what people say, for good or ill, about her doing what she loves.

Sean, Williamsburg, VA (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 12:20 PM)

I'm so glad to hear from Shahram, and I certainly don't mean to imply that Shahram was the one doing the retouching. Also, even folks in the U.S. have been guilty of radical retouching for political purposes. For instance, here's a case of life imitating The Onion:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38641

http://www2.jsonline.com/news/
metro/sep00/uw20091900a.asp

And we all know about the Katie Couric case:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14584870/

Here are a couple of other photos from the Iranian media that illustrate how the hair issue can be minimized without actually Photoshopping the picture:

http://www.isna.ir/Main/PicView.aspx?
Pic=Pic-790113-1&Lang=P

http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/
2568/html/panorama.htm#s146451

ISNA, by the way, is Iranian Students News Agency.

Alan Boyle (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 3:23 PM)

Hob Stinson, I really liked your comment about the universal message of "loving one another!" Much as a doctor does not get angry at a delirious patient who – in the depths of a fever – strikes at him, we must try to keep in mind that people who do bad things are suffering from a similar fever of false realisms. It’s basically not their fault and underneath all of their conditioning is a very loving and caring person.

It certainly is a tricky topic to try to tell someone that we must try to feel just as much compassion for a ‘mass murderer’ or someone ‘torturing us’ in a prison as we do for our own family. It is only by realizing that we ALL suffer from delusions that we can at least understand where people go wrong. We must remain as "the doctor" did - who does not get angry at a delirious patient for hitting them and instead actually feels more compassion. People are inherently good! If we really were “inherently violent” then why don’t we have canine-like teeth as other violent creatures do?

Note: A religious scholar recently told me that he noticed three main threads present in all religions. The need for a daily practice, a purpose in life beyond one's self, and a humble lifestyle without all the frillies of excess. Placing other people before ourselves and working for a cause "beyond self" implies a powerful love and respect for others. In this sense shouldn't everyone be an “activist” in something?

Chris Eldridge (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 6:36 PM)

In space, nothing matters; religion, ethnicity, gender, orientation... That's what makes it such a unifying experience. If only people would see through their petty differences and make the final frontier something that will save humanity from itself.

Tresa Cho, State College, PA (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 9:24 PM)

I just want to wish Ansari and the rest of the Crew God speed and return back home safely. Enjoy your trip and take in and asorbe all the beauty that's out there. It's great that 11 nations can work together in space but not on Earth. Maybe someday we could. Enjoy what your doing and be proud what your doing. Hope some day something good would come out of what your doing. God Bless all of you for what your doing for all of Man Kind and are Future Generation . Thank You You will all be in my Prayers.

Virginia M. Ventrone Akron Ohio (Sent Sunday, September 17, 2006 10:02 PM)

From all Greek-Americans it is great to see an Iranian born female get into space...I am sure that God will talk to her up there...have a great journey back home...and teach us mortals to all get along..Turn 4 women or men up side down in our birthday suits and one will not be able to tell who is of what religion.....I was born 76 years ago and the moon at that time was just a dream..Gasoline was the only fuel at that time...

BillConstantine, Las Vegas, Nv. (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 12:52 AM)

Ms Ansari has dodged the issue...because she does not say that she is a religious Muslim herself or not.
In a book by Carl Sagan it was mentioned that Muslims were against the luna landing as well as space travel in general because it was considered a sin to get nearer or to land on the holy Moon. Obviously , Ansari is not a practicing Muslim. It would be nice if she could admit honestly that she is an atheist or at least a secular humanist. Her voyage in space is not an act of any religion's God...It is only the manifestation of her money.

Bob Wexelbaum, Commack, New York (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 2:27 AM)

We are really proud to see that an Iranian woman is successful to reach space flight. Meanwhile many competitors could be able to approach as well.
May be Ms.Ansari would keep to know all the world still peace is the best way to live alongside other nations, even in space, where no human role is playing around.

S.M.Moshiri, Tehran, Iran (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 3:19 AM)

She is HOT!!!!

Alex Baggion, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 5:45 AM)

May God bless Anousheh and the Crew. Lets treat everybody human. It is interesting and happy to see an Iranian born girl with American passport travelling through Russian shuttle/rocket from Kasakhstan to the International station. More over she is getting a chance to see her home (earth-family) as a whole. If her $ 20 million spending can make me to write like this then you achieved your goal I should say. Thanks God bless not only America, everybody in EARTH.

Hafees Ismail, Doha (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 6:44 AM)

I cannot wait until someone asks her which way she faces for prayer. The answer should be enlightening

Gregor MacGregor St Augustine FL (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 7:15 AM)

This answer is to Rehan Siddiqui...I am also from Pakistan but I am a Pakistani Christian. I thank the Almighty God that I was able to be here in the good old USA. You are lucky you are born in the States but unfortunate like our Pakistani Christians we had to suffer a lot in Pakistan. We were not treated the same as the Pakistani Muslims. We are Pakistanis but not Muslims that is why it was very difficult for us to get jobs and even if we did, we were given menial jobs inspite of the fact that we were hgihly degreed. If it had not been for the Christians Minorities, the Pakistani Muslims would never ever had learnt their ABC's. They learnt it from the Missionaries. Those who got out of Pakistan were very lucky...So, please do not speak about Pakistani women. Yes, they were oppressed and also covered. If the muslim men think that by wearing a dress, they are tempted by the women, why is it that they are not covering themselves in order to avoid sin...They have already committed the sin of lust in their eyes by watching the minority women who wear dresses. By wearing "purdah" does not mean that Muslims women are "Angels". Much goes behind that veil. I also forget to mention that I was also in Saudi Arabia. The women do not wear "Purdah" and are very graceful and well behaved and also the Saudi men have great respect for the women. The educated men & women should "broaden" the ignorance in Paksitan and strive to make a peaceful place on this earth. They should go back to Pakistan and educate them rather than stay here, after all they are Muslims and they consider the West as "Kafir" which means "infidels". So, why are the Muslims coming to the Western World?

Ruk Coward, Miami Florida (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 8:23 AM)

One thing to consider with Star Trek, you'll notice that there's never a mention of human religion ever? Only one episode of the original series even had a chapel shown on board. Seems to me that Human religion was something akin to Vulcan emotion. Something we had to move beyond in order to leave behind the baggage of barbarism.

If there is to be any human plurality, we might find it as useful to our future to find an effective means of leaving behind the bonds of spirituality as we do gravity.

James Buchanan, Laurel, MD (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 10:51 AM)

Ms. Ansari is living proof of what America stands for and what the Q'uran actually teaches; e.g., that men and women are equal in the sight of God, that both can aspire to the stars, and that all mankind needs to live in harmony, not strife.

John Gibson, Yamhill, OR (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 11:04 AM)

I'm a 64 year old woman who has wanted to travel in space since I was old enough to know it existed. I would stare at the heavens for hours as a child. If I could, I'd travel to the moon, Mars, or the space station and live the rest of my life there. I've always felt I was born at least three generations too early. May Ansari experience much joy. I feel as though I'm living a bit through her.

Judith Nettles, Brighton, Ma. (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 12:36 PM)

Ansari enjoy your space trip, remember whatever you may see out there, but above all remember you are part of the creation of the Allmighty, the one who created us with no religion nor nationalities or fanaticism only to glorify Him. Have a prayer for mankind and may God be with you ever.

Lopez Torrente Rene, San Jose, Costa Rica (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 4:29 PM)

Anousheh Ansari is optimistic, diligent and beautiful.
She is inspiring people all over the globe to take interest in space flight. She should have been allowed to wear the Iranian flag on her flight patch. Suppression of it by our current administration would only show that there is no height to which their usurpation will reach. This could be used as an olive branch for Iranian citizens.
The situation in Iran cannot go the way of Iraq.

Brady L. White (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 5:10 PM)

I very much see James Buchanan's point and wonder if he might not ultimately be correct when he says "If there is to be any human plurality, we might find it as useful to our future to find an effective means of leaving behind the bonds of spirituality as we do gravity."

I don't think the point he made about Star Trek is entirely correct though. Star Trek may have politely avoided "human" religion but they sure didn't avoid the topic of religion itself. Certainly the Klingon’s ritualistic religion was portrayed in detail, as was the Bajoran religion in the DS9 series. In fact, Captain Sisko was willing to risk the destruction of his space station and the life of his own son so as to not interfere in a key battle of the Bajoran gods. If anything, their message was of a complete tolerance for the beliefs of others, not a suppression of it...

I honestly think religious beliefs are quite fine and ultimately a very human explanation for that which we still do not fully understand. I’m not sure to what extent, but hasn’t prayer been shown to help people get better in hospitals? Life and death (not to mention the question of how the universe got here in the first place) are very difficult questions. I think it would be wrong to sidestep a religious component in our lives so long as it is not used (as it was to such deadly ramifications in Bosnia and 9/11) to exacerbate tensions between peoples of different races and faiths.

BTW, did anyone see the "Beyond the Stars" episode of DS9? It was set in the 1930s and very much portrayed the dangers of racist oppression.

Chris Eldridge (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 7:27 PM)

US FORCES HER TO REMOVE IRANIAN FLAG - SAYS A LOT FOR AMERICAN ARROGANCE!

Extract from: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/
dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/
wfaa060914_mo_womanspace.d4fdda8.html

Anousheh is disappointed that both NASA and Russian officials not only forbid her to wear the Iranian patch, but also argued they want her to cover up the Iranian colors on her personal patch that displays the American colors as well.

"She's from Iran no matter what," Ansari said of his wife. "Wearing a flag, or not wearing a flag, doesn't change where we were born."

Anousheh's brother-in-law agreed.

"You're proud of yourself and your heritage," he said.

But with tensions high in Iran over their nuclear program, Ansari won't be able to wear the Iran flag.

As for the Iranian colors on her personal patch, that's still up in the air.

Ani (Sent Monday, September 18, 2006 10:49 PM)

I think she should be allowed to wear the colors of her heritage... Does the Iranian flag actually represent that? I don't know the history of the Iranian colors. Perhaps I should do some research.

God Speed Anousheh. Bon Voyage.

Jack Inman, Tigard, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, September 19, 2006 3:01 AM)

Change the title, Alan.

Trying to make the story fit the title falls flat. Many people have gone into space and returned changed spiritually. Nobody makes a big deal about them. And nobody that cares about space exploration cares what religion someone is or isn't, as long as they earn their wings. The story is much more about politics than religion. And it's about politics here on Earth. In space, nobody can make you change your colors.

If you want a title that fits the story, especially the story behind the story, change it to "Stupidity On Earth". But then, that's not news, is it.
Well, at least Astronaut Ansari will get a break from it for a few days.

Dennis McClain-Furmanski (Sent Tuesday, September 19, 2006 2:50 PM)

She's on the space station! Let's focus more on the positive aspects of this trip, it's only going to be a little more than a week and I hope she relays as much personal impressions as possible to Americans and Iranians who will follow her trip of a lifetime.

Cathy, Austin TX (Sent Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:45 AM)

Soon all women from all nations will make space travel, and it absolutely doesn`t matter what religion you belong to, because NO ONE CAN STOP PROGRESS OF MANKIND. WE GO FORWARD, it will take time, but Progress is Progress, and it is funny to hear she is an Iranian or not Iranian. Progress of HUMAN BEING`S MIND WILL DO ITS JOB. WE WILL HAVE MORE MIRACLES OF INTELLECT IN FEW YEARS, there are so great projects ahead. This terrorism, extremism,..ism...ism..ism will disappear and people will live in one globe peacefully. GOD DOES AND WILL DO HIS PLAN!

Anna Tsereteli, REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA (Sent Wednesday, September 20, 2006 10:21 AM)

As an Iranian i am really bothered (like most of my fellow iranians) that we are known as "Muslims"
This religion was forced to us by one of the most violent genocides in history. It started by battle of the bridge in 634 AD and was continued by 200 years of military occupation, in which Iranians were killed, tortured and forced to leave Zoroastrian religion and convert to Arabic religion (a.k.a. Islam).
We have an identity far more civilized and glorious that what is known to public right now. Please call us Iranians, not Muslims.

Kourosh Ashtiani (Sent Wednesday, September 20, 2006 2:06 PM)

Atta Girl! Now, if we could just get to the point where people that aren't rich could afford it (like me).

Jeff W, Moorpark California (Sent Wednesday, September 20, 2006 5:56 PM)

This rock is inhabited by many amazing cultures with many wonderful people...and a few not so wonderful. I see no issue with someone displaying the colors of their country. Personally, my county's flag and national anthem still bring tears of pride. I applaud this young woman for this great accomplishment. She is inspiring so many in her native country as well as other countries in such a positive way and we are all better for it. Reaching for the stars and dreaming great dreams have made us the great world that we are.

Jay, Valdosta, GA (Sent Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:49 PM)

Good fortune and Godspeed to ALL the astronauts, cosmonauts, space visitors and all the folks who have dreamed the dream which has become reality! We have always looked UP and wondered at the GREATNESS of the univere!

Margarette in KY, USA

Margarette Forman (Sent Thursday, September 21, 2006 1:22 AM)

It's very reassuring to me to see so many people are open minded. Sometimes I begin to think that the world is full of intolerant people. I know it's a good thing that Anousheh Ansari has gone into space. Women and men alike, need people to inspire them. She is one of these inspirations. She has broken political, religious, and social boundries. People like her should be acknowledged and looked up to. It doesn't matter how much she paid. She couldn't buy 20 million dollars of inspiration many other ways.

Luke Bonura Jr., Edinburg Texas (Sent Thursday, September 21, 2006 4:13 PM)

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