Key of the Heaven

The graphic novel discusses a teenager girl, Marji, experiencing Shah Regime, Islamic Revolution and Iran - Iraq war. Name of the book 'Persepolis' comes from the capital of the Persian Empire. So what I think is the title of the book gives the idea of how Iran changed over time with the revolution. As it mentioned in the book, Persians first bowed their kings and their country occupied by Arabs, lastly because of the Shah regime, they never could have their independence that they dreamed of. After the revolution against Shah, Iranians hoped to be independent. Story also mentions the attempts of European countries to control Iran because of its oil reserves. Islamic Revolution led by Hummeyni, once again took away their independence. Persepolis explains how Iran - Iraq wars changes Iranian teenagers.

Characters in Marji's family are against the Shah regime and Islamic Revolution even they are descent of emperors. The book also explains Marji's search of a hero. At the begging her hero was God then she admired Che and Marx but she end up with her uncle.

Comparison about the modern world and Persepolis, promising heaven to teens is commonly used in most of the terrorist organizations 'related' to Islam including Al-Qaeda. Most of the time teens manipulated to 'sacrifice' themselves for God by killing innocent people will give them the opportunity of going to heaven. Most of the time suicidal bombers claimed to be a part of Islam.

Last week when I was in World Civilization I, other course that I am taking during the summer, our subject was Islam. History is one of my favorite subjects but I found that I have a lot to learn about it. It was mentioned that Islam is an individual religion. What I mean is Islam is between an individual and God so no one has right to force people to do stuff. He was saying that in Islam women have the same rights that men have. Women do not have to cover their hair against their will and still there are still some arguments about it is not even mentioned in Quran that women have to cover up their hair. To summarize, he said Islam forbids people to force others to do something against their will.

Does Quran really promising heaven for murdering people? I did some research about that. Quran states that:
"Whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”
Quran: Chapter 5 Verse 32

Like all the people in search of power, I guess leaders deceived people to be more powerful with religion, culture or politics. Key of the Heaven in Persepolis was a great example for that. Also, I found out that Islam warns people about the deceivers who are using Islam and God for their own benefit such as Al-Qaeda.

'O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.'
Fatir :5