Greetings/Salaam/Doorod:

More than six years ago, several Iranians who lived in various parts of the world created an organization to defend Iranian rights and to lift the U.S. sanctions against Iran. After exchanging e-mails for a couple of years, the majority decided to organize. In 1998, Iranians for International Cooperation (IIC) was created (http://www.iic.org)

Many goals were achieved through IIC. When sanctions were not lifted, individuals who founded IIC focused on other issues and, as a result, other organizations were created, such as Persian Gulf, Iran Heritage, National Iranian American Council, and Anti-Discrimination Organization. We have received suggestions for creating more interest groups/organizations. For example, there is a great deal of interest in Persian language, Persian Art, and also an interest group for Iranians who were subjected to chemical/biological warfare when Iraq attacked Iran.

There were several attempts to create an umbrella (parent) organization in 2000. The IIC board decided to set the end of 2002 as a goal for bringing various organizations together to facilitate an on-going debate and dialogue among Iranians throughout the world.

A request for selecting a name was sent out on December 29, 2002. Many individuals replied and suggested more than thirty five names and provided excellent comments/reasons for their selection.

The voting ended on February 10, 2003. Some combination of Iran or Iranian received the majority of votes (some 49%). Some combination of Persia or Persian with other words received 23% of votes. The remaining site names received votes ranging from 1 to 8%.

We are happy to announce the name for the umbrella organization is: Alliance of Iranian Organizations. The domain name is www.iranalliance.org

The name selected for the umbrella organization will convey at least two main messages. First, it will allow close association of all Iranian organizations around the world. And second, it will preserve the identity of individual organizations within it.

We need to mobilize our limited resources against the adversaries united against us. The Alliance of Iranian Organizations will be a major force to advance our goals. This organization will be a non-profit and non-religious 501(c) entity registered in the State of California. More information about the new organization, policies and operations will be available once the site is operational. Please stay tuned for more information to follow.

Respectfully submitted, Mohammad Ala, President of IIC
Board Member of Persian Gulf and Iran Heritage Taskforces