Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

August 2, 2011

The Department of State is pleased to announce “Ask Alan,” a new effort to engage with the Iranian people through our Persian language social media brand, USAdarFarsi. USAdarFarsi is active on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Every month on Facebook and Twitter, we will be asking our fans for questions on a topic that we set in advance. Our Persian language spokesman, Alan Eyre, will then provide answers to the most popular questions in Persian in a 5-7 minute long video that will be posted on our USAdarFarsi YouTube channel and then advertised both on our Facebook page and Twitter feeds.

The topic for August was visas, and we invite you to watch the August edition of “Ask Alan” today at http://www.facebook.com/USAdarFarsi. We will post the topic for September along with a solicitation for questions on August 26. “Ask Alan” for August is live now.

We recognize 30 years without diplomatic relations has affected our ability to understand each other. We are increasing our use of social media outlets in order to expand our dialogue with Iranians.

About the Author: Alexander I. Cohen and Shirin Mohammadi serve as interns in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

On July 21, 2011, we walked over to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to speak with Massar Egbari, a five-member band from Alexandria, Egypt, to discuss the role of music in the Arab Spring. Their music presents a unique mix of rock, jazz, blues, and Eastern music. One of the few recipients of UNESCO’s award for “Young Artist for Intercultural Dialogue between Arab and Western Worlds,” Massar Egbari has become a cultural ambassador for both Egypt and the global community. While promoting freedom of expression in Egyptian society, Massar Egbari’s music enables the American public to gain a new perspective on the historic events of the Arab Spring.

Contrary to mainstream Egyptian musicians, Massar Egbari emphasizes the importance of hope, rather than love. The simple message they wish to convey — “start with yourself” — furthers the notion… more »