Commentary: O.C. Iranian Americans attend dedication of Freedom Sculpture

Two distinct historical events that are about 2,300 years apart, and yet amazingly share common principles, stand out in human history.

One is the first declaration of human rights known as the “Cyrus Cylinder” by Cyrus the Great. He was the just and kind ruler and the father of Persian empire, the liberator of Jews in Babylon who is referred to in several places as a messiah in the Old Testament.

The other one is the U.S. Constitution. There has been research by historians that the founding fathers — specifically Thomas Jefferson and John Adams — were inspired by the governing principles of Cyrus the Great, particularly the ideas of justice, life and liberty for everyone. These principles were depicted in “Cyropaedia” (“The Life of Cyrus”) by Socrates’ student Xenophon.

In appreciation of these commonalities between the principles depicted in Cyrus Cylinder and the U.S. Constitution, a well-organized ceremony by the Farhang Foundation was conducted on July 4 in Century City to unveil the Freedom Sculpture. Several thousand people, many from Orange County’s Persian American community, attended.

At this big event, the Freedom Sculpture — supported by more than 1 million people around the world (freedomsculpture.org) and looking like a 21^st Century version of the “Cyrus Cylinder,” designed by the world renown artist Cecil Balmond — was dedicated to the city of Los Angeles.

Mayor Eric Garcetti thanked Iranian Americans for this historical monument depicting the multiculturalism spirit of the city (“Los Angeles embodies diversity. The city’s new sculpture celebrating freedom is unveiled,” Los Angeles Times, July 4). An official proclamation by Gov. Jerry Brown was read, and Councilman Paul Koretz, who was instrumental in this monumental initiative, spoke of unity and harmony.

As one example of the more than 500,000 Iranian Americans living in various communities of Southern California, I wish all of the readers of the Los Angeles Times and Daily Pilot peace, prosperity, joy and harmony.

I believe the same main principles that are deeply rooted in both Persian culture, as represented in “Cyrus Cylinder,” and in American culture, as represented in U.S. Constitution, bonds all of us together.

Through unity in diversity, we are all hopeful for a better tomorrow for next generations of the human family.

K.E. MEHRFAR lives in Newport Beach.