Care about Iran, about the humanity

[Amiran]

It has now been more than 40 days since millions of Iranian people gathered across Iran to express their hopes for freedom - and thousands of them never returned home - It is now several days after the massive internet shutdown happened in Iran, cutting us off from the outside world.

During these days, we experienced (and are still experiencing) very difficult and painful moments. However, here on Local Guides Connect, no one has said a single word about the conditions of Iran, about the people of Iran, or even about Iranian Local Guides. No one has contacted us to ask if we are safe! No one has spoken about the people affected in Iran, and no one has even posted a thread to express sympathy. Everything has continued here as if nothing were happening somewhere in the world…

This is despite the fact that many old friends here have known Iranian contributors, like me, since the first year of the Local Guides program, and we became closer over the years. I know many of my global friends here have very kind hearts, but being silent in such cases was not something I expected.

Talking about Iran, the Iranian people, and their hopes for a better future, and inviting others to support them, is not only helping Iranians; it is following the path of humanity, which is one of the core spirits of this community. Isn’t it?

Sometimes it feels as if only a small number of people here are paying attention to us! Another example is that after the announcement of Connect Live 2026 registration, Iran was not included in the list of eligible countries. I asked several times for guidance from @Kristen_NYC about how we could register when Iran is not listed, but I received no response. This is despite the fact that in 2026, there is even a Connect Live spot for the Middle East, and you know that the Iranian people are completely separate from the current political system of Iran and should not be considered part of the limitations for volunteer activities.
Aren’t we important to the Local Guides community?

So, let’s be honest. I think many users here have become used to the surface of the Local Guides community: earning badges, sharing stories about places and food, collecting points, attending ceremonies, and completing challenges. But fewer Local Guides here pay attention to the deeper spirit of this global community, which is about helping the real world and building togetherness through this digital platform.

I hope that anyone who reads this will think more carefully about their activities on Connect and do something here to help humanity. In the end, I believe that one day the people of Iran will be able again to live with dignity and participate fully in the global community. Until that day, please do not forget us. Speak about us. Remember us. And help us.

[Maximilianozalazar]

@Amiran gracias por compartir este mensaje. A veces desde lejos sentimos que no podemos hacer mucho, pero escuchar y dar visibilidad también es importante. Creo que la comunidad de Local Guides demuestra que, más allá de los países, somos personas que queremos ayudar a otros y construir algo mejor juntos.
Ojalá podamos vivir en un mundo donde haya más respeto y humanidad. Desde Argentina mando un abrazo y mucha fuerza.

[MortenCopenhagen]

I’m sorry to read this.

I believe it is the US government making it impossible for Google to include LGs in Iran.

I was under the impression that internet communication with you were blocked.

I sincerely hope the will be peace and freedom to the good people of Iran as soon as possible.

What is bothering me is that a new war could be simply a distraction.

Best wishes, @Amiran.

[Amiran]

Thanks for your note and hope @MortenCopenhagen.

I don’t think it was impossible for LG activities, especially when we have an event in the Middle East. Google is one of the two tech companies (Apple is another one) that restrict us more than the US limitations. Anyway, even in the case of limitations, I needed a simple response at that time.

We were blocked from accessing the internet for a long time, and I expected someone here say something in this case, at least in comments ;( But after the blockage finished, I saw no one used the word Iran in the community during that time.

And indeed, people of Iran appreciate any help from any country in any form to reach their goals. You know.

[SholaIB]

Hello @Amiran

I am quite sorry ro read this as well. I love what you mentioned about just earning badges, getting invitation to events etc. The main spirit of connect is interactions even beyond the pages of connect and Google maps etc.

We are all thinking of you Amiran. Please take courage and cheer up. We value you and everyone on connect. Stay safe

Happy guiding
Cheers

[CAAG1959]

Hola @Amiran. No pretendo pedir disculpas, ni quiero ser hipócrita. Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con tus dichos, hablo en forma exclusivamente personal. Con que facilidad, vemos, leemos y oímos lo que queremos, para no complicarnos la vida. Nos olvidamos que detrás de un nombre, hay un ser humano que sufre, que precisa ser oído, que precisa palabras de aliento y de calma, precisa leer que no está sólo, que tiene a alguien, también, detrás de un nombre.

Espero que esta respuesta, sea bien recibida. Deseo que te encuentres bien de salud y espíritu, junto a tus compatriotas, para salir de este momento, que nadie quiere pasar. “No perder la libertad de poder expresarse, la libertad de informarse, la libertad de poder elegir que comer, el derecho a acceder al bienestar sanitario. El derecho a vivir sin restricciones, más que su razón y su inteligencia”. Un abrazo grande desde el Paisito, Uruguay .

Ningún poder humano, jamás será tan grande, como el poder de nuestras creencias y nuestras mentes.

[ErmesT]

Hi @Amiran
First of all thank you for posting here, I am very happy to see that you are ok.
I fully understand your disappointment, and many times I was tempted to write to you, and all the times I gave up, for a very simple reason: for your safety.

@Amiran

the Iranian people are completely separate from the current political system of Iran

I perfectly know that, even if we don’t have many news coming out from your country, other that the “official” ones, and a few coming from some direct contact of an Italian journalist who was arrested in your country. Now she’s back in Italy and is sharing direct information coming from her sources.
The news that we hear are not good, I can be more explicit in PM if you want, but I was worried to put at risk you, and other friends, simply by sending you a private message.
I cannot comment about sanctions and restrictions, because it’s not my role.
But here we hear about war, armies deployed, missiles, bombs ready, and much more. So my first question was: am I sure that by contacting my friends I’m not putting them in danger?
Do you remember that some time ago we talked about how certain edits in Maps could put Local Guides at risk? So, now that the risk here is perceived as much greater, I didn’t want you to risk it.

@Amiran

fewer Local Guides here pay attention to the deeper spirit of this global community, which is about helping the real world and building togetherness through this digital platform.

@Amiran

I believe that one day the people of Iran will be able again to live with dignity and participate fully in the global community.

Me too. When on February 24th, 2022, Ukraine was invaded, with a full scale war that’s not ended yet, I wanted to write a post, a post that is still valid also today: Friendship Without Borders - A Local Guides Connect Topic
I still think that’s the right way to interpret our Community, to send a message of peace and friendship that doesn’t regard culture, religion, race, or skin color, in a world where we are all equal, equal in our diversity.
A message that I believe should be repeated every day, especially at this time when conflicts in the world are ever increasing, and force and arrogance seem to be almost the only ways for states to communicate.
Stay strong my friend, and let me know how we can help (staying on topic)
Hugs

[Amiran]

Thank you so much, my dear @CAAG1959
Definitely, your words and support made me feel grateful and made me feel stronger

[Amiran]

Thanks a lot, my dear @ErmesT
Thank you for your understanding and for thinking about what could be best for our situation. It truly means a lot to me and I deeply appreciate it.
When I said, “I know many of my global friends here have very kind hearts,” you were the first person I thought of.
You don’t know how important it is for people in Iran to see support from global communities that can influence countries and the UN to officially recognize and help their hopes.

[SadmanRafid]

While I sympathize with the people of Iran and hope the country stabilizes and flourishes without sacrificing her sovereignty entirely, I have some comments regarding your post.

@Amiran

here on Local Guides Connect, no one has said a single word about the conditions of Iran, about the people of Iran, or even about Iranian Local Guides. No one has contacted us to ask if we are safe! No one has spoken about the people affected in Iran, and no one has even posted a thread to express sympathy. Everything has continued here as if nothing were happening somewhere in the world…

Many things are happening across Asia and Africa right now. For example: things are happening in my neighboring country Myanmar for years, things are happening in Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia, DRC. Things are happening in Kurdistan region, and last of all: things are happening in Palestine. Don’t you think local guides reside in these regions too? And yet you will find no posts regarding these countries on Connect.

On Connect, the one thing that binds us all that we are all local guides, we like to post photos, reviews on maps, add roads and landmarks. Most of us like to travel and many of us are foodies. But there are more things uncommon among us than that are common. Local Guides are from different parts of the world, they are from different backgrounds, they have different point of view of the world, they share different opinions and understanding of what is happening in the world based on their national and geographical interests and objectives. If we start speaking up about topics which are not directly connected to the local guides, this platform will become a mess like many social media platforms we have out there.

@Amiran

Talking about Iran, the Iranian people, and their hopes for a better future, and inviting others to support them, is not only helping Iranians; it is following the path of humanity, which is one of the core spirits of this community. Isn’t it?

“The path of humanity” has different definitions based on from where you are defining it and for whom you are defining it. This is an ugly reality. Also regarding “supporting and helping Iranians”, people in the east and the west have two opposite understanding on what those “support and help” mean.

@Amiran

I think many users here have become used to the surface of the Local Guides community: earning badges, sharing stories about places and food, collecting points, attending ceremonies, and completing challenges. But fewer Local Guides here pay attention to the deeper spirit of this global community, which is about helping the real world and building togetherness through this digital platform.

I have already written about it above.

@Amiran

I hope that anyone who reads this will think more carefully about their activities on Connect and do something here to help humanity.

Agreed 100%.

@Amiran

please do not forget us. Speak about us. Remember us. And help us.

War has broken out. May God be with you.

[KarenVChin]

@Amiran - you and the Iran Local Guides are not being neglected or forgotten. You, the Iran community, and your country are on our minds. Many of us here talk about what is going on in your country and wonder how you all are surviving. Are you ok??

Like @ErmesT said we haven’t written or made contact with you for your safety since we want to protect you and keep you safe.

As for Google, IMHO they are following US Government travel and ban (embargo) from doing the business laws. Unfortunately, Iran is on both lists. That is why no invites were sent.

A Guide to the Countries on Trump’s Travel Ban List | Council on Foreign...

I can tell you the majority of Americans don’t want war. This morning the country woke up to the news what is happening in Iran and the Middle East overall. This did not get voted in Congress.

The world and their governments are in shock and trying to figure out next steps. US Congress members are meeting Monday to determine what to do.

I pray for you and your loved ones. You and Iran Local Guides community are highly valued in this community.

Warmly,

Karen

[CAAG1959]

Hola @Amiran. Espero que tu, tu familia y el pueblo iraní estén bien. Creo y espero que estos momentos tan difíciles de sobrellevar, terminen lo antes posible. ¿Cuando los todopoderosos se darán por enterado, que todos estamos en esta única nave llamada Tierra? La insania del ser humano omnipotente y omnipresente, no hace más que, destruir a los humanos, por ambiciones demenciales. Espero que en tu País y en tantos otros, llegue pronto, la paz y tranquilidad, para lograr la “autodeterminación de los pueblos”,sin injerencias de gobiernos extranjeros que solo quieren imponer sus intereses, sin importarles la vida. Toda la fuerza y energía, cuidate y mantente fuerte, que todo esto pasará. Por supuesto que rezo por ti y tu pueblo. Hoy tuvimos información del horrible e infame ataque que sufrió tu Patria, solo espero que haya costado la menor cantidad de gente posible.

Un abrazo apretado amigo. Saludos desde Uruguay

[KhokonSharker]

We personally have nothing to do but we express our sorrow for Iran. I wish Iran the ability to cope with the current situation. Iran will be victorious, God willing.

[CAAG1959]

Hola @Amiran. Espero que estés bien y con buena salud. Te he mandado por privado un mensaje del cual hasta hoy, 8 de marzo, no he recibido respuesta. Mándame unas letras por acá. Sigo rezando por ti, los tuyos y los habitantes de tu País, esperando que toda esta locura, termine de una vez.

Un gran abrazo