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IRAN
Welcome to the hidden world of Iran. Travel through this fascinating country to discover refined Islamic cities, colorful bazaars, ancient Persian ruins, fascinating nomads and shimmering deserts. Whether you’re relaxing in a tea-house in Tehran, enjoying guided tours of ancient cultural sites or breaking bread with nomads on the harsh Iranian plateau, the warmth and hospitality of the Iranian people is endearing and the profound beauty of their land is mesmerizing.
Iran is an Islamic republic on the Persian Gulf with historical sites dating to the Persian Empire. Extensive marble ruins mark Persepolis, the empire’s capital founded by Darius I in the 6th century B.C. The modern capital, Tehran, is home to opulent Golestan Palace, seat of the Qajar Dynasty (1794–1925), plus modern landmarks such as the 435m-high Milad Tower.
Capital: Tehran
Currency: Iranian rial
Supreme leader: Ali Khamenei
President: Hassan Rouhani
Population: 88.45 million (2017) World Bank
Official language: Persian
Pre-Islamic History
The history of Iran, commonly also known as Persia in the Western world, is intertwined with the history of a larger region, also to an extent known as Greater Iran, comprising the area from Anatolia, the Bosphorus, and Egypt in the west to the borders of Ancient India and Syr Darya in the east, and from the Caucasus and the Eurasian Steppe in the north to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in the south.Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC. The southwestern part of the Iranian plateau participated in the wider Ancient Near East with Elam, from the Early Bronze Age. Hegel names the Persians as the first Historical People. The Medes unified Iran as a nation and empire in 625 BC. The Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC), founded by Cyrus the Great, was the first of the Persian empires to rule from the Balkans to North Africa and also Central Asia, spanning three continents, from their seat of power in Persis (Persepolis). It was the largest empire yet seen and the first world empire. They were succeeded by the Seleucid Empire, the Parthians and the Sasanians who governed Iran for almost 1,000 years, and would put Iran once again as the leading powers in the world, only this time amongst their arch rival, the Roman Empire and the successive Byzantine Empire.The Persian Empire proper begins in the Iron Age, following the influx of Iranian peoples. Iranian people gave rise to the Medes, the Achaemenids, the Arsacids, and the Sasanians during the classical antiquity.
Once a major empire of superpower proportions, having conquered far and wide, Iran has endured invasions too, by the Greeks, Arabs, Turks, and the Mongols. Iran has continually reasserted its national identity throughout the centuries and has developed as a distinct political and cultural entity.
Religion:
Iran is officially and in practice an Islamic republic — the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran mandates that the official religion of Iran is Shia Islam and the Twelver Ja’fari school, and also mandates that other Islamic schools are to be accorded full respect, and their followers are free to act in accordance with their own jurisprudence in performing their religious rites. Iran recognizes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian religious minorities, among others. 98% of population are Muslim, 89% are Shi’a and 9% are Sunni. The remaining 2% consists of Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Baha’i faiths.
Islam and Shi’ism
Islam is practiced by the majority of Iranians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God’s emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.
Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day – at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.
During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.
Iran is the only country of all Muslim countries that is officially a Shi’ite state. The others being considered Sunni states.
When the prophet Mohammed died, the question over who should be his successor divided the Muslim population. What has now become the Sunnis believed the leadership of the community did not have to come from the Prophet’s family, while Shi’ites disagreed. Although most Islamic countries contain members of both sects, Iran and Iraq have the highest numbers of Shi’ites
Taarof (Iranian Politeness)
Taarof is a system of politeness that includes both verbal and non-verbal communication.
Iranians protest compliments and attempt to appear vulnerable in public.
They will belittle their own accomplishments in an attempt to appear humble, although other Iranians understand that this is merely courtesy and do not take the words at face value.
In adherence to taarof, if you are ever offered something, like a tea or sweet, even if you want it, at first decline it until their insistence becomes greater.
Etiquette and Customs in Iran
Meeting Etiquette
Introductions are generally restricted to members of the same sex since men and women socialize separately.
Greetings tend to be affectionate. Men kiss other men and women kiss other women at social events. If they meet on the street, a handshake is the more common greeting
When Iranians greet each other they take their time and converse about general things.
The most common greeting is “salaam” (peace).
Gift Giving Etiquette
Iranians give gifts at various social occasions such as returning from a trip or if someone achieves a major success in their personal or business life.
On birthdays, businesspeople bring sweets and cakes to the office and do not expect to receive gifts.
It is common to give monetary gifts to servants or others who have provided services during the year on No Ruz (The Iranian New Year). Money should be new bank notes or gold coins.
If you are invited to an Iranian’s house, bring flowers, or pastry to the hosts. When giving a gift, always apologize for its inadequacy.
Gifts should be elegantly wrapped – most shops will wrap them for you.
Gifts are not generally opened when received. In fact, they may be put on a table and not mentioned.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to an Iranian’s house:
Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the door.
Dress conservatively.
Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality is appreciated.
Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
Check to see if your spouse is included in the invitation. Conservative Iranians do not entertain mixed-sex groups.
Expect to be shown into the guests’ room. It is usually lavishly furnished with European furniture.
Shake everyone’s hand individually.
Accept any offer of food or drink. Remember to do ‘taarof’.
Table manners
Iranians are rather formal. Although some meals in the home are served on the floor and without eating utensils, it does not indicate a lack of decorum. In more modern homes, meals are served on a dining table with place settings.
Wait to be told where to sit.
Eat only with the right hand.
Try a bit if everything that is served.
Meals are generally served family-style.
Most tables are set with a spoon and fork only.
There is often more food than you can eat. Part of Iranian hospitality is to shower guests with abundance.
Expect to be offered second and even third helpings. Initial refusals will be assumed to be polite gestures (taarof again!) and are not taken seriously.
Leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating.
Restaurants generally have two sections – “family” where women and families dine and “men only”. Tips of between 10 and 15% are appreciated in hotel restaurants
Credit Cards
Kindly note that, International Credit Cards like Visa and MasterCard are not accepted in Iran, therefore you have to bring cash with you to Iran. All types of cash such as US dollars; Euro; GBP and …, are acceptable in Iran. You can exchange your cash to Rials very easily in any official exchange office.
Dress Code in Iran
“Hijab” which is an Islamic dress-code is a necessity in Iran and women have to cover their hair and head according to that. Women are also expected to wear loose clothing and cover all their body except for their hands, face, and feet. Wearing shorts by Men is not acceptable in public.
Forbidden items to bring with you to Iran
Entering every type of narcotics, alcoholic drink, weapon & munitions, every type of Aerial photography cameras (identification camera), every type of sender & receiver sets, and also every type of books, periodical, multimedia that are promoter of moral & belief wantonness, is forbidden.
Hi dear friends. I am NAVID TAHMASEBI (English instructor & Inbound manager of Tavrizh parvaz travel & tourism agency)and I was Born in Tabriz. This weblog is created to introduce IRAN for passengers from all around the World.