New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

Cultural richness of Iran in different arenas like different Eastern art, literature and Gnosticism has a global reputation. Iranian myth, fiction, philosophy, poetry, music, folklore, thoughts. According to the Constitution of Iran, the common official language and handwriting (alphabet) is Farsi (Persian) language. The starting point for official Iranian calendar is the flight of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in 662 AD which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The first of Farvardin (March 21st) is the beginning of the New Year in Iran according to the solar calendar.

Iranian official flag is green, white, and red with the sign of Iran and also with 22 ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ (God is Great) in its margins. More than half of the people in Iran speak Farsi (Persian) language and various Persian dialects. The Persian language has its own eloquence and versatility. Consequently, some of the most outstanding literature in oriental countries, especially in the realm of Iranian culture, from Transoxiana to Asia Minor, has been written in Farsi. The rich Iranian culture and the Persian language impressed many tribes of central Asia, in spite of their domination over geographical realm of Iran, for a short time.

The official Iranian calendar is solar. The Iranian New Year begins 1st of Farvardin while coincides with the 21st of March. The lunar calendar is also formally used in Iran. Each lunar year is 11 days less than the solar year. Religious events and ceremonies are calculated according to the lunar calendar, which varies each year. It is recommended that tourists regulate their travel time in order to prevent coincidence of their travel with the fasting month of Ramadan or the mourning month of Moharram. During these months religious ceremonies and rituals influence normal daily activities, with extra holidays.

According to the latest census in 1996, the population of Iran was estimated to be a little more than 60 millions of which about 37 million were urban dwellers, 23 million villagers and a small percentage nomad tribes. The most populated cities are Tehran ,Mashad, Esfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Ahwaz, Rasht, Orumieh, and Kermanshah. More than half the population of the country is active. Total employed population of the country is reported at about 14.5 million, and about 39.5% of the population are below 14 years of age. Thus, the population of Iran is one of the youngest in the world. From an employment point of view, the age distribution of the employed population, 10 years of age and above, in different economic sectors is 23.04% in agriculture, 44.5% in services, and 30.7% in industry.

Out of the total population of the country, 6 years of age and above, 79.51% are literate. The rate of literacy in urban areas is 96.88%, and in rural areas is 91.37%. This ratio is 84.66% for men and 74.21% for women with a great difference between sexes in rural areas. In urban areas this ratio is 89.56% and 81.7% and in rural areas is 76.74% and 62.14% for men and women, respectively.

In general, tourists are very interested in seeing the decampment of nomad tribes. The main reason for that is the fact that these nomad tribes have well safeguarded their old traditions and culture. The present life style of nomads in Iran is not so different from that of our predecessors. Therefore, visiting the nomad tribes and settlements is very interesting and will help them to get acquainted with the life and culture of ancient Iranians.

Iran is situated on the way of Central and the East Asia to western countries. As a result,different ethnic groups live in Iran. Among them are Farsis, Kurds, Lors, Baluchis, Bakhtiaris, Azari Tuks, Taleshs, Turkmens, Qashqais, and Arabs. Other smaller ethnic groups who live in Iran are Turkmeen, who live in Turkmen Sahara and north of Khorassan. They are different from other Iranian ethnic groups appearance, language,and culture. Qashqais are of Turkish origin and live in the central part of Iran. Arabs clans, on the other hand, mostly live in Khuzestan and are scattered along the coastline of the Persian Gulf. Today, the geographic distribution and composition of ethnic groups is more or less mixed due to development and interaction between different ethnic groups.

Some groups of coloured people scattered in the southern provinces of Iran are the descendants of slave trade with Zanzibar in the past. The existing Indian minority in the south of Iran are also descendants of Indian merchants of the past.

BAKHTIARI, Ph.D. is the cultural counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nigeria.

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Iran is founder of Zoroaster religion

By DR. ABBAS BAKHTIARI ________________________________________________________________

Iran is the birth place of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian religion one of the oldest religions of the world. The official religion of Iran , based on Article 12 of the Constitution, is Islam (Shiite), and about 99.56% of the people of the country and Muslims. Disciples of other branches of Islam such as Hanafi, Maleki, Shafei, Hanbali in Iran are highly respected are live freely without any limitations. In the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, religions such as Zoroastrian, Christian, and Judaism are officially recognized and their disciples have political, social and economic rights as Muslims. Religious minorities of Zoroastrian, Armenian, Jew, Assyrian, and Chaldean have their own independent representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament).

With the expansion of Islam in Iran , the tombs of the Imams (descendants of the Prophet of Islam and Shiite religious leaders) were gradually changed to places of pilgrimage and shrines. Subsequently, people and religious leaders constructed suitable and outstanding buildings in these places. These buildings or Imamzadehs have unique architectural styles. The most famous artist of the time, making use of existing possibilities, portrayed their skills, art and genius in the construction and ornamentation of these shrines. Genius and talents are reflected in most such buildings. The places of pilgrimage in Iran are divided into two categories:

· The places with international fame like the sacred Shrine of His Holiness Imam Reza (PBUH) in Mashad and the Shrine of Her Holiness Hazrat Ma’soomeh (PBHU) in Qom . The social and economic life of these two cities is interlocked with the existence of these shrines.

· The places with local and regional fame: These places of pilgrimage are scattered in different parts of the country of which the most important ones are: the Shrine of His Holiness Ahmad-ebne Musa (PBUH) famous as Shah Cheraq in Shiraz of His Holiness Hazrat Abol Azim in Shahar Ray (south of Tehran); and Mausoleum of Danial-e-Nabi in Susa (Shoosh).

These tombs, mostly dome-shaped, are places of pilgrimage for local people, specially on weekends. On the other hand, since some of these places are located in regions with a pleasant climate., they are also places for recreation surrounded by different shop and other services. So, many Imamzadehs are located in the suburbs of cities and villages.

In addition to Shiites, there live in Iran other religious minorities-Sunnites, Zoroastrians, Assyrians, and Jews who have their sacred religious place. Here some of these places, which are important from a tourism point of view, are pointed out:

The most important pilgrimage places for Sunnites are Mausoleum of Sheikh-e-Jaam in Torbat Jaam and Sanandadj Jame’Mosque. Zoroastrians of Iran, who live mostly inYazd and Tehran , annually go to Persepolis , Naghsh-e-Rostam,Tag-e-Bostan and Bistoon Inscription for their religious ceremonies and rituals. The old Azargoshasb Fire-temple in Takht-e-Solaiman, Kashmar Tower in Khorassan, and Orumieh Lake are other sacred sites for Zoroastrians.

Armenians travel to St. Tatavoos Church, located in Siyah Cheshmeh close to Maku, in summers for pilgrimage. In addition to 13 churches in Jolfa (Esfahan), which are sacred place for Armenians, many other historical churches in other part of the country may be pointed out like many old churches in Azarbayjan (of which the most beautiful is St. Stepanous Church), Salmas, and Maku. The most important place of pilgrimage for Jews is the tomb of Esteroo Mord Khay in Hamadan .

BAKHTIARI PHD is the cultural counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iranian Embassy in Nigeria .

Destiny Bookshop represents a share for old guard

A renowned books trader in Kaduna, Mr. Celestine Oluwaseun has decried the failure of all the nation’s security personnel to appreciate the simple intelligence depicted in a novel titled “A share for the old guard” written by a veteran journalist Austin Diagi and launched early last year in Kaduna.

In a re-launch of the novel at the Leventis house main office of Destiny Bookshop in Kaduna recently, the founder and managing director of the bookshop, Mr. Celestine Oluwaseun described the book as a bundle of light intelligence that can only be deciphered by professional security personnel.

But it is a surprise that the book remains in lauded by them in spite of its pleaseness through it well worded presentation and arrangement of characters which gave out the old guard as an epitome of practiced anti-crusader.

This clean spirit of the old guard, he said could not have been omitted by any professional security operative in Nigeria.

He further described “A share for old guard” as fast moving but lacked recommendation from the expected quarters as it is a great work which prevailed over all its contemporaries produced in the country in the past five years. “A share for the old guard” truly pointed in the direction where cleanliness is indirect requirement in the country, he added.