Iranian tradition

Sohfreh Aghd

One of the two stages to a persian marriage that could be so fantastic is Aghd . The legal process of getting Married when both bride and bridegroom and their guardians ( Mostly their parents ) sign a marriage contract.
So Ahgh always takes place before weddingtime . Aghd ceremony traditionally is hold in the specially decorated room with flowers that a beatiful and decorated spread on the floor called Sofreh Aghd .
which is made of luxrious fabric such as Termeh( Cashmir cloth) or Atlas(gold satin) or abrisham(silk)
Facing east the direction of the sunrise (light) and when bride and groom are seated at the head of Sofreh Aghd they will be facing the light.
by costumes Aghd would often take place at bride's home.
This is groom who first to take his seat then bride comes afterwards and joins him. bride's parents and guardians say welcome to guests and guide them into hall or ceremony room.
On this spread the following items are placed : Mirror (of fate) Aayeneh-ye Bakht and two candlebras which is symbol of representing brightness in their furture, one of either side of the mirror.
When bride enters the room, she has vail coveriny her face . Once the bride seats beside the groom she removes her vail and the first thing that groom sees should be a refelection of the girl to be his wife.
A tray of seven multi-colored herbs and spices "Sini-ye Aatel-O-Baatel" to guard the couple and their lives together against the evil eye and to drive away evil spirits. This tray consists of seven elements in seven colors:

1. Poppy Seeds "Khash-Khaash" (to break spells)
2.Wild Rice"rice" 3.Angelica "Sabzi Khoshk"
4.Salt "Namak" (to blind the evil eye)
5.Nigella Seeds "Raziyaneh"
6.Black Tea "Chaay"
7.Frankincense "Kondor" (to burn the evil spirits)

A specially baked and decorated flatbread "Noon-e Sangak" with blessing "Mobaarak-Baad" written on it . A separate pieces of bread, feta cheese and fresh herbs are also present to be shared with the guests after the ceremony, to bring the new couple happiness and prosperity.

A basket of decorated eggs and a basket of decorated almonds, and hazelnuts in the shell to symbolize fertility.

A basket of pomegranates andapples for a joyous future are considered heavenly fruits.

A cup of rose water extracted from special Persian roses "Gol-e Mohammadi" to perfume the air.

A bowl is full of crystallized sugar "Shaakh-e Nabaat" to sweeten life for the newly wed.

A metal bowl holding burning wild rue "Espand" is so popular to bring plenty of healt on plenty of health.

A bowl of gold coins representing wealth and prosperity.

A scarf made of silk or any other fine fabric to be held over the bride and bridegroom's head throughout the ceremony by various happily married female relatives (mostly bride's close family members. Two sugar cones "Kalleh Ghand" to be used during the ceremony. These sugar cones are grinded together above the bride and bridegroom's head (over the scarf held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar (symbolizing sweetness and happiness )
A cup of honey to sweeten life. Immediately after the couple is married they each should dip one pinky finger in the cup of honey and feed it to the other one.

A copy of the couple's Holy Book is placed on the spread.Avesta, For Muslims Qur'an, .... This symbolizes God's blessing for the couple.

A prayer carpet is placed in the center of Sofreh-ye Aghd to remind the couple of importance of prayer times and times of hardship. This prayer carpet would include a prayer rosary witha small rug "Sajjaadeh" and a strand of prayer beads "Tasbih".

An collection of sweets and pastries to be shared with the guests after the ceremony.that usually includes: Sugar coated almond strips "Noghl", Baklava (a sweet flaky Persian pastry "Baaghlavaa"), Rice-flour cookies "Noon-Berenji", pea-flour cookies "Noon-Nokhodchi", Almond-flour cookies "Noon-Baadoomi", and Honey roasted almonds "Sohaan A'sali".

By : Masoomeh Haeri

NOSHAHR

My home town,Noshahr is a port city in the province of Mazandaran in the north of Iran.It is known for humid climate because of locating on the north temperate zone. Immence natural beauties make this reigon so unique and attractive destination in the eyes of domestic and foriegn tourists. Natural parks, green mountains and Caspian sea with its greace waterfor swimming all and all located within a few kilometers around Noshahr. Since transport is no problem even late at night, tourist or people can pick or choose between the hotels or resturants and other facilities.

Near to western coastal road to Noshahr there is a quite, nice and unique small township called Namak Abrud wich surrended by tiny coastal villages and you will enjoy visiting these rustic places. So that no body could hesitate to leave the coastal road.Before revolution my town was the second and summer capital of Iran unofficially where the royal governers spent their times or work formally during summer. The port of Noshahr(built by Dutch company) at sea level that you can walk it through in about 10minutes and it used to be popular site for international tranportation but there is a little shipping business as yet.

Also this small town has following facilities for visitors or native residents and inhabitants: A civilian _only airport for a pleasant and comfortable trip, nice hotels and private top class villas with favorable services accomodate 100 of tourists. You can find some educational sites and academies like Azad university, naval science college (Imam Khomeini) and Marlik institue.

Noshahr streets are lined with palm trees and atmosphere is very relaxed and pleasant.most people or tourists prefer to picnic at seaside or coastal bowers. It is so fantastic while walking along the beach You`ll be surprised by unimaginable and beautiful perspective of sunset. Anyone staying there would hardly need to leave this small paradise.

by: Masoomeh Haeri

Vegetarianism and types of it

Vegetarianism is the act of not eating the meat of any animal with or without also refraining from other animal differential, such as dairy products .Some vegetarians choose to also refrain from wearing clothing that has involved the death of animals, such as leather , silk and fur. Vegetarians have varied motivations including religious, cultural, ethical, environmental, social, economic, and health concerns
Top 6 Types of Vegetarians:
1) Pescatarian (also spelled pescetarian)
The word “pescatarian” is sometimes used to describe those who refuse from eating all meat with the exception of fish. more people are choosing this kind of diet, usually for health reason.

2) Flexitarian/Semi-vegetarian
You don’t have to be vegetarian to love vegetarian food! “Flexitarian” is a term recently coined to describe those who eat a mostly vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat meat.
3) Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo- vegetarian)
When most people think of vegetarians, they think of lacto-ovo-vegetarians. People who do not eat beef, fish or animal flesh of any kind, but do eat eggs and dairy products are lacto-ovo vegetarians (“lacto” comes from the Latin for milk, and “ovo” for egg).
Lacto-vegetarian is used to describe a vegetarian who does not eat eggs, but does eat dairy products.
Ovo-vegetarian refers to people who do not eat meat or dairy products but do eat eggs.
4) Vegan
Vegans do not eat meat of any kind and also do not eat eggs, dairy products, or processed foods containing these or other animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin. Many vegans also refrain from eating foods that are made using animal products that may not contain animal products in the finished process, such as sugar and some wines. There is some debate as to whether certain foods, such as honey, fit into a vegan diet.
5) Raw vegan/Raw food diet
A raw vegan diet consists of unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). “Raw foodists” believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost a significant amount of their nutritional value and are harmful to the body.
6) Macrobiotic
The macrobiotic diet, revered by some for its healthy and healing qualities, includes unprocessed vegan foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and allows the occasional consumption of fish. Sugar and refined oils are avoided. Perhaps the most unique qualifier of the macrobiotic diet is its emphasis on the consumption of Asian vegetables, such as daikon, and sea vegetables, such as seaweed.

By: Nooshin Moobed

Women in Islam: Hijab

In the name of Allah the most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

"Literally, Hijab means a veil, curtain, partition or separation. In a meta- physical sense, Hijab means illusion or refers to the illusory aspect of creation. Another, and most popular and common meaning of Hijab today, is the veil in dressing for women."

In some Arabic-speaking countries the word hijab primarily refers to women's head and body covering, but in Islamic scholarship, hijab is given the wider meaning of modesty, privacy, and morality.

Among Muslim women, the discussion about hijab takes many forms. Many believe that hijab is a way to secure personal liberty in the world. Several women have argued that hijab allows them freedom of movement and control of their bodies. Hijab protects women from the male gaze and allows them to become self-determined subjects.

"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?"
Muslim women covering the head and the body because Allah has told them to do so.
tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them when they go out or are among men.Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being.

Muslim women are enjoined to draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except in the presence of their husbands, other women, children, eunuchs and those men who are so closely related to them that they are not allowed to marry them.

By:Nooshin Moobed

The Terrific fact

It's a time I've been thinkin' of forgettin' you

Thought it's hard, I've been successful

You believe in leaving me, I belive in you

In Goodness name, don't be so cruel



It's about a year or two since we first met

You were just a boy; I, a simple girl

You turned to be somebody, I bet

I'm still the girl I used to be, Yeah



It's sad, realinzin' the terrific fact

All my thoughts belong to you

But my heart is always in lack

I'm still dreaming of you



Sometimes I close my eyes, I dream again

Remember the time we spent together

I wonder if the game has been fair!

If we could continue to play forever!



I know, I know that I'm a fool

Just begging to have you by me

And you always remain that cool

I'm livin' my life upon a dream



But the fact is just here

You're gone and I'm alone

Still I feel the fear

you're gone and I'm on my own


By:Nooshin Moobed

Jashne Sade

(Tradition)

Jashne Sade, the festival of the discovery of igniting and maintaining fire, which is not only a source of energy but one of the elements such as the air, the water and the earth that Zoroastrians must preserve and not pollute. Sade meaning hundred, is a mid winter feast celebrated with grandeur and magnificence in ancient Iran. It was a festivity to honor fire and to defeat the forces of darkness, frost and cold.

The Sade festivity which occurs hundred days after the winter in Ancient calendar (fifty days before the Nowruz, the beginning of summer in Ancient Calendar) and celebrated the end of cold weather, heralding the arrival of spring ("Cele Kucak").

By:Nooshin Moobed Site:www.geocities.com/gorgancity/Events.html

Nowruz Has Come

Nowruz or Newday is the celebration of spring equinox and actually nowruze is
the most cherished iranian festival nearly is celebrated by all.
This occasion has its own customes which before iranian are so significant. Modern iranian
celebrate New Year for 13 days.

The first hours of Nowruz called Sal_Tahvil and it is costomary for all to get ready for this moment by taking abath and cleansing themselvs, moreover setting Haft Seen table with sevsen special items. few minutes before starting Nowruz,family members sit beside Sofre Haftseen and pray or wish for themselvs and the others by reading, reciting Quran verses.

By starting New year, from first minutes as all family are so glad,they hug and kiss
eachother and younger members,children and teens pay respect elders specially their
parents or grand parents as wishing them happy new year and recieve presents or
Eidy traditionally cash or coins from them.Iranian people spend first few days to visit
their ralatives and friends.

traditionally in early days of Bahar special meals like Sabzi Polo Mahi with Kuku Sabzi
is also served. These meals are symbolic because of preparing with green ingredients.
Haftseen cloth is the major part of this festival.For this order iranian usually gather all
the seven special items start with letter 'S', Such as Sabze,Sir,Somagh,Samanu,Sib,
Serke,Sekke and theother things like gold fish placed in the fish bowl and mirror with
the lit candels.
These items which iranian set back to the old traditions of ancient Iran and refer to our past time history so these have the mythic significance in relaiton with Nowruz.For exaple: fresh Sir or fresh garlic is used to protect from bad omen or Samanu (a sweet meal prepared of brownish paste) is a symbol of safe nutrition.
Since Nouruz has been afeast of renewal and freshness which comes in the early of spiring that considered as aliveness season,iranian regard it as the valuable tradition.For example this occasion will go on until 13th day
or Sizdeh be dar which they regard as a bad omen day so try to get rid of its misfortunes by leaving thier home and going outdoors .

It is a day of being together in which ralatives or close friends participate in their joyful recreations like as dancing,walking through plains or having delicacies . Finally holidays end up at sunset time when all green shoots are tied by young women that is a symbol of marital bonds.

By:Masoomeh Haery

My Hometown

Yazd province

Yazd province, in the center of Iran, is located between the latitudes 31 53' and 32 56' N. and longitudes 52 55' and 57 30' E.

The city of Yazd's first mention in historic records predate it back to around 3000 years B.C. when it was related to by the name of Isatis, and was then part of the domain of Medas,an ancient settler of Iran.

Yazd has an area of 69,605 square kilometers and based on the 1995 divisions.It has 7 countries named Yazd, Ardakan, Bafq, Taft, Abarkuh, Mehriz and Meybod, 16 towns, 14 rural districts and 38 villages.

The center of this province is Yazd.City in central Iran with 330,000 inhabitants(1996).It is located in the eastern part of central Iran situated on the high, desert plateau that forms much of the country. Admidst the immense desert, Yazd retains its sterling of old in religion, traditions and architecture.It is situated on the border zone between the Great Salt Desert to the north and the Great Salt Desert to the south.

The word Yazd means, feast and worship. The city of Yazd has resisted the modern urbasisation changes and mentained its traditional structure. The geographical features of this region have made people developed special architectural styles. For this reason, in the
older part of the city most houses are built of mud-bricks and have domed roofs.These materials served as insulation preventing heat from passing through.

The existence of special ventilation structures, called Badgirs, on the roofs is a distinctive feature of the architecture of this city ( A Badgir is a high structure on the roof under which, in the interior of the building, there is a small pool). Therefor, Yazd has presented its stable identity at the foothills of the 4000 meter Shir Kooh.

The Jame Mosque (Friday Mosque) crowned by a pair of minarets, the highest in Persia, the portal's facade is decorated from top to bottom in dazzling tile work, predominantly blue in
colour.Whitin there is a long arcaded court where, behind a deep-set south-east Ivan, is sanctuary chamber.This chamber, under a squat tiled dome, is exquisitely decorated with faience mosaic:its tall faience Mihrab, dated 1365, is one of the finest of its kind in existence.

The Mosque was largely rebuilt between 1324 and 1365, and is one of the outstanding 14th century buildings in Persia.The tile work has recently been skilfully restored and a modern library built to house the mosque's valuable collection of books and manuscripts.

Zoroastrians have always been populous in Yazd.Even now roughly ten percent of the town's population adhere to this ancient religion, and though their Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) was turned into mosque when Arabs invaded Iran, a dignified new fire temple was inaugurated thirteen hundred years later.

This Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) intitates meet there, but nobody apart from the Moubad (Grand Priest), a descendant of the Magi, reciting the Avesta, has access to the Moubad-e Moubadan (Saint of Saint) where for the past 3000 years a fire burns in a brazen vessel.The fire itself is a representation of what is good.

Being located beside the central mountains, far from the sea, adjacent to the kavir and in the shadow rainy region,Yazd has a climate which mostly resembles dry desertic climate.Little rain along with high water evaporation, relatively low dampness, heat, and great temperature changes are among the factors making this province, one of the driest parts of Iran.

By:Nooshin Moobed