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As an American, you are free to visit Iran, but you must be accompanied by a guide at all times in the country. Iranian law requires foreign tourists to be accompanied by guides

to ensure the safety, comfort, and freedom of tourists. Upon arriving in Iran, make sure you have plenty of cash. You will not be able to use your credit cards or debit card in Iran,

because it is mostly a cash society. As a visitor, you need to follow the strict dress code for Iranians. Women must wear a

headscarf, even visitors to the nation. Headscarves must cover your neck and head and be worn at all times. A woman’s body shape must be hidden as well. You can wear trousers or jeans that are loose fitting with a baggy top that falls around mid-thigh. Many women tourists choose to wear a summer dress over jeans. Your forearms can be bare, but shoulders should be covered at all times. Men will have fewer dress code rules in Iran. The main rule to remember is that men should not wear shorts, sleeveless vests, or tight shirts. A historical mosque in Kashan, Iran. ANUJAK KAIMOOK/Shutterstock A beautiful, colorful mosque in the middle of the Rayen oasis. Angela Meier/Shutterstock

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Social etiquette is an important part of Iranian culture. Iranians show the utmost respect for their elders and are hospitable to foreigners.Let’s look at some tips on how to greet an Iranian:• In a formal situation, you should shake hands with the other person only if the person is the same sex. To show respect, put your right hand on your chest after shaking hands.• In informal situations Iranians kiss three times on each cheek to greet each other. This informal greeting is reserved for other Iranians.• Use a downward gaze, rather than looking the person in the eye. This is a sign of respect in the Iranian culture.• When greeting children, it is respectful to also shake their hands.• Ensure personal space. Between the same sex, maintain at least three feet of distance. Between opposite sex maintain at least nine feet of distance.Pointing your index finger at someone during a conversation is considered rude in Iran. Did You Know?The Middle East If you are invited to visit an Iranian’s home for a meal, you should always bring a gift. Iranians bring gifts to their host on every occasion. Typically, the gift is in the form of flowers or sweets. When presenting a gift, Iranians apologize for the modesty of the gift to show that they are humble and respectful. If the gift is praised too much by the giver, the host will reject the gift. Elaborate gifts will make the host very uncomfortable so should not be offered. When entering a new room in the house, clear your throat to announce your presence. This is especially important when a man enters a room where women are currently residing

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The official language of Iran is Farsi, which is the Farsi word for Persian. The modern Persian language absorbed many elements from Arabic and Turkish languages and has over 100,000 commonly used words. It is a surprisingly easy-to-learn language and has maintained stability over centuries, which allows Iranians to read ancient texts with ease.Iranians prefer indirect communication. They will use nonverbal cues and speak figuratively to communicate their point. The goal of this type of communication is to avoid embarrassment and to respect others within a conversation. It is recommended that when speaking to Iranians you use open-ended questions and be patient, as it often takes time to draw out the information you seek. Iranians have public and private rules for nonverbal communication. In public, formal communication is used and people of the opposite sex keep their distance from one another. Men and women cannot be physically affectionate in public, but male friends often walk holding hands or kiss to greet one another. In private, these rules are generally relaxed.

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Islam began in Mecca (now Saudi Arabia) during the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The holy book of Islam is called the Qur’an which is considered the word of Allah was given to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. Muslims believe that several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s word and
Muhammad was the last prophet sent. They also believe in several prophets from Judaism and Christianity: Abraham, Moses, Noah, and Jesus to name a few. Muslims believe that Muhammad was visited by the Angel Gabriel in 610 AD while meditating in a cave. It is said that Muhammad continued to receive messages from Allah throughout his life and traveled from Mecca to Medina delivering the word of Allah. After Muhammad’s death, the Islamic religion was led by caliphs, or Islamic leaders. The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and close companion. Abu was in power for about two years before he became ill and died. He named Umar as his successor. Umar, who was another
close companion to Mohammed, assumed leadership of the religion. About 10 years later, Umar was assassinated. A new Islamic caliph was chosen: Uthman, a son-in-law to Muhammad. Uthman was also assassinated; he was replaced by Ali, a cousin and son-in-law to Muhammad. This caliph structure (called caliphate) remained in place for centuries until it evolved into the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire began around 1300 AD and, at its peak in the 1500s to 1600s,controlled the Middle East and parts of southeastern Europe, north Africa, and western Asia. The empire was officially dissolved after World War in 1922—when Turkey was declared a republic. After Muhammad’s death,there was a debate on the leadership of Islam, which led to the emergence of two different sects (a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs from those of a larger group to which they belong): Sunnis and Shia Muslims. Approximately 90 percent of all Muslims are Sunnis worldwide. The main distinction that The Koran is written in Arabic and is the holy book in Islam.Xalman Sh/Shutterstock Emerged was that Sunni Muslims believe the companions of Mohammed should rule after his death whereas Shia Muslims believe the relatives of Mohammed should rule. Whereas Sunni Muslims call their leader a caliph, Shia Muslims use the title imam for their religious leaders. The majority of Shia Muslim presence is in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. In Islam, the Koran is the holy book. The Koran contains 14 chapters, or surahs, that contain the word of Allah and was compiled after Muhammad’s death. Muslims pray and recite the Koran in a mosque, the Islamic place of worship. The first mosque was built by Muhammad in Medina. Each mosque must have a mihrab, which is a decorative feature pointing toward Mecca. This assists Muslims during prayer when they must face the direction of Mecca. There are five pillars of Islam that all Muslims must follow. These pillars are essential to their faith. The pillars are:1. Shahada – Declare faith in God and belief that Muhammad is the messenger of God.2. Salat – Pray five times per day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening). 3. Zakat – Give to those in need. 4. Sawm – Fast during Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic year in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset). 5. Hajj– Make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca during their life.There is no official symbol for Islam; however,many people have adopted the crescent moon with a star as an Islamic symbol. In addition,the color green is typically associated with Islam, because it is associated with paradise in the afterlife

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The official religion in Iran is Islam. Islam is the religion of approximately 99 percent of
Iranians. There are two major sects of Islam: Sunni and Shia. The majority of Iranians
practice Shia Islam, while most Middle Eastern states are predominantly Sunni.

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Throughout history, women have held strong roles in Iranian culture. They take on public causes but do not become the public face of those causes. Girls are seen as treasures to a family. A girl who is considered chaste (pure), modest, and educated can attract a marriage that is beneficial to the entire family. Although the perception of women in Iran is based on their dress and appearance—for example, whether their attire is considered modest—it is not used to judge the rights of women. Women are encouraged and obligated to be educated. They can attend higher education institutions; however, the enrollment of women is about half that of men. Modern Iranian women are not marrying as young nor having as many children as they did in the past. In Iran, all organizations must accept women for employment. However, there are limitations on what jobs women can hold based on the required dress code. The Qur’an or Koran—which contains the Islamic faith’s sacred writings—specifies that women must dress modestly. In various Muslim cultures and nations, we see different traditions of women’s modesty and varying laws surrounding their clothing. In Iran, as in other Islamic cultures, dressing modestly means women must cover their hair, because the exposed hair of a woman is seen as erotic and suggestive. Women typically use a chador, a piece of cloth wrapped around the upper body and head. The chador is the Persian word for the same type of modest garment seen in Arab cultures with the Arabic name abaya. It is usually held together with the woman’s hands, which significantly reduces her ability to perform any type of work.

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The people of Iran maintain close relationships with their immediate and extended families. In fact, parents may have large homes or an extended network of homes in which an entire family lives together. Imagine living with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins under one roof. Some families have separate living spaces, but other
families may live in one room and have common rooms for eating and gathering. For example, a husband, wife, and children may all share one room for sleeping. The patriarch, or male head of the family, is always the oldest living male. At a young age, boys are primed for the role as patriarch in the family. They are taught how to enforce humility and modesty. The fathers in each family are seen as the disciplinarians, and older siblings are expected to help raise their younger siblings. The average salary in Iran is set well below the poverty line. The poverty line is the minimum income needed to obtain the necessities for life. In Iran the poverty line is $166 per month for a family of four. The monthly minimum wage in Iran as of March 2019 was $120. There is a push for that to increase to $538 to ensure that basic costs of living are covered. Did You Know? The Middle East In the area of marriages, however, mothers have primary responsibility. Mothers are constantly looking for appropriate matches for their children. When a marriage occurs in Iran, both families merge into one, so it’s important that the families get along. For this reason, marriage within the family, often cousins, is common. If an inter family marriage is proposed to a son,he can refuse his parents’ selection; however, he cannot refuse a marriage outside the family. An inter family marriage may be desirable to some families, because it guarantees the daughter’s remains intact whereas a marriage outside the family introduces an element of risk as the two families become one. The tradition of inter family marriage is slowly changing among the younger generation but remains a possibility, especially those living in rural areas. For a marriage outside the family, a formal contract is required. The marriage process begins with the father of the bride or groom making a formal proposal for the marriage of his child in a social meeting between the two families. The formal process also involves negotiating a “marriage contract.” Iranians love to negotiate, and a negotiation for marriage brings both families much joy. The marriage contract establishes the dowry, property or money given for a bride to the bride’s family by her husband upon their marriage. In the case of a marriage outside of the family, the dowry also helps protect the woman because it guarantees her some property or wealth instead of relying on her husband only. In addition, the marriage contract serves as a prenuptial agreement for Iranian couples. For example, the contract specifies how much money the husband would be required to pay the bride’s family to support her if the marriage eventually ends in divorce.

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In Iran, businesses operate Saturday through Wednesday for eight hours and Thursday for four hours. All Iranians have an afternoon siesta to enjoy the main meal of the day. Iranian workers also celebrate approximately 22 non-work holidays per year. In addition, Iranian workers receive about a month of vacation each year. This is a large number of holiday and vacation days compared to the US. Iranians tend to give a fair amount of personal space to others; however, by US standards their personal space would seem a bit cramped. This is especially the case when being seated for a meal. You can expect elbows and knees to be touching when sitting fora meal. You may find that your personal space is being invaded by sitting in close proximity, but this is normal for Iranians. Keep in mind that you should always keep more personal space between yourself and those of the opposite sex. It is recommended that you keep approximately nine feet of space between yourself and those of the opposite sex.

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Iran has an unprecedented opportunity to become a leader in technology in the coming years. The majority of its population is under 30 and the government strongly supports technology initiatives throughout the country. Technological development was identified as one of the top three national priorities for Iran in 2016. In addition to the government’s support, technological start-ups are booming and are poised to become important investments for international investors.Another key to technology growth is the country’s dedication to education. Iran is one of the world’s top investors when it comes to educating its citizens. The country continues to pour resources into educating Iranian men and women to fill open positions in the technology sector. Across the Middle East and Central Asia, Iran has the most mobile phone and Internet users. However, it is considered one of the least digitally empowered countries due to censorship. Iranian authorities have thousands of volunteers who monitor online speech. Some of the Internet controls that have been used by Iran at various times include:• Blocking all access to the Internet whenever the government chooses• Blocking certain social media and communication platforms• Intentionally slowing Internet connection speed, which makes access difficult• Blocking political, social, or religious content• Using pro-government volunteers to manipulate online discussions• Punishing bloggers, including the use of imprisonment, physical attacks, and death • Undertaking cyber attacks against human rights organizations or government critics In 2019, the Iranian government completely shut off the Internet for the entire population in an attempt to silence millions of citizens who were protesting fuel price increases.

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Iran’s economy is diverse and does not rely solely on oil production. About one-fifth of all Iranian employment stems from manufacturing, including production of automobiles, metals, and plastics. However, these industries suffer due to limited imports of raw materials and customers who are weary of secondary sanctions from the United States. Iran’s economy has survived by using informal payment systems and leveraging relationships with neighboring countries to help keep businesses afloat. Many Iranians are unhappy with the nation’s response to US sanctions and have started protesting the hardships they face. In Iran, the government has substantial control over the economic affairs of the nation. The Iranian government owns and operates hundreds of businesses and indirectly controls many companies. The private sector is stunted by corruption, price controls,subsidies, and a banking system that holds billions in default loans. (Default loans are loans for which the borrower has not made scheduled payments). The private sector is limited to small-scale workshops, farming, minimal manufacturing, and services. In 2015, the US, Russia, France, China, and the United Kingdom signed an agreement with Iran to restrict their nuclear production. Iran agreed to shut down most of it centrifuges and remove almost all of its bomb-making material. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran Nuclear Deal as it is better known, was endorsed by the United Nations (UN) and set clear goals for Iran to dismantle its nuclear weapons and, in exchange, sanctions would be lifted. The JCPOA was implemented in January 2016 and sparked a growth in the Iranian economy through the restoration of oil production and revenue. The economic growth was short-lived; the US backed out of the JCPOA in 2018 after a new US presidential administration took office. Since 2018, Iran has faced a mountain of US sanctions that have weakened its economy. According to the current US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the US is exerting maximum pressure aiming to cut off 80% of Iran’s oil revenues. Currently, the economy is weak in Iran. However, the mounting sanctions have yet to collapse the country’s If you invite an Iranian to your home and offer them food, their first response must always be “No, thank you.” Even if they do want to sample the food, the principles of taarof will prompt them to be humble and decline. The host should always insist a second time, at which point Iranians can act humbly and accept. Did You Know?The Middle East LESSON 2 Iran and Kuwait 55 economy. Iran is skilled at dealing with sanctions and has a complex economy. Unemployment rates are high. Inflation is high. And there has been a 10 to 20 percent decline in living standards in the area.

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Iran’s culture stresses three important things:Loving God,Loving Iran, Loving family.
Iranians live by the principle of “taarof,” a core concept of Persian culture. It is
important to note that Iran is considered a Persian country, which is different from
all other Middle Eastern countries which are considered Arab countries. Taarof allows Iranians to demonstrate their humility and respect for others, and it is considered a sign of politeness. When interacting with Iranians, the principles of taarof may complicate your communications. However, understanding the tenets and practices of taarof will help build successful relationships.

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iran fun facts

Official name: The Islamic Republic of Iran

Capital: Tehran

Official language: Farsi

Currency: Rial

Calendar: The Solar Hijri calendar, which has been in use since 1925

Energy: Iran has the world's third-largest oil reserves and second-largest natural gas reserves

Government: Iran is an Islamic republic with a Supreme Leader

Alcohol: Alcohol is banned in Iran, but religious minorities are exempt

Etiquette: Iran has a cultural practice called Taarof, where people may refuse money when offered to pay

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Iran has one of the highest numbers of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world

History: Iran was previously known as Persia and was home to the Persian Empire, which was once one of the most powerful empires in the world

Location: Iran is a major regional power with a geopolitically significant location

Shia Islam: Iran is the world's focal point of Shia Islam

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The Middle Eastern country now known as the Islamic Republic of Iran has a continuously documented history
dating back as early as 550 BC when the Achaemenid dynasty ruled the first Persian Empire. Throughout the centuries, this region has experienced many tumultuous
events, including invasions by opposing nations, internal strife, radical government overthrows, and full-scale war. Despite these violent disturbances, the region is rich in culture. In this lesson, we will take a stroll through many facets of Iran’s culture. The capital city of Iran is Tehran and is located in the north-central part of the country, at the foot of the Elburz (also spelled Alborz, Albourz, Alburz, or Elburs) mountain range. Since its designation as the capital city more than 200 years ago, Tehran has grown from a small city binto a major metropolitan area. The rapid expansion of the city has caused major transportation issues. Traffic delays and overcrowding in public transportation are common in Tehran, especially during
commuting times. According to the Provincial Transportation and Terminals Department of Tehran, the province of Tehran, in which the city is located, has more than 12 million residents. Most of the people in the city itself are very young; in fact, more than 50 percent of the population is under the age of 27. Although the history of Iran is immense, we want to take this opportunity to focus on the culture of Iran and what life is like for its people.