Christmas in Iran (Photos Included) -- Merry Christmas to every one on FR from your Iranian FRiend

various | 12/21/05 | Self

[Khashayar]

People (both muslims and christians) are getting ready for a happy new year and Christmas!

Although we (Persians) have our own solar year delivery (Norouz) on march 21st every year, most people also celebrate Christmas though

Merry Christmas to every one from Iran

[Khashayar]

More Pics

[BunnySlippers]

I read somewhere this morning about the ban on Western music. Seems like everyone is ignoring it.

Merry Christmas, BTW.

[Nasty McPhilthy]

Amazing!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[LegendHasIt]

Cool! Thank you.

Some nice photos.

I find it hard to believe that they are actually from Iran. Certainly the mullahs aren't happy about this.

God Bless and Merry Christmas to you

[Khashayar]

who cares about the Mullahs and their stupid decrees?

This is not stone age any more!

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks for the photos. It's a side of Iran I didn't know.

[Mordacious]

Great pictures. Happy New Year :)

[Texas_Jarhead]

May God bless, and keep, all those Christians living in the realm of the moon god.

[Fred Nerks]

Thanks Khashayar, come one come all, it's Christmas in Iran!

[flying Elvis]

Wow, they buy the same Chinese crap that we do! I suppose that is why the decorations are all written in English?

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the great photos. Merry Christmas to you, and when the time comes, Happy Norouz.

[DoughtyOne]

It's interesting to see how western those Santas look. It would seem that would be a no-no in today's climate.

[CAluvdubya]

Marvelous!

Merry Christmas!

[ncountylee]

Wonder if Saudi Arabia allows this?

[Lijahsbubbe]

Wonderful pictures!

[Khashayar]

no way!

[Citizen Soldier]

Excellent! Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year, bless you!

[sionnsar]

Khashayar, how does one say "Merry Christmas" in Farsi? And how is it written? (I know a little of the alphabet.)

[Khashayar]

merry christmas!

[Just A Nobody]

Wow! I always enjoy your wonderful photos Khashayar. Thank you for sharing with us.

If you don't mind ... what is the second photo? It is stunning! Merry Christmas!

[jess35]

Nooooooo. The last year I lived in Saudi, we planned on going to Tehran for Christmas. Of course, that was in 1979 and needless to say, we cancelled our plans.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

A very Merry Christmas to you as well Khashayar.

And may the New Year bring you and your family good health and much happiness.

Dr. John Zoidberg

[Khashayar]

Christmas mobarak!

کريسمس مبارک

can you see the persian font?

[Khashayar]

Thanks!

[Khashayar]

The 2nd photo is Shahyad (in memory of the Shah) tower in west of Tehran and in the event of Christmas or holidays, it is lit up by the city hall!

[sionnsar]

It's interesting to see how western those Santas look. It would seem that would be a no-no in today's climate.

Actually one of them looks different - Eastern? I was in Beijing one December 1st when every place suddenly broke out their Christmas trees (decorated in red & gold, of course) and Santa Clauses everywhere.

I was slightly amused when the wife of one of my hosts told him, after seeing me on TV, "He looks so nice, like... like... the Christmas Man!" (She should only see me now.)

[Just A Nobody]

Thank you for the ping Fred!

What an awesome way to end my day!

[Just A Nobody]

(in memory of the Shah)

Oh, no wonder it is so beautiful. It must mean a great deal to you!

[pcottraux]

There's a Christmas in Iran? Learn something new everyday.

[Ramius]

Remarkable. Astonishing, really.

Are these shops defying any sort of official edict by these displays? Or are the religious rules not so strictly enforced?

[flying Elvis]

Look at the bottom of the third from the last picture: Snoopies and Shrek Donkeys. I don't think Islam has much of a problem with Jesus per se, they just don't care for folks who think he is the Son of God.

[Richard Kimball]

God bless you, and prayers for freedom for the Iranian people.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Those are great pictures!

Merry Christmas from the boondocks of Florida.

Here are some photos of the 4-H float at our local Christmas parade ... that's my grandson in the green shirt in the back.

[Fred Nerks]

Have you looked at Khashayar's home page yet?

(And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours, blessings.)

[Ichneumon]

Thanks for the wonderful photos.

If you have time, I have a couple of quick questions... What percentage of Iranians celebrate Christmas? And how do the mullahs in your government feel about that?

[Khashayar]

Most people I know (mid level to rich families) do celebrate in Tehran!

Mullahs do not like any thing un-islamic such as Norooz, Christmas, Yalda night... etc

[Fred Nerks]

I bet it gives the mullahs apoplexy! Santa in a Teheran window, I thought I was dreaming...

[Khashayar]

I'd say it is more of a defiance!

In Holloween time, Militias raid those shops selling stuff to young girls and boys!

[littleleaguemom]

Lovely pictures. When we were in Bethlehem last month, we found that the Muslims there also revere Jesus as their prophet and celebrate his birth. Is that the case in Iran? They also spoke English and English signs and menus were everywhere.

[doug from upland]

And a Merry Christmas to you. May the great people of Iran soon know true freedom.

[Khashayar]

Jesus is very well respected and loved in Iran as he is known as the prophet of the peace!

[F14 Pilot]

merry christmas!

[sionnsar]

Yes I can, thanks!! Let's see (I have a guide here):

kr íst(t? did the dots get dropped?)mí(hm, not the English "a" sound)s

kreestmees? Is that correct?

And "Mobarak?" Doesn't that mean "holy" or "blessed"? (I am drawing here upon my limited and generally incorrect knowledge of a few words in Arabic.)

[Khashayar]

Yep!

Correct

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Merry Christmas

And God have mercy on account of your government that its removal take the minimum of life a la Soviet Union.

[sionnsar]

May the great people of Iran soon know true freedom.

From your lips to God's ears!

[littleleaguemom]

I just looked at the beautiful pictures on your home page. My family fell in love with the Middle East when we visited Israel and Palestine last month. Such history and kind people. We want to spend many more months there and looks like there is so much to see in Iran also.

[paulat]

Khashayar...

Thank you so much for your posts!! I am also glad I was prompted to look at yor home page...I love looking at all the pictures!

I am in Seattle...here's a look at some of our scenery:

[sionnsar]

Kheilimamnoon! (And good night.)

[Bayou City]

Bump for later reading. Merry Christmas and God Bless!!!