By Afshin Majlesi

Iran at the height of travel season

TEHRAN – Perhaps it is tough to define a best time for visiting Iran, which is known as a four-season country, I mean spring, summer, fall and winter; each having its own charms and travel lovers.

Tehran Intl. Book Fair set for mid-April

TEHRAN – The next edition of the Tehran International Book Fair will be held mid-April, about a month sooner, due to its concurrence with the holy month of Ramadan, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has announced.

Over 31,000 visit Kashan in a day

TEHRAN – Over 31,000 visited Iran’s historical city of Kashan on Wednesday, a public holiday celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Ayatollah Khamenei to lead Eid-al-Fitr prayers

TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the Eid-al-Fitr prayers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla, the Leader’s office has announced.

Ayatollah Khamenei: I had cautioned about JCPOA

TEHRAN – In a meeting with university students on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had warned about the fate of the JCPOA, the official name for the 2015 nuclear deal.

Hundreds gather on sculptural bridge for Ramadan meal

Large numbers of the faithful gather for a communal iftar meal served on Tehran’s Tabiat Bridge, a multilevel, sculptural pedestrian pathway, on May 21, 2019.

Passed down from generation to generation: Ramadan rituals in Birjand

TEHRAN – In the city of Birjand in northeast Iran, the holy month of Ramadan is associated with various rituals which have been passed down from generation to generation.

Hazrat-e Masumeh Shrine serves guests with Iftar banquet

Photo depicts pilgrims to the Hazrat-e Masumeh Shrine who are served with Iftar meals, May 12, 2019.

Benefactors donate $480,000 to free prisoners of unintentional crimes

TEHRAN — Concurrent with the holy month of Ramadan benefactors have donated some 20 billion rials (nearly $480,000) to help free 118 prisoners who committed involuntary crimes, IRNA news agency reported on Monday.

Iran ready to host Muslim tourists during Ramadan

TEHRAN – Iran is ready to provide warm hospitality to religious tourists, particularly the ones from Muslim countries during the fasting month of Ramadan, a senior tourism official has said.

By Yusuf Abdullah 

Al-Taqwa (Piety): The ultimate goal of Ramadan

NIGERIA/ KANO -  In the name of Allah who states “Ramadan is the month In which was sent down The Qur’an, as a guide To mankind, also clear Signs For guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong), So everyone of You Who is present (at his home) During that month should spend it in fasting …” Q2:185 

Every passerby is invited: Communal Iftar meals in Tehran

Passersby have been invited to have Iftar meals along a Tehran street in the fasting month of Ramadan, May 7, 2019.

Rouhani felicitates Holy Ramadan to leaders of Muslim states

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday sent separate messages to leaders of the Islamic countries to felicitate the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

300 charity events to be held during Ramadan

TEHRAN — Some 300 charity events to help free prisoners jailed for unintentional and financial crimes will be held during the holy month of Ramadan, Blood Money Organization’s director Asadollah Jolaei has said.

Iranians make contribution of $7m to free prisoners

TEHRAN — Donations raised over a TV show for releasing prisoners who committed unintentional crimes has reached up to 300 billion rials (nearly $7 million) during the holy month of Ramadan, head of Iran’s Prisons Organization has said.

Divine Month Festival celebrates Ramadan

A music group from the northeastern Iranian region of Khorasan performs during the Divine Month Festival at Tehran’s Milad Tower on May 24, 2018.

Over 113,000 ‘unintentional crime’ prisoners released last year

TEHRAN — More than 113,000 prisoners who had committed unintentional crimes were released in the past Iranian calendar year (March 2017-March 2018), IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting begins

Ramadan, a brief spell of abstinence, the holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims has begun in Islamic countries worldwide.

Ramadan tips for foreign travelers

TEHRAN - For many foreigners, traveling to Iran or other Muslim-majority countries are not complete without wandering around downtown streets and labyrinthine bazaars with savoring local street food.

Donors bring 12 children back to life over Ramadan

TEHRAN — Over the holy fasting month of Ramadan (May 27-June 25), brain dead organ donors restored 12 children lives by donating their hearts at Tehran’s Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center.

Intl. Holy Quran Exhibition wraps up 

TEHRAN – The 25th International Holy Quran Exhibition, which is held during the holy month of Ramadan every year, came to an end at Imam Khomeini Mosalla on Friday.

By Seyed Mahdi Mirghazanfari, MD, PHD

Health tips for Ramadan

Part 7

Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They are also supposed to avoid impure thoughts and bad behavior.

Colorful Iran: Rituals on martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS) in Semnan

People in Iran are mesmerized by the spirit of Ramadan every year. Different tribes and ethnic groups in the country have special rituals to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.

Iftar show in Tehran streets

A large number of people come together every iftar in the fasting month of Ramadan in Tehran streets. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan, and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. In Iran, a select of foods is cooked to break the fast at Maghrib time (just after sunset) and is summarily followed by a proper Persian meal. Tasnim/ M.Sadegh Nikgostar