Day 2 - Major Holidays and Mournings in Iran

Religious holidays and mourning ceremonies play a central role in Iran’s social and cultural life. These occasions are not only moments of collective spiritual reflection but also carry strong political and cultural significance. From joyous celebrations like Nowruz and Eid to deeply emotional commemorations such as Ashura, these events shape the rhythms of daily life, public space, and social behavior. Today’s lesson is dedicated to exploring how Iranians observe their most important holidays and mourning rituals, particularly within the context of Shia Islam.

  1. Curriculum
  2. Intermediate Persian Syllabus
  3. Week 10 - Religious Persian
  4. Day 2 - Major Holidays and Mournings in Iran  

Reading: For today’s reading, we will start with an informative blog post introducing the most significant religious holidays observed in Iran. Then, we will turn to WikiShia to read a detailed article about the holy month of Ramadan and its significance in Shia Islam.

Listening: A documentary about Muharram in Iran, providing a glimpse into the various rituals and traditions observed during this time across different regions of the country (the original video on YouTube).

Subject of Conversation: Religious and secular festivals in Iran (جشن‌های مذهبی و غیرمذهبی در ایران)

In this discussion, students will talk about the major religious and secular festivals celebrated in Iran. They will compare different holidays and mourning ceremonies, discussing their social, cultural, and sometimes political significance. Students will be encouraged to use new vocabulary and expressions from the lesson to describe events, share their impressions, and ask each other questions. The goal is to help students practice speaking about cultural traditions in Persian while developing fluency, descriptive skills, and cultural awareness.

Homework: 
- Please read today’s articles and study the vocabulary.
- Choose an Iranian holiday and write a short essay about it.
- Conduct some background research to be well-prepared for tomorrow’s discussion.