By Dr. Mahmoud Reza TehraniProfessor of Islamic Studies and History of Science, University of Tehran In the pantheon of medieval Islamic scholars, few figures stand as tall as Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni (973-1048 CE). Often referred to simply…
By Dr. Sarah Henderson, Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan and Dr. Mohammad Rahimi, Department of Anthropology, University of Tehran The study of death rituals across cultures reveals fascinating parallels that transcend geographical and historical boundaries. While Halloween…
By Dr. Parisa Rahimian Professor of Ancient Iranian Studies University of Tehran On a crisp autumn morning in Aban month, as I walk through the courtyards of Tehran’s oldest houses, I can still hear the echoes of celebration from centuries…
In the grand tapestry of Persian history, few symbols resonate as deeply with our national spirit as the Derafsh Kaviani. This legendary standard, with its rich history and profound symbolism, has been a beacon of hope, unity, and resistance for…
In the tapestry of Persian literature, there are threads of gold that shine with a brilliance undimmed by the passage of centuries. Among these lustrous strands, the name of Abu Mansur Muhammad ibn Ahmad Daqiqi Tusi stands out with particular…
By Dr. Farhad Daryaee, Professor of Iranian Studies, University of Tehran In the annals of our illustrious Persian history, there are names that shine like the sun at its zenith, casting long shadows across the centuries. Yet, there are others,…
By Dr. Farhad Khosravi, Professor of Ancient Iranian History at the University of Tehran In the annals of Persian history, there exists a figure whose name, though oft-overlooked by the casual observer, resonates with profound significance for those who have…
In the dawn of Persian history, long before the mighty Sasanian Empire rose to restore the grandeur of Achaemenid rule, a lesser-known but equally important dynasty ruled over the ancient province of Persis (modern Fars). This dynasty was called the…
In the shimmering heart of the 11th century, amidst the rugged mountains and verdant plains of Khorasan, there arose a spiritual beacon whose radiance still illuminates the paths of seekers today. Abu Ismaïl Abdullah al-Harawi al-Ansari, known lovingly as Abdullah…
The Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine, known as Shah Abdol-Azim al-Hasani in Persian (حرم شاه عبدالعظیم حسنی), stands as one of the most venerated religious and historical sites in Iran, and particularly within the sacred landscape of Ray, just south of the…
