What follows are photos of the ritual retrieved from the Young Journalists’ Club (YJC):
Iran Reports Lowest One-Day COVID-19 Fatalities in Two Months
In a press briefing on Sunday, Sima-Sadat Lari said the new fatalities increase the overall death toll to 21,462. The new cases also raise the total number of infections to 373,570.
So far, she noted, 321,421 patients have recovered from the disease or been discharged from the hospital.
Lari said 3,759 patients are also in critical conditions caused by more severe infection.
The spokeswoman noted that 3,207,269 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country so far.
She said the high-risk “red” zones include Tehran, Qom, Mazandaran, East Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Yazd, Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan, Semnan, Gilan, Zanjan, Qazvin, and Kerman provinces.
The “orange” zones also include Lorestan, Ardabil, Golestan, Markazi, Alborz, Hormozgan, Ilam, Fars, Bushehr, West Azarbaijan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kermanshah, South Khorasan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Khuzestan provinces, she added.
6 Special Gifts for Your Special Someone
Just take a moment to take a long, deep breath and then follow the thought-lines laid out below. Irrespective of the present status of your relationship, these ideas should be of immense help. Try to pick a gift that is funny in case you don’t want it to be wildly romantic.
1. Something Your Special Someone Needs
This one is the type of idea that never fails and has good chances of being appreciated. If it’s a moment to celebrate, especially during the holidays, finding something they had been looking for quite some time now is a surefire option. In case your budget does not let you be lavish, try to find something they need while being practical-minded.
2. Something That They are Particularly Fond Of
Finding the right kind of food or drink or smoke item that your loved one is particularly fond of can be challenging. But if you can do it right, this can make up for the perfect gift. If your special someone has some particular dish or set of dishes that they especially like, then a gift card lets them gorge on the same. Suppose you are looking for someone who takes his smoking seriously or something similar. In that case, it is a great idea to buy them cigars or a bottle of alcohol or beverage. In case you opt to give them a gift card, then don’t forget to accompany them to the restaurant for a nice dinner or lunch or snacks. Another great idea is to cook the dish that your loved one particularly likes. You can even make it a grand surprise by asking their friends or relatives the recipes they are especially fond of.
3. Items Themed Around Topics They Endear
We are all, in some ways, fans. It may be a cult movie or a mainstream music artist or even a fiction piece highly regarded by fans and critics, but we all are fans of something. So, according to your age and the likings of your special someone, you can buy them items themed around particular fandoms. For this purpose, online e-commerce resources are a great option. You will not only find items themed around several topics but will find a wide variety of such things as well. The favorite places to hit for such items are Etsy, Amazon, and Hot Topic. It would be delightful if the two of you shared a liking for the topic.
4. Prove Them with an Experience or Event
There is little that can equal the experience you have lived. Memories are one of the most precious things about life. It is lovely to share some unforgettable memories with your special someone. If you two are still boyfriends or girlfriends and the special someone says no to gifts, then a pass for a couple to an activity or event is a great idea. It will be nice if both of you enjoy the action. It will serve to cement your relationship, too, besides spending some quality time together.
5. Get a Personalized Gift
With the modern advancement of technology and personalized gifts item providers’ profusion, it is easy to make your partner feel special. It can be expensive, like a necklace or watch with customized messages or something more commonplace like a t-shirt but still personalized.
6. A Game That You Can Play Together
If that special someone likes board games or video games, then you have a surefire gift idea right there. Make sure that they don’t already have the game and go ahead and play with them! Another good idea is to buy them a game that you two used to play together with or without other people.
There are a wide variety and purposes of gifts and gifting. It would serve as the topic of an individual blog post by itself. You should also know that relationships like boyfriends or girlfriends are the hardest ones to buy something for the significant other. Consider the above pointers and try to develop a personalized list of gift ideas for your significant other. If your special someone likes you in all probability, they would appreciate all the love you convey through your gift.
Ashura Marked in Iran amid Strict COVID-19 Measures
Shiite mourners annually take part in processions held in mosques and streets with different traditions to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s grandson Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in Karbala.
However, this year’s Muharram ceremonies are different from the past as large gatherings have been banned due to the coronavirus pandemic and people have been advised to take part in outdoor events while observing social distancing rules.
The mourning ceremonies of Muharram reach their peak on the 9th day of the month, or Tasu’a, when Imam Hussein’s brother Abbas was martyred, and the 10th day, or Ashura, when Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions were martyred.
Around 680 AD, Imam Hussein (PBUH) along with his 72 followers was massacred in the battle of Karbala in Iraq by the forces of the tyrant ruler of the time, Yazid, the second Umayyad caliph.
Muharram ceremonies symbolize the eternal and unwavering stance of truth against falsehood and humanity’s struggle against tyranny, the cause for which Imam Hussein (PBUH) was martyred.
Shiite rituals and observances on Ashura consist primarily of public expressions of mourning and grief such as beating one’s chest as well as beating one’s back with light chains to remind the mourners of the pain and suffering of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his followers on that day.
Iranian people across the country traditionally cook and distribute charity food among their neighbours, family and the poor, but this year the tradition has been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic.
Iran’s New COVID-19 Cases, Fatalities Down to Record-Low
In her press briefing on Saturday, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari said the new deaths increase the overall death toll to 21,359.
The new cases also raise the total number of infections to 371,816, she added.
So far, she added, 319,847 patients have recovered from the disease or been discharged from the hospital.
Lari said 3,791 patients are also in critical conditions caused by more severe infection.
The spokeswoman noted that 3,184,857 COVID-19 tests have been taken across the country so far.
She said the high-risk “red” zones include Tehran, Qom, Mazandaran, East Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Yazd, Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan, Semnan, Gilan, Zanjan, Qazvin, and Kerman provinces.
The “orange” zones also include Lorestan, Ardabil, Golestan, Markazi, Alborz, Hormozgan, Ilam, Fars, Bushehr, West Azarbaijan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kermanshah, South Khorasan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Khuzestan provinces, she added.
SuperForex Offers Its Services to Community of Iran
SuperForex launched in 2013 and quickly began making waves through the world of Forex trading. The company gained popularity in the fast-paced trading industry of South-East Asia, conquering Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore first. Over the years, the broker has expanded to have over five
million customers across 150 different countries. SuperForex is especially popular in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, which naturally led to an expansion towards Iran.
One of the reasons why SuperForex appeals to so many people is because of the company’s long list of trading instruments. Their traders are able to craft rich portfolios and hedge their investments over 300+ currency pairs (including exotic ones), options, futures, CFDs, and the stocks of the world’s most profitable companies. SuperForex also offers several options for commodity trading, including different kinds of crude oil futures.
Besides the diversity of trading instruments, SuperForex also offers a variety of account types for both standard and ECN trading. Moreover, all account types also include a swap-free (also known as “Islamic”) option, so even traders who avoid swaps for religious reasons can use SuperForex’s services.
SuperForex also has a comprehensive Bonus Program. Thanks to these bonuses, traders can try out the company’s services with minimal or even no investment at all (as is the case of the No Deposit Bonus).
In addition, the company aims to offer trading education to its customer base for free. Besides a large collection of educational materials already available online on the SuperForex website, the company also organizes trading seminars regularly. The broker partners up with local SuperForex representatives for these events, where trading topics are discussed in person with local traders.
For more information about the offers and services of SuperForex, please contact the company directly via their website or social media outlets.
Iran Pursuing Efforts to Ascertain Fate of Imam Musa al-Sadr
“Disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr is one of the major issues that the Islamic Republic of Iran has been constantly pursuing in the past years, and will keep it on the agenda until achieving results and discovering the truth,” Khatibzadeh said on Saturday, when asked by reporters about the influential Shiite cleric, the anniversary of whose disappearance has coincided with Ashura this year, the day marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in the Battle of Karbala.
Pointing to various dimensions of Imam Musa al-Sadr’s character, the spokesperson said, “Imam Musa al-Sadr is one of the most notable founders of currents and most influential figures that did his utmost to ensure Muslim unity and dignity, dialogue among religions, and proximity of faiths. Imam Musa al-Sadr’s services and endeavours are so extensive that all people in the region enjoy them today, particularly the appreciative people of Lebanon.”
“He was the founder of an intellectual and behavioral school of thought in the Islamic world and the Shiite world, whose benefits have continued until today and are becoming clearer every day,” he added.
The Iranian diplomat also attributed the victories, progress and achievements of the anti-Zionism resistance to the presence of Imam Musa al-Sadr in Lebanon, adding, “Imam Musa al-Sadr is renowned in Lebanon mainly for his role in shaping the main cores of resistance against the Zionist regime’s occupation and in creating unity and peaceful coexistence among the followers of religions.”
Highlighting the similarities between the ideologies of Imam Musa al-Sadr and Imam Khomeini, the Iranian spokesperson said, “Undoubtedly, he (Imam Musa al-Sadr) must be regarded as the reviver of the political life of the oppressed and deprived people and the founder of many activities in Lebanon.”
“He founded a movement, one of whose results is Lebanon’s Islamic resistance against Israel, and is shining like a medal of honour for Lebanon,” Khatibzadeh stated.
He further paid tribute to Imam Musa al-Sadr for siding with major Lebanese clerics and prominent figures on important issues such as empowering the deprived people in Lebanon and supporting the struggle against occupation, colonialism, persecution, discrimination and exploitation.
“Imam Musa al-Sadr played a prominent role in enlightening people and thwarting the plots hatched by the enemies of Lebanon, particularly during the country’s civil war, and created an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians, as Lebanon is today known as a model for such peaceful coexistence in the world,” Khatibzadeh added.
“The whole efforts made by Imam Musa al-Sadr in these fields and his decisive support for the liberation of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque dismayed the opponents of peace, calm, coexistence and independence in Lebanon, so much so that they sought to eliminate him from the scene. However, Imam Musa al-Sadr belongs not only to Iran and Lebanon today, but to the entire region,” he added.
The spokesperson finally highlighted the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s efforts to work on the case of Imam Musa al-Sadr, adding, “We in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are pursuing the case of Imam Musa al-Sadr with all its complexities in cooperation with the Lebanese friends through various means, as there are arrangements and dialogues at the bilateral and international levels to ascertain the fate of him and two companions, and they will go on until achievement of results, God willing.”
Shiite Muslims Mourn Karbala Tragedy Ahead of Ashura
The mourners annually take part in processions held in mosques and streets with different traditions to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s grandson Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions in Karbala.
This year, however, the restrictions imposed by the Iranian government to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus have affected the annual gatherings.
The mourning rituals this year are only allowed to be held outdoors and on the condition that health protocols are observed.
The mourning ceremonies of Muharram reach their peak on the 9th day of the month, or Tasu’a, when Imam Hussein’s brother Abbas was martyred, and the 10th day, or Ashura, when Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions were martyred.
Around 680 AD, Imam Hussein (PBUH) along with his 72 followers was massacred in the battle of Karbala in Iraq by the forces of the tyrant ruler of the time, Yazid, the second Umayyad caliph.
Muharram ceremonies symbolize the eternal and unwavering stance of truth against falsehood and humanity’s struggle against tyranny, the cause for which Imam Hussein (PBUH) was martyred.
Shiite rituals and observances on Ashura consist primarily of public expressions of mourning and grief such as beating one’s chest as well as beating one’s back with light chains to remind the mourners of the pain and suffering of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his followers on that day.
Iranian people across the country traditionally cook and distribute charity food among their neighbours, family and the poor, but this year the tradition has been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic.
Ta’zieh is also among the rituals held in Iran during the Muharram mourning ceremonies. Ta’zieh, as an Iranian national and religious dramatic performance, recounts religious and historical events through poetry, recitation, music, songs and motion.
The traditional play narrates the story of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions in Karbala with its own specific style and rituals.
This Persian Passion Play was registered on the UNESCO list during the fifth session of the UN body’s Intergovernmental Committee in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2011.
The tragedy of Ashura leaves a permanent mark on the soul of any free and compassionate spirit, regardless of religion or race.
US Plot to Destabilize Iran’s Forex Market Failed: Central Bank Chief
Abdolnasser Hemmati made the remarks in a Friday statement, the full text of which follows:
1- The relentless efforts by the US and its agents to destabilize money and foreign exchange markets in Iran is not something new. These efforts have aimed at sawing negative expectations and bringing the Iranian economy to its knees.
2- Despite all pressures and pain imposed on us, they have certainly failed to achieve their goals. Measures taken by the Central Banks have contained attempts to distort expectations and induce hyper inflation.
3- The temporary surge in the inflation rate, in the first months of this year, mainly due to the pandemic and adverse expectations, is being contained. The central banks is committed to achieve its announced inflation target and is utilizing all tools to do so.
4- All basic goods are appropriated and the required foreign exchange resources are being provisioned through both the Central Bank and the NIMA system. Despite the fact that the oil revenues have fallen substantially, with the help of our exporters we have provided foreign exchange resources for basic goods and raw materials.
5- The Central Bank has devised its plans based on continuation of illegal and unilateral US sanctions. Last minutes desperate attempts to strengthen sanctions will not deter our plans for maintaining market stability.
6- The Central Bank has put all its efforts to maintain market stability and mitigate speculative fluctuations, to help sustain economic prosperity and growth. We continue monitoring macroeconomic variables and take appropriate action when deemed necessary.
