Iranians hold night vigil to pray on second night of Laylat al-Qadr

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April 1, 2024

There is no exact date for the occasion, but various sources say it falls either on the 19th, the 21st, or the 23rd night of the holy month of Ramadan, which is drawing to a close

The worshippers stayed awake all night until Suhur, the morning meal of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Massive congregations were held in the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom, home to the shrines of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam, and his sister, Hazrat Masoumeh.

According to Islamic scriptures, Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest of all nights, when the destiny for the year is decided.

Muslims believe that angels descend on the earth to listen to the worshippers.

The 21st of Ramadan is doubly important for Shia Muslims as it is concurrent with the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali, the first Shia Imam.

Iranians mark Nature Day, the last day of Nowruz holidays

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IFP Editorial Staff

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April 1, 2024

The day is known as Sizdah Bedar, literally meaning ‘thirteen out’, which has its roots in the belief that spending time out in nature will chase away bad luck in the New Year, as thirteen represents bad luck in mythology.

Sizdah Bedar has been celebrated for thousands of years in Iran and other Persian-speaking communities in the region and beyond.

The Nature Day is an occasion to raise awareness about preserving the environment too.

However, this year there is a confluence of the New Year and the holy fasting month of Ramadan, when people abstain from eating and drinking in public until sunset.

This is not the first time that Iranians have to make adjustments for Sizdah Bedar. During the Coronavirus pandemic in previous years, they stayed home and refrained from family gatherings.

Iranian pres. Raisi urges stronger ties with Turkey amid Gaza crisis

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

Iran and Turkey Presidents Raisi and Erdogan

Raisi emphasized the urgency of implementing existing agreements and expressed Iran’s readiness to enhance cooperation in energy sector.

Amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip, Raisi condemned the ongoing atrocities perpetrated by the Zionist regime, emphasizing the necessity for unified Islamic action to support the oppressed Gazans.

He urged Islamic leaders to take decisive measures within regional and international forums to halt the genocide in Palestine.

The Iranian president added: “In a situation where the US government continues to provide extensive financial and weapons support to the criminal Zionist regime, one of the most deterrent and effective ways to compel the Zionists to cease their crimes in Gaza is by completely severing political and economic relations with this regime.”

Highlighting the importance of humanitarian aid, Raisi called for solidarity among Islamic countries to avert famine in Gaza, reaffirming Iran’s willingness to participate in relief efforts.

Erdogan echoed Turkey’s commitment to honoring agreements reached between Iran and Turkey, reinforcing the cooperative spirit between the two nations.

Dividing Iran, Afghanistan a U.S. scheme: Ambassador

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

Kazemi Qomi underlined the Islamic Republic’s commitment to forging a strategic partnership with Afghanistan during a recent meeting on water diplomacy.

Kazemi Qomi highlighted the importance of linking the economic interests of both nations and integrating their infrastructures to strengthen ties.

He underscored the shared challenge of combating terrorist elements, including Daesh, which he labeled as part of a larger scheme orchestrated by Western powers.

Addressing Afghanistan’s economic development, Kazemi Qomi pointed out that a deteriorating economy could exacerbate issues such as immigration and ISIS recruitment.

He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan to address these challenges effectively.

Expressing satisfaction over the Helmand River water reaching Iran from Afghanistan, Kazemi Qomi urged a comprehensive approach to tackle the water crisis in the region.

First Persian fallow deer born in New Year

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

The head of the Environment Protection Organization in the southern Iranian city of Arsanjan, Fars Province, announced the birth of the Persian fallow dear on Sunday in a protected area in the Khalil Beig forest.

The 300-hectare protected area in the forest, which was established in 2011 with 7 deer, is a habitat of the endangered species.

With the birth of the new calf, there are now 118 deer on the site, including those brought from the wild in other provinces.

The Persian fallow deer, along with red deer, is an endangered species placed under the EN category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

Iran has established several sanctuaries, including in Arsanjan as well as Dasht-e-Naz in north of the country, to protect the endangered species.

People in Iranian city of Zanjan recite Qur’an in congregation

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

The annual ceremony continues until the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which culminates in Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to fall on April 9 this year, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Find out more about the ceremony in the pictures.

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Iranians mark Islamic Republic Day anniversary

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

On March 30 and 31, 1979, over 98.2 percent of eligible voters approved the founding of an Islamic Republic in the country.

The day was designated as the Islamic Republic Day on the country’s national calendar and is a national holiday.

The Islamic Revolution, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, led to the toppling of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on February 11, 1979.

The collapse of the Shah and the Pahlavi regime marked the overthrow of the 2,500-year monarchy in Iran.

Iran FM underlines unity among Palestinians in face of Israel Gaza war

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 31, 2024

Amirabdillahian made the plea in a meeting with Ziyad Nakhaleh, Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement and his entourage in Tehran.

In the meeting, Amirabdollahian praised the important role of the Islamic Jihad Movement in defending the rights of the Palestinian people and standing up against the usurping Zionist regime’s aggression.

Amirabdollahian described the unity of the resistance groups in Palestine including the Gaza Strip in the ongoing battle as a valuable manifestation of the Palestinian people.

The Iranian foreign minister said despite all the hardships the Palestinians have gone through, they have scored great victories at various political, legal and international fields as well as on the battlefield.

Ziyad Nakhaleh, Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, for his part said the Islamic Republic of Iran is a true supporter for the Palestinian people, al-Quds and the Muslim world.

He added that despite the six months of unequal war waged by the Zionist regime against the Gaza Strip and the full political, international, and military support by the United States for this regime, the Palestinian people and resistance did not let the Zionist regime achieve its strategic goals.

The secretary general of the Islamic Jihad Movement went on to say that in the past six months of Israeli war on Gaza, the friends and enemies of the Palestinian people were unmasked.

Iranian women’s ice hockey team win Asian Cup

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 30, 2024

The team faced off with the Philippine Women’s Ice Hockey team in the final match of Asia and Oceania and beat them 4-0.

On Friday, the Iranian team defeated India 10-0.

This is the second time that Iranian women contest the Asian cup.

The team came second in the previous tournament that happened in Thailand in 2023.

Iranians hold large Laylat al-Qadr ceremony in Imam Reza shrine

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IFP Editorial Staff

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March 30, 2024

The prayer ceremony was the largest in Iran where worshippers held vigil and recited prayers until dawn, when they eat Suhur, the morning meal, to get ready for a fasting day in Ramadan.

The Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 14 centuries ago at Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Destiny.

Muslims pray to God and ask for forgiveness during the night when their prayers will be awarded manifold.

The nights also have a special status for Shia Muslims when Imam Ali was martyred in 661 AD.

Watch the pictures of the event in Imam Reza’s shrine.

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