Iranian Culture

Large numbers of immigrants despite being a Muslim country

In 1979, the economy was good and many Iranians had come to the US for education, business and travel. Arts and business flourished in Iran. The Shah, Mohammad Reza and his wife were on excellent terms with the people of the United States. In part because women were treated as equals and especially because the Shah wanted to Americanize Iran. The Iranian people were tied deeply to their religious beliefs and there was much opposition against the Mohammad Reza Shah of Iran regarding how he used the secret police, the Savak. Strong Shiite opposition was lead by Ayatollah Khomeini, who lived in exile. His religious message and anti-Shah beliefs was distributed through music cassettes, which were smuggled into Iran in small numbers, and then duplicated, and spread all around the country. On January 16 1979, the Shah left Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran on February 1. Processes against the supporters of the Shah started, and hundreds were executed.

 On April 1, after a landslide victory in a national referendum in which only one choice was offered (Islamic Republic: Yes or No), Ayatollah Khomeini declared an Islamic republic with a new Constitution reflecting his ideals of Islamic government. Ayatollah Khomeini became supreme spiritual leader of Iran. Subsequently many demonstrations were held in protest to the new rules, like extreme regulations on women's code of dress. On November 4, 1979: Iranian Islamic Students stormed the US embassy, taking 66 people, the majority Americans, as hostages. 14 were released before the end of November. In November: The republic's first Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan resigned.

 In 1980 Abolhassan Beni Sadr was elected for president. On September 22: Iraq massively invaded Iran, in the belief that Iran is too weak military to fight back. Some battles were won in the favor of Iraq, but a supposedly weakened Iranian army achieved surprising defensive success. In 1981, on January 20, the hostages in the US embassy were released, after long negotiations, where USA concedes to transfer money, as well as export military equipment to Iran.

 Anger and prejudice towards the Iranians developed after the hostages were seized. However, many Iranians came to the United States when the Shah was deposed rather than to return to the strict religious rule under Ayatollah. There are about 400,000 Persian or Iranian persons living in the United States whose national language is Farsi

 An important customary Iranian behavior is not verbalizing ones thoughts. Therefore, there must be some conversations that banter back and forth without expression of important thoughts. Facial expressions like a wink or raised eyebrow may be important clues. Tilting the head up quickly means no. Tilting the head to the side means what? Tilting the head down means yes Iranians admire indirectness, modesty, subdued assertiveness, politeness, respectability, and good reputation.

 Showing the sole of the foot or shoe is rude and extending the thumb in a thumbs-up gesture is a vulgar gesture. Touching is not a frequent practice even for married couples in public. However, a slight bow with a handshake is perfectly acceptable. Intense eye contact is maintained between intimates and equals of the same gender.

 Iranian Society is patriarchal in nature. The fathers authority passes down to the eldest son. Siblings relationships are deep, trusting and lively. Children and Teens are included in adult gatherings. Babysitters are usually family or close friends. Teens are expected to refrain from drugs, alcohol, and sex.

 Families are very close and parents will provide financial assistance for education, first homes and businesses. Shoes are not worn in the home & the hostess will provide slippers at the front door. Women avoid bright colors and wear the traditional head covering (Hejab). Most will wear garments to cover the arms and legs.

 Most Iranians strongly disapprove of living together before marriage, divorce and intercultural marriage. Homosexuality is against religious laws and is punishable by death. Iranians have a history of lacking sanitary systems. Gastrointestinal dysentery is common as is malaria, cholera, bacterial meningitis, and hook worms. Health issues include stress, malnutrition, Hep A and Hep B, TB, mental illness.

Foods/eating behavior
Garm items are hot like walnuts, honey, onions, garlic and spices and Sard items are cold like grapes, rhubarb, plums, and cucumber. Iranian culture believes the foods must be kept in balance or suffer illness. Rice and bread are the main carbs. Dairy is a rich source of carbs and protein: eggs, milk, and yogurt. Strict Muslims avoid Pork, Alcohol and Shellfish. Meat is halal only if butchering is done properly.

Fertility practices
Vasectomies are just gaining acceptance in Iran. Infertility is blamed on the woman. High fertility has been very popular in last 25 years. Menstruation is considered unclean and a time of great fragility for women. Pregnancy is a time of food cravings. Women are encouraged to avoid fried foods. Heavy work is believed to cause miscarriage. Women in the family support the mother-to-be. Fathers are not in attendance. The post partum period lasts 30-40 days. The family isolates the baby from the outside world for 10-15 days.

 At the time of dying, the death bed is turned to face Mecca. The body is washed three times from head to toe by family members and wrapped in white linen. Embalming is not done and the body is placed directly in the earth. Cremation is not practiced. Memorial gatherings are held on the 3rd, 7th, and 40th day after death. Loud grieving is symbolic as a sign of caring. Food and drinks celebrate the occasion.

Holidays
Ramadan requires fasting from sun up until sun down for an entire month. Pregnant women and those who have health problems do not have to observe fasting. Muslims believe in Tagdir meaning God has power over ones fate in life and death. Many illnesses are caused by the evil eye known as cheshm-i-bad.

 Iranian medicine is a combination of Galenic, Islamic and modern biomedicine. Iranian Patients tend to be passive and to seek care and attention from family members. Zaher is a social faade of decorum to hide ones negative feelings and attitudes. This trait may cause the patient to hide important facts about his illness. Herbal remedies include teas, syrups and salves. Foxglove is used to digestive and nervous upsets, razianeh for bad breath, quince for sorethroats, and sedr for dandruff.

 Women are very modest about undressing in front of the opposite gender. Nurses are not common in Iran so they are accorded less respect than doctors. Organ transplant is acceptable and in fact, organs are a business in Iran where kidneys can be purchased. Blood transfusion is widely accepted.