Iran's New Year Fire Festival
An Iranian man plays with a firework in the Pardisan Park, Iran, on Tuesday, during 'Chaharshanbe Souri', or Wednesday Feast that is an ancient Festival of Fire. The fest is celeberated on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, when Iranians- On the other hand, high ranking clerics and the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have issued a decree stating that the Fire Festival is harmful and has no religious basis.
- In recent years, security forces have cracked down on the celebrations, banning the sale of firecrackers, sparklers, rockets and home-made grenades months ahead of the event.
- Iranians mark this festival by lighting fires and jumping through the flames, they also use this festival to air their grievances against the mullahs' regime, which constantly fears it could trigger mass nationwide protests.
- It was reported that paranoid mullahs cut internet access and SMS service on some mobile networks which they feared millions of people would use to organize protests during the fire festival or 'Chaharshanbeh-Souri'.
- An Iranian man plays it safe by flying a wishing lantern instead of jumping through fire.
- An Iranian boy joins in the festivities as he holds onto a firecracker in celebration of the Festival of Fire.
An Iranian man plays with a firework in the Pardisan Park, Iran, on Tuesday, during 'Chaharshanbe Souri', or Wednesday Feast that is an ancient Festival of Fire. The fest is celeberated on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year, when Iranians
Iran's New Year Fire Festival
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