(Weser, Carol, Traveler National Geographic, http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/entries/41230/view/, 10 Jan 2012)

The generation gap in Iran is becoming a larger issue by the day. Most young Iranians find laws they are forced to obey stifling and are finding creative ways to evade their control. The larger issue feared by older generations is the erosion of beliefs and traditions due to younger generations desires and is seen as intentional. Shops, eateries and other social establishments are being closed due to breaking Islamic laws such as women not following proper hejab, and the casual intermixing of the sexes.

Esfandiari, Golnaz. "Iran: Generation Gap Widening As Conservatives Try To Enforce Islamic Social Codes." Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. 09 Dec. 2003. Web. 10 Jan. 2012. .

The United States is very concerned with the possession and creation of nuclear weapons by other countries. A key component in making a nuclear weapon is enriched Uranium. While some countries possess this is small amounts for energy or research purposes, the United States wants to prevent Iran from attaining any.

Iran has taken steps to enrich standard Uranium most notably the development of an underground, airstrike protected, lab. The Iranian government explains that it is needed for research and energy production however the United States fears it may be utilized to constrict an atomic bomb.

"Image : Iran Reported to Enrich Uranium at Underground Lab." Welcome to StarNet - Tucson, Arizona. John M. Humenik, 08 Jan. 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. .

Persian Music - Homayoon - Nemitonam - YouTube. Perf. Homayoon. YouTube. 22 Sept. 2007. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

Lyrics:

"The person who was the only person I had,
was the only refuge of my lonely heart,
Left me alone and went from my side
I am restless form the pain of her separation
…
I thought she stays with me
sings love song for me
I thought she understand my words
I didn’t know she’s unkind
…
Though gone, but still
I am full of her love
Her thought is always with me
Wherever I go, she is in front of my eyes, in front of my eyes
I want to stand out
find a way to reduce my pain of her separation
But it is not possible, There is no way
I cannot bear
I cannot bear

The person who was the only person I had,
was the only refuge of my lonely heart,
Left me alone and went from my side
I am restless form the pain of her separation
…
I thought she stays with me
sings love song for me
I thought she understand my words
I didn’t know she’s unkind
…
Though gone, but still
I am full of her love
Her thought is always with me
Wherever I go, she is in front of my eyes, in front of my eyes
I want to stand out
find a way to reduce my pain of her separation
But it is not possible, There is no way
I cannot bear
I cannot bear"

Hemel. "Persian Music - Homayoon - Nemitonam English Lyrics." Web log post. DIARY OF MD AKBAR. 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 2011. .

"This is an Iranian dance style in which the female dancer mockingly imitates a (generally uncouth) man using a hat for a prop. Under Reza Shah in the 1930s, modernizing reforms included a dress code dictating that everyone had to wear Western-style clothing in public, and any man who wanted to get ahead or work for the civil service would certainly be sporting a fedora. One way of looking at this dance is as a subversive critique of the shah's regime, though of course people still perform it now, long after the Iranian royal family was deposed."

Alina Laureola Dancing Baba Karam at Saqarah - YouTube. Dir. Alina Laureola.YouTube. 10 Aug. 2009. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

Poetry in Persian culture is so pervasive and enduring it has preserved ancient details and even medical knowledge from Persian Polymath Avicenna.

Persian Poetry with Violin and Santoor - YouTube. YouTube. 18 Mar. 2007. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. .

When thinking of Iranian architecture by far one of the greatest accomplishments is the city of Isfahan. It is currently Iran's 3rd largest city however it originally started as the area surrounding a great mosque which construction frequently stop and started.

Chehel Sotoon Palace (Wikipedia, Isfahan, 04, January 2011)

Khaju Bridge (Wikipedia, Khaju Bridge, 04, January 2011)

(Pereshk, Wikipedia, Iranian Art, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_art, 04, January 2011)

How could I post about Iranian art and not discuss Persian rugs? While they are beautiful to the eye they are poetic in their construction. An intentional flaw is woven into the carpet as to not be 'perfect' as only G-d is perfect and the weavers do not want to offend.

(Sharif, Shahram, 18 November 2005, Shirin Ebadi, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirin_Ebadi, 03 Janurary 2011)

"Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's, children's, and refugee rights. She was the first ever Iranian, and the first Muslim woman to have received the prize."

Haeri, Safa. "Shirin Ebadi." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 16 Dec. 2011. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. .

"In Iran, you could point a camera at a woman ... and she would smile. If you did that in Pakistan, the woman would run away and a man might throw a rock at you."

Kaplan, Robert, D. The Ends of the Earth, Random House, 1996, p.181

Women are required to wear the hijab after progressive regulations requiring its wear were phased in by the government. Additionally while not only effecting women- the country is gender separated. Women are highly educated in Iran and make up 60%-65% of university enrollment. Women are allowed to vote and earned this right in 1963

"Women in Iran." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 02 Jan. 2012. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. .

(Zazzle, http://www.zazzle.com/muslim_christian_jew_egypt_peace_tshirt-235377099127309854, Dec 28, 2011)

As previously mentioned there are three officially recognized religions in Iran: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, each with separate but similar traditions.

Fasting/Food:

-Muslims observe Ramadan which is the month, determined by the lunar calendar, of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

-Jews observe two "major" days of fasting and other depravation: Yom Kippur, and Tisha B'Av, five "minor" fasts are prescribed however are not required of all Jews. The five are: The Fast of Gedaliah, The Fast of Tevet, The Fast of Esther, The Fast of Tammuz and The Fast of the Firstborn (required of only the firstborn males).

-Christianity does not require fasts as Islam and Judaism does. Fasting in Christianity is for the most part up to the individual to decide to do, the length, and type of fast (no solid food, no food/liquid). The most commonly held time of fasting is 40 days during Lent however requirements differ among traditions.

Pilgrimage:

-A fundamental part of Islam is the Hajj to be completed if physically and financially capable to Mecca.

-Judaism required a pilgrimage to The Temple in Jerusalem by all adult men until it was destroyed in 70. Now it is not required, however Jews commonly visit the Kotel or "Western Wall" by non-Jews, due to its significance.

-Christians are not required to make a pilgrimage, however numerous significant site across the globe are frequented for religious reverence.

"Islam." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 24 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Dec. 2011. .

"Christian Calendar." Christianity Site. Web. 28 Dec. 2011. .

Judaism 101. Web. 28 Dec. 2011. .