(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. .

Islam is currently the official religion of Iran as it has been since the Islamic conquest of Persia in 651 as the decline of Zoroastrianism. Iran is an Islamic republic and started April 1, 1979 after the Iranian Revolution which was a period of just over a year of demonstrations overthrowing Shāh Mohammed Rezā Pahlavi. Muslims and the other prevalent religions Judaism and Christianity are protected and represented by 5 seats in Parlament. Unrecognized religions are outlawed and conversion to another faith from Islam is also prohibited. Crimes committed against Muslims from non-Muslims are punished more severely than the same crime committed by a Muslims to a Muslim. Additionally, based on the seats held in the Iranian Parlament Iran is strongly conservative based on the 195 out of 290 seats held, with 51 held by reformists, 39 by independents, and 5 by religious minorities.

"Iranian Revolution." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 26 Dec. 2011. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. .

"Religion in Iran." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 26 Dec. 2011. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. .

(World Religions By Percentage, Street Gangs, http://www.streetgangs.com/billboard/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=41204, Dec 27, 2011)

(Global Connections The Middle East, PBS, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/demotext.html, Dec 27, 2011)

"W(

(Dec 2004, Iranian Religion, Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at The University of Texas at Austin, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Iran, 12/22/11)

The top religion in Iran is Muslim Shi'a comprises ~89%.while 9% are Sunni Muslims. "The remaining 2% are non-Muslim religious minorities, including Bahá'ís, Mandeans, Yarsanis, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians."
"Religion in Iran." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 15 Dec. 2011. Web. 22 Dec. 2011. .

Only the italicized religions are protected in Iran the others are not. The interaction between religious groups is not as extreme as the conduct between unprotected (and anti-Islam) and the government. One who denounces Islam or changes from Islam to another religion (apostasy) is breaking Iranian law and is subject to punishment including death. This was ruled by Ruhollah Khomeini the Islamic Republic founder. As such, religious freedom in Iran is certainly limited from primarily Islam, and Zoroastrianism, Judiasm and Christianity.

Since Bread was such a large focus of the text I have included 4 Iranian flat bread types:

Flatbread	Description
Nan-e barbari	thick and oval-shaped, also known as Tabrizi Bread or Nan-e Tabrizi, for its origins in and links to the city of Tabriz.
Nan-e lavash	thin, flaky and round or oval, and is also the oldest known bread in the Middle East and Caucasus.
Nan-e sangak	Triangle-shaped bread that is stone-baked.
Nan-e taftoon	Thin, but thicker than lavash, soft and round.

("Iranian Cuisine." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 20 Dec. 2011. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .)

(Aab Havij Bastani (Carrot Juice Ice-cream Float, Persian Recipes, http://www.persian-recipes.com/persianrecipes/2009/12/06/aab-havij-bastani-carrot-juice-ice-cream-float/, 12/21/11 )

Something that sounds quite interesting to try would be Aab-e Havij which is a sort of root-beer float from carrot juice. Mycitycuisine explains:

"The Aab-e Havij is juice produced from carrots, often consumed as a health drink. The carrot juice is freshly squeezed then made into an ice cream float and garnished with cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices. Carrot juice has a uniquely sweet flavor of concentrated carrots. Unlike many other juices, this one is non-translucent. Carrot juice constitutes an excellent invigorating drink characterized by a sweet taste and great health benefits."
("Aab-e Havij - Mycitycuisine.org." Mycitycuisine.org - A Traveler's Guide to Local Cuisine. 20 June 2011. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .)

Hospitality

Iranian hospitality is overwhelmingly generous. While some may not care for the Western government however, a clear distinction is made between the civilians of the West and those in the government. Food is freely given with excess as is time and space. Several accounts I have read included Iranian people showing tourists around the city and taking them to their homes for a meal and inviting them to stay. A largely held religious idea is that guests are friends of G-d.

Coleman, Rick. "Persian Hospitality Two New Zealanders, One Motorcycle, Seven Days in Iran." Iranian. 28 Jan. 2004. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .

"Iran and Its Legendary Hospitality." Babakoto.eu - Travel Stories & Photo Impressions. 5 Apr. 1998. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .

Shahrzad. "That’s Iranian Hospitality « Shahrazad." Shahrazad. 29 Sept. 2007. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .

Taghavi, Hamid. "Iranian Hospitality Attack (A Survival Guide for the Non-Iranian Traveler)." Digitalroom.net. 20 Mar. 1998. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. .

(Iran, HRW World Atlas, http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/iran.htm 12/20/11)

Most notable geography of Iran includes:

-Dasht-e Kavir "Great Salt Desert"

-Zagros Mountains- Largest Mountains in Iran & Iraq

-Mount Damāvand- Possibly active volcano and relevant to Persian Mythology

When the country Iran is spoken of American's conjure numerous stereotypes:

(Tasbihi, Eliza, Kandovan Cave Homes, Tessellar Blog, http://www.tslr.net/2007/12/kandovan-cave-homes.html, 12/19/11)

When in reality:

(Associated Press, U.S. Further Ramps Up Contact With Iran, The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123755018552194601.html 12/19/11)

Iranian Women:

(Shea, Jeff, Jeff Shea, http://www.jeffshea.com/largepic.php?image=Iran,WomenInQom,1984.jpg&title=Iran,%20Women%20In%20Qom,%201984&country=Iran 12/19/11)

In reality:

( Iran Complains Fifas Decision to Ban Iranian Women Footballers From Wearing Hijab, EIranian Girls, http://eiraniangirls.com/iran-complains-fifas-decision-to-ban-iranian-women-footballers-from-wearing-hijab/, 12/19/11)

(Iranian Women In Sports, Pakistan Observer, http://pakistan-observer.blogspot.com/2011/10/iranian-women-in-sports.html, 12/19/11)