Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Holidays
Public holidays commemorate either religious or secular events. It's worth staying aware
of the dates, especially if you are planning to extend your visa. Government offices and
just about everything else will close for the morning, at least, on a holiday, but many small
businesses open after lunch. Transport functions fairly normally and hotels remain open,
but many restaurants will close. Holidays are sometimes extended for a day if they fall
near the Iranian weekend. In Tehran, public holidays are sometimes announced at short
notice when air pollution reaches dangerous levels. In recent years that has been in mid
July and late November/early December. These holidays affect government offices,
schools, universities, sporting arena and can (but doesn't always) include museums.
Religious Holidays
Religious holidays follow the Muslim lunar calendar, which means the corresponding
dates in the Western calendar move forward by 10 or 11 days every year.
Tasua (9 Moharram, 24 November 2012, 12 November 2013, 2 November 2014 )
Ashura (10 Moharram, 25 November 2012, 13 November 2013, 3 November 2014) The
anniversary of the martyrdom of Hossein, the third Shiite imam, in battle at Karbala in
October AD 680. This is celebrated with religious theatre and sombre parades.
Arbaeen (20 Safar, 3 January 2013, 23 December 2014) The 40th day after Ashura.
Martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed (28 Safar, 10 January 2013, 30 December
2014)
Martyrdom of Imam Reza (30 Safar, 12 January 2013, 1 January 2014)
Birth of the Prophet Mohammed (17 Rabi'-ol-Avval, 29 January 2013, 18 January
2014)
Martyrdom of Fatima (3 Jamadi-l-Okhra, 13 April 2013, 3 April 2014) Fatima was the
daughter of Prophet Mohammed.
Birthd of Imam Ali (13 Rajab, 4 June 2012)
Ascension of Holy Prophet (27 Rajab, 6 June, 2013) Maabath.
Birthday of Imam Mahdi (15 Shaban, 5 July 2012)
Martyrdom of Imam Ali (21 Ramazan, 10 August 2012)
Eid al-Fitr (1 Shavval, 19 August 2012, 8 August 2013, 28 July 2014) The Festival of the
Breaking of the Fast that marks the end of Ramazan. After sunset on the last day of
Ramazan large meals are consumed across the country.
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