Stereotypes about Iran: Myths & Truths
Modern Iran evokes extremely contradictory feelings. On one side, we know Iran as one of the oldest countries with unique traditions and culture, on the other side we have mass media that actively promotes propaganda about “aggressive” Iran with terrorists. By the way, because of negative reviews, not every tourist is ready to visit Iran. It’s time to talk about popular stereotypes and figure out which one is true and which is a myth.
The war and the Arabs in Iran
People who do not understand the details, do not distinguish Iran from Iraq. There are practically no Arabs in Iran (mostly Arabs live in Fars province), and there is no war in Iran. For many foreigners, all countries of the Middle East are aggressors. On the streets of Iran, there is no crime, there is no shooting and there are no terrorists threatening tourists. In the ranking of countries in terms of the level of terrorism, Iran is at 47th place, while the USA is the 36th, Russia is the 30th one and etc.
Oriental beauties in black hijabs
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Middle East countries is women in black hijab that covers the body from head to toe. First of all, you need to know that hijab is not the dress itself, but the so-called dress code in Iran. All women of Iran are obliged to cover their heads with a handkerchief and wear closed clothing, but it is not necessary to wear a black chadra. The black chadra is worn by adult women and in holy places, while in the city women choose brighter colors.
What is Iran rich in?
In addition to cultural values, Iran owns 10% of the world’s oil reserves and 60% of natural gas. The country is rich not only with natural resources but also with the export of carpets. In the global market, the country is one of the largest manufacturers of handmade carpets.
Garden of Eden or a Desert?
Another misconception about the country is that Iran is a desert with a hot sun and completely not suitable for life. The nature and climate of Iran are diverse: of course, there are deserts and a hot sun, but alongside the deserts, you will see snow-covered mountain ranges, dense forests and paradise oases on the coast. While visiting Iran you can go skiing, and the next day you can take a “summer” vacation.
Due to the dry climate, the shahs of Ancient Persia used to build luxurious gardens in palaces. Persian Gardens are known all over the world for their beauty and many of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Iran is a religious country with strict morals
This is an absolute truth. The Muslim country has its own rules and strict morals about the relationship between a man and a woman. A couple who has come to the country should forget about expressing tender feelings publicly for a while. Morever, you should get used to move by public transport apart from your beloved one and, maybe even stay in different hotel rooms in case if you do not have a marriage certificate.
Despite such strictness, Iran is striking with its culture and religion. Throughout the country you can see luxurious mosques with unique mosaics, precious carpets and ancient architecture. For this, it is definitely worth to make temporary sacrifices.
