Iran Society and Culture

Iran Society and Culture General

• Bashiri Working Papers on Central Asia and Iran
  Includes several articles and photos about the history, culture and art of Iran. Both original and translated works.

• Encyclopædia Iranica
  Multi-disciplinary reference work on the lands, life, culture and history of all Iranian peoples and their interaction with other societies. Subscription required for online access to articles.

• Iran Virtual Library
  Online archive of social, political, economic and cultural documents.

• Iranian Cultural and Information Center
  Cultural information database about Iran from Stanford University.

• The Iran Project and the Struggle for Iran
  The Iran Project examines the changes in modern Iran. It includes a one-hour public radio documentary and this companion web site.

Iran Aid and Development

• Amnesty International – Iran
  Ongoing collection of news and reports on the status of human rights.

• Human Rights Watch – Iran
  Reports, background briefings, testimony, press releases and commentary on the human rights situation in the country.

• Oxfam – Iran
  Provides news and information about Oxfam’s programmes, case studies, papers and resources.

• ReliefWeb – Iran
  Provides latest updates on emergencies, sector reports, appeals and financial tracking along with background information and employment vacancies.

• UNDP in Iran
  Official United Nations Development Programme site provides news, speeches, statements and publications along with information about its activities, progress, Millenium Development Goals, partnerships and staff. Focused on poverty, health, governance, environment, natural resources, and information and communications technology.

• UNICEF – At a Glance: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
  Newsline, priorities, programs and statistics from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

• US State Department – Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Iran
  2005 report on the current status of human rights practices including human freedoms, civil liberties, political rights, international investigations, discrimination, worker rights, child labor and working conditions.

Iran Children and Families

• Iran and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
  1998 Report by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

• Negah-e-Koodak
  Farsi videotape for children ages 6 month to 4 years. Useful for introducing and exposing children to Farsi.

• Shohar-Khaleh – Foreign Husbands of Iranian Women
  Discussion forum for foreign husbands of Iranian women and the fathers of half-Iranian children.

• Support Committee for Iran’s Street Children
  Charitable organization. Site provides information about the situation of street children in Iran.

• ZanAmu – Foreign Wives of Iranians
  Discussion forum for foreign wives of Iranian men and the mothers of half-Iranian children.

Ethnicity in Iran

• Ethnologue.com
  Languages and ethnicities of Iran from Ethnologue

• Mourning and Weeping Rites Among Papi Tribe in Lorestan
  Article by Masoomeh Rakhsha from Kayhan, a cultural, scientific and art monthly. Offers information about the Papi tribe and its customs.

• Romanies in the Middle East
  Article by Dr. Donald Kenrick, Director, Institute of Contemporary Romani Studies and Documentation, London.

• The Life and Economy of Iranian Tribesmen in Iran
  Article published by Industries and Mines of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

• Tribes of the Tehran Province
  Article by the Office for Tribal Affairs of the Tehran Province.

• Women’s Ethnic Costumes
  Several illustrations.

Assyrians

• Hano’s Homepage
  History, culture, maps and photos of Assyrian.

Azari

• The Azeri Question in Iran: A Crucial Issue for Irans Future
  Article by Nasib Nasibzade, President of the Foundation for Azerbaijan Studies in Baku, Azerbaijan and Azerbaijans Ambassador to Iran from 1992-94.

• The Azeri Question in Iran: A Crucial Issue for Irans Future
  Article by Nasib Nasibzade, President of the Foundation for Azerbaijan Studies in Baku, Azerbaijan and Azerbaijans Ambassador to Iran from 1992-94.

Bakhtiari

• Bakhtiari Information Site
  History and photos of the Bakhtiary tribe in Iran.

Baluchi

• All about Baloch and Balochistan
  A comprehensive range of information and photos on Baloch and Balochistan including people, history, culture, tradition, daily news and views in English, Balochi, Farsi and Urdu languages.

• Baloch Page
  Information on the Baloch culture, history, language and poetry. Several examples of Balochi paintings and music in real audio.

• Balochistan Information Network
  Provides information on the history, culture, people and language of the Baloch. Contains news items from Balochistan updated weekly.

• Balochistan Online
  offers local and world news free streaming balochi songs music mp3 chat forum free web-based email yourname@Baluch.com including forwarding services and more.

• Balouch Culture and History
  Describes Baluch tribes, names, dress and jewelry, ceremonies, music and dance, and punishments for crimes. Several photos and songs.

• Baluchi
  Encyclopedia.com.

• Baluchi Music Has Risen From The Heart of History
  Article by Ashraf Sarbazi from the quarterly music magazine, Maqam.

• Baluchis are Among the most Loyal People of Iran
  Interview with Hamid Sardar Zehi, an educated Baluchi, and with Masu’d Hashem Zehi, a member of parliament from Khash in the Sixth Majlis.

• The People and the Land of Baluchistan
  History of Baluchistan from pre-history to the present.

• The People and the Land of Baluchistan
  History of Baluchistan from pre-history to the present.

Gilaki

• Gilaki Music
  Listen to Gilaki folk music.

• Gilanian Corner
  Information about Gilaky people and culture. Music, poems, photos.

Kurds

• Kurdestan, A Noble Branch of Old Tree of Iranian Race
  Article published by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Monthly.

• Kurdish Culture in Iran
  Includes articles about Iranian Kurdistan covering health care, education and the economic system. Also features essays and drawings by Kurdish children.

Luri

• Ancient Luristan
  Archaeological images. [Images from History]

• Tales from Luristan
  Tales, Fables and Folk Poetry from the Lur of Bala-Gariva. Amazon.com.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual

• A Mother Takes On The Ayatollah
  While Iran’s hardline Muslims shut down reformist newspapers, and parade ‘errant’ journalists through court, lesbian, gay and transgendered people struggle to survive. Meet an unlikely activist. [The Gully]

• Homan – the Iranian Lesbian, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgendered Organization
  Non-profit support organization for the Los Angeles Iranian lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. Articles, news, contact information and links.

• Iran’s Chief Prosecutor: Throw Homosexuals into the Fire
  Discusses the Iranian government position on homosexuality.

• Iranian Gay and Lesbian Healthcare Providers Association
  Organization with a mission to provide opportunities for gay and lesbian Iranian healthcare providers to network and unite, promote mental and physical health within the Iranian GLBT Community and challenge homophobia in the Iranian community.

• Iranian Gays Bravely Unite Worldwide
  Article by Patricia Conklin. [Badpuppy Gay Today]

• Khanaye Doost
  Site for Iranian Lesbians, Bisexual and Trangendered Women. Includes poetry, links, chat and guestbook.

• New Internationalist: Sexual Exiles
  The story of Arman, who fled Iran in fear for his life. Explains why terror rules the lives of homosexual men and women in Iran.

• Saviz Shafaie: An Iranian Gay Activist Leader
  Interview by Jack Nichols. [Badpuppy Gay Today]

• The Gully: The Iranian Closet
  When your family would rather see you dead than gay.

• The Only Lesbian In Iran
  Interview with Niloufar, who, growing up in Iran thought she was the only Iranian lesbian in existence. Article describes how the aftermath of September 11th has affected her as a lesbian Middle Eastern immigrant [The Gully].

Genealogy in Iran

• Hakimi Family History
  Family tree, photo album and historical documents for the Hakimy family.

• Iran Genealogy Forum
  Questions and answers about Iranian family names.

Organizations in Iran

• Amouzesh Omeed
  Not-for-profit organization that builds schools for poor and disabled children in Iran. Site features photos of past projects.

• Association of Iranian Researchers
  Group of Iranian experts and scholars worldwide having different points of view and expertise. Newsletter, conference schedules, membership information

• Centre for Arab and Iranian Studies
  London-based research institution that gathers and analyses information on the Middle East, with a special emphasis on Iran. Online reports providing snalysis of specific Iranian topics and specialist regional reports.

• Child Foundation
  Charity helping Iranian children in Iran stay in school.

• Children Of Persia
  Organization with a mission to provide health care and education for needy children in Iran. Site describes projects undertaken with articles and photos.

• Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS)
  The The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS) is an educational programme about Ancient Iran and Iranian Peoples, with no affiliation to any political or religious group.

• Foundation for Iranian Studies
  Research institution dedicated to the study of economic, social, political, and cultural change in twentieth century Iran. Includes an index for the Oral History Program, a record of interviews with Iranian statesmen, diplomats, scholars, officials, artists, literary figures, and newspaper editors.

• International Centre for Dialogue Among Civilizations
  Government founded organization promoting the international civil society through cultural interaction among nations.

• Iran Culture House – India
  Promotes cultural exchanges between India and Iran by providing information about Iran.

• Iran Heritage Foundation
  Aims to preserve the history, languages and cultures of Iran. Site lists and describes the exhibitions, seminars, publications, film and theater organized by the foundation.

• Iran Secular Society
  Formed to publicise the destructive effects of the Islamic government in Iran and contribute to bring about a secular society.

• Iran Teachers Association
  A non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the preservation and development of the cultural heritage. Includes a history of the organisation, news and events.

• Iranian Heritage
  Website of by group of Iranians who want to document the historical artifacs which are being transferred to locations and museums outside Iran.

• Mihan Foundation
  Non-profit, non-political, educational and research organization formed to restore Iran’s noble image and to inform the international community about Iran.

• Persian Gulf Task Force Organization
  Details about the Persian gulf and activities of the organization.

• The American Institute of Iranian Studies
  Non-profit, non-governmental research organization, whose members are universities and museums in North America with interests in the study of Iranian culture and civilization. Awards research fellowships and an annual Persian translation prize.

• The Support Committee for Iran`s Street Children – Sweden
  Swedish-based charity helping Iranian children.

Relationships in Iran

• Ask Peeshi
  Advice column for Iranians.

• Iranian Singles Network
  Free membership. Search photos and profiles of members.

• Iranian Singles Network
  Free membership. Search photos and profiles of members.

• Kashan Singles
  Online Iranian single advertisements.