Mashhad; Iran's most popular religious tourist destination

Tehran, IRNA – Mashhad is the second most populous city in Iran and is the capital of Khorasan-e Razavi province and is one of the most important religious and historical tourism destinations of Iran.

Mashhad is located in northeastern Iran and is close to the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Mashhad is 900 km away from Tehran, the capital of Iran.

It used to be the major oasis along the ancient Silk Road and also the capital of Iran during the Afsharid dynasty. Mashhad is one of the most famous cities in Iran which witnesses the most number of tourists. Every year, almost 345,000 people visit this city.

It is mostly known as a religious city because many tourists come to visit the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Imam of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Infallible Household. However, there are many other great tourist attractions in Mashhad.

Mashhad If a religious city is known to Muslims, the presence of the Church of Saint Mesrop Church in this city is a sign of Muslim friends and a group of Christians living in this city.
The abundance of luxury hotels, traditional hotels and relatively cheap hotels in Mashhad has made it easy for domestic and foreign tourists to stay in this city.

Mashhad International Airport is one of the most convenient airports in Iran, and thousands of passengers daily arrive in Mashhad through this airport, while many Mashhad passengers travel to the city by train, bus or private car.

If you would like to travel to Mashhad, Mashhad travel guide can help you have a better trip to this city. Here is all you need to know about Mashhad.

*** Mashhad Tourist Attraction

*** Imam Reza Shrine Complex

Ali ibn Moosa (Ali the son of Moosa) known as Reza is of descendants of Muhammad, the holy prophet of Islam, cherished by the Muslims of the whole world for his high spiritual levels and importance whom born in Medina and moved to Tous in Iran after the order of Ma'mūn, the seventh Abbasid caliph, when the most significant part of Imam Reza’s life regarding his political and religious role initiates and conclude by his martyrization.

The Imam Reza Shrine Complex dominates the city center. It requires several visits to appreciate its magnificence. It is the largest mosque in the world with seven massive courtyards and a total area of six hundred thousand square meters. Intricate blue tile work and Arabic calligraphy on iwans and minarets hypnotize travelers and a stunning golden dome stands proudly above the shrine itself. Goharshad Mosque is among the famous attractions inside the complex.

This historic architectural complex accompanies unique and distinctive ethics and rituals to be known as an inseparable heritage of the complex and the complicated culture of its wider setting. In fact, the genuine values of the heritage associates not only with its magnificent architecture and structural system but also with all the rituals, all together implicating the unique spiritual spirit of Imam Reza (AS).

*** Ferdowsi’s Tomb

Ferdowsi is one of the most famous Iranian poets and the writer of the well-known Shahnameh. His tomb is located in a beautiful garden 20 kilometers north of Mashhad in the ancient city of Tous.

The tomb’s architecture is inspired from the Achaemenid times. There is a museum and a library near the Tomb which have been built to educate visitors on the Ferdowsi and his works.

As one of the most popular places to visit in Mashhad, this great poet’s tomb attracts over a million visitors every year.

*** Naderi Museum

The Naderi Museum exhibits armors and weapons from the time of Nader Shah’s rule. It also has the tomb of Nadershah and Mohammad Taghi Khan Pasian (the ruler of Khorasan at the time) inside.

Nader Shah Afshar is among the few post-Islamic Iranian kings who made an attempt for Iran’s independence and solidarity and was successful in doing that. 
The Tomb of Nader Shah is a monument in Naderi Garden Museum in Mashhad which was designed and built by Hooshang Seyhoun in order to commemorate Nader Shah. 
The 6.5-meter-high bronze sculpture of Nader Shah mounted on a horse alongside 3 foot soldiers standing next to the horse was built in Rome, Italy; then it was transferred to Mashhad and placed on its pedestal. The sculpture was designed by Abolhasan Seddighi, and its bronzing was done in Berotti Factory in Italy.

*** Professor Bazima Scientific Park

 One of the most important tourist attractions in Mashhad is the Professor Bazima Science Park, an exciting theme park which will change your concept of scientific attractions by taking you into a whole new world.

With a surface area of 2400 square meters, the theme park is designed very differently. It is Iran’s first and the world’s third such scientific park where you can journey into the human body.

The Professor Bazima Scientific Park is an ideal educational center for people who are interested in science. Travel to Mars, study a gyroscope, look at the solar system and partake in the Biology Academy in this creative scientific park.

**** Shandiz Village

The serene Shandiz recreational village is one of the special places to visit in Mashhad. If you ride 38 kilometers west of Mashhad, you will come across an area that is filled with rivers, valleys, and tall plane, cottonwood, and Eastern Redbud trees echoing the chirping of birds. This is the Shandiz recreational village, beautiful like a scene cut out of a painting.

If you feel hungry, the Padideh Shandiz restaurant will serve both Iranian and international dishes. The Shandiz souvenir shop is also a great place to shop for local gifts and souvenirs.

*** Mashhad Special Foods

The other thing we should add to the Mashhad travel guide is its delicious food and the best restaurants. No trip can be completed without tasting traditional foods, especially in a country like Iran.

Travelers to Mashhad should try mixed rice, which is also known as Istanbuli rice that consists of rice, meat, onion, green peas, and carrots. However, different chefs might add different spices to this dish. The other popular local cuisine in Mashhad is called “Sholeh”.

It is mostly served in funerals but is great traditional food in Mashhad. “Eshkene Ghourout” is another popular traditional food in Mashhad which is made by mixing whey, onion, and walnut. Therefore, not only it is a delicious cuisine, but also very nutritious.

Ayatollah Khamenei Describes Europe's Financial Channel with Iran as “Sad Joke”

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei lashed out at the European states’ for their lack of commitment to fulfilling undertakings under 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

“What has recently been said about the new financial channel they created is more like a joke. This is a sad joke, a nonsensical joke. Their duty is totally different from what they are suggesting to do. In our most recent international affair, the Europeans betrayed us again,” Ayatollah Khamenei said on the first day of the 1398 Persian New Year at the Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, wherein he delivered his annual speech to the pilgrims and residents of the area.

According to official website of Ayatollah Khamenei, after congratulating the Iranian nation as well as all nations that celebrate Nowruz, Ayatollah Khamenei addressed his audience by calling the new Persian Year as the year of opportunities.

His Eminence asserted: Some have suggested that this year is a year of threats. I do not believe in that at all. I believe the Persian year 1398 is the year of opportunities, by God's grace, the year of productivity and success.

The Leader described those inside the country who constantly talk negatively about the year ahead as influenced by the propaganda of the enemies and held: Of course those who suggest other views, and constantly threaten that unfavorable things will happen, are under the influence of the enemies' propaganda, whether knowingly or unknowingly. The enemies of this nation, in addition to all other things they do, they also engage in a psychological warfare and spread propaganda. These propagandas must be known as they are. They had the same propaganda for the year 1397 aimed at trying to frighten people.

Referring to U.S. officials the Leader once named ‘First-rate Idiots’, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the United States has failed in their calculations about Iran, and said: One of those idiots said that if they withdrew from the JCPOA, the people of Iran would go on riots and the people would not be able to afford even bread. Another of these idiots suggested that U.S. officials would celebrate 2019 in Tehran.

Imam Khamenei pointed to the faulty analysis offered by the United States regarding Iran’s situation and elaborated on the reason behind these poor analyses by stating that: Is their analysis really so out of touch regarding the events in the region and the country? Are they seriously suggesting such analysis, which is only another sign of their idiocy? Or do they offer such analysis as part of their psychological warfare, so they are publicizing these words all over the world out of malice? I am not sure which the case is. It could be both idiocy and malice.

The Leader elaborated on the enemies of Iran’s efforts to stage economic and psychological wars against the Iranian nation by asserting that: Today the enemy is engaged in an economic war against us. Well the fact that the enemy is fighting against us is now recognized by all; the officials have understood that the enemy has initiated a war on us. Wars are not fought only by armaments; security and intellectual war is also a type of war, and can at times be more dangerous than a military war. This type of war can be seen in economic affairs. We must defeat the enemy in this war; and by God's grace, we will defeat them.

His Eminence went on to mention that: But this is not enough. My request from the various actors in the country-- government officials, academia, or in public sectors-- is different. In addition to defeating the enemy, we should repel the enemy. Sometimes, you might defeat the enemy but the enemy might wait for another opportunity to strike a blow; this is useless.

He stressed that Iran needs to achieve a deterrence level where enemies cannot harm the country’s economy; he asserted: We must achieve a level where we repel the enemy, too. So the enemy sees they cannot harm us in the economy. Repelling is possible, just as has been the case with our military power. There was a time when the enemy bombarded our cities and we could not defend. Now that we have developed our equipment, the enemies in the region know that we can counter any enemy in the region by our precision-guided missiles.

Ayatollah Khamenei further slammed the Saudi regime for its despotic and dependent inclinations and held: I do not know any state in this region, or maybe anywhere in the world, worse than the Saudi regime. It is a despotic, dictatorial, corrupt, tyrannical and dependent regime. They provide such a regime with nuclear infrastructure. They announced that they would build a nuclear plant for it.

Ayatollah Khamenei declared that he does not worry about Saudi Arabia’s developing nuclear plants as he predicts the fall of the Saudi regime in the near future. His Eminence held: They announced they would build missile producing sections. There, it is okay to build them because that country is dependent on them, and it belongs to them! Now even if they build them, I would not worry, because I know in the near future they will be in the hands of Islamic warriors, God willing.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution slammed Western coverage of the Christchurch terrorist attack for their double standards and Islamophobic motives and asked: Was not the recent incident in New Zealand—which entailed the massacre of Muslims—an incident of terrorist nature in their view? The Europeans, neither the politicians nor their media, would not call it a terrorist attack. They called it an armed attack instead. Whenever there is an action against someone supported by the West, terrorism and human rights are used to oppose it. But in this case - the attack in New Zealand- they would not call it a terrorist action. They are like this.

Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the European partners of the JCPOA for having breached their commitments by not standing against the United States and held: What was the responsibility of Europeans in the matter of the JCPOA? An agreement was achieved between six countries and Iran. One party was the United States which has already withdrawn. What did the other signatories commit to do? Europeans should have stood up to the US, saying that they would adhere to their commitments. Their commitment was to remove all sanctions. They should have resisted strongly.

His Eminence stressed that Europeans made excuse to evade their commitments and even went as far as imposing new sanctions on Iran, adding that: However they did not resist on the pretext of numerous excuses. Not only they did not stand up to the US, they also practically withdrew from the JCPOA even though they had insisted that we should keep to it. That is, they even imposed new sanctions against Iran.

The Leader went on to say: When Europeans act in this manner, what can we expect them? What has recently been said about the new financial channel they created is more like a joke. This is a sad joke, a nonsensical joke. Their duty is totally different from what they are suggesting to do. In our most recent international affair, the Europeans betrayed us again. We cannot expect them [to act appropriately].

New Judiciary Chief – A Prudent and Proficient Person

By: Kayhan Int’l 
    
"Indeed Allah commands you to deliver the trusts to their [rightful] owners, and, when you judge between people, to judge with fairness; excellent indeed is what Allah advises you. Indeed Allah is all-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Holy Qur’an 4:58)
    The Revealed Words of God Almighty are indeed perpetual guidance for Muslims all over the world, who in order to maintain justice, whether in individual life or in society, should follow the dynamic laws of the Shari’ah – as promulgated by Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and explained and elaborated by the Infallible Imams of his Blessed Household, the Ahl al-Bayt, on the basis of whose teachings diligent jurisprudents have demonstrated the practicability of this legal code over the past millennium.
    The victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 under the enlightened leadership of that Sage of the Age, Imam Khomeini (RA), delivered Iran from not just domestic despotism and American hegemony, but from the yoke of the highly flawed manmade system of European-influenced legislations.
    The Constitution of the Islamic Republic that was meticulously drafted by able ulema and expert lawyers categorized the Judiciary as an independent branch of government responsible for coordination with the other two branches, that is, the Executive and the Legislature, for proper management of Iran’s legal system.
    In other words, the judiciary is of vital importance in the context of safeguarding the rights of the people, and prevention of abuse of power, exploitation, oppression and other wrongdoings though a comprehensive set of laws under supervision of Mujtahids (doctors of Islamic law) and qualified judges.
    As a result, from the very beginning the Judiciary in Iran has been in the right hands with Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hussaini Beheshti – one of the principal drafters of the constitution – serving as its first head and ensuring that even if he or other senior officials lose their life, the system of justice remains unharmed and unscathed in order to smoothly cater to public needs, unfazed by the propaganda and plots of either the hegemonic powers or the frustrated anti-revolutionaries.
    In view of these undeniable facts, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, took another prudent step last Thursday by appointing the sincere and proficient jurist, Ayatollah Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi as the Judiciary Chief in place of Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani who on completion of his two efficient 5-year terms was appointed Chairman of the Expediency Council.
   The Leader in his decree pointed out that onset of the fifth decade of the Islamic Revolution and completion of forty years of formation of the Judiciary necessitates that in accordance with the achievements or shortcomings as well as needs of the changing times, fresh energy and increased motivation, coupled with discipline and prudent management is required for the Judicial Branch to fit with the Second Phase of the Revolution.
    He called on Ayatollah Raisi, in view of his long years of experience in the judiciary in various senior positions, "to uproot corruption without any hesitancy in a just, revolutionary and transparent manner by placing as top priorities on your agenda the promotion of justice, safeguarding the rights of the common man and ensuring of legal freedoms”.
    Ayatollah Raisi, whose previous responsibility as Custodian and Chairman of the prestigious Astan Quds Razavi Endowment at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad, has brought him accolades, is expected to continue his efficient work to ensure that the Judiciary remains a vital independent organ of the Islamic Republic in cooperation and coordination with the Executive and Legislative Branches of the government.
    He needs to use all his judicial skills, prudence and legal procedures at this critical juncture to safeguard the interests of Iran and the rights of its citizens when the sworn enemies of the Islamic Republic are indulging in all sorts of mischief, including the illegal US economic sanctions, and Britain’s blatant attempt to meddle with the course of justice by granting diplomatic status to a jailed Iranian national convicted for spying for London.