Fars province leads in culture tourism during Nowruz holidays

TEHRAN – The province of Fars has emerged as the leading destination for culture tourism in Iran during the Nowruz holidays, with historical and cultural landmarks attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Official statistics indicate a significant surge in domestic travel, reaffirming the province’s status as a cornerstone of Iranian cultural heritage.

According to data released by the province's tourism directorate, historical sites in Fars recorded the highest number of visitors from March 20 to March 29, 2025. Among them, the Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh) in Shiraz topped the list on March 29, drawing 32,307 visitors. The renowned ancient site of Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) followed closely with 28,977 visitors, while the Mausoleum of Sa’di (Sa’dieh) saw 21,921 guests on the same day.

Other popular destinations included Pasargadae, the resting place of Cyrus the Great, which recorded 14,242 visitors. Additionally, Karim Khan Citadel (Arg-e Karim Khan) in Shiraz attracted 13,350 tourists.

A tourism boom in Fars
The broader tourism figures for the entire Nowruz period from March 20 to March 29 further highlight Fars province's dominance in cultural tourism. 
These figures underscore the significance of Fars as a prime destination for heritage tourism, as travelers continue to show a strong interest in Iran’s historical and cultural legacy. The surge in tourism during Nowruz not only boosts the local economy but also reflects a growing national appreciation for cultural and historical landmarks.

The cultural and historical significance of Fars

Fars province, historically known as Persis, was the heartland of the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC), founded by Cyrus the Great. It was later the administrative center under Darius I, who established Persepolis as the empire’s ceremonial capital. Today, Fars remains one of Iran’s most culturally significant regions, home to iconic poets, historical sites, and architectural marvels.

Shiraz, the capital of Fars, is celebrated as the city of poetry, nightingales, and gardens. It was a major center of learning in the medieval Islamic world and served as the capital during the Zand dynasty (1751–1794). The city houses several breathtaking landmarks, including the Afif-Abad Garden, the Tomb of Hafez, the Tomb of Sa’di, and the Atigh Jameh Mosque. Additionally, its lush Persian gardens, such as Narenjestan Garden and Eram Garden, continue to enchant visitors from around the world.

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Leader calls for more convergence between Islamic countries

TEHRAN, (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Islamic countries today need to connect and converge and become an effective unit to be able to defend their rights.

“Indeed, the world of Islam today needs points that connect the different parts of it together and turn it into one active and efficient unit; Eid al-Fitr is one such point,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with government officials and the ambassadors of Islamic countries to Tehran on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr on Monday.

The Leader said the pace of current developments necessitates that everyone closely follow them and determine where they stand. “Today, Islamic governments face this duty,” he said.

“The Islamic Republic extends a hand to all Islamic governments and considers itself a brother to them and on the same general front as them,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader said parts of the Islamic world are now “severely wounded.”

“Palestine is wounded. Lebanon is wounded. Some of the crimes that are taking place in this region are unprecedented. We can’t recall, in the history that we have observed or read about, anyone having killed nearly 20,000 children in less than two years in a military conflict,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, referring to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which started in October 2023.

The Leader emphasized that to effectively confront the unparalleled crimes of the Israeli regime and its supporters in Palestine and Lebanon, Islamic governments should be united.

Earlier in the day, Ayatollah Khamenei led Eid al-Fitr prayers.

Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world, marks the conclusion of 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

Millions of Muslims Voice Support to Palestine on Quds Day

Alwaght- As Iran marked the World Quds Day, many nations in other Muslim and Arab, and even Western, countries took to the streets on Friday and Saturday in solidarity with Palestine. The significance of the Quds Day for the Muslims is indicative of the high value of the Palestinian cause for them around the world, especially that this year is the second year in a row that war and crimes by the Israeli occupation against Gaza continue.

Every year on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims and free people around the world mark World Quds Day by holding marches in support of the Palestinian people. In some countries, various segments of the population, including academics and artists, seek to raise awareness of the need to achieve Palestinian rights by holding cultural meetings, art exhibitions, and charitable donations.

Jammu and Kashmir 

International Quds Day rallies in Jammu and Kashmir were held with big turnout. Participants raised the Palestinian flag and a model of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and chanted the slogan "Freedom for Palestine."

Pakistan 

A march was held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to mark Quds Day. Pictures show a large crowd of Pakistani citizens at the Quds Day march in Islamabad.

Bahrain

Last night, marches were held in several cities in Bahrain to mark International Quds Day, with participants holding pictures of Bahraini Shiite leaders Sheikh Isa Qassem and Sheikh Ali Salman, as well as Hezbollah leader martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Yemen 

The Al-Aqsa Support Committee in Yemen planned a march in Sab’een Square in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, and more than 400 central and secondary squares in cities and regions in 14 Yemeni governorates have been designated as venues for large-scale rallies on Quds Day. The presence of the Yemeni people in the marches was an opportunity to underscore their support for the resistance and support for Gaza in confronting the Israeli attacks. On the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan and the Quds Day, the Yemeni people reiterated their support for the Palestinian cause by attending the Sab’een Square in the capital Sana'a in millions. According to images published by Al-Masirah TV, a large crowd gathered in the capital and shouted for the freedom of Palestine. This gathering of millions comes at a time when the US has stepped up its aggressive attacks on Yemen; attacks that are due to the country’s support for Palestine and the Yemeni army’s retaliatory attacks on the occupied territories and the interests of the Israeli regime in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean in solidarity with Gaza. 

Sayyid Abdul Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement, had called on the Yemeni people to hold widespread rallies in his speech on Thursday night, saying: "Imam Khomeini (may Allah have mercy on him) declared the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as Quds Day and the day of people's awakening. Quds Day reminds us of the nation's responsibility towards the holy places and the great injustice that the Palestinian people have suffered." Addressing the Yemeni people, Sayyid al-Houthi said: "Your demonstrations on Friday express your loyalty, steadfastness, courage and anger against the American and Zionist enemies, and I hope that these demonstrations will be as widespread and large as always." 

Iraq 

The Iraqi people celebrated Quds Day this year to stress that Iraq and its people are loyal and committed to Palestine and the Palestinian cause. Like other Muslim countries, Iraq observes Quds Day. By turning out to the Quds Day marches, the Iraqi people emphasize the importance of Palestine and its holy sites and the Palestinian cause, and to keep the Palestinian issue alive in the conscience of the nation and to confront Israeli conspiracies.

Afghanistan 

Quds Day is celebrated every year by citizens of various Islamic countries, including Afghanistan, as a day of renewing commitment to the Palestinian cause. On Quds Day, Afghan users on social media in Afghanistan also decorated their social media pages by sharing pictures of Imam Khomeini (RA) and Al-Quds.

Reza Alinejad, a Facebook user, wrote: "Today is the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, which is International Quds Day. Defending the oppressed in Gaza and the fierceness of the freedom fighters of the world is the duty of Muslims. O Allah, hasten the arrival of the light."

Del Agha Qassemi, another social media user, posted: "The presence of each and every one of you freedom fighters of the world in the Quds Day march, or even publishing a message on social media in support of the oppressed people of Palestine, will not only strengthen the hearts and console the families of the martyrs, but will also water the seedlings of unity of the Islamic ummah and light a burning fire in the hearts of the world’s arrogant."

Seyyed Mohammad Javad Mousavi, another user, wrote on his Facebook page:" Now that we are on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan; Holy Day, according to the words of Imam Ali (AS), let us be enemies of the oppressor and friends of the oppressed... In our era, there is less news of condemning the oppressor for their oppression, and supporting the oppressed for being oppressed; rather, enmities and friendships are all based on interests, not on the criteria of oppression against man and humanity; even in the limited Islamic realm, other Muslims, due to the plots of the arrogant powers of the world, have become so distant from each other and the united Islamic ummah has been torn apart that no nation shows the slightest reaction to oppression, as if they have no human or religious responsibility towards other people and the oppressed." According to Mousavi, everyone is carelessly and indifferently ignoring the crimes that are being committed today against the defenseless people of Gaza and Palestine." Thousands of innocent children and men and women have been killed. We are carelessly passing by, and it is as if the Islamic nation no longer has a common interest, a common goal, or a common destiny." 

Turkey 

On Friday, hundreds of Turks marched in Istanbul on Quds Day. People also in Igdir took to the streets to mark the day. The mechers raised flags of Palestine and Hezbollah and the banners of martyrs of the Axis of Resistance including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah and Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. They chanted: "The Zionist killers will pay the price."

They further chanted: "We are all Hamas, we are all Hezbollah. Salutes to Lebanon, the resistance will continue. Thousands of salutes to Hezbollah, to Hamas, and to resistance. We sacrifice our life and blood to Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karbala

TEHRAN, (MNA) – Crowds of Muslims gathered in Karbala to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the holy shrines of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal brother, Hazrat Abbas (AS).

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Ayatollah Khamenei leads Eid al-Fitr prayers in Tehran

TEHRAN, (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei led this year’s Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset Ramadan fasting.

Crowds of Iranian people from across the state reached Tehran early on Monday morning to attend the Grand Mosalla mosque of Tehran where Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei led the Eid al-Fitr prayers.

After the prayers, the Leader will deliver his Eid sermons.

Eid al-Fitr: Happy ending of month on spiritual cleansing

TEHRAN, (MNA) – Eid al-Fitr is considered a period of spiritual cleansing, with forgiveness sought and offered, seizing the opportunity to donate Zakat al-Fitr to the poor.

Eid al-Fitr, a major religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

This holiday concludes the 29 or 30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset. The date, the first day of Shawwal, varies based on the sighting of the new moon.

Eid al-Fitr includes a special Salat (Islamic prayer), typically held in open fields or large halls. 

Muslims are obligated to fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay Zakat al-Fitr, a ritual offering, before Eid prayers. 

Most attend local mosques for communal prayers, preceded by a more elaborate Iftar, which is often shared with family and friends. 

Prayers are usually led by religious figures who offer Eid greetings. Islamic tradition emphasizes using this occasion to help the needy and oppressed.

Across Iran, including at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Naqareh drums are played and Muslims gather for Eid prayers. 

In Tehran, large crowds attend prayers at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla. 

Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to sermons, and donate Zakat al-Fitr to the poor, demonstrating the widespread participation in this significant religious event.

The celebration is characterized by joyous gatherings, family visits, and the exchange of gifts. 

Since Iran has lots of different ethnicities, the People of each of the Iranian provinces have their unique traditions for every occasion, including the holy Eid al-Fitr.

Traditional foods and sweets are prepared and shared, symbolizing the sweetness of faith and the breaking of the fast. 

It is a time for strengthening community bonds and fostering goodwill amongst all.

The spirit of Eid al-Fitr is one of gratitude, reflection, and renewal. Muslims reflect on the lessons learned during Ramadan and reaffirm their commitment to living a life of piety and service. 

The holiday serves as a reminder to continue the practices of compassion, generosity, and self-discipline throughout the year.

It is a period of spiritual cleansing, with forgiveness sought and offered, mending broken relationships and strengthening existing ones.

The atmosphere is filled with a sense of peace and unity as Muslims worldwide celebrate their shared faith and the blessings of Allah. 

Eid al-Fitr is a time for rejoicing in the completion of a sacred month and looking forward to a future filled with faith, hope, and prosperity.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, will lead Eid al-Fitr prayers at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Mosque this year, marking the end of Ramadan.

The prayers, scheduled for 8:00 AM following the Shawwal crescent moon sighting, will commence, after which the Leader will deliver Eid sermons.

Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian has congratulated Iranians and Muslims globally on Eid al-Fitr, hoping Ramadan fosters unity, patience, and kindness within Iran.

He stressed that Ramadan's spiritual lessons should improve conduct, urging solidarity, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.

Reported by Tohid Mahmoudpour

Iran president felicitates Muslim nations on Eid al-Fitr

TEHRAN, (MNA) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has extended his best wishes to the leaders and nations of Muslim countries on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr, urging more unity and solidarity within the Muslim world.

In a message on Sunday, Pezeshkian said Eid al-Fitr is the manifestation of unity and consolidation of religious and social bonds among Muslims.

It is also the time for the fruition of their sincere prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, he added.

The Iranian president expressed hope that the world would witness further solidarity among Muslim nations, the establishment of peace and stability among Muslim countries, and enhanced relations in all areas with the blessings and auspiciousness of Eid al-Fitr.

Millions of people in more than a dozen Muslim countries are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan after the new moon of the lunar calendar month of Shawwal was sighted the previous night.

Muslims in Iran will mark the Eid with nationwide mass prayers on Monday.