____________________________________________ 6 IICC Perspectives outsiders. Feelings of inferiority have accompanied Shi’a throughout history because of the belief that the world exploits them, and they believe primacy in Islam was taken from them by deception after Husayn ibn Ali, the father of Shi'a, was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 C.E. Iranian culture Iran’s population is composed of more than thirty ethnic groups, with Persians being the largest, about 45%. Each group has its own culture, language and heritage, but they all share a common past, the glory which Iran achieved, in their view, during 2,500 years of the kingdom’s existence. They still dream of restoring the crown to its former glory and aspire for “Iran to take its rightful place in the region and in the world”. Iranians are a people of poets, and poetry and poets hold a place of honor. A good Iranian who wants to illustrate something, but indirectly, will turn to his great poets, Saadi, Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam and others, and quote a verse of poetry suited to the occasion, especially when he wishes to contradict you without doing so directly. Even people from whom you would not expect literary expertise will surprise you with poetry. If the Iranian thinks you cannot harm him, he will not take you or your demands seriously, and at best will ignore you, both in private and in national life. The Iranians admire their many poets, since when they were oppressed by invaders and feared to express their opinions freely, their poets did so on their behalf, disguising their opposing views. They are also justifiably proud of their contribution to architecture, their magnificent carpets, miniature paintings; silver and copper work, the ancient music that accompanies them to this day, the game of chess, which they invented. And more than anything, they are filled with pride over their eternal Iranian fashion and culture (Photo: https://www.irantour)
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