Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz

Did you know that some of the most visited holy places of Islam are in Iran? The existence of a large number of wonderful mosques and religious shrines in Iran beckons the traveler to visit a country that is religious and spiritual. The holy Shah-e-Cheragh shrine, the son of the 7th Shiite Imam, make Shiraz a pilgrimage site for Iranians. The monument has been discovered in 11th century and a shrine was built over it afterwards. The shrine was repaired during Safavid and Qajar dynasties. The mosques and other sacred sites are the heart of cultural significance for Muslims, and if you feel the need to enter one, you should show proper respect for the traditions.

The Jame Mosque of Yazd

Most cities with sizable Muslim populations possess a primary congregational mosque. The unique hybrid of design and dimensions, reflect the atmosphere of the period or geographic region and the expertise of the architect. The grand congregational mosque of Yazd in Iran is unique in this regard and thus enjoys a special place in the history of Islamic architecture.

Jame Mosque of Yazd, Iran

This magnificent mosque dating back to 12th century is regarded as one of the outstanding building. It is believed that the mosque was built on the ruins of the Sassanid fire temple by Ala'oddoleh Garshasb during the Al-e-Bouyeh dynasty and was largely rebuilt in 14th century. The two most outstanding features of this Islamic mosque are its domes and minarets. It is famous for its notable minaret’s architecture as the highest in the world with more than 52 meter and their turquoise gem that could be seen from miles away. With the special tiles works and various domes, this mosque is an excellent example of Islamic architecture. Under the central dome inside the mosque, there are some smaller dome like arches designed with dazzling ceramic tiles and the beautiful manuscripts from holy Quran which depict the masterpieces of calligraphy and tiling.

Weightlifting: A Perennial Favorite Sport in Iran

Besides being an international sport, weightlifting is a training technique for athletes in other sports. Long popular as a competitive sport in Egypt, Turkey, and Japan, weightlifting became increasingly popular in Iran after 1930. Centuries before Islam, Persian athletes fused spirituality and strength training in a practice called Varzesh-e-Bastani, the legacy of which may still persist. The sport of Weightlifting consist of four age group divisions, fifteen weight classes and two lifts. Both lifts, the snatch and the clean and jerk, involve taking a barbell from the ground and lifting it overhead. The weight of each competitor’s best snatch and best clean & jerk are added together for a total, and the person with the highest total in his or her weight class wins. Hossein Rezazadeh, a two-time Olympic champion, four-time World Weightlifting champion, and five-time Asian champion, is widely regarded as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time. Since old times in Iran, lifting athletes in every city were known as chivalrous and heroic figures. A shining example of this matter is Kianoush Rostami, who has put his gold medal up for auction to raise money for the victims of 12^th November earthquake in which left at least 500 people dead in Iran and Iraq.

Kianoosh Rostami one of the greatest weightlifters of all time.