Nouri Hamadani's Protest Against the Informal Celebration of Cyrus Day in Pasargad

Hosseini Nouri Hamadani, a Shia cleric in Qom, criticized the presence of thousands at the tomb of Cyrus in Pasargad, questioning how these individuals can chant slogans for the leader of the Islamic Republic while being mere spectators. According to Fars News Agency, this cleric emphasized on Sunday, November 9, that 'the king said, Cyrus, sleep peacefully, we are awake; now a group has gathered around Cyrus's tomb, performed circumambulation, took out handkerchiefs, and cried.' Nouri Hamadani stated that Ayatollah Khomeini, the former leader of the Islamic Republic, referred to those who 'remembered Cyrus' as 'anti-revolutionaries.' In Iran, November 7 has been unofficially designated as Cyrus Day. In recent years, groups of Iranians have gathered in Pasargad on this day. Previously, some websites and news agencies reported the cancellation of tours to Pasargad on this day by the Cultural Heritage Organization in several provinces. ISNA reported that tours to Pasargad were canceled from November 1 to 10 by the order of the Cultural Heritage Organization of Isfahan. Fereydoun Allahyari, the director of cultural heritage and tourism in Isfahan, stated that 'official and unofficial promotions for holding certain ceremonies were conducted during a specific period, so it was decided that direct tours to Pasargad would not have legal permits during this time.' Nevertheless, this year's gathering has received widespread attention on social media. In this regard, Shahin Sepanta, a cultural activist in Isfahan, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that unofficial estimates suggest around 15,000 to 20,000 people participated in the event. According to Sepanta, various Iranian ethnic groups were present in traditional clothing. Reports indicate that some attendees chanted slogans such as 'Happy Birthday, Aryan Cyrus' and 'Iran is our homeland, Cyrus is our father.' Some videos released show attendees chanting 'Happy Birthday, Prince' and slogans against the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the son of Mohammad Reza Ali Payam, a satirical poet known as 'Halo,' announced that his father was arrested by security forces during the event and was transferred to 'Saadat Shahr' hospital due to injuries sustained during the arrest. Previously, requests had been made to officially recognize November 7 as Cyrus Day, with a petition circulating online that thousands have signed. Jews commemorate November 7 in honor of Cyrus, considering him a 'savior' and 'liberator' of their people. Some religious historians in Iran believe that Dhul-Qarnayn, praised in the Quran as a 'righteous ruler,' is the same as Cyrus the Great, while others reject this view.