The Overlap of Nowruz and Ramadan; A Commander’s Warning to Municipalities; If They Cannot Manage, They Should Inform the IRGC

The commander of the IRGC in Mazandaran has pointed out the coincidence of Nowruz and Ramadan in Iran, stating that municipalities must engage in cultural activities and "if they cannot, they should inform the IRGC," as the IRGC in Mazandaran can implement cultural programs along the province's beaches. Siavash Moslemi also conditioned the holding of concerts in Mazandaran on the "observance of all requirements" set by the IRGC, stating that if the law is followed, "there will be no problem." This military official also had directives for the Ministry of Culture, saying: "Concerts must not cross red lines, and this important issue must be considered by the Ministry of Culture and the permit recipients." These remarks by the commander of the IRGC in Mazandaran about imposing restrictions during Nowruz under the pretext of Ramadan come at a time when the Deputy Minister of Tourism announced on March 1 that a resolution regarding "fasting and hijab" for Nowruz 1403 had been approved. Ali Asghar Shalabafian emphasized that this resolution was passed in the Public Culture Council with the presence of representatives from 20 agencies. Although details of this resolution have not yet been published, past experiences during Ramadan indicate that Nowruz 1403 will be accompanied by numerous social restrictions for the public, including confrontations at the northern and southern beaches of the country. Based on past experiences, restrictions on the availability of food and meals during the day will also be another challenge for Nowruz travelers.