What’s so great about Iran? Isn’t it a highly corrupt country, plagued by a terrible government and significant inflation? 

Yes, this is true. Iran has been struggling since the beginning of the 1978 revolution. With the intensity of regulations being implemented in society, it’s difficult for people to pursue larger opportunities. Apart from that, Iranian citizens do not possess true independence, particularly women.

People are unaware of the type of nation Iran was before the 1978 regime. Average civilians living during those times never once thought of moving to the United States to have a better life. They felt secure and proud of their culture while living in Iran. 

Before the Iranian Revolution broke out between Iran and Iraq, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was the King of Iran from 1941 until 1979. The Shah was unfortunately thrown out of the imperial state by protestors who wanted to implement an Islamic and Democratic Republic. Given that 99.4% of Iranians are Muslims, protesters urged others to adopt a more Muslim way of living.

On January 26th, 1963, the Shah introduced the White Revolution, which was an aggressive reform to modernization in Iran, creating new jobs and boosting the political, social, and economic system. The main idea behind this reform was to build and expand railroads, industries, factories, dams, and irrigation projects. They sought to experiment with diseases, to promote industrial growth, to support a woman’s right to vote, and to create literacy and health corps. The goal of this reform was to put Iran ahead of other nations in terms of wealth and expansion. 

More than five million Iranians voted in favor of the reform’s implementation in the national referendum, which the Shah needed to legitimize the White Revolution.  However, others were against the Shah and his policy of implementing modernization in Iran. Instead, those who tried to boycott were demanding strict Islamic laws. 

This reform caused major changes in Iran for sixteen years. One standout was the Land Reform Program, in which the Shah wanted to abolish the country’s feudal system and allow the peasants to have the ability to own land. Not only did it give peasants more freedom, but nearly nine million civilians were able to benefit from this reform. 

Another reform was extending women’s right to vote. Not only did this give women a voice in their government, but it also allowed them to participate in civil matters in Iran. Allowing women to join political parties led to the election of two women to the Senate: Mehrangiz Manuchehrian and Shams ol-Moluk Mosaheb.

By increasing women’s rights and access to education, they were no longer viewed as second-class citizens in their own nation. In addition, the Family Protection Law was written to give women greater rights in terms of marriage, divorce, and child custody. 

So much had happened before the regime change, but people don’t realize where the basic knowledge, services, or even technology came from. For example, the Iranian people have given the world algebra, Persian literature, and saffron. 

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was a mathematician active during the Islamic Golden Age who contributed greatly to the fields of geography, mathematics, and astronomy. Al-Khwarizmi’s achievement was introducing equations that we currently use in our math department, and using the method of reduction and balancing. The Compendious Book on Calculation, Al-Khwarizmi’s debut book, describes how to solve linear and quadratic equations, and it displays the regions and volume calculations.

This legacy of excellence in science and mathematics continues in Iran to this day. Five Iranians swept and won the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, from August 11 to August 21. This moment marked the second year of constant winning for the team. The participants were Hossein Soltani, Hirbod Foudazi, Hossein Masoumi, Arshia Mirshamsi Kakhaki, and Ali Naderi Lordjani. The pride and commitment those individuals brought from their nation’s expertise contributed to this accomplishment. They stand in for Iran’s future academics.  

Furthermore, with its own language and the significance of its stories, poetry, and lyrics, Iran boasts the oldest and most powerful literature in the world. It stands out from the work of other nations because of its mystical thought, ethical ideas, romance, wealth, human nature, wisdom, and popularity worldwide.

Iranian authors have significantly influenced writers from both Europe and America, including Goethe, Matthew Arnold, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. This influence has extended throughout Turkey, India, and Central Asia, due to the high quality of Persian literature. 

A couple of the well-known poets who have shaped the Persian language and culture were Hafez, Rumi, and Saadi. Their work is celebrated because it explores mankind and the human condition, and it genuinely evokes feelings in all individuals. 

My whole family came from Iran; they’re not Persian but Armenian Iranians. They frequently listen to Persian poetry, but since I don’t speak Farsi, they have to translate it into English when they tell me about it.

The meaning of a poem or lyric is very different when it is uttered in Farsi, even though they do their best to explain it to me. There is a great essence to simply speaking in the original tongue, and if you want to translate, the tone shifts. Even though I still can’t speak or understand Farsi, the very fact that I can hear the words of these authors makes me more eager to learn it in the future, because of how beautiful it sounds.  

Another well-known Iranian export is saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices in the world, even more expensive than caviar by weight. Typically, saffron is used in tea and other beverages, as well as in cooking. 

During the Black Death, saffron was used as a key medical factor, and it was in high demand. In Persian culture, saffron is basically the medicine used for all illnesses, because of its health benefits, including antioxidant and mood-boosting properties.

The lavender-colored crocus flower is the source of the spice. Saffron comes from Iran and is usually available only from August to November, although it can also be imported from Afghanistan, Spain, Greece, and India. 

However, because it is hand-picked, saffron is fragile and can cost anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500 per kilogram if you want to get it from the place of origin. In the end, everything boils down to the arduous work required to collect saffron, and its value depends on the market and quality of the product.

Unfortunately, the world seems to be turning against Iran because of the current state of the nation, but no one talks about its rich cultural heritage. Instead, we should be celebrating Iran for its food, history, and contributions to world arts and sciences. 

If you are interested in learning more about what Iran was like before the revolution, I recommend that you watch this video. It will truly open your eyes to the great potential of this beautiful nation.