Source: Aljazeera

Wire Service: Reuters

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/572FF6BA-BFDE-4B37-9943-96E06971A011.htm

On March 15, 2006 Reuters reported, "A pre-Islamic fire festival passed off relatively peaceful in Iran, void of the usual clashes between police and youthful revellers. In previous years, Iran's Islamic government has sought to stop youths lighting bonfires and fireworks for the ancient Zoroastrian feast of Chaharshanbe Souri. The festival took place on the last Tuesday night before the Iranian New Year on 21 March with specific areas in Tehran allocated to ensure the fireworks passed off more safely and, in many areas across the country, police simply stood by passively watching exuberant youths rather than clashing with them. '(Last year) they closed the street and shot teargas into the crowd,' said 18-year-old Omid, who on Tuesday night was mingling with a group of teenagers of both sexes. In Tehran's Taleghani park families gathered to watch the pyrotechnics. 'The police want to take part in the people's festival and prevent accidents at the same time,' Mehdi Ahmadi, a spokesman for the police, said ahead of Tuesday's celebrations. The Islamic Republic has an awkward relationship with its ancient Zoroastrian religion, whose festivals are widely observed by Muslim Iranians."