The Other Iran, of Joy and Wine: FitzGerald’s Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:40

The Other Iran, of Joy and Wine: FitzGerald’s Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:40

At a time of war and propaganda, when Iran and Iranians are being demonized, it is important to remember the beauty of Iranian civilization and the complexity of Iranians. There is nothing wrong with being a devoted Shiite Muslim, but Iran transcends it. In history, Iranians have been Zoroastrians, Sunni Muslims, and Shiites, and some have been uninterested in conventional religion. Some have valued the mystical poetry of Rumi, others the tavern…