My kind of community in UAE: Iranians

Dubai - Cultural similarities between the UAE and Iran make the Iranians feel at home here

Iranian community makes up for ten percent of the UAE population. In addition, they're the major contributors towards the business in the region - Iran is one of the largest traders in the Gulf. If you've had a chance to walk in the by-lanes of Deira, you'd have been charmed by the aroma and richness of Iranian spices and dry fruits and the craftsmanship of carpets from their land.
A noteworthy percentage of the Iranian expats are in the business of trading because of the physical proximity be-tween Iran and the UAE and also because of the existence of great ports and easy, clear trading laws. Other than that, Iranian expats work in the production and real estate fields.
Farshad Kamisi, a businessman, has been in the UAE for last 15 years. He feels that similarities be-tween Iranian and Middle Eastern culture have made it easy for Iranians to call the country their home. "I am more comfortable living here than in any other part of the world - it's a warm, welcoming place. The local population is extremely friendly towards us. Not only is it a great place to raise one's kids, but also it's here that my wife feels safe and comfortable." Spending time with loved ones is a favourite activity with the expats. The café culture in Iran is huge. Back home, men meet over coffee for a game of backgammon or to do business. It's not uncommon to find them bonding over sheesha and coffee at Iranian cafés in the city too. Their love for hospitality and sweets is also a known fact. You can't leave an Iranian home until you've had your (rather large) share of sweets. A good idea would be to gift sweet boxes to your Iranian friends, especially at Nouroz (March 21), one of their most loved and celebrated festivals. It is considered as the start of the New Year and Spring.
Arefeh Abrishamy, a homemaker in Dubai, says, "For Nouruz, we set up the table with the seven S's, goldfish, painted eggs, and a mirror. The seven S's stand for Sabzeh (lentil sprouts that grow in a dish, symbolising rebirth), Samanu (sweet pudding made from wheat, symbolising affluence), Senjed (dried fruit of the oleaster tree, symbolising love), Seer (garlic, symbolising medicine), Seeb (apple, symbolising health and beauty), Somaq (sumac berries, symbolising the colour of sunrise), and Serkeh (vinegar, symbolising age and patience)."
She adds, "We also celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri, wherein we jump over a bonfire on the last Wednesday of the year. The act of jumping is believed to burn out the fears and prepare one to enter the New Year." The community follows their traditions, irrespective of which part of the world they live in. Another interesting ritual requires of them to eat red-coloured fruits and other items on the longest and darkest night in winter (Yalda). The colour reflects the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life.                                    
Mohammad Farhani, a senior banker, says that while he loves Dubai, he does miss the lovely weather, natural beauty, cultural history and architecture, and bazaars of Iran. "Having said that, for me and my family, living in Dubai is as good as in Iran. There are Iranian hospital and schools here. In addition, there is the Iranian Club (Oud Mehta) and Iranian Business Council (Business Bay) too. It allows us to stay connected with fellow Iranians in this new home."
ankita@khaleejtimes.com
Meals are colourful, fragrant and balanced
 Purva Grover
An Iranian meal is a combination of fruits, vegetables, poultry, herbs, seeds, and flowers. Saffron and rosebuds hold a special place in their cuisine - adding colour, fragrance, and flavour to the dishes. The country has a variable climate with four distinct seasons and hence the abundance and variety in ingredients.

Heavily influenced by Caucasian, Turkish, Levantine, Greek, and Russian cuisines - Iranian food is a blend of textures and flavours. Modern spicy curry stews reflect India's influence on the food and Mughlai is said to be Iran's gift to Indians. Koftas and pulao are hence common with foodies from both countries. Often referred to as Persian cuisine, the meals include hot and cold items with the home cooks laying an emphasis on creating a perfect balance between the two. Say, walnut (hot food) will be added to a dish with pomegranate (cold food). Yoghurt is a staple item in an Iranian home and even today, they like to make their own dairy products including cheese. Nuts are an important cooking ingredient, especially almonds, pistachios, and raisins - they're added to not only desserts but also to mains like rice, meats, etc. The distinctive sour taste in many Iranian dishes is courtesy of lemon or orange.
Chelo Kebab is a popular Iranian dish - it can be savoured at the pocket-friendly Al Ustad Special Kabab (043971469), Meena Bazaar. The Iranian Sweets Palace (043980164), Satwa, is a must-stop to try the cream-filled puff called Noon Khamei. Afrina Iranian Sweets (043463933), Jumeirah, serves traditional Iranian ice-cream in two flavours - pistachio and saffron.
Noosh-e jan (Farsi for Bon Appétit)!
purva@khaleejtimes.com
Hand woven beauties and artifacts
Persian carpets are famous all over the world, with many countries importing the classic hand woven carpets from Iran. On an average, a piece of beauty takes anywhere between four to five years to be completed - depending on the detailing and finishing. Other than carpets, floor-coverings, rugs, and mats are popular items.

Each region of Iran produces different threads of history. Like Kerman carpets are made of carmania wool and produced in South Central Iran. A collectors' item, they are known for their broad palette, use of natural dyes, and amazing tensile strength. Qom rugs and floor coverings are made in the Qom province of Iran and are quite expensive because of their high quality wool. Some other popular forms of Persian carpets are Kashan, Nain, and Kilim.
Recently, 'Dubai: City of Carpet, the Carpet & Art Oasis 2016' saw over 2,50,000 carpet items presented by 54 exhibitors from seven countries around the world, including thousands of products from Iran. Other than the souks and carpet houses, one can now buy these weaves at various stores in the malls.
If you are looking to add an Iranian artefact to your living room, then you should pay a visit to the shops in old Dubai. On their shelves, you will find Iranian shawls, jewellery, and other gift items.
 

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