IACNT members observed Shabe Yalda

On December 19, 2015, IACNT members observed a Persian holiday, Shabe Yalda.

Yalda is the longest night of the year which occurs around December 21st each year corresponding to the night of the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice. Traditionally, Persians have celebrated this night for centuries by getting together with friends and family, eating, telling stories, reading poetry and so on. Persians celebrate this night because it stands for the darkness being defeated by the light of the Sun the following day.

On December 19, 2015, members of the Iranian-American Community of North Texas celebrated Yalda in Carrollton. As the longest and darkest night of the year was passing, Community members wished for the ominous presence of evil which has lingered in their homeland, Iran, for years to pass and freedom and prosperity to shine over this beautiful country.

With Christmas following Yalda and many Christians living in the community here and in Iran, the community celebrated the arrival of Christmas as well and some members sent Christmas greetings to Christians, especially the ones in prison inside Iran such as Saeed Abedini who is also an Iranian-American.

There was plenty of food, fruits, Persian cookies and many activities such as music, dance, reading poetry and fortune telling (Fall-e-Hafez) for this celebration.