Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh is an Iranian festival celebrated on the "longest and darkest night of the year", that is, in the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. It is celebrated in the night between the last day of the ninth month (Azar) and the first day of the tenth month (Day) of the Iranian calendar, which coincides with the night of December 20 or 21 of each year.

In Iran, Shab-e Yalda is a time when friends and extended family come together to eat dinner and read poetry (especially Hafez) until after midnight.
The celebration is named after the pre-Zoroastrian god of creation and light. Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and some Caucasian states like Azerbaijan and Armenia share the same tradition as well and celebrate Yalda Night annually at this time of the year.

 Yalda is not a celebration of darkness, rather it's an occasion and party in honour of the Sun. By celebrating Yalda in fact we welcome the Sun. Iranian people despise the Mullahs ruling Iran for attacking their national celebrations such as Yalda. As a result Yalda, Charshanbe soori, Mehregan, Nowruz, sizdeh beda, and other occasions are celebrated by Iranians with pride and enthusiasm.

Yalda Mobarak or Happy Yalda!
 

NEWS))))))

The Iranian regime has banned tours on this year’s Yalda festival which marks the Northern Hemisphere’s longest night of the year - and warned offenders that they will be ’dealt with’.
Shab-e Yalda, or Yalda night, is celebrated on the night between the last day of the ninth month (Azar) and the first day of the tenth month (Day) of the Iranian civil calendar, which corresponds to the night of December 20 or 21 each year.
But Rajabali Khosravi, the head of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization has issued an order banning tours on the night, which this year coincides with a religious occasion.


******

According to Iranian resistance statement Dec. 20th, during the days of December 18 and 14, the clerical regime secretly executed 10 prisoners in Adelabad Prison of Shiraz. Eight of these prisoners were collectively hanged on Sunday, December 14. Moreover, one prisoner was hanged in the central prison of Qazvin on December 16.
Two young men were also lashed in public in Chamestan, Mazandaran Province. Moslemzadeh, in the regime’s judiciary in Mazandaran, stated that each prisoner received 40 lashes.

On December 18, the 61st resolution condemning violation of human rights in the Iran under the mullahs’ rule was adopted by the UN General Assembly. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi , President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, urged the international community to adopt binding provisions against the rising trend of executions and the systematic and serious violation of human rights in Iran. Particularly that this regime is the world’s record holder not just in the number of executions, but in most realms for the most barbaric suppressions. She called for the referral of velayat-e faqih regime’s criminal file to the International Criminal Court by the United Nations Security Council.

Canadian foreign affairs minister John Baird said in statement after the adoption of Iran resolution at the UN: "The adoption of this Canadian-led resolution demonstrates that the international community continues to condemn Iran’s abysmal record on human rights. "Canada is heartened by the support this resolution received and reiterates to the Iranian people that their dignity remains at the forefront of the agenda.
"This resolution provides a public signal to human rights defenders in Iran that they continue to have our unwavering support. It also brings international scrutiny to bear on Iran’s atrocious human rights record and calls on the clerical regime in Tehran to uphold its obligations and promises of meaningful reform.
"It’s high time for President Rouhani to uphold Iran’s commitments, and reverse the trend of its worsening human rights record, its continued material support for terrorism, and its ongoing nuclear ambitions.
"Canada will continue to defend the rights of the afflicted and be a voice for all of those who have been silenced under Iran’s repressive actions."
A resolution co-sponsored by Canada said the Iranian regime was guilty of long-standing human rights abuses, including the execution of juvenile offenders and persecution of religious and ethnic minorities.
The text of the resolution was based on the annual reports of the UN Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, supported by credible civilian and diplomatic reports.
It also noted that the past year has seen a significant increase in the application of the death penalty in Iran, along with routine torture, the abuse and suppression of women and the restriction of freedom of expression and harassment, intimidation and prosecution of the media.

Iran's Baha'i minority have no civil rights in the regime because their beliefs are contrary to Islam, a senior cleric close to Hassan Rouhani has decreed

Mohammad Mousavi-Bodjnordi - head of Iran's civil rights watchdog - told the state-run Fars news agency: "The Baha'i belief is contrary to Islam. In Iran, Baha'i have no civil rights and in particular, they do not have the right to study."
Instead, civil rights are defined as in line with the beliefs of former Supreme Leader and founder of the clerical regime Ali Khomeini, Mousavi-Bodjnordi said.
Mohammad Mousavi-Bodjnordi is a member of "combatant clergy" a clerical body that describes itself as 'moderate'. Hassan Rohani appointed Mousavi-Bodjnordi as a member of this group to define "civil rights" shortly after he became the regime's president.
Earlier this month, a Friday prayer leader Abbas Ramazanipour told officials in the city of Mashhad on December 2: "The Baha'is are considered unclean based on decrees issued by religious leaders. This sect has created many problems in the city and they should not be here."
The Iranian regime has stepped up suppression of Baha'is in recent months with frequent arrests and interrogations. Christians are also under attack. 

******

A couple of youths were approached and harassed by a plain clothes agent of the clerical regime for mocking the mullahs’ banner of the so called ’University and Mosque Unity’ at the nearby Azady Square in Tehran on Thursday Dec. 18th. The youth respond to the harassment by punishing and engaging physically with plain clothes agent, forcing him to flee.