https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2011/03/15/norooz-the-opposition-grows/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 06:42:27 -0400<![CDATA[The Persian (pre-Muslim) New Year, Norooz, has always stuck in the craw of the Islamic Republic, especially the fire festival, featuring people leaping through bonfires to ritually cleanse themselves of the physical and spiritual aches and pains of the winter.  The festival is officially banned, both because of the Zoroastrian heresy it represents and because it brings together large numbers of people, which the regime of course fears, lest it take on political overtones.]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:28:40 -0400<![CDATA[Michael Ledeen]]>https://pjmedia.com/michael-ledeen/2011/03/15/norooz-the-opposition-grows-n187214