The Human Sides of Iran by Rubén Salgado Escudero

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A priest outside of a Mosque in Isfahan.

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People praying in Masdjid-i Djouma (Friday Mosque).

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Wealthy Iranian women in the center of Tehran. Iran has the highest rate of esthetic nose operations in the world.

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A small mosque in the city of Shiraz, decoraded with Jade stone and thousands of crystals.

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A couple walking down a valley near Isfahan. It is still illegal to hold hands in public today.

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A inscription in a garden in Tehran. Iranians adore reading poetry, their poets being some of the most cherished figures in their society.

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A back street in Tehran.

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Two women hide from the sun under an arch in Isfahan.

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Two men conversating outside of a mosque in Tehran.

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A man plays the flute whilte sitting on

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After prayer conversations.

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Masdjid-i Djouma (Friday Mosque) on Imam Square, Iran's largest Mosque.

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Craftsmanship and traditonal welding techniques are still prominently seen throughout Iranian cities today.

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Craftsmanship and traditonal welding techniques are still prominently seen throughout Iranian cities today.

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A shopping arcade

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Shaykh Lutfullah Mosque in Isfahan.

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The walls of Sheikh Lotfullah Mosqueare decorated with marvelous, intricate detail. Iranian craftmanship and art is some of the richest in the world.

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The walls of Sheikh Lotfullah Mosque are decorated with marvelous, intricate detail. Iranian craftmanship and art is some of the richest in the world.

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Many Iranian children today are modernized using the same technological gadgets as in the Western world.

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Contrary to popular belief, many young Iranians today want radical change in government and are even pro America.

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Shoppers at Tehran's Grand Baazar.

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Spices sold in Tehran's Grand Baazar.

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Police are required to stop and fine any woman who is revealing too much of her face or hair through her head scarf.

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Bellow the 33 Arches of "Si-o-seh Pol" Bridge

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Crossing "Si-o-seh Pol", Isfahan's Bridge of 33 Arches.

Iran is probably the world’s most disliked and misunderstood country today. This stems from various causes, including Iran’s controversial international policies and its unstable president, who openly expresses his hatred towards America and Israel. For several decades, Iran’s Shiite clerical establishment has proven extremely effective at mobilizing the Iranian masses, enforcing extremely strict Islamic rule of law throughout the land and oppressing the population. Unfortunately, today’s mass media focuses on these aspects of a country which has one of the oldest and richest cultures known to humankind. Iran’s people are highly educated with a love for the arts, literature, poetry and culture. Hardworking, life-loving and warm hearted, Iranians are very much in need of change, of a new era. They experience many forms of censorship, and are not always able to express themselves or stand up for what they truly believe in. This series of photos depict the human experience, the heart and soul of the people of Iran, who are living as if imprisoned, but with the hope of experiencing freedom one day.

contact: salgado3d@gmail.com