Minority Ethnic Communities in Northern Ireland

. PEOPLE OF IRANIAN ORIGIN BACKGROUND There is a small Iranian community of approximately one hundred and fifty people resident in Northern Ireland. Most Iranians originally came here as students or refugees. LANGUAGE The official language of Iran is Farsi, also known as Persian. Although the written language originates from the Arabic script, Farsi bears no resemblance to Arabic and the two languages are not mutually comprehensible. In addition to Farsi, some Iranians may be able to speak Arabic or Turkish depending upon which part of Iran they originate from. RELIGION The majority of Iranians are Muslims of the minority Shia sect, Shi'ism being the official religion of Iran. People belonging to the Ba'hai faith make up Iran's largest religious minority and therefore a number of Iranians in Northern Ireland may be Ba'hai. A small minority of Iranians are also Christian, Jewish or Zoroastrian. For further information about Islam and Islamic festivals, and Judaism and Jewish festivals is contained in the relevant sections in this book. DIET The staple food for Iranian people is rice which is usually eaten with meat cooked in the forrn of kebabs or in a sauce with vegetables. Salads and fresh fruit form a regular part of the traditional Iranian diet. A yophurt drink called doogh is very popular. Iranian families may eat their meals either seated around a table or more traditionally seated on the floor. In the latter case, food is served in dishes placed on a large cloth on the floor called a sofreh. Practising Muslims may adhere to the Islamic dietary restrictions detailed in the section on Islam. IRANIAN HOLIDAYS Naw Ruz This is the celebration of the Iranian New Year which commences on the first day of spring. Fifteen days before Naw Ruz, families plant wheat or lentil seeds in a shallow bowl. The green sprouts which appear, symbolize the coming of spring. People celebrate visiting friends and relatives. Children receive gifts and money. On the thirteenth day of the first month of the New Year, it is believed to be bad luck to stay at home and, traditionally, everyone goes out. CONTENTS People of Bangladeshi Origin People of Indian Origin People of Iranian Origin People of Islamic Origin People of Malay Origin People of Pakistani Origin People of the Baha'i Faith People of Vietnamese Origin The Chinese Community The Jewish Community Background The Travelling People in Northern Ireland   . .