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1 3 t h S E P T E M B E R - 4 t h o c t o be r 2 0 0 5
Islamic Art
ing driven around in a car by a young trendy Tehranian, who instead of a cup of tea in his lap, had a glass of vodka and coke. Of course there are big differences between north Tehran, which is the most liberal area of the country, and some rural areas. For example in Yazd it was totally different. Unrelated men and women were not allowed to be together at all! Guides had to have a special licence to take women in their cars. Even in the hotel I stayed in, I was told the police would come regularly into the courtyard to make sure foreign women were wearing the hijab (Islamic dress). I remember seven years ago talking to a young Muslim in east Malaysia who was very intense about his religion and very devout. However, what stuck in my mind about him, and what is not normally portrayed, was his tolerance towards other people and other religions. I asked him if he minded people drinking alcohol in his country and he replied of course not, but maybe in a Muslim area you would try not to drink
165 Persepolis