[McGavin999]

Uh....little bit of difference between the Reuters report and the students report. One sounds like a scheduled festival day and the other sounds like the start of someting a little more serious. What's really happening?

[DoctorZIn]

It is an ancient festival. The Islamic regime hates these festivals because they are not Islamic and they come at a time when the faithful are supposed to be in mourning.

But the people are celebrating because they know that other will join them and in so doing show the regime that they are hate the Islamic Republic.

So the events are just an excuse, but a popular one.

Remember, Iran is not an Arab country but Persian with a proud history. The Persians have fought the Arabs for centuries and feel anger at the Arab presence in their country.

The Islamic Republic is now so unpopular that the regime has brought in Arabs to serve as governors, judges, and security forces. Overwhelmingly the people hate them.