The Iranian world (perceived not only as Iran, but the whole Persianspeaking and culturally Persianate area, including Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan parts of Central Asia and Indian Subcontinent) is nowadays a sensitive region of the Middle East, and the focus of public opinion is on its political developments. But it should not be forgotten, that this is also a distinct cultural area with an extremely rich and complex history, with a mosaic of ethnic and religious group...
