Iran's Fire Festival Sparks Scattered Protests and Violence.
Eleven people were killed and over 3,500 injured during Iran's traditional fire festival, Chaharshanbe Suri, which is celebrated every year on the night of the last Tuesday of the Iranian calendar year. The festival involves jumping over bonfires to purify oneself and ward off evil spirits, and is part of Iran's pre-Islamic heritage. While generally frowned upon by the Shiite clerical establishment, it remains popular with young people, many of whom make their own fireworks for the event, resulting in injury or death.
