Christmas in Tehran: Santa makes a Middle Eastern pit stop in Muslim country that turns out to be more tolerant than you

MAILONLINE-

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Two young Iranian women admire a Christmas tree being sold at a store in Tehran

By CAROLINE MCGUIRE FOR MAILONLINE

Change is afoot in Iran, with the country expecting a ‘tsunami’ of foreign tourists following a landmark nuclear deal that lifts sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.
With improved relations, Iran’s beaches, breathtaking Islamic architecture and incredible food could see the country be top of the ‘must-visit’ destinations of 2016.

Currently the perception many have of the country is of a super-conservative and religious population, living under restrictions on culture and general life, but as these images reveal the situation on the streets, especially for young people, is much more moderate and relaxed than these generalisations.
And as nations across the world ready themselves for the festive holidays, Iranians have also been pictured selecting pre-decorated fake Christmas trees and shopping for last minute stocking fillers.
There are about 150,000 Christians living in Iran, most of them Armenians, who celebrate Christmas in churches and at home. As children are attracted by the tradition, many Muslim families have adopted some of the customs and buy presents for the kids as well as Christmas trees.
Travellers in the know are reaping the benefits of visiting this lesser explored Middle Eastern gem and the number of people arriving in the country for their holidays has already grown 12 per cent in each of the past two years. One such visitor was the French photographer Bernard Russo, who documented the life of young people in the country during his visit and later published the images ‘The Hidden face of Iran’, as well as showcasing a selection of images on his Instagram page.

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An Iranian chador-clad woman looks at the white Christmas Trees next to a shop selling festive items in Tehran

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There are about 150,000 Christians living in Iran, most of them Armenians, who celebrate Christmas in churches and at homes

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As children are attracted by the tradition, many Muslim families have adopted some of the customs and buy presents for the kids and even Christmas trees

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A young man and woman joke around while waiting for the metro in Shiraz – their clothing is a mixture of Middle Eastern and Western styles

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A young woman stares into the camera as she and he friends stroll past a group of young men in Shiraz

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A young boy grins cheekily from a bus that is travelling through Persepolis

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Soldiers use pay phones to call home while they are stationed in Shiraz

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Young women relax with ice creams in the sunshine after school closes in Esfahan

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Two boys attempt to restart a Yamaha bike in the suburbs of Kerman

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Three young women take a selfie in the bazaar in Shiraz next to a toy stall

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Two young women gossip and share a secret while relaxing in the sunshine in Shiraz

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A young man sits among the pigeons on the pavement in Kashan framed by beautiful colourful architecture

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hree men try to sleep on a train journey on the way to Yazd from Tehran

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A young girl smiles into the camera from the window of a packed bus in Shiraz

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A young woman plays the guitar on the side of the street in Tehran

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A colorfully-dressed young woman smiles at the camera while waiting for the bus

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A boy speeds along the road on his motorbike with a female passenger on the back in Shiraz

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Young women catch up whie waiting outside a language school in Shiraz

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A young woman and man seem to flirt while waiting for a train on the Metro

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