City of Lies: Love, Sex, Death, and the Search for Truth in Tehran

chapi Leftist


dampaee Slippers, which are usually plastic ‘slides’


erfan classes Mysticism classes


esfand Seeds of a weed that are burned to ward off the evil eye


estekhareh Islamic divination


ettela’at Intelligence, refers to the feared Ministry of Intelligence


fatwa A religious edict issued by clerics


Haji The name given to someone who has completed the Haj.Can also be used as a term of respect


hejab A headscarf, or any garment used to cover the head and body in order to preserve modesty


Hezbollah Party of God, a movement that was formed during the revolution to help Khomeini and his forces. The term Hezbollahi refers to those seen as zealous or fundamentalist; a Hezbollahi is an ardent defender of the regime and can be willing to resort to violence to defend the Islamic state


hosseinieh A congregation hall used for gatherings and religious ceremonies


IRIB Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting


javanmardi A code of conduct that has chivalry, magnanimity and altruism at its core


jendeh Whore


joon/jan Dear, also used as a polite formality at the end of a person’s first name
manteau An overcoat that must be worn over clothes to hide the curves and shape of a woman’s body


MEK Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (some other aliases: the MKO and the People’s Mojahedin of Iran). The largest Iranian opposition group, committed to overthrowing the Islamic Republic. It was formed in 1963 by leftist students and has Marxist/Islamist roots. The MEK played an integral role in the Islamic Revolution, but was brutally repressed by Ayatollah Khomeini. Its headquarters are in Paris, under the banner of the National Council of Resistance in Iran