Charshanbeh Soori

Charshanbeh Soori. Tehran. 16 March 2010. IRNA and ISNA photos

Tonight is the annual Persian Fire Festival, Charshanbeh Soori. The ancient ritual is held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian calendar year. Iranians jump over bonfires and set off firecrackers to receive the "redness" of fire and to get rid of their "yellowness," strength as opposed to weakness.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday urged Iranians to shun tonight’s festival, saying it is un-Islamic and would cause harm in the society. But reports from Tehran and other major cities in Iran indicate that this year’s Charshanbeh Soori festivals were one of the largest in memory.

State-owned Fars New Agency is reporting that 224 people have been injured during the festivities. There are unconfirmed reports that the festivities in a number of cities have turned political, with some people chanting anti-government slogans.

UPDATE: NAJA Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Radan said in Tehran that 50 people have been arrested for disturbing peace during the Charshanbeh Soori festivities [ISNA, 17 March].