Located in the Strait of Hormoz, in the Persian Gulf, the island of Qeshm is rapidly expanding, growing in population, business and infrastructures.
New hotels and living quarters are eating up the arid landscape to accommodate the tourists and the international business community. Qeshm enjoys the status of free enterprise zone: visas can be obtained easily by foreigners, the circulation and convertibility of foreign currency and capital is unrestricted. The city-capital has particularly become a major hub for Iranians tourists and business men alike. However, the West of the island is still inhabited by one of the most traditional communities of Iran. Fishing is the leading occupation, but an increasing amount of workers are employed in the gas extraction industry.
Iran has seen a rise in the popularity of Western-style shopping and consumerism. Despite the sanctions imposed on them, the country’s economy continues to grow.
In the last few months we have witnessed improved relations between Iran and the West, while the upcoming negotiations for the lifting of the sanctions could pave the way for even more changes in the country and consequently also within the region.
Shopping has became a near obsessive ritual for young people, and especially women, who have now turned to buying beauty products and high-end western brands to fill the void of entertainment options and to “rebel“ against the array of restrictions they are subjected to.
During his visit to Cuba in 2012, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said “thankfully we are already witnessing that the capitalist system is in decay, on various stages it has come to a dead end — politically, economically and culturally.”
But the changes that have been taking place in Iran in the last few years seem to contradict this.
Despite slow mobile Internet connections, high prices for imported (most of the time smuggled) technological products and the constant governmental censorship of the media, Iranians are frantically buying smartphones, tablets and flat screen TVs.
Even if traditional Grand bazaars continue to be the favourite places to shop for regular Iranians they now face competition from huge shopping malls, which were erected in the outskirts of major cities across the country. And these offer western-style hypermarkets, international brands and colourful gaming arcades to list just a few temptations.
During the noon prayer, believers go rushed for ablutions.
Apartments for rich Iranians are located across the island. Kish Island, Iran.
Fully covered women in the sea. There is a beach just for families on Kish Island, Iran.
Woman is relaxing in the sea. With the hot weather at Kish Island, the morning swim is refreshing. Kish Island, Iran.
Iranian couple swimming together in the sea. Kish island, Iran.
Men enjoining the beach volley at the local sports club. Kish island has international sports competitions. Kish Island, Iran.
View of beach at Kish island, Iran. In 2010 the island was ranked among the world's 10 most beautiful islands in the world by New York Times.
Beautiful beach house close to the beach. Kish Island, Iran.
New city areas are being built on other places on the island. Kish Island, Iran.
There are possibilities for different activities at the beach. Kish Island, Iran.
Man jumping from a boat during sunrise. Kish Island, Iran.
A horse sculpture by the beach. There are many works of art around the island. Kish Island, Iran.
Rich people are coming to Kish Island to enjoy the weather and the beaches. Kish Island, Iran.
Iranian women can relax a bit more on Kish Island.
Apartments are built across the island for rich Iranian spending the winter at the island. Kish Island, Iran.
Construction ongoing across the island. The local authorities have extensive long term plans. http://kish.ir/_DouranPortal/Documents/Final%20Report%20Kish%20Masterplan.pdf
With the beach available there are numerous activities available for tourists.
Amir Kabir square decorated with horses at Kish Island, Iran.
Women enjoying the sunrise on Kish island, Iran.
Afghan family is swimming and playing in the sea at Kish Island, Iran
Women enjoying life in Kish island, Iran. Life on Kish Island is more relaxed than on mainland Iran.
Beautiful sunrise at Kish Island, Iran.
Several flights arrives at Kish Island every day, both domestic and international flights. Kish Island, Iran.
Companies are taking tourist around the island in boats. Kish Island, Iran.
Across the island construction is ongoing. Like a small Dubai. Kish island, Iran.
Two domestics of mosque are preparing foods and halal drinks for breaking the fast.
Sheikh Ali is servant of Jameh mosque of Tabriz for 75 years. He is holding shoes of believers.
The mosque is divided into several sections with a white cloth and believers in pray and rest in these areas. Jameh mosque is one of oldest mosques in Tabriz-Iran. It is located in the Bazaar suburb of Tabriz next to the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz.
An Iranian police man he is also among the believers for pray in mosque.
Believers are listening to Mullah’s speaking in front of Jameh mosque’s old window.
They are resting after praying.
Two believers in Jameh mosque of Tabriz.
A believer is resting.
A mullah speaks to worshipers. In Iran religious teachers are called "mullah".
During the noon prayer, believers go rushed for ablutions.
They are performing ablution for the noon prayer in the courtyard of the mosque.
A reflection of Jameh mosque from outside of mosque. Jameh mosque is one of oldest mosques in Tabriz-Iran. It is located in the Bazaar suburb of Tabriz next to the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz.