Story:
The book of Hafez Shirazi is very important to me and many Iranians. We often use it to make decisions, and during Yalda Night, families read his poems together.
This book saved a life in my family. Years ago, there was deep hatred between my family and another. Five years after a man from our family was killed, a woman from the other family came to us. She said, “I promise on this Hafez Shirazi book, if it says to kill me, you can kill me. If it says to forgive me, then forgive me.” My grandfather opened the book, and Hafez’s words called for forgiveness. That moment ended the conflict and saved her life.
I left Iran three years ago to be free as an artist. Now, this book is always with me, giving me comfort and reminding me of home.
– Ali Kia