House of Iran

Iranian School of San Diego, an affiliation of the Persian Cultural Center, www.pccsd.org
P.O. Box 500914, San Diego CA 92150

Office Hours: 8:30 –11:30 am (Mon, Wed, Fri) 1:00 –4:00 pm  (Tue, Thu)

Location of Branch I                                                           Location of Branch II

Springall Academy                                                             9550 Mount Carmel High School
6550 Soledad Mtn Rd.                                                         Rancho Penasquitos
La Jolla                                 

Saturdays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm                                          Classes are held on Thursdays 6:00 to
Persian classes from kindergarten level to advance,              8:00 pm.  Persian classes from beginner
as well as Persian classes for adults are offered here.             to advance are offered here.
In addition, all extracurricular activities are also
offered at this branch

First Declaration of Human Right by Cyrus the Great

Inscribed in cuneiform on a clay cylinder discovered in 1879, now on display in the British Museum Cyrus the Great  (585-529 BC) the Iranian Emperor defined the first Declaration of Human Rights on this cylinder. 

The following are excerpts from this ancient cylinder:

I declare that I will respect the tradition, customs and religion of the nations of my empire and never let any of my governors to look down or insult the inhabitants of my nations.

I hereby abolish slavery; my governors are ordered to prohibit exchanging men and women as slaves within their ruling domains.  Such a tradition should be exterminated the world over.

If anyone oppresses others, should it happen, I will take his/her right back and penalize the oppressors.

Today I declare Freedom of Religion.  All are free to choose any religion, live in all regions and take up any job provided that they never violate other’s rights.

These proclamations ring true today in our times as they did in 538 BC.

House of Türkiye:

Asure (Noah’s Pudding) Recipe

Ingredients                                                     Measure                                 Amount

Dovme (dehusked wheat for azure)                 1 cup                                       180 grams

Chickpeas                                                        1/3 cup                                   60 grams

Dry white beans                                               1/3 cup                                    60 grams

Rice                                                                 2 tablespoons                          15 grams

Water                                                              12-1/2 cups                             2.5 kg

Dried Apricots                                                 10                                            60 grams

Dried figs                                                        5                                              125 grams

Raisins (seedless)                                            ½ cup                                      50 grams

Orange peel                                                     1 tablespoon                            120 grams

Sugar                                                               1-2/3 cups                               300 grams

Rose water (optional)                                      2 tablespoons                          20 grams

Walnuts (not crushed)                                     2/3 cup                                                65 grams

Pomegranate                                                    ½ small size                            50 grams

Preparation:  Soak dovme and rice in 3 cups of water in a large saucepan; beans in 1 cup of water in a small saucepan; chickpeas in 1 cup of water in a small saucepan separately overnight.  Add 3 cups of water to cereals, 1 cup of water to each legume.  Cook over low heat separately for 1-1 1/2 hours or until chickpeas are very tender, stirring occasionally.  Remove scum while simmering.  Combine cereals and legumes in large saucepan. Reduce heat.  Cut presoaked apricots and figs into 1 cm (1/2 inch ) cubes.  Combine with raisins and chopped orange peel.  Stir in simmering cereal-legume mixture. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.  Add sugar mixing thoroughly.  Stir gently until sugar is dissolved.  Simmer for 1-3 minutes more.  Remove from heat. Blend in rose water. Pour into individual dessert bowls or custard cups. Cool.  Garnish with nuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve cold or chilled.