Marivan, a small city in the west of Iran, close to the Iran-Iraq border, has earned a reputation for embracing popular environmental and social causes. Reformist newspaper Shargh Daily compiled a series of events in this city in the Kurdistan province, which has attracted attention even from the Western media. 

There was a time when Marivan was known mostly for Zarivar Lake, writes Sadra Mohaqeq. But now the city is known for a teacher who shaved his head in solidarity with an ill student; its hunters who ceremonially broke their rifles and set caged birds free; and a coffee shop owner who broke all his shisha pipes due to health concerns.

In January, the story of second-grade teacher Ali Mohammadian shaving his head reached Western media. Mohammadian had noticed that one of his students was being bullied at school due to his baldness, which was caused by a mysterious illness.

After Mohammadian shaved his head to show solidary with the ill child, the other boys in the class shaved their heads as well. Mohammadian posted the picture on his Facebook page and the story went viral. Soon, other teachers and students did the same in solidarity. Mohammadian was interviewed by Iranian TV and the Guardian, and was recognized by a number of Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani.