It is customary for Iranians to donate blood in some religious occasions like the Laylat al-Qadr and the Day of Ashura -a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).
Every year in these spiritual occasions, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) dispatches its blood collection mobile teams throughout the country and blood collection centers are open till midnight on this days to collect blood from volunteers.
In recent years’ trend shown that Muslims in Iran are more likely to donate blood during Ramadan. It is repeatedly reported that blood donation campaigns during Ramadan receive positive responses. But 19th, 21st, and 23rd of Ramadan, called Layali al-Qadr, the anniversary of the nights Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), have boosted blood donations considerably.
According to Iran’s Blood Transfusion Organization, with the blood donation rate of 27 per 1,000 people, Iran attained the first place among 21 countries in Eastern Mediterranean region.
While some 70 countries still collect part of their blood supply from replacement or paid donors, blood donation in Iran is 100 percent voluntary.
