Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in my niece's birthday celebration at her abode in the city of Qom. It was a cozy and intimate gathering, with just our close-knit family in attendance. My niece was turning 9 years old, and her parents wanted to ensure that she had a memorable day despite the ongoing pandemic and the limitations on large gatherings.

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As soon as we arrived at the house, I noticed that my sister-in-law had put a lot of effort into decorating the living room. The room was adorned with balloons and streamers, and a large banner that read "Happy Birthday" hung above the fireplace. My niece was overjoyed as she ran around the room, admiring the decorations and thanking everyone for coming.


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# Exploring Qom's Bazaar and Religious Shrines

As we were celebrating my niece's birthday in Qom, we also had the chance to explore the city and immerse ourselves in its rich culture and history. Qom is renowned for its religious significance, and we spent some time visiting the many shrines and mosques that are located throughout the city. 

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One of the most renowned shrines in Qom is the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, which is dedicated to the sister of the 8th Shia Imam. The shrine is a beautiful and peaceful place, and it was an honor to be able to visit and pay our respects.

We also took the opportunity to visit the Qom bazaar, which is a bustling market that is filled with vendors selling everything from traditional Iranian foods and spices, to hand-woven carpets and textiles. The bazaar was a vibrant and lively experience, and we enjoyed browsing through the different stalls and negotiating with the vendors.

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# A Birthday to Remember Celebrating in Qom City

One of the highlights of the day was the cake. My sister-in-law had ordered a beautiful cake from a local bakery, and it was decorated with my niece's favorite characters crown from her favorite cartoon. The cake was a vanilla-flavored with buttercream frosting, which was absolutely delicious. My niece was so excited to blow out the candles and make a wish. After cutting the cake, we all gathered around the table to enjoy a slice.

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In addition to the cake, my sister-in-law had also prepared a special tea for the occasion. She had concocted a special blend of tea leaves and milk tea for the guests. Wherever we go we will not miss the tea which is the favorite of Asian people.The tea was served in beautiful glass cups, and we all enjoyed sipping on it while conversing and catching up.


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After tea and cake, we all settled in for some birthday games and activities. My niece's parents had planned a few games that were age-appropriate and lots of fun. We played some games and enjoy the moment of the day which was full of fun and joy. My niece was laughing and having a great time, and it was wonderful to see her having such a great time.


### GIFTS AND THANKS

As the party began to wind down, we all gathered in the living room to open presents. My niece was overjoyed as she opened each present and thanked everyone for their thoughtful gifts. She received a gift cake , cash prizes and some more things. She was so happy and appreciative of everything she had received.

Overall, it was a fantastic day spent celebrating my niece's birthday. The decorations, food, and games were all lovely, and it was a perfect way to bring the family together in spite of the ongoing pandemic. I am so glad that we were able to make it a special day for her, and I know she will always remember this birthday celebration at home with her family.

As we left the house, my niece hugged 😘

# REMEMBER: We should prepare for the unexpected and hope for the best. Life may not be easy, but you must do your best and leave the rest to God.

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