Name of Iran their country "Arya", "Iran", "Iranshahr", "Iranzamin" (Land of Iran), "Aryānām" (the equivalent of "Iran" in the proto-Iranian language) or its equivalents. The term "Arya" has been used by the Iranian people, as well as by the rulers and emperors of Iran, from the time of the Avesta. Evidently from the time of the Sassanids (226–651 CE) Iranians have called it "Iran", meaning "the land of Aryans" and "Iranshahr". In Middle Persian sources, the name "Arya" and "Iran" is used for the pre-Sassanid Iranian empires as well as the Sassanid empire. As an example, the use of the name "Iran" for
A little sheikh from the land of Meknes A little sheikh from the land of Meknes A little sheikh from the land of Meknes (Arabic شويخ من أرض مكناس) is a zajal by the Sufi poet Al-Shushtari (1212-1269). The poem is often taken as evidence that Al-Shushtari himself lived in Meknes at some time. The lyrics begin: "A little shaykh from the land of Meknes in the middle of the markets singing I don't intervene in matters of people, and people don't intervene in mine. What do I care, my friend about the whole creation? just do good and you'll be saved, and follow the people of the