About 300 million people celebrate Nowruz, an ancient Iranian holiday, but which nations observe it?
More than 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, which translates to “New Day” in Farsi.
The celebration, which commemorates the Iranian new year, dates back more than 3,000 years and is rooted in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion that existed before Islam and Christianity.
The astronomical vernal equinox, which typically occurs between March 19 and 22, is the day on which Nowruz is celebrated.
According to Zoroastrians, it symbolizes the coming of spring and life from the desolate darkness of winter, as well as the victory of the creator god of light, Ahura Mazda, over the ruler of destruction, Angra Mainyu.
Today, nevertheless, the event is secular and observed by Iranian communities worldwide. During the 13 days of festivities, people view it as a chance to think back on the past and look to the future.
While celebrations vary from nation to nation, they all share basic motifs, such as dancing that entails jumping over fire, which represents life triumphing over the destructive chaos of flame. The Haft-Seen table is one of the most popular and well-known festivities, and it can only include things that start with the letter S.
Given its regional origins, The New Arab examines the locations where Nowruz is observed.
Iran:
Nowruz, which lasts for two weeks, is one of Iran’s four public holidays. Although the government formally supports the festival, ultra-conservative groups tried to outlaw it during the Islamic revolution, arguing that it is “pagan” and in opposition to Islam. But because of its widespread use, political personalities and government representatives now frequently utilize it to deliver speeches, and many Iranians are upset about it being politicized.
Iraq:
Another official holiday in Iraq is Nowruz, which has particular meaning for the Kurds there because they are Iranians. Even though the Arab majority in Iraq does not view Nowruz as having the same significance, it is not unusual for them to observe some aspects of the celebration, particularly among Shia.
Turkey:
Like in Iraq, the majority of Turkey’s Kurdish population celebrates Nowruz, although the Alevi Muslims also place a great deal of importance on the holiday.
Syria:
For Syrian Kurds, Nowruz holds great significance, much like in Turkey and Iraq. For the Ismaili Shia Muslim minority in Syria, especially the Nizari Ismailis, who have close cultural ties to Iran, it also has special spiritual significance.
Lebanon:
Nowruz is not so much a national holiday in Lebanon as it is a cultural phenomenon. It is mostly practiced by the tiny Kurdish community in Beirut. Shia Lebanese people commemorate the event for political reasons; those who have strong cultural or political ties to Iran, particularly Hezbollah supporters, are more inclined to do so.
In which other nations is Nowruz celebrated?
Many nations and ethnic groups inside nations outside of the Middle East also support Nowruz. It is well known that the event is observed throughout India and Pakistan, especially by Parsi communities, who are Zoroastrians descending from Iranian immigrants.
In many Central Asian and Caucasian nations, such as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia, it is also a public holiday. The Taliban have outlawed the festival’s public celebration in Afghanistan.
It is also commonly observed by Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province and the Kazakh-majority Bayan-Ölgii province of Mongolia, despite efforts by the Chinese government to suppress it.
In Kosovo and Albania, the celebration is a public holiday.
California’s Nowruz celebrations are especially noteworthy in the US because of the state’s sizable Iranian population.
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