leges reopen, and people return to normal working life.

NOWRUZ, SymbOl Of IRaNIaNS COexISteNCe WIth the NatURe

Iranians have been marking NOWRUZ every year since the ancient Persians borrowed this spring celebra-tion from the astronomically advanced Babylonians and Persianized it when Cyrus the Great conquered Mesopo-tamia. The day which is as old as history and is associated with the first man, Father Adam, is a sign of how God revives nature after the cold and gloomy winter, and how on the Day of Resurrection mankind will be raised to life for the final judgment to reward the virtuous and to pun-ish the wicked. It is also worth noting that following the acceptance of Islam by the Iranians, all pre-Islamic rites and festivals died out, but NOWRUZ because of its asso-ciation with creation and events of significance in the life of several prophets that occurred on the Spring Equinox continued to flourish. Interestingly, Iranian astronomers, especially the great mathematician Omar Khayyam who flourished over nine hundred years ago, very accurately calculated the 365-day calendar in Iran, basing it on the auspicious migration from Mecca to Medina of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him and his progeny).

On the beautiful and fresh days of spring it is cus-tomary for Iranians to exchange visit to observe the good tradition of the holy Prophet of Islam. In spring the three factors mentioned by the Prophet provide aes-thetic pleasure. Wherever you step, there is sincerity. All

speak of friendship and affection. Eyes are enlightened at meeting each other as smiles are flashed across faces. The elders shower kindness upon the youngster, and is normal for them to given them Eid or presents. They have learned this good and noteworthy deed from the Prophet of Islam who used to say: Exchange presents since it removes hostility and animosity.

NOWRUZ achievements are so many. Some of them are political and cultural solidarity for the survival of a di-versified society, establishment of peace and friendship between the people and the nature, commemoration of natural appearances as the creatures of God and refresh-ment of morality for starting a new juncture of life.

Although NOWRUZ is adorned with the beliefs and traditions of the Iranian people, it has a close link with one of the most important aspect of life of all nations on the earth. The creation of the world at the beginning of spring, growing of plants and hope in renewing the na-ture’s life are among the most important characteristics of NOWRUZ.

Interest in the nature and the environment has ex-isted amongst the Iranians since the past. This attach-ment to plants and the environment is fully manifested in NOWRUZ. The geographical diversity of Iran manifests this belief in all over the land in various shapes. Although the majestic mountains and the lush green jungles as well as the beautiful lakes and cascading waterfalls, are all a treat to the eyesight, these wonders of nature ac-quire a different aspect at the beginning of the New Year and NOWRUZ holidays as people flock to the countryside to enjoy the pleasant air of spring. The tourism industry is a gift of the modern world, and the Iranian people uti-lize this to the very utmost during NOWRUZ holidays.

In January, the United Nations (UN) designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. Protection of the Planet’s biodiversity has been at the centre of UN en-vironmental policy for many years. Way back on Decem-ber 29th 1993, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity was endorsed with three principal aims.

Nowruz International Festival

Cultural Councilembassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

email: iranlib@yahoo.comhttp://nairobi.icro.ir

Haft Seen (Seven ‘S’)

Norouz or the Vernal Equinox, which falls on March 21 every year and marks the start of the Iranian New Year, is the most glorious spring celebration

in the world. The prestigious festival of Nowruz increased with the endorsement of a resolution on February 23, 2010 by the United Nations to designate NOWRUZ as an International Day for its ancient roots and for its celebra-tion in most of the eastern Muslim world.

The resolution was drawn up by the Islamic Repub-lic of Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations in a joint initiative with Turkey, Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and was presented to the UN General As-sembly. It is to be noted that NOWRUZ has already been registered as international heritage by the United Na-tions Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNESCO. NOWRUZ is actually the rebirth of nature. It is an ancient feast which gloriously manifests at the begin-ning of spring and brings peace, hope and prosperity for millions of persons all over the world. NOWRUZ makes people share their joys with each other. In Iran, NOWRUZ celebrations begin a few days before the Spring Equinox and end on the 13 day of spring. Although various people including Persian, Kurd, Lor, Turk, Baluch, Turkman and Arab live in Iran each with their own specific traditions, NOWRUZ links all Iranians together. All Iranian people regardless of their religious, geographical, language and historical diversities celebrate NOWRUZ.

NOWRUZ is accompanied with certain traditions in Iran the most important of which is house cleansing.

Iranians prepare for NOWRUZ well in advance and start with a thorough cleaning of their houses, washing car-pets, draperies and brushing furniture since a famous hadith from Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), says: Cleanliness is part of faith. In all towns and cities, cleanliness is well observed even on streets and public sites. In some localities, people by dividing works among themselves prepare for the New Year. The old and young, men and women work in a gen-eral voluntary mobilization for cleaning the locality and the place of work.

Every year on the threshold of the New Year, public efforts to look into the needs of the poor and helping them are seen all over Iran. Every one vies to help the de-prived section and extend financial aid to them in order to gladden their hearts and provide a pleasant atmos-phere. Actually on the last days of the year, people, with the cooperation of the government, engage in public mobilization of charity work for sharing happiness with the have-nots.

Another common tradition in NOWRUZ at the mo-ment the earth completes its revolution around the sun, is spreading the Haftseen tablecloth and adorn it with fruits, dry nuts, cookies, flowers, and of course, a copy of the Holy Qur’an. In addition seven items that begin with the letter Seen or S of the Persian language like Seer, Senjed, Serkeh, Seeb, Somaq, Sabzeh, and Samanu are spread on the Haftseen. Samanu is a typical Iranian food prepared with wheat pods.

Other features of the Norouz tablecloth are the beau-tiful arrangement of eggs painted with a variety of colors.

The Haftseen also contains a water container containing a red fish as well as mirror in front of which are placed candles. Placing the Holy Qur’an on the Haftseen table-cloth and reading Surahs from it at the turn of the year are among the other common traditions among the Ira-nian Muslims. Many Iranians fast on NOWRUZ as recom-mended in Islamic texts as thanksgiving to the Almighty Creator, Who regulates days and nights, and Who trans-forms seasons. Many Iranians go on pilgrimage to holy sites to mark NOWRUZ. The holy cities of Mashhad, Qom, as well as the shrines of the descendants of the Prophet in Rayy, Shiraz and other cities are crowded with millions who pray to God on this occasion to put into practice one of the major recommendations of Islam that is renewal of friendship and strengthening of affection.

Visiting friends and relatives is the other main tradi-tion of NOWRUZ in Iran. Usually youngsters visit the el-ders with visits to one’s parents a top priority. Gifts are also exchanged. Thus at the turn of the New Year, greet-ings are exchanged and affection replaces strained ties. People also visit hospitals to sympathize with patients and share with them the freshness of spring. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers witness the most beautiful scenes of sincerity and affection during these days.

Most Iranians take the opportunity of NOWRUZ holi-days to visit other cities and towns or plan trips abroad for change of atmosphere. Historical sites and places with good climate are the favorite spots of NOWRUZ tourists. The 13th of Farvardin is the end of NOWRUZ holidays which is usually spent outdoors to provide a fit-ting end to the spring holidays, before schools and col-