Iran Embassy in Islamabad hosts Iftar Dinner to mark International Day of Nowruz
Naveed Ahamd Khan Photo by Raja Farid
Islamabad: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted an Iftar Dinner in commemoration of the International Day of Nowruz with the contribution of the Embassy of Tajikistan.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee was the guest of honor. Ambassadors, politicians, journalists and renowned businessmen attended.
H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam , Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan said “ I would like to extend my appreciation for your worthy presence at this event, particularly distinguished generals, dignitaries from the government and the ministry of foreign affairs, ambassadors, university professors and media members”. He addressed the guests
He said that “I am very pleased that on this beautiful night of the holy month of Ramadan, the month of mercy and grace of Allah, we are hosting this event to commemorate the International Day of Nowruz, in our brotherly and friendly country of Pakistan, and in the company of your honorable guests”.
The Ambassador said Nowruz is the ancient ritual of friendship, compassion and peaceful coexistence. A ritual celebrated by our ancestors in a wider area from beyond the borders of China to the Mediterranean Sea and even beyond. It is a ritual that is so old, but has not become out-dated, but it is even honored more brilliantly and beautifully every year than before. This ancient ritual does not belong only to the countries that are called the Nowruz area, the representatives of which we are hosting tonight, but it belongs to all the people of the planet.
Dr. Reza Amiri said After the advent of Islam, the holy Prophet of Islam stood up against many popular ignorant traditions and removed them, but we are proud that Islam gave approval to Nowruz as a Parsi tradition. The prayer that I read at the beginning of my speech shows the relevance of this natural development to God as the creator. He informed that in 2010, the UN General Assembly designated March 21st as the International Day of Nowruz due to the peace-seeking and love-yearning nature of Nowruz. Nowruz was also registered as the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2016.One of the symbols of Nowruz is “Haft Seen Table”. This table is decorated with the objects that symbolize purity, light, livelihood and blessing. You can see a sample of it in this hall tonight, as well as a table beautifully decorated by our friendly and brotherly country of Tajikistan. I appreciate Tajikistan for participating in this event. We declare readiness to hold this event next year with more glory and with the participation of more countries in the Nowruz civilization area. Ambassdor said Nowruz and Ramadan call humanity to peace and friendship. Modern ignorance, by the deceptive narration of human rights, denies peace and friendship in an all-round way, and it has committed genocide and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, as a result of which, more than one hundred thousand innocent children, women and men have been martyred or injured, and ruined the buildings and infrastructures. Finally, he congratulated the government and nation of Pakistan on March 23rd on Pakistan Day. At the end of a day of fasting, we pray and ask the Almighty Allah to save the oppressed people of Palestine from this deep suffering and the devil with the blessings of the holy months of Ramadan and Nowruz, both of which renew material and spiritual life. We pray that the inhumane crimes in this unjustly-occupied land and everywhere on this earth be stopped and humanity be blessed with a time full of peace, hope, love and peaceful coexistence. Amen.
The Counsellor / Deputy Head of Mission,Embassy of the Republicc of of Tajikistan H.E Saidjon Shafiev wished everyone a happy holiday on the occasion of this beautiful spring holiday – International Navruz. This ancient holiday has been celebrated as the International Navruz Holiday based on the UN General Assembly Resolution since 2010, when it was inscribed to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.He said Navruz is one of the ancient public holidays with a history spanning more than six thousand years. The celebration of Navruz from the earliest times to the present is considered to be an integral part of the existence and identity of Tajiks, Persians and three hundred million other people living in the Navruz Basin. Navruz is the time of the equinox, and along with the full revival of nature, it grants a person a fresh spirit, mind and inspires for a happy day, abundant life, progress and creativity. International Nawruz holiday – the holiday of nature awakening, new dreams, new hopes, and new aspirations .Nawruz unifies people with supreme humane ideology like friendship and cooperation, creativeness and well-being promotion, human love and charity, as well as thankfulness to nature’s beauty and richness. On this matter Poet Maulono Jaloluddini Rumi or Balkhi very wisely and beautifully says, In this earth, In this earth, in this pure farmLet’s sow nothing but the seeds of kindness and love.
Senator Mushahid said to congratulate the people of Iran and Central Asia on the occasion of international Nowruz day. He said thousands of years ago. It’s the moment winter wraps up and spring arrives. Celebrated by more than 300 million people in more than a dozen countries, it’s the first day of the Iranian calendar. He said In 2009, it was added to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and, in 2010, it was proclaimed as a UN calendar day. Sayed said marking the renewal of nature, it has always been a moment for reconciliation, reunion and family gathering. He said that, while the pandemic has made it difficult for us to hold celebrations and visit our friends and relatives, we use this platform to send our congratulations to all Iranians and all those who hold this ancestral celebration. Happy Nowruz!
