Nowruz festivities under way in the US, as ancient Middle East holiday sees growing recognition

Nowruz sees growing recognition in the US, with a new resolution passed in Washington, DC recognising the ancient holiday.

World

1 min read

Brooke Anderson

Washington, D.C.

16 March, 2022

Nowruz, the new year holiday celebrated in much of central Asia, is gaining increasing recognition around the world, including the US. (Getty)

Nowruz - the Zoroastrian new year celebration marked on the first day of spring - is seeing increasing recognition around the United States, particularly in areas with high populations of Iranians and Afghans.

This year, the Washington, DC Council passed a resolution recognising Nowruz. Drafted by local members of the Iranian community, the resolution highlights the holiday's ancient traditions and its ideals of community and natural environment.

The statement notes that the tradition goes back more than 3,000 years, it is recognised by the United Nations, it is a symbol of renewal, and it is celebrated across religious faiths. It also notes the large Afghan community in the Washington, DC area.

"We put an emphasis on this being a very ancient and historic holiday celebrated by a diversity of people, even a diversity of religions," Negar Mortazavi, a member of the Washington, DC area's Iranian community who helped draft the resolution, told The New Arab.

"There's a large population of Afghan refugees settling in the DC area. We thought this would be a warm welcome."

Nowruz festivities take place this year around two weeks before and after 21 March.