ISSN : 1019 - 0775 No. 273 | March 2021 Nowruz An International Festivity Lebanon 7000 LL S.Africa 26.00R Germany 4.50€ Kenya 250KSH Spain 4.50€ Morocco 36.00 DH France 4.50€ Turkey 5.50YTL Qatar 20.00QR Mexico 65.00MEX$ UAE 21.00DH Italy 4.50€ America 3.00$ Tunisia 3.70TD Kuwait 2.000KD No. 273 | March 2021 Managing Director: Muhammad Assadi Movahed [email protected] Editor: Dr. Mohsen Shojakhani Executive Manager and Public Relations: Maryam Hamzelou Designer: Omid Behzadi Advertising Office: Magazine of ITF , Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran Tel: +9821-88934302 The Role of Nowruz in Strengthening Cultural Relations 4 +9821-88934303 Fax: +9821-88902725 Nowruz at a Glance 8 Website: http://alhoda.ir http://www.itfjournals.com Nowruz from the Viewpoint of Islam 10 http://echoofislam.itfjournals.com Email: [email protected] Nowruz Is the Festivity of Light, Friendship, and Tolerance 14 The Emergence and Necessity of Nowruz as per... 16 Note: The views expressed by the writers/authors Nowruz in the Republic of Azerbaijan 20 of the articles, published in “Echo of Islam” do not necessarily represent the views of Finding Faults, Ignoring Fault 28 the Al-Huda International Cultural, Artistic Nowruz in other Countries 30 and Publishing Institute, but are the personal views of the authors themselves. The Al-Hu- Greeting Messages on the Occasion of Nowruz 34 da Institute reserves the right/discretion to amend, revise, edit, delete or scrutinize any Nowruz is the Eid of Empathy and Compassion 36 part or portion of the text as and wherever deemed necessary. Interview with H. E. Mohammad Tahir Zuhair Acting Minister... 38 Editorial The Role of Nowruz in Strengthening Cultural Relations between 12 Countries Nowruz is one of the greatest of As stated by the renowned Ger- gence among the nations neigh- ancient Iranian festivities, which man Iranologist, Bertold Spuler, boring Iran.Given that increasing marks the arrival of new year and from among the old Iranian festivi- convergence between countries is celebrated every year. This joy- ties, Nowruz (beginning of the new will ensure world peace and se- ous festivity and its brilliant histori- year) and Mehregan (marking the curity, efforts should be made for cal background are closely linked end of summer and beginning of finding such elements that reduce to nature and its revival as well as autumn) have been celebrated ac- the level of political divergence and the renewal of the entire world of cording to the old calendar. Thus, increase political convergence. The existence. This festivity belongs to following the advent of Islam in issue that most important theorists both Aryan Iran and Islamic Iran Iran and the spread of this religion emphasize, in order to create po- and is an ancient ceremony that in a wide area from the Indian sub- litical convergence, is to pay atten- has, through the millennia and var- continent to North Africa, Nowruz tion to shared political, economic, ious eras of this land encompassed found the opportunity to spread and cultural points and principles. the loftiest of human and cultural among non-Iranian communities. If there are some commonalities symbols and has so deeply got This is the reason it can be dis- between governments and coun- rooted in the cultural subconscious cussed by overlooking ideological, tries, they can be used as compo- of this land that no section of Iran’s geographical, and political bounda- nents of convergence. But in the history can monopolize it. ries. absence of commonalities among The survival and endurance of Nowruz is an ancient and trans- countries, efforts must be made to Nowruz celebrations over the past national festivity and is the symbol create components of political con- millennia and among all Iranian of the cultural identity of the vast vergence. In this regard, Nowruz, communities of diverse ethnicity, Iranian Plateau and is the com- as one of the important cultural language, and subculture, show mon axis between the countries commonalities of the people of the that this festivity is of acceptance to of the region. The inhabitants of region, can play a special role. all Iranians; irrespective of their re- these countries celebrate this an- The formation of ligion and ethnic background, and cient festive day in various ways regional al- it the symbol of solidarity and unity and forms. Nowruz is one of the liances is of identity among all ethnic groups cultural and historical discords mostly in- that constitute the Iranian nation. that is celebrated every year (on fluenced by Therefore, defending the territorial March 21) with great fervor over two factors integrity aimed at protecting its na- the vast geographical area of the of common tional interests calls for respecting Iranian Plateau, encompassing geographical the ancient and original national Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turk- and envi- and cultural ceremonies as well menistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, ronmental as ancient traditions and beliefs, Kyrgyzstan, and the Kurdish parts features which, in turn, ensure cohesion, of Iraq, Turkey and Syria and can as well as solidarity, and cultural and social be regarded a suitable platform common ties in different societies. for cultural cohesion and conver- historical 4 No. 273 | March 2021 and cultural features. Keeping in tion has strengthened the existing global event. view the fact that the three Persian- grounds for cultural cooperation Finally, it can be said that not only speaking countries of the region and exchange. Nowruz, a world fes- this great occasion plays a great (i.e., Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajik- tivity with Iranian roots, is a day of role in the identity and solidarity of istan) are parts of one geographical reminiscing man’s kinship with na- today’s Iranian society but can be region and share some similar char- ture, the glory of the traditions of a link between all those who love acteristics and also face certain sim- which has not diminished over the and celebrate Nowruz outside the ilar challenges, convergence among centuries because of the fact that geographical borders of Iran. This them is especially important in the commemoration of its traditions is because common culture and field of culture. is associated with the notions of mythical symbols play the most The global celebration of Nowruz peace, friendship, and solidarity. outstanding role in the solidarity is a positive step towards the devel- It is, therefore, a matter of pride of nations and the permanence of opment and elevation of cultural that this great day was registered national and religious ceremonies and public diplomacy and can in- on the list of the Intangible Cultural such as Nowruz celebrations is crease cultural convergence be- Heritage of Humanity of the United quite important from this perspec- tween nations, and the registration Nations Educational, Scientific and tive. of Nowruz on the “UNESCO List of Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Mohammad Asadi Movahed the Intangible Cultural Heritage of March 2009 and has been recog- Managing Director of Al-Huda Humanity” and as a global tradi- nized by the United Nations as a International Cultural, Artistic and Publishing Institute No. 273 | March 2021 5 In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful The Message of Al-Huda International Cultural, Artistic and Publishing Institute on the Occasion of Nowruz یا مقلب القلوب و اﻻبصار؛ للی یا دمرب ا ل و النهار؛ یا محول الحول و اﻻحوال؛ حول حالنا الی احسن الحال 6 No. 273 | March 2021 (Literal Translation) O You who turn around hearts and visions; O You are the master of the night and the day; O You who change the conditions and circumstances; Turn around our conditions to the best of the conditions The rotation of time has granted us yet another spring to observe the power and wisdom of God Al- mighty and to be truly thankful to the One who bestows existence and freshness upon human beings by reviving the world’s nature. We are leaving behind the solar Iranian year of 1399 (March 21, 2010 - March 20, 2021) while, unfortunately, the pandemic of Covid-19 took a considerable number of our loved ones away from us and prevented close re- lations with each other. However, with the divine grace and power of God Almighty this difficult period, too, will be left behind through exercising heartfelt empathy and solidarity and we shall experience a bright future once again. On behalf of the Iranian nation, the Al-Huda International Cultur- al, Artistic and Publishing Institute takes this opportunity to sincerely congratulate the arrival of the so- lar Iranian year, 1400, and the an- cient Nowruz, which is a symbol of hope for the future, to all the nations that consider this Festivity and Eid as a part of their culture, civilization, and heritage and wish them happiness, health, success, and prosperity and a New Year away from the Coronavirus. Managing Director No. 273 | March 2021 7 spring, the day on which everything in nature s reborn. It is a metaphor for people to wake up again and try their best to be a better version of who they were in the year that has passed. In a sense, it is a new op- portunity for everyone to learn from nature and grow into a better indi- vidual. As every important festivity has its special symbol, Nowruz’s symbol is called “Haft Sin”, “haft” means sev- en, and “sin” refers to the sound “s” in the English language. It is a table beautifully designed and comprises seven things starting with the letter “sin” in the Persian language. Each item has its own specific and special meaning. Besides these seven items, there are other things that might be added to the table in order to make the set more beautiful and complete.