What is the recent announcement about nowruz?”
Iranian democracy advocates have welcomed the recent decision by the United States to lift sanctions on online services. “The Islamic Republic is very efficient in limiting people’s access to these sources, and Iranian people need major help,” said Mehdi Yahyanejad, the founder of Balatarin, one of the largest Persian-language social networking sites. “We need some 50 percent of people to be able to access independent news sources other than the state-controlled media.” Sanctions prohibiting the provision of online services or export of equipment like satellite phones hindered the opposition while doing little to undermine the regime. “This is about democracy and the fact that when people have access to information, they can make wise choices,” said Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoini, an exiled Green movement supporter and former member of the Majlis. “No one, even the current leaders of the opposition, can hijack the movement like the way the Islamists did in the 1979 revolution if people can
Iranians around the globe celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz, marking the first day of spring, as a time of renewal, hope and change. For Iranians, Nowruz is a celebration of new beginnings, a time to visit relatives and friends, and pay respect to senior family members. Preparation for Nowruz begins with spring cleaning, buying new clothes and setting the Haft Seen, a table containing seven items starting with the letter ‘S’ — Sabzeh (freshly grown greens), Samanu (sweet wheat paste), Senjed (jujube), Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic), Somagh (sumac) and Serkeh (vinegar). Senior family members give presents to their juniors and people renew their friendships and start the New Year with kindness and amity. Meaning ‘new day,’ Nowruz is celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide on March 21st, the day of the vernal equinox. The ancient tradition of Nowruz and the rebirth of nature is observed in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. The Unit
