The Iranian New Year also known as Nowruz is a cultural celebration rooted in ancient persian culture dating back approximately 3,000 years. Nowruz celebration is 13 days long, and preparation for this holiday includes intensive cleaning weeks before as well as the creation of haft seen (a collection of items placed on a table, representing a different hope for the new year.) There are usually seven items all starting with the letter “S”.
For example, sabzeh (a type of grass) symbolizing rebirth and renewal. On the 13th day families take the sabzeh and pour it into a natural body of water, indicating a transition to the new year. Nowruz is more than just a holiday of cleaning, eating, preparation and family gatherings, it is a holiday with an overarching theme of renewal. Cleaning away the past and allowing room for a bright new future.
It is the birth of a new life, a deep cleaning of the mind, body and soul. In Iran, however, the new year is approaching and this year seems brighter than last, and perhaps harbinger of the demise of the suppressive regime ruling in Iran. We wish to take this idea of cleaning the past away, in this case the oppressive dictatorship, and allowing a free and democratic Iran for its promising future. And this year that idea does not seem too far fetched, as current uprisings are taking place.
Over the past several years, not only have our friends in the House of Representatives have supported us through this difficult political journey in Iran but they have gone the extra mile and joined us, or sent messages during our Nowruz celebration. Every year during mid March our Representatives in the House such as:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Speaker Paul Rayan (R-WI)
Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA)
Rep Ted Poe (R-TX)
Rep Tom McClintock (R-CA)
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
Rep. Andre Carson (D-KY)
Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-CA)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
… Usually they give speeches and words of support, encouragement. They eat with us, our favorite Iranian foods. The event is a wonderful time to socialize with our supporters, share our stories, hear theirs as well as educating people about this special holiday and its importance to the Iranian people.
And we’d just like to take a moment and thank all of these people, without their support our mission of freeing Iran would seem insurmountable.
MICKEY ROSHAN 17, Virginia
