Nowruz and its ancient customs and traditions have always been of special importance in the minds of nations and communities living within the ecosystem of “Cultural Iran”, which includes the countries of the ECO cultural region, Egypt, Syria, some parts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Russian Federation. And over time, the celebration of Nowruz, this ancient human heritage, has come to be manifested as a permanent cultural behavior in the folklore and daily life of the people of these ancient lands.

Nowruz has the potential of forming a cultural-civilizational union in the politico-geographical structure of Central Asia, Caucasus, and West Asia region; an issue that has received less attention from this perspective over the years. Also, the bonds between this ancient festivity and the religious teachings and the recommendations of the religious leaders of the Islamic denominations have caused this cultural tradition to take on a religious character and be of greater profundity among the Muslim nations and communities of this region.

It seems that all these elements and inherent attractions of Nowruz, which are based on delight, peace, and friendship, can be the basis for the formation of extensive cultural, political, and economic cooperation among the member countries of this ancient civilizational region. Besides spreading the spirit of empathy and peaceful coexistence within the countries of the region, the repetition of this ceremony, every year, provides a unique opportunity to deepen and strengthen relations between the countries of the region. Of course, holding cultural events and national, popular, and international festivals by governments and non-governmental organizations will be an opportunity for nations to know each other better and to expand, spread, and establish lasting peace, friendship, and security instead of violence, war, and insecurity; something that we are, unfortunately, witnessing in some parts of this ancient region.

The desire and enthusiasm shown by families and their children to celebrate Nowruz in all these countries can be used as a common denominator to promote closer ties and bonds between the communities of this region and to resort to a particular lifestyle within the purview of the concept of New Islamic Civilization.

As a courier of peace and friendship in the cultural region of Nowruz, this periodical intends to make the most of the cultural capacity of this living ancient tradition in the daily life of the people living in these lands, to promote such commonalities that could serve as the basis of harmonization and cohesion among the nations of the cultural environment of Nowruz. The nations that, although apparently and on the basis of conventional political boundaries live in different states but are of a rich, ancient, and common cultural background, which is of profound potential to create a better future earmarked with empathy, cooperation, and synergy in various fields of culture, politics, science, economics, tourism, archeology, common heritage of nations, charity affairs, and also religious cooperation and synergy towards the expansion of peaceful coexistence. Hoping for such a Day…

By: Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour, President of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization

As a courier of peace and friendship in the cultural region of Nowruz, this periodical intends to make the most of the cultural capacity of this living ancient tradition in the daily life of the people living in these lands, to promote such commonalities that could serve as the basis of harmonization and cohesion among the nations of the cultural environment of Nowruz