Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, advised believers and devotees to undertake serious efforts for self-training and spiritual growth.
Imam Khomeini’s role in honoring Nowruz and changing the way Iranians viewed this day has been influential. The Imam released a statement for Nowruz every year, where he congratulated the New Year to everyone and gave useful advice for people to carry out in the upcoming year.
This made Nowruz a greater event and encouraged people to change their selves not only materialistically but spiritually too. Two of a selection of the Imam’s released statements on Nowruz have been provided and quoted below.
The founder of the Islamic Republic sought to seek the spiritual perspectives of the Nowruz, which coincides with start of spring season.
The Persian new year, Nowruz, began as the first day of spring arrived in Iran, where the people hold ceremonies for the onset of the season.
Saturday (March 21st) marked the beginning of the new year, Nowruz, which coincides with the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
This year at 2:15 am local time (22:45 GMT), the precise time of the vernal equinox when the Sun took to return to the same position in the cycle of seasons as seen in the Northern Hemisphere, Persian speakers throughout the globe sit around Haft-Seen along with their family members.
Haft-Seen is the new year’s traditional table setting, which includes seven items all starting with the letter sin in the Persian alphabet.
Iranians visit their elders and loved ones and go on trips during the thirteen days that follow. On the thirteen day, dubbed “13 out”, they spend their time out of their homes and in nature.
The ancient celebration of Nowruz was registered on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in May 2009.
Nowruz, literally meaning New Day, is the start of the Iranian New Year. It occurs on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, which is March 21 for three years and March 20 in leap years on the Western calendar.
Iranians clean their homes and buy new clothes during the days before Nowruz.
Nowruz is celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
According to master of Persian epic poetry Ferdowsi, Nowruz festivities date back to the time of King Jamshid, a mythological figure of Greater Iranian culture, who saved mankind from a killer winter that was destined to kill every living creature.
This year’s holiday coincides with the anniversary of the martyrdom of Fatemeh Zahra, the beloved daughter of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
It is noteworthy that The Islamic Revolution emerged victorious under the wise leadership of the great Imam which set stage for the prosperity of the Iranian and other oppressed nations across the world.
Pundits believe that if Imam Khomeini’s role model of the Islamic-democratic is widely adopted by the Muslim nations, then the Islamic world could be relieved form the ongoing miseries and difficult situation.