Dear editor:

The spring equinox on March 21 is celebrated by Bahá’ís here in Niagara-on-the Lake and around the world. It is called Naw-Rúz, literally “New Day,” but actually “New Year.”  

Naw-Rúz is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, originating with the Assyrians and adopted more than 3,500 years ago by the Zoroastrian religion, which was the state religion of the Persian Empire.  

Today Bahá’ís celebrate Naw-Rúz for two reasons: it marks the end of an annual 19-day sunrise to sunset fast and it begins a new calendar year.  

Naw-Rúz is celebrated by Muslims and Zoroastrians but Christians will recognize in it many similarities with Easter.

Although no particular Bahá’í customs are associated with Naw-Rúz in the West, most Bahá’ís here have Iranian friends, some of whom have borrowed Naw-Rúz customs from their co-religionists who also celebrate this first day of spring. 

Your Bahá’í friends and neighbours wish everyone a very happy and joyous Naw Rúz.

Hugh Church
NOTL