The Office of the Supreme Leader

Norouz, an opportunity for Eastern culture

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei received the high-ranking participants of Norouz International Celebration as well as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday.
During the meeting, the IR Leader described Norouz as a spiritual, national and international opportunity which bears outstanding values and is a symbol for innovation, freshness, happiness and deepening friendly relations among people.
Ayatollah Khamenei said it was a privilege for those nations which mark Norouz that the holiday with such values begins the new Persian year.
Even though Norouz is a national ceremony, it has been lauded in different Islamic sayings and therefore it could be an opportunity for remembering the Almighty Allah and expressing submission to the Almighty, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Referring to the international registration of Norouz, the IR Leader reiterated that it is an opportunity for transferring cultural values of nations which celebrate Norouz to other nations especially in the West.
In the current situation that the east is only consumer of western culture, the international registration of Norouz is a good opportunity for transferring high cultural values of East to western nations, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader praised the holding of the Norouz International Celebration in Tehran and said such a ceremony could also set the proper stage for all regional nations to get closer to each other than before.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the efforts by certain world powers to cause crisis among regional nations and said, "The fact is that the interests of regional nations are not in contradiction to each other but indeed they complement each other."
He said that the regional nations can establish a lofty cultural system, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes expansion of ties with neighboring and regional countries as it favors development and prosperity for all regional states."
In the Beginning of the meeting the IRI President pointed out that from then on Norouz celebrations would be held in one of the countries celebrating the festival so as to help closer relations. He added that Norouz was the herald of peace, justice, and friendship to the world.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was the first guest who acknowledged Iran's initiative in holding the international ceremony and hoped that it would bring peace and friendship to the region. 
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan was the second foreign guest of the Leader of Islamic Revolution who praised Norouz and spoke of Norouz registration in the UN as a remarkable event at the time of cultural clashes and threats.  
The Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, too, referred to Norouz registration as important. He also acknowledged Iran's support of the Iraqi people after the fall of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan was the last chief executive in the meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei who praised Iran for making Norouz better known to the world.
Azeri Foreign Minister spoke of International Norouz Celebration as a great event.
The meeting ended with the leaders and high ranking officials of the neighboring countries standing by the side of the Leader of Islamic Revolution posing for the cameras.
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