Nowruz: A New Year, A Wish for Peace

Nowruz marks the first day of the year for us Persian speakers. Throughout history, the legends and people of this land have always wished for a world filled with joy and harmony.

Today, at the very moment of the new year's arrival—12:31:30 PM local time—I was reading a poem by the great poet and advocate of peace, Saadi Shirazi:

Human beings are members of a whole
In creation of one essence and soul
If one member is afflicted with pain
Other members uneasy will remain
If you've no sympathy for human pain
The name of human you cannot retain

At that moment, I wished for more friendship and understanding across the world this year.

I know little about politics, but I sincerely hope for an end to wars. May the people of Iran, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and many other countries in Africa and beyond one day shake hands in peace.

How beautiful it would be if, instead of conflict, we gathered to share saffron sherbet from Khorasan, Yazdi cakes, and date halva from Behbahan. If, instead of Kalashnikovs and RPGs, we spoke to each other through the melodies of the santur, guitar, and piano.

I am certain that, in a world without war, addressing the struggles of children with muscular dystrophies would take precedence over military expenditures. Instead of funding destruction, the wealth of nations could be invested in research centers for rare and orphan diseases.

And we would see more of this dream come true—
My dream is to see a smile on your lips.