Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, marks the first day of spring, and is celebrated by a wide range of people from South Asia to Southeastern Europe.
The observance extends into Persian antiquity when the country was ruled by Zoroastrians. As such, some ultra-conservative Iranian mullahs want to ban the celebration as un-Islamic. Nowruz is also a holy day for Sufis, Ismailis, Alawites, Alevis, and Bahais.
Here are some views of people in the region celebrating Nowruz.
Kurdish women and men dance during the Nowruz celebrations in the southern Turkish city of MersinReutersArtists perform during Nowruz celebration in AlmatyReutersResponding to the impact of federal and international sanctions, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) today adopted a plan to divest shares of the remaining public companies operating in specific segments of the Iran and Sudan economies. New investments in these companies would be blocked as well. ReutersKurdish residents hold flags as during Nowruz celebrations in KirkukReutersIraqi Kurdish residents celebrate Nowruz Day in SulaimaniyaReutersOnlookers watch celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nowruz) in KabulReutersHorsemen take part in a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as part of Nowruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, celebrations in the capital Bishkek March 21, 2010. Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game which is considered to be Kyrgyzstan's national sport. Players grab a goat carcass from the ground in full gallop and try to place it into their opponents' goal, who attempt to foil the attack by snatching the headless goat away and score for their side.ReutersResidents dance at Abu Nawas Park in Baghdad March 21, 2010, as they celebrate Newroz Day, a festival marking the spring and new year which is also celebrated and observed by people in countries like Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and TajikistanReutersGeorgia's President Saakashvili addresses representatives of Azerbaijani diaspora during Nowruz celebration in the town of MarneuliReutersPro-Kurdish demonstrators attend a rally to celebrate Nowruz in IstanbulReutersA vendor prepares grilled meat in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. People of Diyarbakir, the biggest city of Turkey, celebrate Newroz.ReutersKurdish singer Perwan performs during a Nowruz celebration held by Kurdish groups near DamascusReutersHerdsmen hold their falcons as they ride on horses during a performance to celebrate the Nowruz festival in Akqi county, Xinjiang Uighur AutonomousReutersA vendor prepares to grill fish for residents on Nowruz Day, a festival marking spring, in BasraReuters
