Nowruz, the day of the vernal equinox, is celebrated as the beginning of the traditional new year by more than 300,000,000 people around the world. It is celebrated on the exact day of the astronomical northward equinox, which occurs on or around March 21. Since 2010, the United Nations has designated March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz.

Nowruz (“new day”) symbolizes a time of renewal and community. The “new day” symbolizes a commitment to springtime renewal, peace, and overall solidarity between generations, families, and communities. It harkens the departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year, and brings hope for the new year.

Nowruz has roots in Zoroastrian religion, the original religion practiced in Persia. Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in many countries, such as Iran, Afghanistan, Albania (by Bektashi Muslims), Armenia (by Iranian Armenians, Kurds, and Yezidis), Azerbaijan, Bangladesh (by Bangladeshi Shia Muslims and others), China (by Tajiks and Turkic peoples), Georgia (by Azerbaijanis), India (by Iranis, Parsis, and some Indian Muslims), Iraq (by Kurds and Turkmens), Israel (by Persian Jews, Kurdish Jews, Mountain Jews, and Bukharan Jews), Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Northern Cyprus, Pakistan (by Balochs, Baltis, Iranis, Parsis, and Pashtuns), Russia (by Tabasarans), Syria (by Kurds), Tajikistan, Turkey (by Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Yoruks), Turkmenistan, Ukraine (by Crimean Tatars), Uzbekistan and the United States.

In 2024, the state of Virginia recognized March as “Persian Heritage Month” by a resolution signed by Governor Glen Youngkin (R).

Also, in 2024, Massachusetts’ Governor Maura Healey (D) recognized Nowruz as an official heritage day and for it to be added to Massachusetts’ official calendar.

This year in California, the Iranian American Democrats of California, a statewide organization affiliated with the Democratic Party of California, had the privilege of bringing the tradition of Nowruz to the California State Capitol in Sacramento. IADC collaborated and stood in support of Nowruz Resolution (SCR 126) introduced by State Senator Aisha Wahab (first Afghan American elected to CA Senate) and co-authored by State Senators Dave Min, Ben Allen and Tom Umberg.

Senator Wahab and Min both spoke eloquently about the message of Nowruz and the resolution received unanimous approval on March 21st at the California State Senate.

IADC also held Nowruz gathering at Maydoon restaurant which was well received. Assemblymember Cottie Pettrie Norris and State Senator Dave Min (congressional candidate for CD47) along with other Capitol staffers attended this Nowruz celebration.

On March 21st, a beautiful haft seen was set up inside the California Capitol. Persian sweets, Samanu and Haft-miveh (an Afghan Nowruz tradition) were served to the guests. More than a quarter of senators from both sides of the aisle joined the reception along with staffers and general public visitors. Elected officials received the Woman, Life, Freedom postcard and tasting of Gaz (nuggets) that had a message asking them to support the MENA INCLUSION ACT in California ( #AB2763).

We are grateful that Steering Committee Members of Iranian American Democrats of California (IADC) were invited to attend the Nowruz special tour organized in the White House on March 23, 2024 and see a beautiful Haftseen displayed at the White House, celebrating the richness of our community’s culture!

Thanks to Mr. Reza Gohrzad, journalist and political commentator, for joining the delegation from Orange County in the 2024 Nowruz celebration at the White House. The delegation included: Alex Mohajar (Vice president of IADC), Fariba Hezar (Chair of Orange County region), and her daughter Leila, Shervin Aazami (Chair of Los Angeles region) and his family, Shani Moslehi (President of Los Angeles & Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce) and her husband Majid.

Representatives from various Iranian American organizations and the general public were invited to experience Nowruz at the White House. In light of the conflicts in the Middle East, and contrary to last year’s elaborate reception, there were no speeches given by President Biden or designee. Yet, attendees were happy to have this unique experience and gesture of goodwill by Dr. Jill Biden and President Joe Biden.

Nowruz gathering organized by IAC Group in Irvine, California took place on Sunday, March 24th. IADC was among the sponsors and had the opportunity to mingle with elected officials who attended the event such as Anaheim’s Mayor, Ashleigh Atkins, OC Board of Supervisor Katrina Foley, OC Board of Supervisor Candidate, Dr. Franciz Marquez… to name a few. Community was encouraged to become more active in advocacy on matters that impact the Iranian American Community such as the MENA Inclusion Act in California, the Allyship Act introduced by Representative Barbara Lee, and Family Temporary Visa Act (TFVA).

Representation Matters

 On March 29, 2024, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced its revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15). These revisions include the addition of a Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) category on federal forms such as the U.S. Census! The census will include checkboxes for “Hispanic or Latino” and “Middle Eastern or North African” (MENA) starting in 2030. Changes will apply to all federal collection of demographic data within five years.

This is exciting news and marks an enormous step in allowing the MENA population to attain granular data about their population. The next step is to prepare and plan for potential programs, services, and assistance that can be alleviated through a MENA Standard.

The first of their kind since 1997, these changes introduce a combined question format for race and ethnicity allowing participants to choose from 7 categories and “Select all that apply.” One of those categories is the new MENA category which will contain checkboxes for Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, and Israeli subgroups along with a write-in box for any other Middle Eastern/North African ethnicity. These checkboxes represent the MENA ethnicities with the largest populations here in the United States while providing others an option to add theirs as well.

By being counted, collectively we are able to demonstrate the sheer number of folks from MENA origin, the level of education and income that can demonstrate our voting power. This data will help establish these communities as a minority group with additional resources and opportunities that such designation entails.

A similar bill has been introduced in the California Assembly, the MENA Inclusion Act, AB 2763. IADC, along with the Arab American Civic Council, has been advocating for this bill. Though the Federal Government has recognized our population, it should be noted that it falls short in providing recognition of the diversity of California’s MENA population, specifically in the inclusion of Armenians and Black Arabs, two large and important groups in California. Thus, the CountMENAIn CA Coalition will continue to monitor how the Federal Government’s standard will impact California’s MENA community, and we aim to continue to push for MENA Inclusion in the State of California that is inclusive and reflective of California’s MENA population.

The MENA Inclusion Act, AB 2763, will have its first hearing at the Judiciary Committee on April 9th. Community members are encouraged to write Position Letters through the Judiciary Committee portal.

Together we can make change happen. In this new year, let’s come together to advocate for peace, solidarity, inclusivity, and secular democracy in Iran, in the US and around the world.