By Our Correspondent + Pictures Raja Ghulam Farid
The Embassy of Tajikistan in Islamabad hosted a grand International Novruz Holiday event at the residence on 27 April 2025 with attendance of all ambassadors from the countries that celebrate this day of joy, prosperity and endless happiness at the start of spring season. The ” Exhibition of Art and Culture ” was also the part of the event that attracted huge applause from the guests who took keen interest in the master pieces displayed there.
The host Ambassador of Tajikistan , H.E Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, in his keynote address highlighted the scarcity of drinking water as a big challenge for mankind. He shared that Tajikistan is working on this issue and mentioned the upcoming third High-Level International Conference dedicated to Glaciers’ Preservation to be held on 29-31 May 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
On April 25, 2025, during the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), on the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan, the resolution “Strengthening cooperation on water resources and climate change for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region” was unanimously adopted.
Coming back to the event, ‘Nowruz’, means “new day” in Persian, marks the spring equinox and the start of the new year in the Persian solar calendar. ‘Navruz’ is celebrated with diverse customs and traditions, including the Haft Seen Table (seven items starting with “s” symbolizing new beginnings).
‘Navruz’ has roots in the region, an ancient Persian civilization, and is one of the world’s oldest continuously celebrated festivals. Families would refresh their homes, arrange the symbolic Haft-Seen table, and engage in visitations with one another to spread joy and renewal.
Ambassadors and representatives of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan were also present as the Novruz is also celebrated in these countries. Moreover, many ambassadors and diplomats from other friendly countries were also invited to share the happiness with them.
Grand cultural performances in traditional dresses by the children and the professional artists enthralled the audience and admired by the guests. Traditional food was also available for the participants that include special dishes of Tajik and Central Asian taste.
The staff of the embassy especially the children and ladies of Tajikistan including spouses of the Ambassador and diplomats played key role to make the event memorable with their contributions and welcome to the guests. For four days, women and men in the embassy were busy preparing various types of Tajik traditional dishes.
The guests were served with the special Nowruz dish “SUMANAK”, that is the most favorit in Tajik food. SUMANAK, SUMALAK, SUMANAKPAZI, is one of the Tajiks’ ancient traditions of cooking the herbal dish based on the wheat grown out in the eve of ‘Navruz’. It is sweet pudding made from sprouted wheat, prepared in a large cauldron.It represents a very good food value; wheat is a basic raw for sumanak.
One of the most beloved dishes in Tajikistan is PILAF, which consists of rice, meat, onions. There are several types of pilaf in the country, for it is prepared differently in every region. Other Navruz dishes served to the guests included oshy palov (Tajik pilaf), halva, dalda, sambusa, and various sweets.
The host Ambassador of Tajikistan , H.E Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, Dean of Diplomatic Corp, Ambassador Turkmenistan H.E Atadjan Movlamov , Ambassador of Iran , H.E Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam deliverd speeches on the importance of Novruz in their respective countries and the region.
H.E Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, in his welcome address said that ‘Navruz’ is a symbol of rebirth, unity, love and happiness in Tajikistan and other regional countries, which have been celebrating this festival for centuries in welcoming spring. The colors of the ‘Navruz’ festival are new and different in all countries, including the region, and the Tajik nation also has a unique way of celebrating this historical festival.
Tajikistan is historically the torch bearer of a great culture, the colors of which are prominent in the culture of Tajikistan and other festivals, including ‘Navruz’, which are a source of interest for other nations. The civilization and culture of Tajikistan has embraced ‘Navruz’ for many centuries and spreads its colors every year on the occasion of the festival.
H.E Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir said the United Nations recognizes March 21st, 2009, as International Nowruz Day, acknowledging the holiday’s cultural significance and the diversity of its celebrations. This festival represents the start of the new year and renovation of nature. It’s celebrated in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries but is of a main importance in Tajikistan.
One of the principal pillars of Navruz philosophy is to purify people’s souls from the confrontation and resentment and open them for justice. That is why the initiative of the countries of Navruz basin was considered by UNESCO, and since 2010 Navruz is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list and, 21 March was declared the International Day of Navruz.
The Dean of Diplomatic Corps,Ambassador of Turkmenistan, H.E Atadjan Movlamov
said that’ Novruz’ has been celebrated for centuries not only in Central Asia but also in different countries of the world and this festival brings all countries closer to each other.
The festival of ‘Novruz’ is not a specific region but a heritage of humanity, which is an occasion of shared happiness, transcending borders between countries and regions. Nowruz is also celebrated in Turkmenistan and there are various events and celebrations on this occasion that provide mutual happiness to the people.
The Ambassador said that festivals, literature and languages in the world provide an opportunity for traditions and cultures to come closer to each other and promote mutual dialogue.
Ambassador of Iran ,H.E Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam extended heartfelt appreciation to the Embassy of Tajikistan, and Ambassador, Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir and his colleagues, for their valuable efforts in coordinating and organizing this splendid and memorable event.
The Iranian Ambassador said that ‘Nowruz’ stands as one of the oldest and most revered celebrations of friendship, kindness, and peaceful coexistence, an enduring tradition honored by our ancestors across vast lands, stretching from beyond the borders of China to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and even farther.
Though ancient in origin, Nowruz has never aged; on the contrary, with each passing year, it blossoms anew, revealing ever greater beauty and vitality, he said. This celebration is not the exclusive heritage of any particular nation or people; rather, it constitutes a shared cultural treasure of all humanity.
He said the ancient Iranians, by celebrating Nowruz, marked the commencement of the new year in harmony with the most significant natural phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox and the renewal of nature.
It is fascinating to note that in Pakistan, ‘Nowruz’ is known as “Alam Afroz,” meaning “the day that illuminates the world.”
He said the festival is a source of great pride to announce that in recognition of these outstanding attributes, the United Nations General Assembly, in 2010, proclaimed March 21st as the International Day of Nowruz.
