Har Ruz etan Nowrouz, Nowruz etan Pyrouz!

Tomorrow, Persian, Afghan, Kurdish, Zoroastrian, Bahá’í, Central Asian, and Ismaili communities across Canada, and around the world, will celebrate Nowruz and the start of the Persian New Year.

Typically, this is a time for friends and family to come together to share food around the haft-seen table, enjoy music, reflect on the challenges of the past, and set intentions for the future.

But much like last Nowruz, this year’s celebrations will also be different.

As we continue to fight COVID-19, we must continue to follow public health guidelines.

For many, that means they will spend the day alone or isolated.

And for others, this will be another celebration spent without the loved ones lost in the Ukraine International Airlines tragedy.

I know this is hard.

But through the pain and challenge of this past year, we will still celebrate this New Day, and look towards a brighter future.

We will find new ways to come together.

And together, we take this opportunity to honour the many communities that observe this day – and their many contributions to building a better Canada.

My friends, we will get through this difficult time. And we will come out a stronger and more united country.

Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Nowruz Pyrouz!