VIDEO: Afghans Celebrate New Year with a Colorful Ceremony and Dance

Sun Mar 20, 2016 20:09:47

Hundreds of Afghan residents in Kabul gathered at the shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH), the first Imam of Shias and the fourth caliph of Islam on Sunday (March 20) to celebrate the arrival of the New Year called “Nowruz” according to Persian calendar.

As per traditions, Afghans attended the flag-raising ceremony from early morning and some wished for a year without war.

“I wish a happy, peaceful and glorious year to all of my Afghan countrymen,” said Ghulam Hussian a resident of Kabul.

“We are tired of the war. It has been many years that we are suffering from Taliban and Daesh (Islamic State / ISIS / ISIL). May God remove sorrow and depression from Afghanistan and grant peace to all of us,” said Jaan Sultana, a 45-year-old Afghan woman.

Afghan boys danced in the streets of Kabul.

The festivities are part of the New Year which is celebrated in many countries in the region.

New Year is widely marked across Afghanistan, with national sites in the capital Kabul as well as in the province of Marzar-i Sharif being focal points for those who wish to take part, Reuters reported.

S/SH 11

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