General Allen, ISAF Commander wishes Afghans a Happy New Year at the beginning of the Persian Year:
Norooz, is the Persian New Year, predating Islam and possibly Zorastrianism, based on the 365 day calender and corresponding with the Spring Equinox. Norooz celebrations were banned under the Taliban dictatorship, as "un-Islamic." The Ayatollah Khomeni also attempted to ban it in Iran, but failed under popular resistance.
The Persian New Year begins on 19 March 2012, at 7:19PM ET. It does not correspond to the Islamic Year (360 days) nor have months named of Islamic origin.
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