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Happy Chaharshanbe Suri, John!
The Festival of Fire, which comes on the last Wednesday of the year, is symbolic for a variety of reasons. The tradition involves jumping over fire, which is said to bring about enlightenment and happiness. With the longer days that come with a new year and season, a new beginning is around the corner.
This custom, which dates back thousands of years, is especially important for our community this year of all years. A year mired in heartbreaking images coming out of Iran. A year of sadness and breathtaking courage. A year of hope and possibility.
Tonight, millions are jumping over the fire to cleanse our souls of the bad and unfortunate. There's no question that there's been a lot of heartbreak and heartache over the last year. At the same time, we should remain ever more optimistic about the future. A future built around the ideals of peace, prosperity, and democracy. Our future is bright because our community is resilient.
Our North Star has and will always be giving voice and power to our community. Fighting for our community at home and mobilizing in support of policies that truly stand with the people of Iran.
That means fighting for civil rights and opportunity for Iranian Americans. It means mobilizing our community for policies to expand access to the internet for Iranians, allow us to send remittances to our families in Iran, fast-track visa processing so we can be reunited with family, and prevent war and broad sanctions.
As we look to the new year, Nowruz, we continue our hope for a democratic Iran and a better future for the people of Iran and their families. That hope is one that we embody in our work each and every day.
“Sorki-ye to az man, zardi-ye man az to”
“Your redness (health) is mine, my paleness (pain) is yours”
- Team NIAC
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