The message comes as Iran has ushered in the new Persian year of 1396.
President Rouhani said in a recent Nowruz message released by his office that “The world, today more than any time, needs a hope which values affection, love and intimacy and invites countries to interaction instead of confrontation.”
His office said that the message was separately sent to the leaders of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Uzbekistan.
“Nations by resorting to hope, peace and tranquility can interact with each other under the light of unity and confront the ugly and obscene image arising from misinterpretation of religion, the result of which is terrorism and sectarian extremism,” Rouhani said.
“Nowruz is the most beautiful celebration of nature which, with the transition of winter to spring, brings hope and lush as a gift,” Rouhani said.
“This festival is the symbol of moderation, peace, warmth, light, abundance and freshness that God the Almighty has bestowed to man - a moderation which is rooted in natural developments, religious beliefs and principles of the benevolent Islam,” he added.
It is worthy to mention that Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Revolution used to issue congratulatory messages on the auspicious occasion of Nowruz, which commences spring and the beginning of the new Persian year. Imam recommended believers and faithful people to spiritually transform and decorate themselves with divine virtues during such period of the rebirth of nature.
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