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Today is Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í and Iranian new year. Because Bahá’í days start at sunset “the previous day”, the fast ended at sunset yesterday, and the new year began. It’s the third new year I’ve celebrated in as many months. If I want to continue this tradition, I could observe the Hindu new year next month.

Fasting and having new year in March may seem a bit strange to a lot of Westerners, but for Christians, Easter falls just 2 days after Naw-Rúz this year, (as they are both pinned to the vernal equinox), and is preceeded by Lent. I think the point of both is the same - a time of renewal.

Wendi Momen has written a wonderful piece about different religious holidays at this time of year. It’s much better than mine. Go and read it!