Hope and Renewal: SAT-7 PARS Marks the Persian New Year

As millions gather with loved ones for Nowruz – an ancient festival marking the Persian New Year – SAT-7 PARS is celebrating with them and unpacking the festival’s themes of new life and renewal.

“At SAT-7 PARS, we’ve been talking about Nowruz and the Persian New Year in almost all our live shows because it’s such an important and historic celebration for Persian people,” shared SAT-7 PARS presenter and producer Sally Momtazi. “This season is a beautiful reminder of the hope and new beginnings that faith brings into our lives.”

A Message of Hope

Sally, who will co-present a 90-minute Nowruz special for SAT-7 PARS on Thursday (March 20), is excited to share a message of hope with viewers in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. “Our goal was not just to celebrate the joy of this season but also to share a message of hope; just as nature goes through a cycle of death and rebirth, we too can experience renewal when we believe in Jesus.”

Broadcasting from both SAT-7 PARS studios in London, UK, and Limassol, Cyprus, Sally and co-presenter Niloufar will take viewers on a journey through the various traditions of Nowruz that take place in homes as well as public spaces like street markets.

The broadcast is especially important for viewers who cannot celebrate the festival in peace and freedom. Afsoon, a mother from Afghanistan, told us: “I can’t go out because of the Taliban. Last Nowruz, we went for a walk into a neighbor’s fields and the Taliban turned up and asked us where we had been and where our [male] chaperone was. My daughters were really afraid. That was our Nowruz… But we are glad to have you and your channel.”

New Beginnings

Nowruz, which means “New Day,” is a 13-day festival that marks both the Persian New Year and the beginning of spring. It is no surprise, then, that Nowruz festivities center on the theme of new beginnings: in nature and in life.

“For Iranians, Nowruz is more than just the start of a new year; it’s about renewal, hope, and togetherness, values that have been passed down for generations,” explains Sally. “It’s a time for families to come together, put aside differences, and look forward to a brighter future.”

To mark the occasion, families observe rituals such as “khooneh tekouni” – a deep spring clean that literally translates “shaking the house” – and decorate their homes with plants and fresh flowers such as hyacinths and tulips. The “haft-seen” table is the centerpiece of festivities; it comprises seven foods and spices that each symbolize a different theme related to renewal, as well as other items such as decorated eggs. Many Christian families include a Bible on their haft-seen table to connect the occasion with their faith.

Shiva from Iran told SAT-7 PARS about a powerful encounter of God’s love in her family during last year’s Nowruz. “I want to share with you the sweetness that the Lord granted us,” Shiva said. “My family was visiting for Nowruz and we read from 1 Peter chapter 4. I explained the verses to the best of my ability, and I really could sense the sweet presence of the Spirit of God. My father was listening intently and gave his life to the Lord… He wept tears of joy as we prayed together, and it was clear that he had a deep joy and was full of the Holy Spirit. It was such a wonderful day.”

Let us pray that as viewers in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan watch SAT-7 PARS’ Nowruz celebrations this year, that many will experience the new beginning that comes from faith in Christ.