![Fireworks light up the sky over Shanadar Park during the Newroz celebrations in Erbil, Iraq on March 20, 2019. [Yunus Keleş - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190320_2_35547471_42803689.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
![Nowruz celebrations is held at the historical Kirkuk castle in Kirkuk, Iraq on March 20, 2019. [Ali Mukarrem Garip - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190320_2_35547232_42803060.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "KIRKUK, IRAQ - MARCH 20: Nowruz celebrations is held at the historical Kirkuk castle in Kirkuk, Iraq on March 20, 2019. Nowruz marks the beginning of spring. ( Ali Mukarrem Garip - Anadolu Agency )")
Nowruz celebrations is held at the historical Kirkuk castle in Kirkuk, Iraq on March 20, 2019. [Ali Mukarrem Garip – Anadolu Agency]
![Fireworks light up the sky over Shanadar Park during the Newroz celebrations in Erbil, Iraq on March 20, 2019. [Yunus Keleş - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190320_2_35547471_42803689.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "ERBIL, IRAQ - MARCH 20 : Fireworks light up the sky over Shanadar Park during the Newroz celebrations in Erbil, Iraq on March 20, 2019. ( Yunus Keleş - Anadolu Agency )")
Fireworks light up the sky over Shanadar Park during the Newroz celebrations in Erbil, Iraq on March 20, 2019. [Yunus Keleş – Anadolu Agency]
![Afghan people gather around the Shrine of Saint Sakhi Saib as they celebrate the Persian New Year Nowruz in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 21, 2019. [Haroon Sabawoon - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190321_2_35554862_42815853.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "Nowruz celebrations in Afghanistan")
Afghan people gather around the Shrine of Saint Sakhi Saib as they celebrate the Persian New Year Nowruz in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 21, 2019. [Haroon Sabawoon – Anadolu Agency]
![Women, wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. [Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190321_2_35558734_42824672.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 21: Women, wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. ( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )")
Women, wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. [Orhan Akkanat – Anadolu Agency]
![Teenagers jump over a bonfire during the Newroz celebrations wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. [Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190321_2_35558734_42824674.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 21: Teenagers jump over a bonfire during the Newroz celebrations wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. ( Orhan Akkanat - Anadolu Agency )")
Teenagers jump over a bonfire during the Newroz celebrations wearing traditional clothes, participate in Nowruz celebrations at Topkapı Culture Park in Istanbul, Turkey on March 21, 2019. [Orhan Akkanat – Anadolu Agency]