Dear Editor:
My Iranian born wife and I are looking forward to Persian New Year or Norouz, just under two months away. As Persians begin their year at the very moment of the spring equinox, Norouz is invariably associated with spring blooms and brighter days. In the weeks leading up to Norouz, Iranians all over the world will decorate their homes with beautiful haftseen, the symbolic spreads representing renewal and hope for good health and prosperity in the new year ahead.
Sadly, this year the joyful buildup to Norouz is haunted by fear of imminent conflict between the government of Iran and its western adversaries, who claim that Iran is hell-bent on obliterating itself in some demented conflict with Israel. For Iranians and those familiar with Iran, the escalation of fantastic accusations and dire threats is uncomfortably reminiscent of the sequence of events that preceded the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Also disturbing are recent comments by Prime Minister Stephen Harper implying that Canada sees Iran to be a mortal threat that must be dealt with by any means. Many Iranians must wonder what can be done to prevent Canada from taking part in a military strike against Iran, which would be as ruinous for Iranians as it would be for the world.
It is about time that the Iranian-Canadian community asserts itself politically. When I think of the Iranian-Canadians whom I have gotten to know, I am astounded that a community of such talent and resources can be considered to be so politically irrelevant. If Canadians of Iranian heritage and their friends wish to save Iran and Canada from another ill-considered disaster in the Middle East, we should use the coming Norouz celebrations to demonstrate that we are a strong and positive component of Canadian society, and that our friends and relatives in Iran - the certain victims of any conflagration - are much like us.
So, this Norouz let's set up haftseen displays in every public venue we can; let's continue to welcome newcomers to our bonfire nights; let's invite our local, provincial and national politicians to accept a haftseen display in their offices, and invite them to join us for the traditional picnic thirteen days after the equinox. If every one of us makes a point of involving at least one newcomer in our Norouz activities this year, we will be starting what is long overdue: the process of us becoming a properly considered community in Canada.
Tieg Martin, North Vancouver
