For nearly everybody around the world who celebrates Norooz (or Persian New Year), which falls on the first day of spring, this year looks very different than so many that have come before. Normally, we’d be cleaning our homes and setting up our ‘haftsin’, getting ready to spend time with family and friends, planning to attend festivals, and taking part in feasts.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, so many of us are spending Norooz this year in an uncertain state and apart from our loved ones. For people inside Iran, things are much worse — with coronavirus deaths rapidly on the rise and health facilities being overwhelmed — and it’s all happening on the heels of a period of deadly political unrest and a devastating plane crash.

At a time like this, it is understandable to have a bleak outlook — we are faced with many of the same feelings. But as the poet Rumi once wrote, “There is hope after despair and many suns after darkness.” This Norooz, we hope you can develop some new traditions at home. Jump over a tealight in the living room on Chaharshanbe Suri, participate in a Facetime new year countdown with family, far and wide, fill your home with music, make your favorite meal, and think of brighter days to come.

We at United for Iran wish you and yours a safe, healthy, and hopeful Norooz.