Iranian New Year Events Canceled
Now-Ruz, the start of the Iranian New Year, was not a festive occasion for the estimated 500,000 Iranian residents of Southern California this year.
A celebration scheduled to be held at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday to usher in the new year was canceled, as were numerous other events, out of sadness over the Iran-Iraq war, said Michael Chegini of the Iranian Community Center.
“This is a time of great sadness,” Chegini said. “Everyone (Iranians in the United States) here has a loved one back there (in Iran). The war is not benefiting anyone. So many people are dying on both sides.”
Chegini said Gov. George Deukmejian, Mayor Tom Bradley and other officeholders had been invited to the celebration of Now-Ruz, which translates as “New Day.”
Some Iranians did gather in front of the Federal Building in West Los Angeles Saturday night and stayed until Sunday morning in “commemoration” of those who have died in the 8-year-old war, Chegini said.
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