Tehran, 2008 March 20, IRNA

Today, March 20, marks the advent of spring and of the new Iranian year of 1387.

At 09:18:19 hours local time (05:48 GMT) the new solar year 1387 Hijra (based on the auspicious migration of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE), started in Iran accompanied with the traditional festivities and divine invocations.

The spring equinox, the equilibrium point in nature, is celebrated in most countries around the world. In China , it is also an important day to mark the spring season.

Today also marks birthday anniversary of Holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) in Sunni tradition [It is March 25 in Shiite tradition, which also coincides with the birth anniversary of the Prophet's grandson Imam Jaafar Sadeq (a.s.)]. The interval between the Sunni and Shiite tradition is called the Unity Week.

Congratulates to Iranians and Muslims on all the three happy occasions: Birthday anniversary of Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and of Hazrat Jaafar Sadeq (a.s.) and advent of the new solar year Hijra.