Traditional Nawroz flag-hoisting ceremony held in Mazar

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok):  Thousands of people participated in the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony marking Nawroz — the Persian new year — in Mazar Sharif on Saturday.

The ceremony began with six-gun salute amidst airtight security arrangements across in this northern city, the capital of Balkh province.

Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, senior government officials and foreign delegates attended the event.

Optimistic that the new year would bring peace to the country, people from different parts of the country are visiting the shrine of Hazrat Ali (RA) as part of the three-day celebrations.

Nawroz marks the advent of spring, renewal and hope for the people, who hope this year could change the fate of their country.

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