MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): All needed preparations measures have been done to celebrate the new solar year in northern Balkh province despite health officials warning not to participate in the festival due to coronavirus threat.
The Nawroz Festival Committee says despite fears of coronavirus spread, they have taken all required measures for celebration of the new 1399 solar year.
The committee says around 200,000 people participate in the festival every year and they hope the same number of people will attend the New Year’s festivities as well.
On the other hand, shopkeepers and hotel owners in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh province, say no guests from other provinces have so far arrived in the province.
They say many guests from other provinces would come to Mazar-i-Sharif one month ahead of the New Year celebrations in the past, but they could not be seen in the city this time.
Every year on the first of Hamal, March 21, Nawruz is celebrated across the country, especially in Mazar-i-Sharif where a flag is raised on the shrine of the fourth Islamic caliphate, Hazrat Ali (RWA).
People and government officials from different parts of the country travel to Mazar-i-Sharif to participate in the celebrations taking place two days after.
Munir Farhad, Balkh governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that all needed measures were in place for celebration of New Year and Gul-i-Surkh, a flower program.
He said the New Year would be magnificently celebrated in the coming 12 days.
In response to a question, he said coronavirus was a serious threat to people but they still planned to celebrate the New Year.
He said they had some precaution programs at the entry gates of the province for prevention of the virus spread.
Farhad said they had heard the public health minister’s statements, but they received orders from the Presidential Palace to organize the celebration.
Nawroz is an international festival and is also celebrated in neighbouring countries, he said, adding that around 200,000 people participated in the festival last year and he hoped the same number people would participate this year too.
Meanwhile, Saleh Mohammad Khaliq, information and culture director of Balkh, said they had made preparations for different artistic, entertainment and social programs for the New Year celebration.
“Music, poetry, Samank party, sports competitions and other programs are planned for Nawroz,” he said.
He said people should widely partake in the New Year celebrations due to peace and reduction of violence this year.
On the other hand, a number of shopkeepers and hotel owner say they have limited customers ahead Nawroz holidays compared to the previous years.
Sayed Sarwar, who owns a shop of dried fruits, said his sales were expectedly low this year.
He said they had many customers and would sell high amount of fruits one month ahead of Nawroz festival in the past.
“No one comes to us, our business is the same as in normal days despite I kept more dried fruit for these days,” he said.
He said coronavirus fears and economic and health problems were reasons that eclipsed New Year’s celebrations.
Mohammad Shafiq is owner of a restaurant in Mazar-i-Sharif. He told Pajhwok that they would give their rooms on rent in these days previous years, but now only 40 percent of them are booked.
“Most people may not participate in Nawroz festival due to fears of coronavirus, he said.
Mds/ma
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