Mr. Speaker, as spring arrives in Canada, Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is being celebrated across our country. In 2009, this House unanimously proclaimed Nowruz officially to acknowledge its importance.
As government liaison to the Persian and Iranian community, I am eager to congratulate people of Iranian background on the legacy left by Persian pioneers of democracy, such as Cyrus and Mossadegh.
Persians love their poets. To honour Iranian-Canadians, I have written a poem called “Persian Spring”.
Close your eyes and think back to the dwindling snow
On the slopes of a land three millennia ago.
With the waning of winter, we welcome Nowruz,
The eshgh of springtime, long-sought-after news.
Dream with me; sing with me; candles alight.
Think castles, oases, and sweet-smelling night.
Think freedom--aazaadi--think rule of law;
Think everything noble the great Cyrus saw.
Keep the faith, brothers and sisters and friends.
Our strength is our faith, and our faith never ends.
Remembering history, we're on the right track
Persia's best and her brightest are soon coming back!
Happy Nowruz. Nowruz mobarak. Nowruz pirooz.