Despite the hectic hurry-scurry whirl of midterms, papers, and presentations, KDIS students proved to be also good at keeping traditions. On the 24^th of March, the Muslim Community Club gathered students to rejoice UN International Day of Nowruz (March 21^st) – the ancestral spring holiday of rejuvenation of nature and vernal equinox (the time when day and night reach equality), celebrated by many nations along the Silk Road for over 3000 years.

Despite being regarded as a Persian New Year, and having religious Zoroastrian origins, Nowruz is celebrated by 300 million people, mainly in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.  As a festival of peace and reconciliation as well as friendship among nations, Nowruz is one of the intangible heritage of humanity.

Over the millennium, Nowruz has incorporated many cultural and traditional features, and the way of welcoming Nowruz varies across nations. Preserving millennial traditions, KDIS students welcomed international students with traditional clothes, food, and dances, as a way of contributing to cultural enrichment, friendship, and understanding among our diverse community of students. Students enjoyed the atmosphere spent in such a traditional way, recognizing that beauty lies in diversity that everyone carries within. You just make it shine!

By Ranat RYSBEK (2017 MPP, Kyrgyzstan)