Kurdish residents gather during Norouz celebrations in Kirkuk, north of Baghdad March 20, 2016. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A man carries toys for sale during celebrations for Afghan New Year (Newroz) in Kabul March 21, 2015. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1394. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

A woman stands at Sakhi shrine during celebrations for Afghan New Year (Newroz) in Kabul March 21, 2015. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1394. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Afghan women walk inside a shopping mall ahead of the Afghan New Year (Newroz) in Jalalabad, March 18, 2015. REUTERS/ Parwiz (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

A vendor prepares to grill fish for residents on Newroz Day, a festival marking spring, in Basra, 420 km (260 miles) southeast of Baghdad, March 21, 2011. Newroz Day is also celebrated in other countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Atef Hassan (IRAQ - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY FOOD) 

A vendor prepares grilled meat in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. People of Diyarbakir, the biggest city of Turkey, celebrate Newroz on Sunday. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish and marks the arrival of spring, has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

A vendor prepares grilled meat in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. People of Diyarbakir, the biggest city of Turkey, celebrate Newroz on Sunday. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish and marks the arrival of spring, has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

People eat in a restaurant in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. People of Diyarbakir, the biggest city of Turkey, celebrate Newroz on Sunday. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish and marks the arrival of spring, has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators attend a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators flash victory signs during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators flash victory signs during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A young demonstrator flashes a victory sign during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) 

A demonstrator waves a flag of pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party as the other takes pictures during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) 

Masked demonstrators flash victory signs as they display a poster of imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Kurds have regularly protested against the treatment of Ocalan, who is serving life in jail after his death sentence was commuted in 2002. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A pro Kurdish demonstrator displays a scarf that reads "Happy Newroz" in Kurdish during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY) 

Masked demonstrators flash victory signs as they display a poster of imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Kurds have regularly protested against the treatment of Ocalan, who is serving life in jail after his death sentence was commuted in 2002. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A masked demonstrator waves a Kurdish flag during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A masked demonstrator waves a Kurdish flag during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means 'new day' in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A child jumps over a bonfire during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

A demonstrator prays during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators dance around a bonfire during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators dance around a bonfire during a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Children jump over a bonfire during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators attend a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

A demonstrator tries to jump over fences during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY CIVIL UNREST) 

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY POLITICS) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Demonstrators shout slogans during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY) 

Pro-Kurdish demonstrators attend a rally to celebrate Newroz in Istanbul March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A demonstrator holds a portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan during a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Demonstrators attend a gathering to celebrate Newroz in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir March 21, 2010. Newroz, which means "new day" in Kurdish, marks the arrival of spring and is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Newroz has long served as a rallying cry for Kurdish nationalism and public celebrations were illegal in Turkey until 2000, when fighting between security forces and separatist guerrillas fell sharply. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili addresses the representatives of Azerbaijani diaspora during Navruz celebration in the town of Marneuli, some 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital Tbilisi March 21, 2010. Navruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, is widely celebrated by Muslims in Georgia. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/Pool (GEORGIA - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili addresses the representatives of Azerbaijani diaspora during Navruz celebration in the town of Marneuli, some 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital Tbilisi March 21, 2010. Navruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, is widely celebrated by Muslims in Georgia. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/Pool (GEORGIA - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY RELIGION) 

Residents dance at Abu Nawas Park in Baghdad March 21, 2010, as they celebrate Newroz Day, a festival marking the spring and new year which is also celebrated and observed by people in countries like Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Saad Shalash (IRAQ - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY) 

Residents dance at Abu Nawas Park in Baghdad March 21, 2010, as they celebrate Newroz Day, a festival marking the spring and new year which is also celebrated and observed by people in countries like Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Saad Shalash (IRAQ - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY) 

Residents barbecue at Abu Nawas Park in Baghdad March 21, 2010, as they celebrate Newroz Day, a festival marking the spring and new year which is also celebrated and observed by people in countries like Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. REUTERS/Saad Shalash (IRAQ - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY) 

Horsemen take part in a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as part of Navruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, celebrations in the capital Bishkek March 21, 2010. Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game which is considered to be Kyrgyzstan's national sport. Players grab a goat carcass from the ground in full gallop and try to place it into their opponents' goal, who attempt to foil the attack by snatching the headless goat away and score for their side. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY) 

Horsemen take part in a Kok-boru, or goat dragging, competition as part of Navruz, an ancient holiday marking the spring equinox, celebrations in Bishkek March 21, 2010. Kok-boru is a traditional Central Asian game which is considered Kyrgyzstan's national sport. Players grab a goat carcass from the ground in full gallop and try to place it into their opponents' goal, who attempt to foil the attack by snatching the headless goat away and score for their side. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Onlookers watch celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghans sit on rooftops during celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

An Afghan policeman keeps watch during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

An Afghan policeman keeps watch during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghan police control the crowd during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghan police control the crowd during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghans erect stalls at a cemetery during celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

An Afghan man makes drinks for sale during celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghans keep order during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

An Afghan police helicopter flies over Hazrat Ali (Kart-i-Sakhi) shrine where Afghans celebrate the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghans watch celebrations of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) from rooftops in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghan police control the crowd during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghan police control the crowd during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Afghan police control the crowd during the celebration of the Afghan New Year (Nawruz) in Kabul March 21, 2010. Afghanistan uses the Persian calendar, which runs from the vernal equinox. The calendar takes as its start date the time when the Prophet Mohammad moved from Mecca to Medina in 621 AD. The current Persian year is 1389. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Syrian Kurdish dance group perform during the Nowruz celebrations held by Kurdish groups in a restaurant, near Damascus March 20, 2010. Eid Norouz is an important day especially for Kurds, when the coming of spring is celebrated. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA - Tags: SOCIETY)