Hope and heartache: Iranians in Malaysia mark sombre Persian New Year amid conflict

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is home to one of Southeast Asia’s largest Iranian communities, and this year’s Nowruz celebrations – marking the Persian New Year – have been filled with mixed emotions.

For many Iranians there, the festivities come at a time of conflict back home.

Some told CNA that the ongoing war has reinforced their sense of unity and strengthened their resolve to preserve traditions that have endured for generations. 

TRADITION AMID TURMOIL

Postgraduate student Samin Alami has lived in Malaysia since she was nine.

This year, the 26-year-old, who studies English literature at the University of Malaya, took the lead in preparing the traditional Haft-seen table — a centrepiece of Nowruz featuring seven symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter “S”.

She explained that each item carries meaning, from apples representing health and garlic symbolising spirituality, to coins for prosperity and vinegar reflecting patience and wisdom. Together, they represent hope and renewal for the year ahead.

The display also includes tulips, sweets, candles and the Quran — all integral to the 14-day Nowruz celebration which began on Mar 20 this year.

Tulips, she noted, hold deep emotional significance in Iranian culture, often associated with sacrifice and loss throughout the country’s history.

While her own family and friends back home are largely safe, her thoughts are with those – especially women and children – who continue to suffer.

“I really hope that peace can come to my country because Iran is such a beautiful country with intelligent people,” said Alami.

“It always makes me emotional. But most of all, I wish for peace.”

Meanwhile, her mother, Neda Zoghi, an artist and art researcher, finds comfort in expressing her cultural roots through her work.

Zoghi, who specialises in Persian art, said painting reconnects her with her identity.

“When I am painting, it takes me back to my country, my people that are the same as me,” she added. “My heritage is my identity. I also wish women would achieve their rights one day.”

UNITY IN ADVERSITY

While the war has been polarising and threatens to tear Iran apart, some members of the community believe the country is now more united following military strikes by the United States and Israel.

Mohsen Behrang, a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, said that even during recent bombings, many people in the capital Tehran continued their daily routines.

“This shows that the power of culture, the power of history, rooted for many many thousand years ago,” he said.

Political sociology analyst Abdolreza Alami, director of the Asia East West Center, a research organisation, added: “(US President Donald) Trump doesn't know about Iranian culture. When they attack our country, our people become united.

“We don't care about the politics. The important thing for us is Iran, and Nowruz is part of Iran. It's part of our culture.”

For Iranians in Malaysia, celebrating Nowruz has become more than a festive tradition – it is also a quiet act of solidarity with those back home.

Malaysia was once home to more than 100,000 Iranians around a decade ago, comprising largely business professionals, students and lecturers and their families. 

They were drawn by the country’s visa-free policies and cultural familiarity.

However, that number has declined significantly over the past decade, partly due to tighter immigration rules linked to international sanctions on Iran.

Still, for many, the spirit of Nowruz endures – a symbol of unity and hope in uncertain times.