Ahmadinejad made the remarks here on Satruday during the international ceremonies to celebrate the first day of the Iranian new calendar year termed as Nowruz held with participation of the presidents of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the deputy premier of Turkey and Azeri foreign minister.



This is the first time Iran is celebrating the advent of its new year in an international ceremony attended by top statesmen from a number of its neighboring countries which share the culture with Iran.



Nowruz was recently recognized as an international event by the United Nations General Assembly.



In his remarks at the beginning of the celebrations, President Ahmadinejad also said Nowruz rituals carried messages on safeguarding family values, respecting the elders, consolidating and reinforcing emotional bonds and honoring the institution of family.



Congratulating his guests on the occasion which is commonly celebrated by the nations situated in the civilizational zone of Nowruz, he also stressed the common culture shared by all these nations which invites all to steer clear of evil-thinking and animosity and urges resurrection and adherence to the good.



The president further said Nowruz actually led people to the Lord who is the source of life and resurrects nature and gives fallen hearts a new chance to live a fresh life.