March 20, 2025 | Mountlake Terrace, WA – The City of Mountlake Terrace officially celebrated Naw-Ruz, the traditional celebration of the Spring Equinox, with a special proclamation signed by Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright and read by Council Member Erin Murray. The proclamation marked the importance of this festival, which is widely observed by millions around the world and is rooted in themes of renewal, unity, and peace.

The proclamation outlined the significance of Naw-Ruz, which marks the beginning of the new year in various cultural calendars and is celebrated by diverse communities, including but not limited to Afghan, Azerbaijani, Balochi, Chechen, Hazara, Kazakh, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Lezgin, Pashtun, Iranian, Tatar, Tajik, Turkmen, Uighur, and Uzbek populations. It highlighted the festival’s role in promoting shared values of hope, prosperity, respect for nature, and the importance of fostering community harmony. Furthermore, Naw-Ruz holds religious significance for communities such as the Bahá’í Faith, where it is observed as a holy day of joy and reflection, and for the Zoroastrian community, which sees the day as a time of spiritual renewal.

Following the proclamation, Kerem Onat, a member of the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission, delivered a speech, expressing gratitude to the City for its recognition of the cultural significance of Naw-Ruz. He noted that the recognition of Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Turkmen, Tatar, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Uighur, and Bahá’í communities, among others, was a vital step in honoring cultures that have often been overlooked. Onat emphasized the importance of Mayoral Proclamations as symbols of inclusivity, bringing visibility to underrepresented cultures and fostering unity among diverse communities.

“I am deeply grateful for your support,” Onat said. “This is not just a gesture—it is a meaningful contribution to fostering unity and inclusivity in our community. The City of Mountlake Terrace continues to impress me with its sincere outreach efforts, from hosting community discussions to connecting with diverse groups to build trust.”

The proclamation ceremony was further enhanced by a diverse group of attendees, including community members of Azerbaijani, Tatar, Iranian, Bahá’í, and Indian descent. A local family received the proclamation in honor of their heritage and in celebration of Naw-Ruz’s rich cultural significance.

The City of Mountlake Terrace continues its efforts to build an inclusive community by celebrating cultural diversity and offering public platforms to all residents. Proclamations such as the Naw-Ruz observance serve as a testament to the City’s commitment to promoting understanding, inclusion, and collaboration among its residents from all walks of life.

This event is part of an ongoing initiative by the City Council to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all Mountlake Terrace residents, ensuring that the contributions of every community are acknowledged and valued.

As Onat concluded his speech, he shared a hopeful sentiment with the gathering: “We are one family, leaves of one tree, the fruits of one branch, flowers of one garden.”

The city’s acknowledgment of Naw-Ruz is a testament to Mountlake Terrace’s continued dedication to embracing cultural diversity and fostering unity across its vibrant community.