1.   In Iran, religious holidays are determined by the revolving lunar Islamic calendar, while nowruz and other nonreligious events are dated by the solar, fixed Persian calendar.

2.   Many Shiite Muslims in Pakistan follow the traditional Persian calendar, like Iran, which begins on the first day of spring.

3.   The centuries-old festival, based on the Persian calendar, marks the end of winter.

4.   Unlike other countries in the Middle East, Iran and some of its neighbors follow the traditional Persian calendar, which begins on the first day of spring.

5.   Unlike other Muslim Mideast countries, Iran and some of its neighbors follow the Persian solar calendar, which begins on the first day of spring.