国际英语新闻：Afghans pray for lasting peace on New Year's day

KABUL, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Blue Mosque in Afghanistan's northern city of MazarSunday was the scene of ever-largest gathering to celebrate Nawruz or New Year and pray for lasting peace in the war-plagued country.

Accompanying the prayer leader of the historic mosque, thousands of people gathered in the mosque's compound to demonstrate their heartfelt wishes for peace.

"Let's pray for peace, work for peace, have durable peace and make success in achieving viable peace in our country," prayer leader of the Blue Mosque said loudly and thousands of people echoed him.

Afghan people attend a New Year celebration in Herat City of Herat Province, west Afghanistan, March 21, 2010. The solar year which begins on March 21 is widely celebrated in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and central Asian countries.

Nawruz which means New Year in Persian language falls on March 21, the first day of the year 1389 in Afghanistan, Iran and a number of Central Asian states.

Inaugurating the Nawruz festival by raising flag over the Blue Mosque believed to contain the tomb of fourth Islam Caliph Hazrat Ali, Afghan Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim prayed for durable peace, wishing the year 1389 would be a year of peace and stability in the country.