What Year Is It In Iran?

It’s the year 1403, 1445 and 2024. But not 2583.

A Haft-Seen table is displayed in honor of Nowruz, Monday, March 20, 2023, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith). Public Domain. The Haft-Seen is an arrangement of 7 symbolic items, about which you can read more here. But is it the Persian or Iranian New Year? See the video below for an explanation.

Kings & Empires, Prophets & Religions, Revolutions & Calendars

Iranians rang in their New Year on March 19, 2024, at exactly 8:06:26 PM (Pacific Time). But what year is it?

According to the “Iran Chamber Society”, Iran has 3 calendars.

1403 is based on the solar Hijri calendar (“Iranian Calendar”), which was officially established in Iran on Mar. 31, 1925, by the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty (more on this below). This Hijri calendar begins with the Muslim prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina on Sept. 24, 622 CE (to escape persecution). This is the calendar by which all government, business and everyday affairs are conducted in Iran.

1445 stems from the same date (Muhammad’s journey), except that it is based on a lunar calendar (“Islamic Calendar”). In Iran, this calendar is mostly used for religious purposes. However, other Muslim countries, certainly Arab countries, do use this lunar calendar to a greater extent. Important to note that the dates of this calendar change every year (because it’s lunar). As a case in point, the month of Ramadan this year spans from Mar. 10 to Apr. 9, 2024. But in…