ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — United States President Joe Biden issued a warm message on Newroz to all those who celebrate the holiday marking the beginning of spring.

“Spring is an eternal symbol of renewal and rebirth, with light and hope filling the hearts of people from the United States to Iran, Central Asia, the Caucuses, the Middle East, and Europe. That is the message and the joy of Newroz that we are honoring with a Haft-Sin table in the White House,” reads a statement from Biden's office. The holiday is celebrated by a number of groups, most notably Kurds and Persians.

“This year, perhaps more than ever, that message is badly needed. After all our pain and loss, we are reminded that better days lie ahead and that we all must work together to achieve a shared future of greater peace, prosperity, and understanding,” he added.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are seeing a second wave of coronavirus infections, expected to be more deadly with the spread of new variants. Iraq has recorded a total of 789,390 cases, 115,210 of them within the Kurdistan Region.

“As we continue to make progress against COVID-19, I hope that soon our virtual celebrations will return to the joy and community we feel gathering together with family and friends,” said Biden.