HANNAH JOHNSON FROM THE PUNCH
While most countries and cultures around the world celebrate the New Year in some form, there are certain regions, communities, or groups where New Year celebrations are not observed or hold minimal significance. These exceptions usually arise due to cultural, religious, or political reasons. Here are some examples:
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, public New Year celebrations are rare due to the country’s strict adherence to Islamic traditions. The Islamic calendar, not the Gregorian calendar, is primarily observed.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan follows the Islamic calendar, and the Persian New Year (Nowruz), celebrated on March 21, holds more significance than the Gregorian New Year.
North Korea
In North Korea, the Gregorian New Year is not widely celebrated. Instead, the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday) and the Korean New Year (based on the lunar calendar) are more prominent.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia uses its own calendar, which is roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. Their New Year, “Enkutatash,” is celebrated in September.
Iran
Similar to Afghanistan, Iran celebrates Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on the vernal equinox (around March 21). The Gregorian New Year has little cultural or traditional significance.
From Christmas Island To Tokyo: Countries Welcoming 2025 Ahead of Nigeria
As Nigerians eagerly await the New Year, several countries around the globe have already stepped into 2025. This difference is due to the varying time zones worldwide, allowing some regions to celebrate hours ahead of others.
Interestingly, while Australia and New Zealand are often thought to be the first to welcome the New Year, smaller island nations actually take the lead. Below is a list of countries that celebrate 2025 before Nigeria, along with the corresponding Nigerian time:
Afghanistan follows the Islamic calendar, and the Persian New Year (Nowruz), celebrated on March 21, holds more significance than the Gregorian New Year.
North Korea
In North Korea, the Gregorian New Year is not widely celebrated. Instead, the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday) and the Korean New Year (based on the lunar calendar) are more prominent.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia uses its own calendar, which is roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. Their New Year, “Enkutatash,” is celebrated in September.
Iran
Similar to Afghanistan, Iran celebrates Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on the vernal equinox (around March 21). The Gregorian New Year has little cultural or traditional significance.
From Christmas Island To Tokyo: Countries Welcoming 2025 Ahead of Nigeria
As Nigerians eagerly await the New Year, several countries around the globe have already stepped into 2025. This difference is due to the varying time zones worldwide, allowing some regions to celebrate hours ahead of others.
Interestingly, while Australia and New Zealand are often thought to be the first to welcome the New Year, smaller island nations actually take the lead. Below is a list of countries that celebrate 2025 before Nigeria, along with the corresponding Nigerian time:
Christmas Island
At 11 am Nigerian time, Christmas Island, part of the Republic of Kiribati, becomes the first place in the world to enter 2025…
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