The celebration of Nawruz, the first day of the solar calendar, falling on the 1st of Hamal or Farwardin, is one of the oldest and most deeply rooted festivities in the history of Central and South Asia, particularly in Afghanistan. This day is commemorated in Persian-speaking countries and those influenced by Aryan culture.
Nawruz is a significant part of the historical identity of the Afghan people, with roots dating back thousands of years. However, in recent years, due to the Taliban’s prohibition, the people of this country have been deprived of celebrating Nawruz.
The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the Taliban has labeled the Nawruz celebration as un-Islamic, stating that those who honor and respect Nawruz are considered to have strayed completely from the Islamic community and are not seen as true Muslims. This group removed the mention of Nawruz from the official country calendar two years ago.
Before the Taliban’s rise to power, the people of Afghanistan used to celebrate Nawruz in a special manner at recreational sites in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul, Herat, and other cities. They would welcome the New Year in the heart of nature, parks, gardens, and recreational areas with joy and festivity.
Fatima, a woman living in Kabul, expressed her reaction to the Taliban’s ban on celebrating Nawruz to the Afghanistan Women’s News Agency, stating that the Taliban have deprived the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls, of all our fundamental rights. This group has declared the celebration of Nawruz as forbidden for the people, depriving us of even this little joy.
“In previous years, several girls would gather happily in the neighborhoods of Haji Nabi and Kart-e-Sakhi, known as the shrine of Imam Ali. We would spend hours drinking tea, eating, chatting, and laughing together. But now, we are unable to leave our homes,” Fatima said.
Nabila, a young woman who serves as a teacher in a government school, shared that a meeting was held at their school yesterday where the school principal emphasized that teachers should not be absent the next day of the New Year. If they do not attend school due to celebrating Nowruz and are absent, they will be reprimanded and considered absent for three days as a penalty.
Despite Nawruz having deep roots in the history of this country and Central Asian nations for thousands of years, the Taliban view this cultural and historical celebration as associated with non-Muslim cultures and the festival of polytheists. They have prohibited the people of Afghanistan from participating in this grand celebration for nearly three years.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
