Historic Nowruz Celebrations Among Syrian Kurds Mark a New Beginning
Syrian Kurds celebrated Nowruz for the first time since the fall of Assad’s regime, with large gatherings in major cities. Activists emphasized Kurdish rights and unity, highlighting this event as a new beginning for a democratic Syria. Coastal areas and Sweida joined in solidarity, marking a shift in national identity.
On Thursday, Kurdish cities across Syria celebrated Nowruz with profound enthusiasm, marking the first festivities since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Major cities such as Qamishli, Afrin, Kobani, Hasakah, and Derik were filled with jubilant crowds who engaged in traditional dances around the symbolic Nowruz fire.
Sherin Sheikhy from Qamishli expressed the significance of this moment, stating, “This is the first time we celebrate Nowruz without the Baath regime and Al-Assad’s rule.” She emphasized the aspiration for a “new, free, and democratic Syria that guarantees Kurdish national rights,” reflecting the celebratory spirit.
Sheikhy described this occasion as a pivotal moment, asserting that “no future government in Syria can marginalize or deny Kurdish rights anymore.” Furthermore, for the first time, individuals in Syria’s coastal regions and in the Druze-majority city of Sweida participated by lighting Nowruz flames, showcasing their solidarity with the Kurdish population.
Kurdish activist Shiyar Younis remarked on the long-standing suppression of Kurdish-Syrian unity by Al-Assad’s regime, stating, “For decades, the regime sowed division among Syrians, but today, people are celebrating Nowruz together without fear.” Nowruz serves as a vital occasion for Kurds to reaffirm their national identity and historical connections to their land.
The Nowruz celebrations among Syrian Kurds signify a historic turning point following the downfall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. These festivities symbolize the aspirations for a democratic Syria that honors Kurdish rights. The unity exhibited by various communities in celebrating Nowruz together marks a hopeful step towards reconciliation and shared identity in the region.
Original Source: shafaq.com
