Nowruz, the ancient spring festival, was celebrated this year with great joy and splendor in many countries. In the city center of Ağrı in Turkish Kurdistan, thousands gathered to honor the day with music performances, local dances, and the wearing of traditional Kurdish clothing. Women and youth in colorful Kurdish attire added a special beauty to the event, filling the city with excitement and enthusiasm.
In Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and other countries within the Nowruz sphere, people welcomed the new year with traditional rituals and public celebrations. In Iran, Chaharshanbe Suri and the Haft-Seen table remain integral parts of Nowruz festivities, while in Central Asia, laying out Nowruz spreads and playing traditional games have given the celebration a distinctive charm.
However, in Afghanistan—where Nowruz was long celebrated as a national holiday, particularly in cities like Mazar-i-Sharif with special ceremonies—the atmosphere has changed. Since the Taliban came to power, the celebration of Nowruz has been banned, and the day no longer holds a place in the country’s national calendar.
Since taking control in August 2021, the Taliban have prohibited many cultural and social events in Afghanistan, claiming that celebrating such days contradicts their interpretation of Sharia law.
