Why the Taliban Banned Nawruz: The Solar New Year Celebration

Today is Nowruz (the new day), and it is the new year in Afghanistan, Iran, and many countries in Central Asia.

In every home, the Haftseen table is decorated with seven items because seven is considered a lucky number. Each item begins with the letter sin (s) in Persian, and each item is a symbol of spring and renewal. Image source: here

The Taliban banned the celebration of Nawruz for the second time this year. The group first the Solar New Year Celebration banned when it dominated the country in the late 1990s. The celebration of Nawruz, a holiday with ancient roots in Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia, has faced challenges and restrictions for a long time. This has been particularly evident in countries with political and social tensions, where the celebration of Nawruz has been banned or severely limited.

One example is the Chinese government’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China. The Uyghurs are predominantly Muslim and have a rich cultural heritage that includes the celebration of Nawruz. However, the Chinese government has cracked down on Uyghur cultural practices and has actively sought to suppress the celebration of Nawruz. In some cases, Chinese officials have confiscated traditional Nawruz decorations, such as flowers and banners, and have destroyed or banned them. There have also been reports of Chinese officials banning Uyghurs from wearing traditional clothing and performing traditional dances…