Taliban lash against millennial Persian New Year ritual

The spokesman of the Taliban’s ministry of vice and virtue, Molavi Mohammad-Sadeq Akef-Mohajer, said Nowruz was a “magus” holiday, which means the occasion originates from the Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of Persia (ancient Iran.)

The Taliban official said such a holiday was not rooted in Islam, adding, “Nowruz is specific to Magis (pagans). We do not thus see it necessary to mark the occasion.”

“We should wait for a decision by the department for labor and social affairs. In all likelihood, the three [first] days of Nowruz will not be declared holidays,” he said.

During its first rule from 1996-2001, the Taliban group had banned Nowruz, describing it as “an ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship.”

In the years that followed the Taliban’s removal from power, the celebration of Nowruz was observed zealously and enjoyed by Afghans of all backgrounds.

The New Year, which will ring in on March 21, marks the start of the Persian calendar year. It is, however, not just Iranians who celebrate Nowruz, which means New Day. Millions worldwide, mainly in Afghanistan, and the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, and throughout Central Asia, observe the millennial spring ritual.

The United Nations officially recognized the “International Day of Nowruz” with the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly in February 2010.

Nowruz “promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families,” the world body says.