I wish all Kurds in our beloved land and diaspora a happy Nowroz in 2714. From Hawler to Amed, from Sanadanj to Efrin, from London to Los Angeles, we are celebrating our New Year with great hopes for the future. Nowroz rises from its ancient and deep roots to offer us light, life, and liberty.
The year we are leaving behind will be remembered for both its triumphs, trials and tribulations. Our people in Rojava (Western Kurdistan) are making steady progress towards establishing an emergent democracy and rediscovering their hope for freedom. In Lebanon, there is a cultural revival among Kurds. In Amed, the long and hard fought struggle for a just peace continues to be a beacon of hope to reclaim our identity and history. In Eastern Kurdistan, we are building and creating an enduring legacy against the tyranny and injustice of the Islamic Republic. In Southern Kurdistan, we see the promises of a nascent democracy with its flourishing Spring Festival of freedom, attracting many Kurds and non-Kurds to the celebration of diversity and solidarity.
In 2713 we experienced many challenges, losses and sorrows. Western
Kurdistan came under the vicious attacks of monstrous and evil Jihadist
forces. Many of us fell. Tens of thousands of Kurds were displaced, now
living in refugee camps where their living conditions are deteriorating.
We lost our great poet Sherko Bekas whose lament about Halbja and Infal
shook the world. Three bright and brave Kurdish women Fidan Dogan,
left, Leyla Soylemez and Sakine Cansiz were brutally assassinated in
Paris for defending justice and human rights. In Eastern Kurdistan many
cultural and human rights activists and journalists were imprisoned and
executed, with many more on death row.
