Hundreds of thousands of Kurds celebrate Newroz in Istanbul
Also in Turkey
Russia extradites former HDP representative to Turkey
CHP says nearly 15 million voted for ex-mayor Imamoglu as presidential candidate
Istanbul mayor 'temporarily' suspended on corruption charges: Turkish interior ministry
Istanbul court arrests Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - This year's Newroz celebrations in Istanbul were among the largest in recent history, with hundreds of thousands gathering at Yenikapi Square to mark the Kurdish New Year.
The celebration, held on Sunday, was organized by the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and several other organizations.
Speaking to Rudaw, the co-chair of the DEM Party, Tuncer Bakirhan, hoped the celebration would bring about 'peace, dignity, and freedom."
A Kurdish resident in Turkey, Celal Duman, said, "I salute Kurdistan and congratulate our people on Newroz. Kurds from all four parts of Kurdistan [in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran] are here in Istanbul.' Another attendees, Deniz, emphasized the Kurds' desire for peace, stating, "We want peace to prevail."
At the event, an old message from Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, was played on a large screen. Many attendees chanted the slogan "Long live Leader Apo," referring to Ocalan, while holding up posters of him.
Ocalan in late February issued a landmark message urging the PKK to disarm and disband as an initiative to propel peace talks with Turkey, and end the four-decade-long conflict between the two sides that has claimed the lives of some 40,000 people.
Speaking to Rudaw, Kurdish politician Gultan Kisanak called for the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue, stating, "I hope that the will of the Kurds, which emerges in Newroz, is respected and the Kurdish issue is resolved in peaceful and democratic ways."
Meanwhile, DEM Party MP, George Aslan, who is Assyrian, extended his congratulations to the Kurdish people in both Turkey and Syria during the event. "Here from Istanbul, I congratulate the Kurdish people on Newroz" he said.
Istanbul is home to the largest Kurdish population in Turkey, with estimates suggesting between two and three million Kurds live in the city. The celebration saw the participation of several prominent political figures who shared their views on the occasion and the Kurdish cause.
Newroz, which marks the first day of spring, is celebrated by millions of Kurds in the Kurdistan Region and Kurdish regions in Turkey, Iran, and Syria. The Kurdish diaspora in the West also celebrate Newroz.
On Newroz eve, bonfires are traditionally lit, often on mountain or hill tops. In the days that follow, Kurds often go on picnics and light bonfires with their families and loved ones to mark the occasion which symbolizes freedom and resistance against tyranny.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
US envoy warns of assassination threat to Syria's Al-Sharaa
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack voiced concern over the safety of Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, warning that his efforts to promote inclusive governance and build relations with the West could make him a target for assassination by what he described as 'disgruntled militants.' In remarks to Al-Monitor, Barrack called for the establishment of a coordinated protection system around al-Sharaa, underscoring that US and Syrian interests are increasingly aligned. Barrack also highlighted the continuing risk posed by armed factions of foreign fighters who had joined forces with al-Sharaa during the campaign that led to the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in early December. Although the current leadership is working to integrate these fighters into the national army, he noted they remain susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups, including ISIS. That risk, Barrack added, is part of a broader set of challenges confronting al-Sharaa's administration. These include the integration of Kurdish military units into the national army, the absorption of foreign fighter formations, and the management of extensive detention facilities across northern Syria. Turning to regional dynamics, Barrack voiced cautious optimism that, despite the absence of direct communication, Israel and the new Syrian leadership could reach a tacit understanding, warning that any military escalation at this point would carry severe consequences for all sides.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
President Barzani mourns former KRG Interior Minister Karim Sinjari
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani extended his condolences following the death of former Interior Minister and senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official Karim Sinjari. A statement released by the Region's Presidency described Sinjari as a 'prominent KDP leader and veteran fighter,' with Barzani expressing his 'sincere sympathy' to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late official. Reflecting on Sinjari's legacy, Barzani highlighted his upbringing in a patriotic environment, citing his ''lifelong dedication'' to the Peshmerga and the Kurdish cause. Sinjari passed away earlier on Tuesday at the age of 75, after a period of declining health. During his tenure as Minister of Interior in the Kurdistan Regional Government's eighth cabinet, Sinjari was widely recognized for strengthening the Region's internal security apparatus. He also played a key role in maintaining stability during periods of conflict with ISIS and heightened political tensions with the Iraqi government in Baghdad.
Iraqi News
10 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Israel deports Greta Thunberg after intercepting Gaza-bound aid boat
Tel Aviv – Israel said campaigner Greta Thunberg left the country on a flight to Sweden via France on Tuesday, after she was detained along with other activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat. Of the 12 people on board the Madleen carrying food and supplies for Gaza, five French activists were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily. Israeli forces intercepted the boat, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters on Monday and towed it to the port of Ashdod. They were then transferred to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, the foreign ministry said. 'Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France),' Israel's foreign ministry said on its official X account on Tuesday, along with a photo of the activist sitting on board a plane. Five French activists who were also aboard the Madleen were set to face an Israeli judge, the French foreign minister said. 'Our consul was able to see the six French nationals arrested by the Israeli authorities last night,' Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X. 'One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings.' In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel's foreign ministry said the activist group had arrived at Ben Gurion airport to 'return to their home countries'. 'Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority,' it said on X. The vessel carrying French, German, Brazilian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish and Dutch activists had the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid and breaking the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territory. – Dire humanitarian conditions – Israel's interception of the Madleen about 185 kilometres (115 miles) west of the coast of Gaza, was condemned by Turkey as a 'heinous attack' and Iran denounced it as 'a form of piracy' in international waters. In May, another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, was damaged in international waters off Malta as it headed to Gaza, with the activists saying they suspected an Israeli drone attack. A 2010 Israeli commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a similar attempt to breach the naval blockade, left 10 civilians dead. On Sunday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said the blockade, in place for years before the Israel-Hamas war, was needed to prevent Palestinian militants from importing weapons. Israel is facing mounting pressure to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate widespread shortages of food and basic supplies. Israel recently allowed some deliveries to resume after barring them for more than two months and began working with the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. But humanitarian agencies have criticised the GHF and the United Nations refuses to work with it, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality. Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 54,927 people, the majority civilians, have been killed in the territory since the start of the war. The UN considers these figures reliable. Out of 251 taken hostage during the Hamas attack, 54 are still held in Gaza including 32 the Israeli military says are dead.
