The Islamic Republic's Efforts to Prevent Nowruz Celebrations in Kurdish Regions

On Friday, March 15, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' attempts to prevent Nowruz celebrations in Bukan and Oshnaviyeh, stating that security forces in Kermanshah have also tried to stop citizens from attending the Nowruz festival. According to the report, on Friday, the IRGC set up checkpoints with vehicles equipped with heavy weapons on the roads to the villages of 'Kani-Sork' and 'Singan' in Oshnaviyeh, inspecting citizens' vehicles and interrogating passengers. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network added that these forces also patrolled some streets in Oshnaviyeh to create an atmosphere of fear and prevent gatherings. Additionally, IRGC forces were stationed on the road to 'Nobar' village in Bukan to prevent citizens from traveling to Mount 'Taraghe' for Nowruz celebrations. In this context, several citizens and Kurdish activists in these two cities were summoned by the intelligence department and the IRGC intelligence organization and warned about holding non-governmental ceremonies. Despite these threats and the extensive presence of security forces, Nowruz celebrations were held on Friday afternoon in this region. Reports from Saqqez also indicated that Nowruz celebrations took place in several areas of this county. Some social media users shared videos from the celebrations, noting that thousands participated in the Nowruz festivities in the birthplace of Mahsa Amini, who was killed in custody in September 2022. The Hengaw Human Rights Organization also reported on social media that the Nowruz celebration in the Sahip district of Saqqez was attended by over 30,000 people. In this regard, Shirin Ebadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of the Center for the Defense of Human Rights, wrote on her Telegram channel on Saturday, March 16: 'Anything that symbolizes joy, life, freedom, and the well-being of citizens threatens the survival of the Islamic Republic. That is why they use all their power to prevent Nowruz celebrations in Kurdish cities of Iran.' She added, 'Government forces in these cities, armed with semi-heavy weapons, attempt to create intimidation and fear, unaware that the short lifespan of the regime holds no value against this ancient tradition.' Previously, Seyyed Sadegh Hosseini, the commander of the IRGC in Ilam, warned Kurdish citizens about holding Nowruz celebrations, stating: 'No agency is authorized to issue permits for the Nowruz festival, and we must all coordinate in dealing with ceremonies that have no compatibility with our culture.' Allahnoor Karimi Tabar, the Friday prayer leader appointed by Ali Khamenei in Ilam, warned the organizers of the Nowruz celebrations, claiming that such ceremonies are 'in opposition to the culture and customs of society' and are planned by what he called 'the enemy.' Despite these pressures, the Nowruz celebration in the city of Malekshahi, Ilam, was held with widespread public participation on Thursday, March 14. In recent weeks, media reports have indicated the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence's efforts to prevent people from Marivan from attending Nowruz celebrations wearing 'Jamanah' and 'Khaki' clothing. According to Hengaw, over 60 young citizens from Marivan were summoned by the city's intelligence office and threatened not to participate in Nowruz celebrations wearing 'Jamanah' and 'Khaki' clothing. Reports also indicate that in recent weeks, 58 citizens from Piranshahr were summoned to one of the branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in this county and accused of 'propaganda against the regime' for holding dances and celebrations and symbolic acts. Previously, human rights activists reported in April 2022 the summoning and detention of dozens in Kurdish regions of Iran due to holding Nowruz celebrations. The reasons for these summonses and detentions were to prevent the holding of Nowruz ceremonies according to customary practices in Kurdish areas, including wearing colorful clothing, playing cheerful and epic music, local dances, lighting fires, and dancing around the fire.