Assyrian political party rejects exclusion of Akitu and Newroz from Syria’s list of official holidays

The Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), representing a majority of Assyrians in Syria, has expressed strong disapproval of the Syrian government’s decision to exclude Akitu, the Assyrian New Year, from the newly released list of official national holidays.

In a statement issued Sunday 5 September, the ADO acknowledged the inclusion of the anniversary of the Syrian Revolution on March 18 and the “Victory Day” on December 8, as well as the government’s effort to respect the country’s religious diversity in its calendar of public holidays. However, the organization criticized the failure to include holidays that reflect Syria’s ethnic and cultural diversity, such as Akitu and Newroz.

“We had hoped that the list of official holidays would also take into account Syria’s national diversity by recognizing festivals that express the country’s rich cultural heritage,” the statement read. “Both Akitu (the Assyrian New Year) and Newroz hold deep symbolic meaning for two key components of the Syrian people: the Assyrians and the Kurds.”

The organization described the omission of Akitu as “disappointing” and “contrary to the constitutional declaration that recognizes Syria’s ethnic and cultural diversity.”

“Akitu represents a deep historical and civilizational legacy,” the ADO said. “It is an authentically Syrian festival celebrated on this land for thousands of years. Recognizing such holidays strengthens, rather than weakens, the unity of the new Syria.”

The ADO urged the Syrian presidency to reconsider the national holiday calendar and to officially include Akitu and Newroz as national festivals for all Syrians, symbolizing the shared heritage and diversity of the Syrian people.

“True unity,” the statement concluded, “comes from embracing the richness of Syria’s history and all its components.”