In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Nowruz 1404 and the Arrival of Spring
We sincerely congratulate all nations that honor Nowruz and our dear compatriots on the arrival of Nowruz 1404 and the beginning of spring—a season of growth, renewal, hope, freshness, and prosperity.
The national traditions of Afghanistan are among the most ethical and purest traditions in history. Our people have preserved Nowruz for centuries, and in Afghanistan, this celebration is intertwined with human values such as kindness and maintaining family ties. One of the unique aspects of our dear people is that they accompany Nowruz with prayers and spiritual devotion. This year, the arrival of spring coincides with the “Spring of the Quran” and fasting, making the spiritual and compassionate atmosphere of the Afghan people even more profound.
The greatest lesson of Nowruz and spring is generosity and forgiveness. Just as spring does not withhold its rain and freshness from anyone, how beautiful it would be if we humans also embraced others, our environment, and society with such kindness. Let us wish goodness, joy, and social blessings for everyone and avoid unjust discrimination. Let us love all our compatriots regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or sect and treat everyone based on humanity, good morals, fairness, and justice.
The Situation in Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule, Nearly four years after the Taliban returned to power, the human rights and civil liberties situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly. The Taliban, by implementing strict laws, have deprived women of many of their fundamental rights, severely restricted freedom of speech and the press, and subjected religious and ethnic minorities to widespread human rights violations. Their prisons and detention centers are filled with political prisoners and opposition members. Additionally, the suspension of international aid, the severance of economic relations with many countries, and widespread unemployment have led to a severe economic crisis.
During this period, we have witnessed waves of migration, displacement, and asylum-seeking, and unfortunately, mass migrations continue, creating further challenges for Afghanistan’s development and progress. The Taliban’s rise to power has fostered an atmosphere of fear, leading to an uncertain and unstable future for the country, making life unbearable for the Afghan people. Regrettably, alongside their clear hostility toward Afghan culture, they have also banned Nowruz, reflecting their rigid and extremist ideology—one rooted in enmity toward our values and civilizational heritage and continuing the policy of identity erasure.
Despite these crises, the international community has remained largely passive, merely observing the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
The years of Taliban rule have been filled with bitter events. However, our nation has always strived to navigate these hardships with dignity, endure difficulties, and seize opportunities to guide life toward a better future with hope.
We assure our wise and insightful people that we remain steadfast in defending their interests and serving their national and Islamic aspirations. We will spare no effort in this path.
In the New Year’s prayer, we ask God to grant us a transformation for the better. “Ahsan al-Haal” means turning our weaknesses and shortcomings into strengths. InshaAllah, with the blessings of this occasion and our prayers, the new year will be one of success and honor for the Afghan nation in all fields.
Once again, we extend our warmest congratulations on the arrival of the New Year to all nations that celebrate Nowruz, to the honorable families of the martyrs of Afghanistan’s freedom struggle, to the brave and resilient women and girls deprived of education, to all our fellow citizens from different ethnic groups and social classes, to Afghans living abroad, and to all those who hold our beloved Afghanistan close to their hearts.