The Babylonian – Assyrian New Year, Akitu, is a Syrian national holiday. National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, NCSROF.

The Babylonian – Assyrian New Year, Akitu, is a Syrian national holiday.

National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, NCSROF.

News Release:

The political body of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces decided in its regular meeting on 3/30/2021 to recognize the Assyrian- Babylonian New Year “Akitu” as a Syrian national holiday, and to consider April 1st of each year an official holiday.

Resolution No. 6/12 H S, date 3/30/2021.

The Political Committee, in its regular meeting, on 3/30/2021 adopted a resolution based on By-Laws and Amendments approved on 30/11/2012 by

the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces has passed the following resolution:

Article 1: The Babylonian Assyrian New Year “Akitu” is considered a Syrian national holiday.

Article 2: The first of April of each year is considered an official holiday.

Mr. Abdul Ahad Astifou, a member of the Political Committee and head of the foreign relations department in the coalition, released a statement to ADO NEWS about this decision, stated: “I think that it is an important and historic decision, and it represents a light of hope on the road ahead to approving this holiday in the new constitution of Syria that we seek and strive to build with our partners and members in the ranks of the Assyrian Democratic Organization and with our allies in the NCSROF and with the rest of our partners in the homeland.”

He added, “This decision impels us to maximize our effort, and to raise the level of our political activities and joint coordination with the rest of our Assyrian parties and institutions in the homeland and abroad, and with the rest of the Syrian political parties, to have this decision adopted and approved in the new Syrian Constitution.”

With regards to the challenges that faced taking such a decision within the coalition, Mr. Astifo added: “I was never surprised by the extent of support by my colleagues in the Political Committee of NCSROF for the proposal submitted by the Assyrian Democratic Organization. This decision was adopted to reflect the consensus among the coalition leadership based on principles of advanced vision of managing the national and religious diversity and the inclusiveness and diversity of the Syrian national identity and the far-sighted consideration of harmony and reconciliation of the Syrian identity that is a reflection of the reality of the national and religious diversity in Syria, and the binding historical background in various stages of Syrian history. This holiday has been present in the conscience of many components of the Syrian people, which is celebrated in various forms and manifestations. Therefore, it is a significant achievement, not only for the Assyrians, but for all Syrians, and it is the victory of modern values, pluralism, and participation based on full and equal rights.

In response to our question about the timing of this decision, Mr. Abdel-Ahad Astifou explained: “As you know political activities require continuity, perseverance and building confidence measures in parallel with an understanding of reality as it is, and not as we desire it to be; is the method adopted by the ADO. The current political situations in Syria are different in some aspects than before, the revolution has provided an opportunity for people to get to know each other. They have become acquainted with many national issues and concerns that have remained confined to the secret vaults of the Assad’s regime and despotism of the Baath Party ideology and their oppressive rule that detached politics from society and distorted the structures and institutions of the society and its important role. Today, any observer can notice the great increase in the interaction between Syrians in many instances, including the noticeable acceptance, participation, and increased well-wishing to us on the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, as well as, on Nowruz new year of our Kurdish people; which was approved by the coalition also on the fifteenth of March, as an official holiday. This indicates a growing awareness of diversity in the Syrian society and in democratic values”.

After his statement, Mr. Abdul Ahad Astifou congratulated the Assyrian people and all Syrians on the occasion of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, stressing the continuation of the Assyrian Democratic Organization in its struggle to achieve the constitutional recognition of National Rights and Existence of the Assyrians in Syria and to recognize Syriac language and culture as a national Syrian language and culture in a modern, law-binding democratic state with respect for human rights and full and equal rights for all Syrian.