Assyrians Prevented From Celebrating Traditional New Year in Northern Iraq

    


Northern Iraq – AINA — Authorities in northern Iraq’s Dohuk province have said they will not allow any celebration of the traditional Assyrian New Year known as Akitu. The celebration, which is normally held on the first of April, marks the beginning of the Assyrian new year according to the ancient calendars.

The current Assyrian year is 6759.

Since 1991, when Northern Iraq was transformed into a safe haven for Assyrians and Kurds from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, the Assyrian Democratic Movement held Akitu celebrations each year. The celebrations attract up to 50,000 people.