MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Amed (Diyarbakır)- This year’s Newroz has been celebrated in Northern Kurdistan and Türkiye with the motto, “Rêbertiya Azad Civaka Demokratîk/Democratic Society for Freedom”. Since the first fire of Newroz was lit in Amed’s Lice district on March 12, 2025, Newroz has been celebrated in many cities, districts and villages.

In Amed, people have staged torchlight marches in the neighborhoods every night while people have celebrated Newroz in districts during the day. The celebrations have been participated in by thousands, especially women and young people. The women of Amed told NuJINHA that they would celebrate Newroz 2025 with great enthusiasm for the “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” made by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025.

‘Peace must be mutual’

 

“As women, we demand peace and freedom,” said Nazime Çokdalan, one of the women participating in the Newroz celebrations in Amed, calling on the Turkish authorities to take action for peace. “People are tired of war. Now, we demand peace, a peaceful life. The Turkish state must lift the isolation (imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the prison island of Imrali) and accept the ceasefire (declared by the PKK). The Kurdish people have  demanded peace for years despite all kinds of oppression and they have already done their part for peace. Now, the Turkish state must take a step for peace. Peace must be mutual. This year, we have celebrated Newroz by demanding peace. We will light the fire of Newroz by demanding peace.”

‘Those who oppress us will be defeated’

 

Menice Yeni called on everyone to stand by the call made by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. “We must unite to strengthen our struggle for freedom and peace,” she said. “This call is a historic call for us. We must celebrate Newroz with the spirit of this call. I hope this year’s Newroz will be the Newroz of peace and freedom. As women, we know very well that the victory will be ours. Those who oppress us will be defeated.”

‘The Kurdish people must unite’

 

Maşallah Edibe drew attention to the ongoing attacks on Rojava and said, “Rojava is our redline; we will always stand by Rojava. They (Turkish state) continue to talk about war and blood while we demand peace and freedom. We always stand for unity and fraternity. They should stop their attacks (on Rojava) if they also stand for unity and fraternity. The Kurdish people must unite for peace. The state must first release all political prisoners.”

 

Birgül Sarı told us that she would celebrate Newroz on March 21 to voice her demand for peace. “I have participated in the Newroz celebrations for 30 years. This war must end in order to end this bloodshed. Not only the Kurdish people but also all people must demand peace.”