Canadian parliamentarians extend their Newroz messages to people of Kurdistan

TORONTO (Kurdistan 24) – As Kurds around the world welcome the celebration of a new year, politicians in Canada extended their congratulations to the people of Kurdistan on Newroz.

Ali Ehsassi, a Member of the Canadian Parliament for the city of Willowdale in Ontario, Canada, wished “every member of the Kurdish community a very happy Newroz.”

“I certainly hope that in the year ahead, all that you will experience, no matter where you live, is happiness, pride, and good health,” he told Kurdistan 24.

Michael Levitt, an MP for York Centre, encouraged the Kurdish people to look forward to the year ahead and rejoice with family.

I would “like to add my good wishes to the Kurdish community here and around the world for Newroz, a time when families come together, when we look forward to the year ahead and when we look at where we are in the world and say there’s always more, there’s always better,” Levitt said.  

Aris Babikian, a Member of the Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt in Ontario, Canada, described Newroz as an opportunity for “rejuvenation of the Kurdish nation.”

“For thousands of years, so many different dictators, and other powers tried to wipe out the Kurdish nation, but they did not succeed, and this is due to the Kurdish people’s survival instinct,” Babikian told Kurdistan 24.

“Newroz is time to give blessing to our fortunes and also to look forward and to pass that message to the new generation.”

Vincent Ke, an MPP for Don Valley North, said Newroz is an opportunity to strengthen friendships, celebrate with family, and help those who are less fortunate.

“I would like to say Happy Newroz to all the Kurdish community in Toronto, Iraq, and everywhere in the world.”

Newroz marks the coming of Spring and the start of a new year. The Kurds celebrate the occasion from March 21 to 23 annually.

For the Kurdish people, Newroz is an event which symbolizes their revolution and struggles throughout history. It has also become one of the most common festivals in the region, growing in popularity each year.