The Embassy of Afghanistan in Australia announced that on the previous day, in collaboration with the Afghanistan Peace Foundation and several other organizations, it hosted a joint Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr celebration in Canberra. The event was attended by Australian officials, diplomats, cultural activists, and a gathering of citizens of Afghanistan residing in Australia. The embassy stated that the ceremony featured diverse cultural programs, recreational activities, the “Thousands of Suns” campaign in support of women of Afghanistan, and the traditional Samanak-cooking ritual, creating an atmosphere of joy, solidarity, and a vibrant expression of Afghanistan’s culture and identity.
The organizers of the event noted that the program was held in the presence of Australian officials, members of diplomatic missions, representatives of civil society organizations, cultural activists, and a large number of citizens of Afghanistan living in Australia. According to them, the atmosphere of the ceremony effectively reflected the solidarity, shared identity, and cultural bonds of the citizens of Afghanistan in the diaspora.
Wahidullah Waisi, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Australia, and Nader Saiqal, the regional director of the Afghanistan Peace Foundation, officially opened the gathering with their speeches. Julian Hill, a member of the Australian Federal Parliament, Minister for Citizenship, and Chair of the Australia-Afghanistan People’s Friendship Group, Peter Kain, Speaker of the Canberra Assembly, and Brendan Nelson, the representative of the Canberra government and Chair of State International Relations, also delivered speeches at the ceremony.
The speakers emphasized Nowruz as a millennia-old heritage, describing it as a symbol of the connection between cultures and a vital element of the identity of the people of Afghanistan. They also addressed the current situation in Afghanistan, particularly the restrictions and challenges facing women and girls, and stressed the need for the international community to support the fundamental rights of the people of Afghanistan, especially women. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the regional situation and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, with speakers underlining the importance of peace, restraint, and the protection of civilian lives.
Ambassador Wahidullah Waisi, referring to Pakistan’s airstrikes on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul that resulted in hundreds of casualties, strongly condemned the incident.
“Thousands of Suns”: Solidarity with Women of Afghanistan
During the program, the “Thousands of Suns” campaign was introduced to participants, and it was announced that this symbolic initiative had been launched in support of women and girls of Afghanistan. Hundreds of solidarity messages from across Australia in support of the campaign were also displayed, and participants were invited to contribute their own written messages to complete this collective movement.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Canberra announced that the cultural portion of the event was held with a variety of engaging programs. Among the highlights were live musical performances by five artists, the Attan dance, and a special Samanak song performance by the well-known artist Sharif Sahel. According to the embassy, recreational activities such as a tug-of-war competition held in three categories for children, women, and men, along with special children’s programs, created a joyful and warm atmosphere for all attendees. Additionally, the embassy grounds were adorned with Haft-Sin and Haft-Mewa displays, Nowruz traditional foods, showcases of Afghan handicrafts and carpets, and a Nowruz bazaar, presenting a vivid reflection of Afghanistan’s culture and heritage.
The Embassy of Afghanistan announced that participants also took part in the Samanak-cooking ritual and, through their involvement in this ancient tradition, embodied a spirit of solidarity and hope. The event concluded with a raffle draw that was warmly received by attendees. The embassy also expressed its appreciation to the SAWA, RCS, and other organizations and individuals who contributed to the program.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
از جشن نوروز و عید فطر در سفارت افغانستان در کانبرا تجلیل شد
