Purple Saturdays Movement Calls Nowruz a Symbol of Cultural Resistance Against the Taliban

The statement, released on the eve of the new solar year, emphasized that celebrating Nowruz is an act of protest and a call for freedom in the face of the Taliban’s efforts to distort and erase Afghanistan’s cultural and social values.

The movement stated: "At a time when the Taliban, with their anti-cultural, misogynistic, and tribal mindset, seek to redefine Afghanistan’s identity, society, and culture through their primitive ideology, celebrating Nowruz is not merely an ancient tradition but a conscious act of resistance and a symbol of the message of freedom."

The Purple Saturdays Movement highlighted that the fight against the Taliban is not limited to political and social spheres, stressing the importance of cultural resistance. It described Nowruz as a symbol of unity and defiance against the group’s oppression and misogyny.

The movement called on all Afghan citizens—particularly protesting women, cultural figures, media professionals, politicians, and civil activists—to use the hashtag #Nowruz to turn this day into a symbol of cultural resistance against the Taliban and to strengthen anti-Taliban struggle in the year 1404.

Additionally, the Purple Saturdays Movement released a video showing one of its members burning images of Taliban leaders while stating: "Nowruz is not forbidden; what is forbidden is the Taliban’s crimes, oppression, and inhumane and un-Islamic repression of the Afghan people, especially women. We must fight against it. Death to the Taliban! Long live Nowruz!"