Afghan women’s rights activists have secretly celebrated Yalda Night in Kabul and Herat as a form of protest against the Taliban’s restrictive policies on women.
The protesters said they quietly observed the cultural event, engaging in activities like storytelling, poetry readings, and lighting candles.
“Yalda Night is an event rooted in nature and God’s creation; a celebration of hope and the victory of light over darkness. This tradition does not conflict with Islamic Sharia,” the statement said.
The activists also condemned the Taliban’s efforts to restrict cultural practices, calling them a form of repression against women, youth, and individual freedoms. They said that such actions cannot be justified by religious beliefs.
The statement said that Yalda Night carries a message of hope.
“The longest night is always followed by the dawn,” according to the statement.
Twenty-four-year-old Mozhgan* celebrated Yalda Night alongside other protesting women, marking a departure from previous years.
“This year, I spent Yalda Night differently. I decided to stand with women who were fighting for their rights and freedom, women who resist under the most difficult conditions,” she said.
“In a situation where the Taliban have imposed heavy restrictions on women, we are trying to examine the impact of these restrictions not only on women’s freedom but also on our cultural, social opportunities, and deeply rooted traditions,” she added.
Meanwhile, for 25-year-old Nargis*, Yalda Night was an opportunity to honor friendship, family, and relatives. She celebrated the occasion with her family at her grandmother’s house.
Criticizing the Taliban’s decree declaring Yalda Night as forbidden or “haram,” she said, “The Taliban relate everything to religion and claim that celebrating this night is infidelity and goes against Islam. But for us, Yalda Night is a symbol of unity, solidarity, and togetherness.”
Dr. Ahmad Ghani Khosrawi, a lecturer at Bard College Berlin, said that in ancient Ariana, Yalda Night symbolized the victory of light over darkness and was celebrated as the most important night of the year.
He added that Yalda and Nawroz not only do not contradict Islam but are also part of the shared cultural identity of Persian-speaking countries.
“Despite the pressures to eliminate these celebrations, Yalda has maintained its place in the hearts of the people. No government or individual can erase Yalda,” Dr. Khosrawi said.
“People will always celebrate this night, even in the face of all pressures. This tradition is not only alive, but it has also taken deeper roots in our society. No one can interfere with the private lives of people and prevent them from celebrating Yalda,” he added.
On December 24 last year, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a statement on X, declaring that Yalda Night is “haram and sinful” and that its celebration has no place in Islam.
Yalda is an ancient celebration in Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iraqi Kurdistan, marking the longest night of the year.
Note*: Some of the names are changed due to security reasons.
