Our correspondent Naseem Sadiq met Tooma Khoushaba, a member of the executive committee of Abnaa Al-Nahrain Party, who told SBS Assyrian "We are celebrating this year's new year or kha Bnisan in the city of Shirqat which was the city of Ashur during the Assyrian empire."
Mr Khoushaba mentioned that although there were no Assyrians living in this city, most of its inhabitants were Arabs Muslims and many of them believed they were the descendants of Assyrians and were proud to be living there.
This year's celebration of Assyrian New Year on 1 April 2022, is organised by the Abnaa Al-Nahrain party which will include all the components of the Iraqi people from Assyrians, Arabs, Yezidis, Kurds and Turkomans. It is a celebration for all the people of Mesopotamia.
Mr Khoushaba said, "This celebration is open to everyone, Abnaa Al-Nahrain has sent official invitations to all Assyrian organisations, political parties and other Assyrian entities."
Finally, Mr Khoushaba said the party was asking the Iraqi government to make 1 April a public holiday for all of Iraq.
Watch this promo video for the festival (source Abnaa Al-Nahrain).
