Mr. Speaker, this week we mark Yalda, an old Aramaic word marking Show Chilla Hanari. It marks the winter solstice, an ancient practice celebrated for thousands of years across Iran and surrounding states. It is also called pomegranate night by Kurds from Rojhelat.
Yalda falls on the longest night of the year and symbolizes the renewal of light over darkness, a time for reflection and hope. Yet in Iran, the light of Yalda represented is dimmed by the Islamic regime that continues to suppress free speech and women's rights. Recently, Parastoo Ahmadi, a courageous singer, was arrested for performing solo and without the forced hijab at a caravanserai in Kavir National Park defying those oppressive Islamic laws. Her courage echoes that of others like Armita Geravand and Jina Amini murdered by the regime or Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, who continue to fight for justice.
To all those celebrating Yalda in Canada, Show Chilla Hanari Piroz. Jin, jiyan, azadi. Zan, zendegi, azadi.