RASC News Agency: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, widely referred to as the “Godfather of the Mafia”, has once again stirred controversy by making an ill-conceived declaration, stating his intent to redefine Nowruz as the “Day of Turkic Unity.” Erdogan’s remarks come despite Nowruz being one of the most ancient and significant Iranian festivals, celebrated for millennia by the peoples of Greater Iran particularly Persian-speaking communities worldwide. Historians and cultural analysts have raised serious concerns over Erdoğan’s increasingly extreme pan-Turkic rhetoric, warning that his administration and its radical nationalist supporters are actively attempting to recast historical narratives to serve their ethno-nationalist agenda. They argue that the latest effort to appropriate Nowruz is part of a broader attempt to reshape history through the lens of extreme pan-Turkism.
Erdogan and his inner circle, who initially rose to power under the banner of Islam, have since abandoned religious rhetoric in favor of ethnic nationalism, fueling sectarian divisions and ethnic tensions. Under his rule, Turkey’s Kurdish population the country’s largest ethnic minority has faced severe persecution, with thousands imprisoned, subjected to systematic oppression, or even executed. Ironically, radical Turkish nationalists once denounced Nowruz as an “Iranian and foreign celebration,” imposing strict bans and severe penalties on its observance. However, Erdogan has now reversed course, attempting to appropriate this ancient festival and reframe it within the ideological framework of extremist pan-Turkism.
Cultural experts argue that such attempts to seize Persian historical and cultural heritage stem from a deep-rooted insecurity among Turkish nationalist rulers, including Erdogan, who suffer from a glaring lack of historical and civilizational depth. As a result, they have embarked on a calculated effort to co-opt the cultural legacies of other civilizations, frequently falsely attributing renowned Muslim scholars, Persian, Arab, and Kurdish luminaries to Turkic ancestry. Meanwhile, millions of Iranians and Persian-speaking communities worldwide have strongly reaffirmed that Nowruz will forever remain a cultural and historical festival deeply rooted in Persian heritage. They emphasize that no political maneuvering can sever Nowruz from the rich history and enduring cultural identity of the Persianate world.
