Rabat - Hamid Chabat, Secretary General of the Istiqlal, an opposition party, has reportedly proclaimed January 13, which marks the Amazigh New Year, a paid holiday for the workers of the Istiqlal Party.
Chabat’s new measure will benefit employees of the Istiqlal Party all over the kingdom, including those who work the party’s two dailies Al Alam and L'Opinion.
Amazigh activists and NGOs called on the government to recognize the Amazigh New Year as a national holiday.
Although this day has not yet been recognized as a national holiday, Moroccan Amazigh never miss this occasion to celebrate and exchange wishes and prayers during this day.
While the Amazigh New Year Event is celebrated every January 12, a minor proportion of Moroccans realize the symbolic and historical implications of this event.
Under different names, Yennayer is celebrated by both Arab and Amazigh speaking communities. The Arab speaking community in old cities referred to this traditional event as “Haguza” or “Aam Alfilahi” (the Agrarian year). The Amazigh people, especially those who live in the south east of Morocco, call it “Id Suggas” (the night of the year). “Id Suggas” is a very traditional festivity on the Eve of the Amazigh New Year.