The municipality is working on the site after relocation of the graves. Photo: 964media
Relocates several gravesites
Akre prepares its famous Newroz Eve celebration
AKRE — In preparation for this year’s Newroz celebrations, the Akre district is initiating the construction of new roads and the expansion of the Seri Akre plateau. This project has led to the relocation of several graves, some over 40 years old, previously situated near the Newroz celebration area, to other cemeteries within Akre.
Bilind Reza Zubair, Mayor of Akre, informed 964media that the city has started to widen main streets in the Seri Akre and Biyuke neighborhoods, along with a street in an older section of Akre. The objective is to enhance traffic flow and accommodate the anticipated surge of visitors for the Newroz festivities.
“With consent from the families, we have moved seven graves from the site to the Akre and Baroki Saida cemeteries, complying with all legal and religious requirements,” he stated.
Additionally, the Mayor mentioned that the expansion plan for the Seri Akre plateau includes adding over 1,000 square meters. The Akre district is working with the Duhok governorate to obtain the necessary funding for this expansion.
Akre’s Newroz celebrations are notably marked by lighting the town with more than 2,000 torches, which are carried up a hill to light up a large Kurdistan flag — a tradition that started in the 1990s.
The Newroz eve event draws thousands from the region and is closely followed by Kurds across the Middle East and the diaspora.
