Suraya Dalil: Celebrating Uzbek Language Day Is a Stand Against Linguistic Discrimination in Afghanistan
Suraya Dalil, former Minister of Public Health and Uzbek political activist, emphasized that the celebration of National Uzbek Language Day in various countries is not merely a cultural event but conveys a significant political and legal message. According to her, this celebration represents opposition to the neglect of languages and ethnic identities that often face discrimination and pressure.
Dalil added that the strong presence of Afghans in events commemorating National Uzbek Language Day—marked by traditional clothing, local music performances, and native cuisine—demonstrates the preservation of cultural and linguistic identity among the country’s people. She stressed that the ceremony carries a clear message that language and ethnic identity cannot be ignored or marginalized under the pretext of political discrimination.
Furthermore, the former Minister of Public Health indirectly criticized the Taliban administration’s restrictive approaches toward Afghanistan’s linguistic diversity, emphasizing the need to guarantee the right to education in mother tongues and respect for linguistic identities within the country’s political framework. She described the Uzbek language as a shared heritage of all Afghans, asserting that it does not belong solely to the Uzbek ethnic group but is part of the national cultural capital.
In this context, Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum also accused the Taliban administration of ignoring the rights of Afghanistan’s ethnic groups and languages on the occasion of this national day, stressing the necessity of preserving and strengthening the position of the country’s official and native languages.
