California State Senate approves SCR22, recognizes Kha b’Nissan-Akitu as the New Year for Suraye

SACRAMENTO, United States – In a historic nod to the cultural heritage of the Suraye (Assyrian-Aramean-Chaldean) people, the California State Senate has passed resolution SCR22 recognizing Kha b’Nissan-Akitu as a celebrated New Year’s holiday in the biggest state of the country. The resolution, introduced by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Merced), received majority approval this week in Sacramento, affirming the first of April as Kha b’Nissan-Akitu and urging the preservation of the traditions, churches, and institutions of the Suraye (Assyrian-Aramean-Chaldean) people living in California. The proposal passed with 29 votes in favor and 11 abstentions. 

In remarks before the Senate, Alvarado-Gil described Kha b’Nissan-Akitu as a celebration steeped in millennia of history. “This festival dates back thousands of years and represents the renewal of life, the beginning of spring, and the enduring spirit of a people who have withstood the tides of history,” she said. 

Observed from March 21 through April 1, Kha b’Nissan-Akitu marks the New Year and has long been celebrated in the homeland of Beth Nahrain (Mesopotamia) and by diaspora communities across the globe, including Iraq, Australia, and the United States. California, with one of the largest Suraye (Assyrian-Aramean-Chaldean) populations in the U.S., has become a hub for preserving and celebrating this cultural identity. 

Alvarado-Gil emphasized the enduring presence and contributions of the Suraye communities in the state, particularly in Stanislaus County, where a vibrant and active population has established churches, civic organizations, and community centers. 

“For decades, the Assyrian community has enriched our state through its deep cultural roots, its thriving businesses, and its leadership in civil society,” the senator said. “This resolution is more than symbolic—it’s a recognition of California’s multicultural tapestry and a call to preserve the languages, customs, and histories that shape it.” 

Recognition amid cultural advocacy 

The resolution arrives at a time when cultural preservation has taken on new urgency for Suraye and other indigenous peoples of the Middle East, many of whom have fled persecution and instability in their countries of origin. In California, the community has been instrumental in advocating for religious freedom, educational programs in native languages, and public awareness of their heritage. 

The proposal now heads for potential discussion in the U.S. Senate, where supporters hope it will bolster efforts to recognize the Suraya diaspora on a national level. 

For many, the recognition of Kha b’Nissan-Akitu is not merely a gesture, but a meaningful affirmation of identity in a country they now call home. As Senator Alvarado-Gil concluded in her speech, “This is a celebration not just of a new year—but of resilience, culture, and belonging.”