Leader Ocalan: Sheikh Said's approach to be realized through democratic nation model

The full text of Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s message is as follows:

“To the Centennial Conference of the 1925 Uprising, the Azadi Association, Sheikh Said and His Companions, Collective Memory and Opposition. 

The historical truth we speak of in the person of Sheikh Said goes beyond a mere local uprising. This truth represents a deep-rooted struggle for survival that has left profound marks on the collective memory of the Kurdish people. It is a revolution of Kurdish society, one that arose out of faith, conviction, and willpower in opposition to an imposed monolithic mindset.

Sheikh Said assumed social responsibility as a leader of his time and took a firm stance against the policies of denial that targeted the Kurdish will. This revolution, embodied in his person, is not merely a political reaction, but also a social one— a historical expression of the Kurdish people's loyalty to their own truth.

The centralized policies and singular identity imposed in the early years of the Republic aimed to sever the Kurdish people from their essence. Sheikh Said declared: “We asked for justice, and you sentenced us to death.” With these words, he raised the voice of the people against this policy all the way to the gallows. This statement remains one of the clearest and strongest pieces of evidence that truth does not retreat in the face of oppression. His other statements, such as “Sir Prosecutor, let us go eat meat together,” express the conspiracy he faced, while his words “My grandchildren will surely avenge me” reflect the enduring hope for resistance he left to future generations.

Another point that must be emphasized: like any historical resistance, Sheikh Said’s uprising also carries the context of its era. It should not be connected to the freedom struggle in a sentimental way, but rather by drawing essential lessons and reconstructing its historical continuity along a free and democratic path.

I have taken this tradition as the foundation for the revolutionary transformation of Kurdish freedom. The struggle I lead aims to unite the valuable legacy of past resistance with a pluralistic democratic system and social peace in the future. Sheikh Said’s approach will reach its true meaning when it is combined with today’s model of the democratic nation.

A free Kurdish identity is possible through loyalty to the people’s history, culture, and ethical and political values. Our people must be vigilant in this regard and protect the sacred legacy left by their historical leaders.

On this basis, I respectfully commemorate Sheikh Said and his comrades. I reaffirm my commitment to the values of the struggle on the path of freedom and truth, and I salute all participants with the hope of a successful conference.

Abdullah Ocalan

Imrali / June 2025

A-H 

ANHA