Mass protest in Kobani to defend mother-tongue education

Thousands of students, teachers and residents took to the streets in Kobani to protest the Ministry of Education’s decision to reduce Kurdish language instruction, calling for the decision to be amended and the right to education in the mother tongue to be guaranteed.

NEWS

2 September, 2026 15:41

KOBANI

Thousands of students, teachers and residents of Kobani took part in a protest on Wednesday against the Syrian Transitional Government’s Ministry of Education decision to reduce Kurdish language instruction, reaffirming their right to education in their mother tongue.

The protest was held under the slogans “Our language is our existence and identity” and “Education in the mother tongue is a legitimate and fundamental right.”

Speaking during the protest, Kobani University Co-Chair Shervan Muslim said, “We do not accept this decision. It must be changed because thousands of people in Kurdish areas have received their education in Kurdish.”

Muslim made clear that the Ministry of Education’s decision is inconsistent with academic and scientific laws and standards, stressing the need to review it in a way that guarantees students’ right to education in Kurdish.

The protest concluded with chants reaffirming their commitment to the Kurdish language and calling for the right to education in Kurdish.

ANHA