Mass rally calls for official recognition of Kobani name

Today, thousands of residents of Kobani, along with activists, journalists, and intellectuals, organized a mass demonstration and sit-in as part of the campaign launched to preserve the name "Kobani." The event was held under the slogan: "Kobani is an identity that cannot be erased, and a name that deserves official recognition in state documents."

The march began at Ashti Roundabout and proceeded to Free Woman Square in central Kobani. Participants carried banners reading: "No to Ain al-Arab, Yes to Kobani," "Kobani is our identity, Kobani is a red line," and "The name is a right; Kobani is a historical right."

Upon arriving at Free Woman Square, a statement on behalf of the campaign and the city's residents was delivered in Arabic and Kurdish by journalist Khazna Jalal and citizen Sheikh Nabi Hami.

The statement said: "We are here today to affirm that Kobani is not merely the name of a city. It is an identity, a history, a collective memory, and a global symbol of freedom and resistance. The name, recognized around the world and associated with one of humanity's most significant victories against terrorism, is an essential part of the city's identity and heritage.

We call for the official adoption of the name 'Kobani' in all government documents, records, and correspondence because it reflects the city's historical and cultural reality and preserves the status earned through the sacrifices of its people.

At the same time, we reject all forms of humiliation and disrespect faced by Kobani residents in other Syrian cities. Simply identifying themselves as being from Kobani has exposed some citizens to discrimination, contempt, and even assault. The dignity of Kobani's people is not negotiable, and any attack on them is an attack on the values of coexistence and mutual respect.

Since 2014, the world has come to know Syria through Kobani, when the city stood against ISIS mercenaries and marked the beginning of their defeat. Around the world, the name Kobani has become synonymous with courage, resistance, and resilience. It is regrettable that while the name is honored internationally, the new government continues to ignore this reality by insisting on using the name Ain al-Arab.

We call on all social, cultural, and human rights organizations, as well as all Syrians, to respect Kobani's identity, protect the dignity of its people, stand against hate speech and discrimination, and work together to build a country based on equality and mutual recognition.

Political authorities may change words in official documents, but they cannot erase the name engraved in people's hearts. Names forged through sacrifice cannot be erased by decisions, and an identity preserved through struggle cannot be denied. Kobani will remain a name of freedom, a symbol of resistance, and an identity that cannot be compromised."

The event concluded with participants chanting slogans reaffirming their attachment to the city's name, including: "Long live the resistance of Kobani... Kobani forever and always."

ANHA