Rallies in Rojava call for constitutional recognition of Kurdish Language

Marking International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, cities including Hasakah, Qamishlo, Tirbespiyê, Derbasiyah, Tal Tamr, Amuda, and Girkê Legê saw mass demonstrations demanding that Kurdish be officially recognized in the constitution.

Hasakah

The Education Authority in Jazira Canton organized a public march in the city of Hasakah under the slogan, “Education in the mother tongue is our legitimate and fundamental right,” with the participation of Kurdish language teachers, students, and civil society organizations.

Participants carried banners reading, “Language is a barrier, protect your existence,” “Our language is our existence,” and “Language is the strength of unity.”

The march began in front of Leader Apo Park in the al-Nasra neighborhood and proceeded to the Sinalco roundabout in Tal Hajar, where teachers delivered a statement read by Kurdish language teacher Jinda Ahmed.

The statement congratulated the Kurdish people and all peoples of the world on International Mother Language Day and commemorated those who had struggled and sacrificed their lives for the language. It also saluted all peoples fighting to protect their mother tongues.

Addressing the situation in Syria, the statement said: “To safeguard the Kurdish language as a lasting achievement, it must be recognized as an official language in the constitution, and the right to mother tongue education must be guaranteed as a legitimate and fundamental right. The language of the Kurdish people, who live on their historical land, is greater than being defined as a national language allocated only two hours per week as an elective subject with limited cultural activities.”

The march concluded with chants celebrating the Kurdish language.

Qamishlo

The Education Authority in Jazira Canton also organized a march in Qamishlo under the same slogan.

Hundreds of teachers, students, and residents participated, wearing traditional Kurdish clothing in green, red, and yellow.

Kurdistan flags and flags of the People’s and Women’s Protection Units were raised, alongside banners stating, “Our language is our identity,” “No life without language,” and “Our rights must be guaranteed in the constitution,” while songs about the Kurdish language echoed through the streets.

The march began in front of Martyr Sharvan School in the Arboiya neighborhood and concluded with a statement delivered in front of the Jazira Teachers’ Union building. Teacher Asmahan Sido read the statement in Kurdish, and teacher Shirin Faraj read it in Arabic.

The statement congratulated the Kurdish people and all peoples on the occasion, noting that the Kurdish language is currently on the negotiation table. It added that Decree No. 13 concerning the Kurdish language, despite its positive aspects, does not fully guarantee Kurdish linguistic rights.

It called for official constitutional recognition of Kurdish and the protection of education in Kurdish as a legitimate right, rejecting its limitation to two hours per week.

The march ended with songs performed by the Mahmoud Asaad School band and chants of “No life without language.”

Tirbespiyê

In Tirbespiyê, dozens of teachers and residents marked the occasion with a march through the city.

The march started in front of the educational complex and proceeded to Freedom Square. Participants carried flags of the Kurdish Language Institution and banners reading “No life without language” and “Language is our identity.”

After a minute of silence at Freedom Square, teacher Jawaher Temo read a statement highlighting that during the revolution, despite all difficulties, the Kurdish people, with the support of language institutions, adopted and protected their mother tongue.

The statement stressed that the decree issued by the head of the interim government is insufficient and that Kurdish language rights must be formally enshrined in the constitution. It stated, “all components have the right to live in their own language.”

Derbasiyah

In Derbasiyah, the Kurdish Language Institution and the School Administration organized a march involving teachers and civil institutions.

Participants marched toward Free Woman Square carrying banners reading, “Our language is our identity,” “Our rights must be guaranteed in the constitution,” and “Education in the mother tongue is our legitimate and fundamental right.”

At the square, Co-Chair of the Kurdish Language Institution in Derbasiyah, Rizkar Mohammed, delivered a statement honoring those who struggled and sacrificed for the language and reaffirming continued efforts to secure linguistic rights and protect the gains of the linguistic revolution in Rojava.

Tal Tamr

In Tal Tamr, hundreds of students, teachers, and residents participated in a march organized by the School Administration.

The march began at the Martyrs’ Families Council and proceeded through the main streets before gathering near the M4 international highway. Hevidar Mohammed Ali, a member of the Tel Tamr School Administration, said recognizing Kurdish as a national language in Syria is an important step but requires full protection of linguistic rights.

Co-Chair of the Tel Tamr School Administration, Khidr al-Alawi, stated: “Our mother tongue is the bridge linking our past to our present… When we protect our language, we protect our history, culture, and existence.”

Amuda

In Amuda, teachers, students, and residents marched from Free Woman Square to Martyr Jihad Square, carrying banners reading, “The Rojava revolution will prevail through the language revolution,” “Our language is our identity,” and “Our rights must be guaranteed in the Syrian constitution.”

Following a minute of silence, Co-Chair of Amuda School Administration, Hanaa Khaled, delivered a statement affirming the Kurdish people’s right to freely speak and constitutionally secure their ancient language.

Girkê Legê

In Girkê Legê, the School Administration organized a march starting from Martyr Khabat Square and proceeding through the main streets.

Participants carried banners reading, “Our language is our identity,” and “Education in the mother tongue is a legitimate right.”

Teacher Sima Ibrahim addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of peaceful struggle for constitutional recognition of Kurdish and its inclusion in all stages of education.

She emphasized that the mother tongue is not merely a means of communication but a vessel of culture, history, and collective memory.

The march concluded with renewed calls to safeguard the mother tongue and ensure its inclusion in Syria’s new constitution.

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ANHA