Thousands in Qamishlo demand constitutional recognition of Kurdish language

On the occasion of Kurdish Language Day, which falls on May 15th each year, teachers, students, political parties, and residents of Qamishlo organized a march to demand recognition of the Kurdish language and its inclusion in the constitution.

Residents, students, and teachers participated in the march, dressing in their traditional attire, carrying banners with "The Kurdish language is our political identity and our constitutional right," "Our language is our identity," and "Our rights must be guaranteed in the constitution" written on. They chanted slogans demanding linguistic rights and Kurdish national identity.

Before the march began at The Soni Roundabout in the city center, the artist Mezgin Tahir and students performed the song "Şîrîn û Xweş e Zimanê Kurdî" (Sweet and beautiful is the Kurdish language). The demonstrators also chanted the slogan, "There is no life without language."

The march headed towards al-Shuhadaa (The Martyrs) Square in the city center, where it turned into a mass gathering that began with holding a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs' souls, and students chanting the national anthem "Ay Raqib".

During the gathering, Samira Haj Ali; the co-chair of the Education Authority of the Autonomous Administration, delivered a speech congratulating students, teachers, and the people on the Kurdish Language Day. She highlighted the efforts made to promote education in the Kurdish language, stating, "Our martyrs inscribed the letters of the Kurdish language with their blood and made immense sacrifices. Thanks to this, we have achieved great successes. Our children now study in schools and universities in their mother tongue and conduct their business in it, and this is a great achievement."

Regarding the dialogue on language rights, Samira added, "We will all work to ensure that our language is included in the country's constitution, and we will not accept only two class periods per week."

For his part, Shero Sherro; the member of the Workers' Union, congratulated workers on International Workers' Day, which falls on May 1st, saying, "We congratulate the great laborer, Leader Abdullah Ocalan, on this day. Our people are demanding their legitimate rights and their language, and we, as workers, will continue to demand these rights until the end."

The gathering concluded with the chanting of the slogan "There is no life without language."

ANHA