By: Ibrahim Xeliki

Jan 2, 2006
 
2005 is gone. A lot of analyses were made in Kurdish media for the last few days evaluating 2005 for Kurds. Some stated that Kurds’ gains in 2005 were satisfactory. They were quick to point out that the number of people who marched in a few cities was akin to a revolution. They added that the federal acceptance in Iraq is another big gain for Kurds. I would never argue with window of opportunity in Southern Kurdistan. That is the first concrete historical gain. However, at the onset of the 2006, majority of Kurds are still without identity.
 
If one search all nations/states of worlds will finally notice that Kurdish is the only nation whose language is forbidden.  Under the nose of all nations of the world and in this information age, a language of 20-30 million people is forbidden. Nobody felt shame. No civilization either western or oriental raised a red flag. Neither a single person of faith nor a single person of ungodly raised concern. No people in the rogue state of Turkey either Kurd or Turk felt that anything is wrong about this. I agree that we made a lot of noises in 2005. A lot of slogans for different rhetoric were made. Unfortunately, Kurdish language and identity didn’t find many friends in 2005.
 
In 2005, hundred-thousands of Kurdish babies were born to speak a pseudo-language, Turkey’s Turkish. In 2005, Kurdish language wasn’t taught in schools. Pupils in schools didn’t learn their math in Kurdish. A villager who came to local governor couldn’t find help without speaking Turkish. Mothers couldn’t speak their language in hospitals. In courts, we were judged by Turkish speaking barbarians. In mosques, we were lectured by Turkish speaking ignorant where our Kurdish speaking Meles were jailed. Shortly, in 2005 Kurds were still without identity since the language is the identity.
 
Without the language, we cannot claim any positive gains. In fact, Kurds are losing at all fronts. The number of people who speak Kurds in Kurdistan is dwindling.  As such, we should make 2006 the “Year of Struggle for Kurdish Language.” Everyone, mothers, fathers, our kids on mountains, our politicians, villagers, I mean every single Kurd in Kurdistan should work for promotion of Kurdish, that is, fighting for our identity. No leader, no politician, no party, no aim is above Kurdish language and identity. We should not accept any other identity. We surely cannot accept a sub-identity under a pseudo-culture, Turkish identity. Turkish language and identity is formed by Ataturk in 1920s. It is for this fact that I call it pseudo-language. On the other hand, our Kurdish language is spoken since time immemorable. Let’s make 2006 to dump this pseudo-language and struggle for our ancient language.

I pray to God/Allah/Xwede that the Kurdish is finally free in 2006. It is not 45 minutes of permission from a barbaric nation. I mean free all together.