'The most critical step in the process is granting Kurdish a legal status'

img

MÊRDÎN – Author Ahmet Çelik emphasized that in order for the Kurdish language to become a center of attraction for future generation, it must be granted legal status. He stressed that to avoid setbacks in the ongoing process toward a solution, Kurdish must be officially recognized. 

As part of the May 15 Kurdish Language Day, events are being held under the theme "Status for Kurdish, Education in the Mother Language". These efforts often highlight how recognizing Kurdish and enabling mother tongue education could positively impact the broader Kurdish question. Ahmet Çelik, on of the organizers in Mêrdîn (Mardin), warned that failing to resolve the language issue could hinder progress. 
 
Çelik pointed out that the Kurdish people have reserved their language for centuries despite pressure and assimilation policies, and that this effort must now grow even stronger. 
 
KURDISH FOR 364 DAYS  
 
Çelik stated that limiting the use of Kurdish to just Language Day is a mistake. Çelik said,: “Every day, everywhere, should be Kurdish. We must protect our language.” 
 
Referring to the first Latin-script issue of Hawar magazine on May 15 as a milestone, he honored prominent Kurdish intellectuals like Mîr Celadet, Kamîran Êlî, and Seydayê Cegerxwîn. He likened the need to protect the Kurdish language to how one protects a child or cares for the sick and said: “If we lose our language, we lose our future.”
 
'CONCRETE STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO EMBRACE KURDISH'
 
Çelik noted that Kurdish-related efforts in Mêrdîn have long relied on individuals and lacked institutional support, despite the region’s multilingual character and Kurdish-speaking majority. He said Kurdish must be used not only in speech but in writing, education, commerce, and all areas of life. With its natural potential and literary richness, Mêrdîn can play a central role—but authors, politicians, and local governments must help fill the gaps.
 
KURDISH IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE
 
Çelik argued that for Kurdish to be appealing to new generations, it must have official status. 
 
“Without recognition as an official and educational language, Kurdish will not become a focal point,” he said ans stressed the example of graduates from Artuklu University’s Kurdish program struggling to find employment, he underlined the urgency of addressing the issue. 
 
Calling status recognition the most vital component Çelik continued: “This cannot be achieved with elective classes alone. Like Turkish, Kurdish must be institutionalized from kindergarten to university and in commerce. Once we gain status, our struggle will continue—but toward making Kurdish a global language.”
 
MA / Ahmet Kanbal
 
 

View More Articles

16:17 Details of the draft DEM Party to submit for the commission
15:15 European Delegation Visits DEM Party in Istanbul
15:07 Family of Rozerin Çukur Reacts to Constitutional Court Ruling: We could not find justice
13:09 Delegation from Europe submits petition to meet Abdullah Öcalan
13:00 Fatma Bostan Ünsal: Concrete legal and political steps must accompany peace rhetoric
11:50 Bar Association Chairs urge TBB to form legal monitoring committees
11:10 Seferi Yılmaz: Everyone must work for peace against war profiteers
09:39 Let’s hold firmly to the process says Writer Faik Tac
08:32 Tatvan festival: We women are ready for process
08:27 Operation against CHP members in Izmir: Tunç Soyer detained
30/06/2025
17:00 Amed Ecology Assembly: Let's defend nature with communes
14:54 Women's festival on its second day
14:15 Kerim Boran releases
11:46 Mothers: Unity must be achieved
10:57 People want to meet Abdullah Öcalan to come to Turkey
10:42 Civil society organisations call on government to take steps
10:14 4 years since the Istanbul Convention cancelled: We will not give up
09:26 Presidential pardon for ill prisoner Boran
29/06/2025
15:24 Struggle of the Kurdish people will end in victory says DBP Chair Bayındır
14:21 'Women should be involved in process'
13:48 Labour in Democratic Society Workshop: Let’s be builders, not watchers
12:25 War increases the number of disabled
11:56 According to Constitutional Court, killing of Rozerin Cukur lawful!
10:43 Journalists: Those threatening our colleague must be prosecuted
10:28 The problems of the 'Others' await solutions
09:47 Constitutional jurist Yokuş: The process will succeed with legal guarantees
08:00 Final declaration of Sheikh Seid conference published
27/06/2025
18:04 Call for Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan at UK Parliament
16:26 Rights organisations declare start to work to contribute to process
15:00 Şırnak Journalists Association: We stand by Zeynep Durgut
14:56 Prison report: Even the most basic human rights have been suspended
13:50 Abdullah Öcalan sends message to conference in Brussels
12:12 Families apply to İmralı Directorate
11:15 From Amed to the government: Call to ‘take action and end operations’
09:25 ‘Child detention increases crime rates’
09:25 Meral Danış Beştaş: Developments in the Middle East urge Turkey to resolve its internal issues
09:24 Lost four family members during the conflict: The state must take steps
09:23 Crisis felt in Wan and Qers: The solution lies in peace
09:22 Father of two sons buried under a sidewalk: Only peace can ease our pain
08:37 5 regions declared as 'special security zones' in Şirnex
26/06/2025
16:53 Bakırhan call for support for 'process' in his contacts in the UK
15:57 Human Rights Organizations to government: Comply with UN’s report on life sentences
15:00 Ikram Balekani: The solution for Iran is Democratic Confederalism
14:19 'Freedom Watch' enters its 14th year
13:08 The process has reached an important stage say İmralı delegation
12:24 Dubbins warns EU about process: It would be catastrophic if moment not seized
11:22 Threat to our reporter who uncovered the 'Prostitution Gang'
11:09 Circassians on the ‘Process’: Democracy is everyone’s issue, stereotypes must be broken
10:39 Socialist Organizations: We all have duties for a democratic society and republic
09:57 After 31 years imprisonment: Let's embrace the process