The Power and Pride of Kurdish Identity

In a world where identities are often challenged or misunderstood, embracing who we truly are becomes an act of courage and resilience. This is my personal reflection on what it means to be Kurdish - rooted in history, sacrifice, and an unbreakable spirit. 

For as long as I can remember, since my earliest childhood, I have known that I am Kurdish, and I was raised to take pride in my Kurdish identity. There are of course, many other aspects to my identity – I am, for instance, a woman, with disability, an intellectual, a professional, an activist, and a Syrian. But above all, I have dedicated my life to working for human rights and justice for all people - regardless of their colour, ethnicity, income, religion, gender, political orientation, or nationality. This commitment to human rights is no mere coincidence. Being a Kurd is the foundation upon which everything else in my life has been built, and without which I would not be the person I am today. Respect for human dignity, the determination to fight against injustice in any form, the strength to persevere in the face of adversity – all these values draw on deep Kurdish roots, around which the rest of my identity formed. For many years, I have worked for a democratic and inclusive Syria, and I personally believe that everyone should take pride in their identities and roots, so that the concept of the homeland becomes a unifying and embracing space for all.  

We live in strange times, where the president of a major world power can speak at the United Nations for an entire hour about his success in selling hats and complain about an escalator. It may be that such behaviour is becoming “the new normal”, and that in some parts of the world public speakers might even try to emulate the “trend” – this is not for me to say. But in Erbil, this kind of flippancy is worse than an insult. Under every inch of Kurdish land, the bones of the martyrs have been buried, and the very soil is mixed with their blood. This is the land, where for generations, men and women have sacrificed their lives, so that one day their children may live in freedom and dignity. In all of Kurdistan, you will not find a single family that has not lived through unspeakable horror, and that has not lost sons and daughters. In Erbil, when claiming to speak on behalf of the Kurdish people in a distinguished forum, it is not acceptable for anyone to make jokes about Kurdish identity, or to mock the sacrifice of the people.

My family is Kurdish, and like so many others, we have also paid the ultimate price to live on our land without fear of persecution, to speak our language openly - even just to be able to say that we are Kurdish. My family showed me, by their example, that words are not a trivial game, but a pledge to stand by, whatever the personal cost. By their acts and their kindness, their constant devotion and willingness to sacrifice for others, my parents, cousins, aunts and uncles taught me the meaning of generosity, integrity, loyalty and courage. To honour them, I have also done my best to honour my people and my land, through my acts and through my words. My Kurdish identity has been the driving force behind every ethical and humanitarian act I have ever done.

Being Kurdish today and saying it proudly is no accident; it is the result of years of struggle. These values have survived centuries of persecution, massacres and genocide, and they will endure. Rest assured that the present era of ugly mockery over the suffering of others will go to the landfills of history.

Chavia Ali

#chaviaali