Nagham Jajan

Qamishlo_ The Syrian interim government sparks anger with every decision it makes, from removing the Kurdish language from the sign of the Justice  Palace in Al-Hasakah, to refusing to recognize the Women’s Protection Units, to procrastinating in implementing the January agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces. Now it renews tensions with its decision to change school names in Rojava.

The unilateral decision was met with angry popular reactions. Thousands of residents protested in Rojava cities to demand their right to use the names of the fighters, both male and female, who sacrificed themselves for the region and its people. Naming schools after martyrs is the best way to honor and immortalize their memory.

 

Teacher Mahdia Mohammed from Qamishlo expressed her dismay at the interim government's decision to change school names, considering it unacceptable. "We hold all respect for the martyrs of all sects and nationalities. Our problem is not with changing school names per se, but the problem lies in the fact that these changes did not take into account the sacrifices of the martyrs. This region paid a heavy price, so it is unacceptable to change the names of our schools that bear the names of our martyrs, whether they were Arabs or Kurds."

She also pointed to the non‑recognition of the region's curricula and the Kurdish language. "As teachers, we affirm our commitment to working and struggling for the Kurdish language. Our children and students have studied in Kurdish from the first grade, and some have entered university. Therefore, the least we can do to honor our martyrs is to protect their sacrifices and efforts and keep their legacy alive."

"The level of language development is the level of life development"

  

Student Hemrin Haidar, who is in the twelfth grade, said that language is the existence and identity of every nation, and that the issue of language and school names are linked. "We must remember our martyrs in every field. School names are an appreciation of their sacrifices."

She added: "Every nation must study in its mother tongue, because the level of language development is the level of life development. Language is the existence and identity of every individual. Systems have sought to destroy the existence of communities by destroying their languages and cultures. Moving away from language is moving away from personality. The decision to change school names is completely unacceptable."

"Our struggle will continue"

 

"We will write the phrase 'Martyrs never die' on villages and cities, on mountains and rocks." This is what student Herivan Ali, who is in the twelfth grade, said. She affirms that the people of Rojava sacrificed thousands of martyrs, so changing school names is unacceptable.

She explained: "The feelings of the Kurdish people and their national identity are primarily shaped by the Kurdish language, literature, and culture. We, as Kurds, consider language a red line. At the same time, we will never accept changing school names, and our struggle will continue to preserve the gains of our revolution."