Feryal Silêman Xalid laid to rest in Hasakah

Kurdish revolutionary woman Feryal Silêman Xalid, who was assassinated in Kirkuk on January 18, was laid to rest in Hasakah by thousands.

Hasakah- Feryal Silêman Xalid, one of the pioneers of the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement, was shot dead in the street outside a school in Kirkuk, a city in southern Kurdistan (Kurdish Region of Iraq) on 18 January. Feryal Silêman Xalid was laid to rest in Hasakah on Monday by thousands.

 After a minute’s silence, the funeral ceremony was held at the Martyr Medya and Dijwar Cemetery in Hasakah, northeastern Syria.

Fatma Ali, member of the Assembly of Martyrs' Families, made a speech at the ceremony. “Martyr Feryal Silêman Xalid was a pioneer of freedom and democracy. Targeting her does not break the will of women; on the contrary, women become stronger. Because martyr Feryal Silêman Xalid and her comrades organized themselves according to the philosophy of Sakîne Cansız. We vow to grow the struggle and resistance.”

‘She fought in four parts of Kurdistan’

 Laleş Hesekê, member of Kongra Star, also made a speech at the ceremony. “We have been going through a very sensitive period and our gains are under threat from every aspect. We cannot survive if we do not protect these gains. Martyr Feryal Silêman Xalid carried out works and made great efforts in many regions such as Armenia, North and East Syria, and Southern Kurdistan. She fought in four parts of Kurdistan for more than 30 years. Today, our duty is to strengthen her struggle.”

Minewer Xalid made a speech on behalf of the Feryal Silêman Xalid’s family. “Martyr Zelal joined the guerrilla for the freedom and existence of her people. She always called for unity and wanted everyone to have an identity. Therefore, we call on our people to protect the values of the revolution.”

‘We will achieve her goal’

In her speech, Şêrezad Casim, coordinating member of the Zenubya Women's Community, said, “Martyr Feryal Silêman Xalid made great efforts to establish Zenubya Women’s Community. Her aim was to organize Arab women so that they could get rid of the patriarchal mindset. We vow to follow in her footsteps and achieve her goal. For us, she is the pioneer of freedom.”

After the speeches, Martyr Feryal Silêman Xalid was laid to rest by thousands.