Nurşan Abdi

KOBANI — Women in Rojava plant trees every year to celebrate the birthday of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, which falls on April 4th each year, in fulfillment of Leader Öcalan's wish and in application of his philosophy, which is centered on environmental protection.

Leader Abdullah Öcalan was born on April 4, 1949, in the village of "Amara" in the Urfa region of northern Kurdistan. Thousands of people who follow the thought of Leader Öcalan celebrate his birthday annually by planting trees, given the importance he attaches to protecting the environment.

"By planting trees, we will realize Leader Öcalan's dream"

Khanaf Bozan, an administrator in the Women's Office of the Environment Authority in Kobani, stated that April 4th represents an exceptional day for the women of Rojava. It is not merely the anniversary of the birth of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, but is seen as a new birth for the Kurdish people, and especially for women. She explained that this day embodies the moment of women's emergence from darkness into light, as Öcalan's thought has contributed to liberating women from slavery and injustice and empowered them to confront the prevailing masculine mentality in society. Therefore, women consider the birth of Leader Öcalan as a new birth for every woman.

She pointed out that women will continue to plant trees on Leader Öcalan's birthday, expressing their commitment to realizing his vision of protecting the environment and nature. She said that Leader Öcalan constantly calls for preserving nature and increasing green spaces, considering environmental protection one of the fundamental pillars of the concept of democratic nation he advocates. That is why he requests that trees be planted on his birthday, given their significant impact on nature and human life in various aspects.

Khanaf Bozan affirmed that Leader Öcalan attaches special importance to planting trees, and that women share this conviction with him. They will plant trees every April, striving to achieve what the Leader aspires to and dreams of.

The Women's Revolution Embodies the April 4th Celebrations

Regarding the continuity of the culture of planting trees in Kobani on Leader Öcalan's birthday from the beginning of the revolution until today, she said: "Before the outbreak of the Women's Revolution in Rojava, we could not celebrate the Leader's birthday or plant trees because the former Syrian regime did not accept the existence of Kurds as a people, identity, or component. But after the revolution began, we plant trees every year to fulfill the Leader's demands for environmental protection and to increase the number of trees and green spaces in our areas. In this way, we celebrate our Leader's birthday."

Every year on April 4th, the residents of Kobani plant thousands of fruit trees of all kinds, including olives, pistachios, pines, and cypresses, in farms and gardens opened in the name of Leader Öcalan. There are also many trees at the home of Leader Abdullah Öcalan in the village of "Albalur."

Leader Abdullah Öcalan crossed into Syrian territory coming from northern Kurdistan on July 2, 1979, and stayed for a period in the village of "Albalur" in the Kobani region. Since then, the house where he lived has become known as the "House of Leader Öcalan" and has turned into a kind of museum that people visit. Every year, on the anniversary of his birth, residents visit this place and plant trees there in appreciation of its symbolism.

Khanaf Bozan added that in commemoration of everything Leader Öcalan has given to the Kurdish people, and especially to women, they will also celebrate his birthday this year in a manner befitting his thought and philosophy and what he has done for women's freedom and dignity. She affirmed that they will continue to plant trees on April 4th, as women see themselves as the most active contributors to protecting the environment and increasing green spaces, especially since Leader Öcalan has placed before them a clear project for moving towards freedom, justice, and democracy.

Khanaf Bozan, an administrator in the Women's Office of the Environment Authority in Kobani, pointed out that planting trees is not merely a symbolic activity but a step aimed at realizing Leader Öcalan's dream of preserving the environment and nature. She added that women have a special connection to nature; the Leader likens woman to nature and her body, which gives this work a deeper meaning for them.