The Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria organized an event to commemorate the 126th anniversary of the publication of "Kurdistan Newspaper"

ARK News... On Monday, 22/4/2024, the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria organized a celebration to mark 126 years since the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, "Kurdistan Newspaper."

During the celebration, Bashar Amin, a member of the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria and the head of the Party's Central Culture and Media Office, delivered a speech highlighting the history of Kurdish journalism (the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper under the name "Kurdistan Newspaper" by Prince Miqdad Midhat Badirkhan in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in 1898).

Abdulbari Khalaf Biro, a member of the Presidential Body of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, delivered a speech on behalf of the National Council, discussing the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper under the name "Kurdistan Newspaper" and the role of the Badirkhan family in serving the Kurdish cause in all stages and on all levels.

Mohammed Saleh Shalal, one of the founders of the Kurdistan Journalists Union-Syria, delivered a speech congratulating all Kurdish journalists, condemning the arrest of Kurdish journalists in Syrian Kurdistan, and demanding their immediate release.

Abdul Hakim Mohammed, the president of the Union of Kurdish Writers in Syria, highlighted the importance of the publication of "Kurdistan Newspaper" for the Kurdish people and cause, affirming that the Kurdish cause has advanced after the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper.

In an exclusive statement to ARK website, Nafie’ Abdullah, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria, stated that commemorating such occasions, "the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper under the name Kurdistan Newspaper," is a national and patriotic duty because it is considered the cornerstone of Kurdish media and journalism.

The event concluded with recitations of poetry, songs, and folk dances.

Below is the text of the speech delivered by the Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria at the celebration:

Distinguished attendees,

On behalf of our party, the "Kurdistan Democratic Party - Syria," we greet you all and welcome you warmly, representatives of the Kurdish National Council parties in Syria, representatives of sister parties, representatives of cultural, political, media, youth, women's, social, and religious activities, and representatives of civil society institutions, and all those interested in Kurdish journalism as a tool of struggle and esteemed guests.

Welcome to all of you who responded to our Party's invitation to commemorate this significant anniversary that holds a special place in all our hearts—the 126th anniversary of the publication of the first Kurdish newspaper, "Kurdistan," issued on April 22, 1898, by Prince Miqdad Midhat Badirkhan in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Since then, numerous newspapers and magazines have been published in both Kurdish and Arabic languages, and to this day, hundreds of party and independent periodicals have been published across Kurdistan and in Kurdish diaspora areas, covering political, intellectual, and various other aspects including literature, arts, economics, and sports.

This signifies that media, particularly journalism, has been of great interest to our Kurdish people, their cultural activities, and political movements for over a century, whether out of objective necessity or its importance in disseminating awareness, culture, news events, and views, and displaying all means of support for our Kurdish national struggle. However, our media has remained, as known, below the required standard over time, whether due to a decline in media awareness, scarcity of media outlets and resources, or due to the circumstances of repression and persecution, with mouths shut by successive oppressive governments on Kurdistan and its people until now.

While the media was important in the past, its importance has only grown over time, to the extent that most aspects of life cannot function properly without it. Its roles, specialties, tools, and mediums have expanded so much that media is now referred to as the fourth authority after legislative, executive, and judicial authorities. Some believe its role is even greater, especially in monitoring governments and institutions, exposing financial and administrative corruption, in addition to political work such as analysis, scrutiny, promotion, and propaganda to shape public opinion towards achieving desired goals, whether towards opponents or towards change and development. Its increasing importance is evident in delivering news of incidents, highlighting people's struggles, and spreading awareness, culture, thought, and knowledge among concerned circles and the masses, especially with the expansion of written, audible, and readable media outlets, and currently, electronic media and communication via the internet, alongside the diversity of media themes—political, military, war-related, artistic, literary, sports-related, etc.—with a growing specialization in media professions, including managers, technicians, presenters, editors, montage workers, and correspondents, to the extent that specialization is now part of these disciplines. Thus, the need for more media that serves freedom of opinion and expression to work towards change and development only intensifies, which, of course, cannot be achieved except through a democratic political system based on the peaceful transfer of power that guarantees democratic freedoms. Therefore, it is necessary to work together through the convergence of national and democratic forces towards establishing a decentralized (federal) democratic system where all national, religious, and political components enjoy their full rights, especially Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, and other nationalities, as this will realize the desired aspirations.


Esteemed audience,

It is incumbent upon us to present the reality of our party's media, the "Democratic Kurdistan Party - Syria," on this auspicious occasion where we have:

Inside Syria, we have a broad and volunteer media team spread across Kurdish areas and Kurdish presence regions, with a considerable department currently active among us ... as well as abroad, especially in the Kurdistan region, Turkey, Europe, Lebanon, and elsewhere.
Additionally, our Party has media institutions aspiring towards development and progress, including:

"ARK TV," which we are currently in the process of enhancing to better formats within our capabilities, aiming to achieve an advanced level of performance soon. It has a full team for editing, production, and translation.
The "Kurdistan Newspaper," named after the first newspaper published under this name, in both Arabic and Kurdish languages, regularly published every fortnight with an editorial team inside and outside.
"Rêbaz" radio, with limited broadcasting, and we have endeavors to expand the scope of radio broadcasting.
Finally, our Party has a website that strives for more information, opinions, and articles for its development.

Overall, our Party is striving with all its capabilities to build a free and professional media that serves the national and patriotic causes of our people and enhances the approach of "Kurdistan," in line with the Kurdish national project led by the esteemed President Masoud Barzani.

In conclusion:

We reiterate our call for the establishment of a dignified, free, and democratic life, as it holds the salvation of our people from oppression and enslavement, and under which freedom of speech can be achieved, along with the creation of professional, independent media and sincere journalism, which is the healing balm for our people who have tasted the bitterness of repression and silence for decades.

In this context, it is essential to express gratitude and appreciation to the leadership of the Kurdistan Region, especially the leadership of our sister party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and its dedicated President, Masoud Barzani, for what they have provided and continue to provide in terms of support and assistance, whether in media, politics, or for the Kurdish National Council in Syria. They deserve a fragrant salute with all respect.

We also commend the efforts of the pioneers in journalism and media, especially the Badirkhan family, among whom Miqdad Midhat Badirkhan stands out.

We also salute the efforts of those working towards a professional, independent media that serves freedom of opinion and expression.

Lastly, but not least, we call for working together towards a media that serves freedom of opinion and expression, elevating our media to the ranks of advanced global media... media that serves our national and patriotic causes, human issues, and aspirations for progress and development. Today more than ever, we need more advanced media to confront adversaries and serve the people, society, and the just causes.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

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