President Barzani: We Must Instill a Sense of Belonging to the Land and Homeland in Our Youth

ARK News.. During his speech at the conference unifying the Student and Youth Organizations of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), President Masoud Barzani emphasized the need to return to the foundational principles of partnership, balance, and consensus, stressing that imposing will through majority rule would only lead to failure.

Below is the full text of President Barzani’s speech:

With great pride and joy that I join you today in this auspicious event, which brings together two esteemed and experienced organizations. I congratulate you on this decision and extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to it. I am confident that, from now on, you will be better equipped to serve our people and homeland.

Students and youth have always played a crucial role—from the September Revolution to the Gulan Revolution, and even in the fight against ISIS. I am certain they will continue to do so with even greater strength and effectiveness in the future. I take this opportunity to thank all those who led these two organizations, and I wish the best for those who will carry the responsibility forward.

A few days ago, I met with the secretariats of both organizations and was very pleased to learn that women’s participation among students and youth has increased. This is a promising sign of greater female representation within the party as well, which personally brings me joy. I urge you to continue working to enhance this participation.

The late leader Mullah Mustafa Barzani once described you as “the spearhead and the steel fortress.” This description holds great meaning: the spearhead leads in confrontation, and the steel fortress leads in defense. With your efforts now unified, your mission will be more successful and easier, as you will operate under one vision and a united front—complementing one another.

The wars of the past, despite their brutality, were less complex than today’s battles. Today, we face a far more insidious threat: the spread of drugs—a war targeting minds and willpower, aiming to undermine Kurdish self-belief, rob us of hope, and sever our sense of belonging. A large part of the defense against this threat falls on your shoulders. Those who use drugs are lost; those who distribute them are criminals. We must confront this phenomenon with seriousness and resolve.

Alongside this, it is vital to instill in our youth a deep sense of belonging to the land and homeland. A people without land are without identity, and land without people is without meaning. True value arises when a people view their land as sacred, and the land, in turn, returns that sanctity. Kurdistan has always embodied this relationship and must continue to do so.

We must respect all people—without fanaticism or discrimination—but at the same time, a Kurd must never feel inferior to anyone. We stand with you and will support you with all our strength. In return, we expect you to contribute and give back to your people in the fields of struggle dictated by today’s challenges.

After 2003, we were presented with a golden opportunity to build a new Iraq. Everyone knows the Kurdish people played a pivotal role in toppling the former regime. Following a decision by the Kurdistan Parliament, we chose to return to Baghdad to help build a democratic federal Iraq based on three principles: partnership, balance, and consensus. The 2005 Constitution was supposed to guide this new Iraq.

Unfortunately, these principles have not been upheld, nor has the Constitution been respected. Today, we say again: if there is genuine concern for Iraq’s stability, a return to these foundational principles is essential. Imposing will through majority rule will only lead to failure. You cannot force diverse communities into unity without mutual consent. Unity is built on understanding and acceptance—not on imposition and denial.

Sectarian rhetoric and the ongoing delay in resolving crucial issues—such as the census and elections—are signs that the foundational agreement has been ignored. We therefore call for a transparent census that includes ethnic, religious, and sectarian identification, ensuring fair and rightful representation for all.

As for the salary issue, the struggles and proud history of the Kurdish people have been reduced to mere wages—as if the Anfal campaign, chemical attacks, and the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs were made for a paycheck. This treatment is an insult to our history and the blood of our martyrs, and we will not accept it under any circumstances.

We once believed that our former friends would defend our rights in our absence. Instead, they surprised us by depriving our people of their daily bread. We are not asking for charity—we are demanding our constitutional rights. And if we are no longer considered part of Iraq, then let us be told so honestly.

The October elections showed the scale of popular support for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, despite efforts to restrict and divide us. If we counted the votes of Kurds outside the Kurdistan Region’s administration, our numbers would have exceeded one million. Today, we are the leading party not only in Kurdistan but in all of Iraq. This reality must be acknowledged and respected.

The ongoing negotiations to form the new government must be based on a united Kurdistan Region—with one parliament, one government, and one Peshmerga force. Any government formed outside this framework is better left unformed.

Regarding the peace process in Turkey, we fully support it and see it as a real opportunity that must be seized. We also hope that the issues in Syria are resolved through dialogue, and that calm prevails in Iran and across the region, so we may turn the page on war and bloodshed and open a new chapter of cooperation, peace, and progress.

In closing, I reaffirm my full support for this conference and wish it great success. Know that we stand with you always, but in return, we expect you to be at the forefront of service and contribution.

Long live you all, and long live the proud and free people of Kurdistan.

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