On January 22, 2025, the Law and International Relations and Diplomacy Departments at Tishk International University (TIU) organized a national workshop to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Kurdistan. The workshop was titled, “Kurdish Nationalism and the Kurdish Issue between the Rise and Fall of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad and the Present-day Middle East.”
The workshop aimed to enlighten participants on Kurdish nationalism and the struggles for self-determination. Mr. Badr Muhammed Tahir served as the moderator and welcomed attendees. He noted that the event was in line with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The distinguished speaker for the event was Dr. Abubakir Ali (Karwani), a writer and politician. The event began with the playing of the Kurdistan national anthem and a poem from Qazi Muhammad, President of the Republic of Kurdistan.
The workshop was divided into two sessions:
- Kurdish Nationalism, Historical Trajectory and Struggles of the Kurds
- The Wider Context of the Proclamation of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad
In the first session, Dr. Abubakir Ali explained nationalism in the context of the Kurdish quest for self-determination. He traced the roots of Kurdish nationalism to the revolution of Sheikh Obaidullah Nahri in 1881-1882, who demanded an independent Kurdish state. He also discussed the implications of the Lausanne Treaty and the unjust treatment of the Kurds, highlighting the lack of recognition for the Kurdish nation as a sovereign state. He further explained the roles of Qazi Muhammad and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) in the struggle for independence.
In the second session, Dr. Ali explained that the proclamation of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad boosted Kurdish nationalism. However, he largely blamed internal factors such as a lack of consensus, disunity, regionalism, and tribalism for the demise of Kurdish nationalism.
The workshop was attended by about 70 participants, including TIU staff, students, policymakers, and media. The event helped participants understand the history and dynamics of Kurdish nationalism and the major factors responsible for its setbacks.
Recommendations from the workshop included:
- Unity among major Kurdish stakeholders and parties.
- Consensus on major issues that affect the collective Kurdish nation.
- A more diplomatic approach in engaging internal and external stakeholders for the revival of Kurdish nationalism and self-determination.
Certificates of appreciation were issued to the speaker and moderator. Asst. Prof. Dr. Idris Hadi, Head of the Board of Trustees, presented the certificate to the speaker, while Prof. Dr. Huseyin Mohammed Balisani, Dean of the Faculty of Law, presented the certificate to the moderator.
Keywords: Kurdish Nationalism, Republic of Kurdistan, Workshop, Law, International Relations, Tishk International University, Mahabad, History
