By Rejin Jabbar
In day 11st January 1946 In the midst of the brief existence of the Mahabad Republic, one of the most significant achievements was the establishment of the Kurdistan newspaper, the first Kurdish-language newspaper in the region. The newspaper was an important tool for Kurdish nationalists and a symbol of the political and cultural aspirations of the republic. The establishment of a Kurdish-language newspaper was a major milestone in the development of modern Kurdish identity and in the movement for Kurdish political rights.
During the establishment of the Republic of Mahabad, the Kurdish language was largely marginalized and suppressed. The governments of Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Syria had consistently worked to suppress Kurdish language and culture in favor of the dominant national languages. In Iran, Persian was the official language and Kurdish speakers were often forced to use Persian in education and administration. This language policy had a profound impact on the cultural development of the Kurdish people, who were often denied the opportunity to write in their native language or within the official framework. However, the establishment of the Republic of Mahabad saw a change. Inspired by the widespread nationalist movements of the time, Kurdish leaders decided to give the Kurdish people a voice and preserve their language and culture. The creation of the Kurdistan newspaper was part of this larger vision of cultural revival and political activism.
The newspaper was published in Kurdish, and became a critical tool for disseminating the ideology of Kurdish nationalism, as well as for raising awareness about the political and social issues facing the Kurdish people. It provided a platform for Kurdish intellectuals, writers and activists to express their views and present the aspirations of the Kurdish people for self-determination.
Retreat of the Republic and the End (Kurdistan Newspaper)
Despite its victories, the Republic of Mahabad could not survive internal and external pressures. The Soviet Union, which had initially supported the Kurdish cause, withdrew its support and exposed the republic to attack. The Iranian government, with a larger military and the support of Western powers, finally overthrew the republic in With the collapse of the Mahabad Republic; the Kurdistan newspaper was forced to stop publishing. The leaders of the republic were arrested and many executed, including Qazi Mohammad. The end of the Kurdistan newspaper was the end of an era of Kurdish political activity in the region. But the newspaper’s legacy continued. Although the Republic of Mahabad was no longer there, the ideas and ideals expressed in the Kurdistan newspaper were still echoed by Kurdish nationalists. In the decades that followed, the dream of a Kurdish homeland continued to inspire various Kurdish political movements in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.
Today, the Kurdish-language media continues to play an important role in the Kurdish struggle for autonomy and cultural preservation. The legacy of Kurdistan Newspaper lives on in the many Kurdish newspapers, radio and television stations operating in the Kurdish-majority regions of the Middle East and beyond. These media outlets, like the Kurdistan newspaper, continue to promote Kurdish identity, culture and political rights during the short existence of the Mahabad Republic.
Kurdistan Newspaper was more than a newspaper; it was a symbol of Kurdish resistance and a tool to express Kurdish aspirations. Today’s legacy will continue to influence Kurdish identity and political thought, reminding us of the power of the written word in shaping history.