A panel titled “Zimanê Xwe Dibijêrim / I Choose My Mother Tongue” was held in Diyarbakır to highlight the importance of mother tongue education and to raise awareness during the elective course selection period in schools.

Organized by the HÜDA PAR Directorate of Educational Affairs, the event took place at the Diyarbakır Teachers’ House Conference Hall in the Yenişehir district and brought together educators, academics, politicians, and members of the public. Speakers emphasized that linguistic diversity is a divine blessing and that education in one’s mother tongue should be recognized as a continuous right rather than a limited elective option.

The panel began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Ammar Zeren. This was followed by an opening speech by Yahya Oğraş, Deputy Chairman of HÜDA PAR and Head of the Directorate of Educational Affairs.

Oğraş described the right to education as a fundamental human right and stressed that language lies at the heart of learning, identity, and communication. Citing Surah Ar-Rum (22), he said the diversity of languages is among the signs of Allah and represents richness rather than division. He argued that constitutional and legal barriers preventing mother tongue education should be removed, calling this both a humanitarian responsibility and a duty for political actors.

“Language Is the Carrier of Identity”

Oğraş underlined that the panel was not merely informational but also aimed at preserving social memory. He said that language is the main carrier of identity and warned that societies which lose their language also risk losing their collective memory and soul.

Referring to the educational vision of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, Oğraş highlighted the concept of multilingual education as a civilizational project. Quoting thinker Cemil Meriç, he added that silencing a language ultimately means silencing the conscience.

He called for mother tongue education to be provided continuously from the first stage of schooling through to higher education, rather than being confined to elective courses. According to Oğraş, inclusive education policies that respect linguistic diversity would contribute to both personal development and social peace.

Serkan Ramanlı: “Our Languages Are Among the Signs of Allah”

HÜDA PAR Batman MP Serkan Ramanlı also addressed the audience, stressing the need to ensure that younger generations do not lose their mother tongues, including Kurmanji and Zazaki.

Ramanlı said that all citizens whose mother tongue is not Turkish should be able to learn, read, write, and speak their own language freely. He emphasized that languages are among the signs of Allah and should never be viewed as a source of division or inferiority.

Pointing to the lack of official recognition for Kurdish as a language of instruction, Ramanlı described this as a deep and longstanding wound. He argued that those who claim to defend Kurdish rights must first actively live and practice the language in their daily lives.

Call to Protect and Promote Mother Tongues

Ramanlı urged families and students to embrace elective mother tongue courses, saying that increased demand would eventually make such courses unavoidable within the education system. He noted that the number of students choosing Kurdish elective courses had risen from around 20–25 thousand to 60 thousand in recent years, attributing this growth to sustained awareness efforts. With continued commitment, he said, this number could reach into the millions.

Panel Session with Educators and Academics

The event continued with a panel session moderated by Fatih Taş. Educator Hüdai Morsümbül, Ramazan Tekdemir, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mekin Meçin spoke on the historical development of Kurmanji and Zazaki, their cultural significance, and the social and educational dimensions of mother tongue rights.

Speakers agreed that protecting and promoting mother tongue education is essential not only for cultural continuity but also for building a more inclusive and harmonious society. (ILKHA)