Peregraf – A Kurdish student in his third year of secondary school has been reinstated after initially being expelled for drawing the Kurdistan flag during an art exam, an incident that triggered widespread outrage and online campaigns within the Kurdish community.
The case occurred at a school in Kirkuk, where the student, identified as Diyar Khalil, was reportedly given a failing grade and expelled after a teacher deemed his drawing of the Kurdistan flag "inappropriate." News of the punishment quickly spread on social media, sparking criticism from Kurdish families, activists, and political figures, who described the action as "discriminatory" and unjust.
Dilan Ghafoor, a Member of the Iraqi Parliament representing Kirkuk, told Peregraf that the decision was challenged swiftly after it came to light. "We strongly condemn the disciplinary action taken against the Kurdish student in Kirkuk, and we have resolved the issue," Ghafoor said. She explained that the student was punished solely because he drew the Kurdistan flag during an art examination, which led to his expulsion.
According to Ghafoor, her office immediately intervened by contacting senior education officials in the province. "We contacted Mr. Mansour Mizri and Mr. Saman Majid, the Director and Assistant Director of Kirkuk Education," she said, adding that they conveyed serious concerns over the incident and demanded corrective measures.
"We demanded the immediate reinstatement of the student, as well as disciplinary action against the teacher and the school principal responsible for this unjust decision," Ghafoor stated, stressing that educational institutions should be spaces "free from ethnic or political discrimination."
Following these interventions, Kirkuk’s education authorities agreed to reverse the decision. Ghafoor confirmed that Diyar Khalil will be reinstated immediately, allowed to retake his art examination, and permitted to continue his studies without penalty. She also noted that her office will closely monitor the case to ensure the student faces no further repercussions.
The incident has renewed debate over ethnic sensitivity and freedom of expression in schools in disputed areas such as Kirkuk. Many Kurdish activists argue that punishing a child for drawing the Kurdistan flag reflects "deeper structural discrimination" and have called for broader reforms within the education system.
Online campaigns and social media users welcomed the reversal but urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable to prevent similar incidents in the future.