Peregraf — Syrian Democratic Forces Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi said the coming period could mark a turning point for mother tongues, emphasizing that recent recognition of Kurdish as a national language must be followed by concrete implementation.
In a message issued on International Mother Language Day, Abdi expressed optimism about the future of linguistic rights. “We believe the next phase will be the era of victory for mother tongues in general, and the Kurdish language in particular,” he said.
Abdi pointed to ongoing efforts to institutionalize the use of Kurdish, revealing that a key meeting with the Ministry of Education is expected to address how the language can be formally adopted as a medium of instruction in schools.
He welcomed the recent presidential decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language, describing it as “a significant and positive step.” However, he cautioned that symbolic recognition alone is insufficient without practical measures to ensure its application.
“The level we have reached regarding the Kurdish language must be taken into account from a practical perspective when implementing the presidential order,” Abdi added, underscoring the need for policies that reflect realities on the ground.
His remarks come amid broader discussions on cultural and linguistic rights in northern and eastern Syria, where Kurdish institutions have long pushed for formal recognition and expanded use of the language in education and public life.