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Shafaq News
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran: 167 academics call for Kurdish Language Law
Shafaq News/ A group of 167 professors and faculty members from the University of Kurdistan in Sanandaj, Iran, has issued an official letter to President Massoud Pezeshkian, calling for the drafting of a law that guarantees the right to read and write in one's native language. The professors requested that the proposed legislation be submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly for final approval. In their letter, the academics referenced Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran ratified in 1966. This article mandates that states with linguistic groups must allow those groups to practice their language freely. The professors also cited Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution, which grants the right to use regional languages in media and education alongside Persian. They argued that addressing the needs of linguistic and cultural groups in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Iran would not threaten national security. On the contrary, they said it would promote national unity and reduce social divisions. This request is part of a recurring annual demand, amidst increasing political and cultural discussions in Iran about identity and the linguistic rights of minorities, particularly the Kurds, who have yet to secure the right to study in their native language. Estimates suggest that the Kurdish population in Iran ranges from 8 to 10 million, constituting about 10% of the country's total population, although these figures vary due to the lack of official demographic data on ethnic distribution.
LBCI
23-02-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun champions sovereignty in key Iranian discussions — The details
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Between November 2024 and February 2025, the Middle East region underwent major changes, most notably the fall of the Assad regime, Iran's key ally, and the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president. Amid a crisis over Iranian flight operations in Lebanon, a high-level Iranian delegation arrived in Beirut. While the visit coincided with the funeral ceremony of former Hezbollah secretaries-general Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, it also served as an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and other pressing issues under the principle of respecting national sovereignty. President Aoun reaffirmed this stance during his meeting with the Iranian delegation, citing Article 9 of the Iranian Constitution, which underscores the country's freedom, independence, and territorial integrity. The article explicitly states that no individual or group has the right to undermine the country's political, cultural, economic, or military independence. In response, the Iranian delegation affirmed its support for any decision Lebanon makes, emphasizing noninterference in its internal affairs. Building on Lebanon-Iran ties, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed Iran's readiness to cooperate with Arab and Islamic nations, in coordination with the Lebanese government, to rebuild areas destroyed by Israeli military actions. The Palestinian issue was also a key topic in the discussions. President Aoun made Lebanon's stance clear, stating that the country has paid a heavy price for the Palestinian cause and has grown weary of others' wars. He stressed that a two-state solution is the only viable resolution to the conflict and reiterated that the Palestinian Authority is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This position reflects the approach of Lebanon's new leadership, aligning with broader Arab perspectives. President Aoun is expected to reiterate this stance at the upcoming Arab Summit in Egypt early next month, where discussions will focus on the Palestinian issue, particularly a proposed alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan that called for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
Shafaq News
10-02-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Zagros Institute pushes for standardized southern Kurdish dialect in Iran
Shafaq News/ The Kurdish language and literature have not been given the recognition they deserve in Iran, according to Kamran Rahimi, director of the Zagros Institute of Sciences and the Zanst Cultural Association. Rahimi, born in Ilam in 1971, is a professor of Persian and Kurdish language and literature, as well as a prolific author and researcher. His works include numerous publications, research papers, and translations featured in both Iranian and international journals. "The goal of the 'Zanst Zagros' Institute and the 'Zanst' Cultural Association is to establish a standardized version of the Southern Kurdish (Faili) dialect based on an inductive approach," Rahimi told Shafaq News. "It is crucial to elevate and preserve the Kurdish language." Rahimi explained that the establishment of the institute and association was the result of two decades of work, culminating in their official launch in 2021. "We aim to develop educational materials, create a standardized teaching dialect, and provide Kurdish language and literature instruction under Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution," he said. Despite the lack of funding, the institution has completed 33 cultural projects at both local and international levels. "These projects include publishing books and magazines, participating in conferences, and organizing specialized workshops," Rahimi noted. "So far, we have completed five book titles through the efforts of our members, and we have five additional academic and educational works pending approval," he added. The association also seeks to encourage literary and linguistic contributions in Kurdish, in line with Article 5 of the Iranian Constitution. It does so through initiatives such as hosting storytelling and language courses, organizing literary critique and evaluation sessions, holding linguistic conferences and discussions, honoring distinguished Kurdish literary figures with awards, establishing a platform for publishing Kurdish-written works through linguistic and literary editing services, and developing and standardizing Kurdish writing guidelines for academic and public institutions. Rahimi stressed that another key goal is to enhance the academic and literary competence of members and enthusiasts by offering courses on Persian-Kurdish comparative linguistics, joint Latin transcription, literary criticism, and Kurdish literary history. The long-term goal of these efforts is to collaborate with literary and academic experts to establish a standardized Southern Kurdish dialect suitable for education and communication. "This will contribute to the development of Iranian languages in cooperation with the Academy of Persian Language and Literature and the 'Kurdish Academy,' following lexicographic and linguistic consistency principles," Rahimi said. The institute is also working on specialized academic publications and securing official permits to further its research and educational outreach. The institute's charter outlines broader goals, including training skilled professionals in cultural fields, fostering entrepreneurship among young artists, and developing standardized cultural and artistic programs. "We aim to identify and nurture existing and emerging talents while expanding and refining cultural activities," Rahimi said. The organization offers short-term training courses in story writing, book critique, editing, proofreading, and text analysis, with a focus on proper writing principles. Rahimi noted that the institute is led by a 17-member main council, comprising university professors, managers, lawyers, writers, and artists from Kurdish regions. The general membership stands at around 200, with 20 distinguished honorary members. Additionally, eight independent working groups within the institute have produced 860 publications and 36 educational and scientific video materials. Membership is open to the public and academics who meet specific criteria.
