Aleppo- The Kurdish language is a cause of existence for all Kurds. 56-year-old Emîne Omer is a Kurdish woman, who worked hard to learn how to write and read in her mother language despite her advanced age. Emîne Omer, who could not go to school due to traditions and customs, wanted to learn how to write and read in Kurdish and this was one of her dreams. She sent her two children to school in order to determine their own future. After the revolution in Rojava, she learned how to read and write in Kurdish along with her children by attending Kurdish courses held by the Martyr Gulê Selmo Commune in the Xerbi neighborhood of Aleppo.

“Every Kurd should learn their mother language”

Stating that she keeps learning Kurdish at the Martyr Gulê Selmo Commune, Emîne Omer said, “It is said that learning at an advanced age is very difficult. I think it is wrong. Age is not a barrier when it comes to learning. If you really want to learn, you can learn. Our language is our identity. For this reason, every Kurd should learn their mother language.”

“Don’t say I cannot do it”

Speaking about the difficulties she faced, Emîne Omer said, “In the past, we couldn’t go to school due to traditions and customs. There was no education in Kurdish because the ruling powers banned Kurdish. Speaking in our mother language was banned. The Kurdish people were subjected to pressure. But now, we can freely learn how to write and read our language; we have education in our mother language.”

Emîne Omer called on the Kurds of all ages to learn their mother language and said, “Everyone should learn their mother language. Don’t say I cannot do it, because I learned how to write and read in Kurdish at the age of 56. Not only we but also Arabs learn the Kurdish language. We must continue to learn so that our language will not disappear.”

Message from Emîne Omer

Underlining that her children had education both in Kurdish and Arabic, Emîne Omer said, “My daughter studied the Kurdish language and she was a teacher in Afrin. Now, she works at a hospital. I am proud of my children for having learned both Kurdish and Arabic. Families should speak to their children in Kurdish to teach them their culture. Every woman should learn Kurdish with their children.”