HÜDA PAR, a prominent political party in Türkiye, has launched a series of events under the theme "I speak my language, I live my faith" to encourage the selection of Kurdish as an elective course for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The campaign, which underscores the critical role of mother tongue in preserving cultural and historical identity, has seen widespread participation across the country, with panels, marches, and press statements held in multiple provinces.

HÜDA PAR Vice President and Head of Education Affairs Yahya Oğraş spearheaded the campaign, urging citizens to prioritize Kurdish language courses in the upcoming elective course calendar. "While choosing my mother tongue, let's not neglect to choose the Holy Quran, siyer, and basic religious knowledge courses," Oğraş said during one of the events. "When we choose our mother tongue, we are also protecting our history, culture, and faith. Our historical culture is our richness that sheds light on the future."

Panels were organized in key cities, including Istanbul, Bingöl, Batman, and Van, bringing together journalists, academics, educators, lawyers, and politicians to discuss the significance of mother tongue education. These discussions emphasized the vital role of the Kurdish language in maintaining cultural heritage and fostering a sense of identity among Kurdish communities.

Under the theme "I Choose My Mother Language," marches were held in cities such as Şırnak, Batman, and Van, with participants wearing traditional Kurdish attire and accompanied by Kurdish music. In Istanbul, a press statement was organized to further highlight the campaign's objectives. HÜDA PAR officials distributed brochures titled "I speak my language, I live my faith" to the public, reinforcing the connection between language, culture, and faith.

Oğraş stressed the party's commitment to raising awareness about the importance of mother tongue education. "We see it as an important duty to enlighten the public on this issue with the activities and studies carried out," he said, emphasizing that the preservation of the Kurdish language is essential for safeguarding the community's historical and cultural legacy.

The campaign comes at a time when the Kurdish language, spoken by millions in Türkiye, faces ongoing challenges in gaining broader recognition and support in the education system. Advocates argue that mother tongue education is not only a matter of linguistic preservation but also a fundamental human right that strengthens social cohesion and individual identity. By promoting Kurdish as an elective course, HÜDA PAR aims to empower Kurdish communities to maintain their cultural roots while fostering unity through shared values of faith and heritage.

The events have resonated strongly with participants, who see the campaign as a vital step toward ensuring future generations can speak, read, and write in their mother tongue. The emphasis on combining language education with religious studies also reflects the party's holistic approach to cultural preservation, linking linguistic identity with spiritual and historical values.

HÜDA PAR's initiative highlights the broader struggle for linguistic diversity in Türkiye, where Kurdish communities have long advocated for greater access to education in their mother tongue. The campaign's focus on both cultural and religious dimensions underscores the interconnectedness of language and identity, offering a platform for dialogue and action on this critical issue.

HÜDA PAR's efforts are expected to encourage more families to select Kurdish as an elective course, potentially paving the way for increased recognition and support for mother tongue education in Türkiye's schools. The campaign's success will likely be measured not only by enrollment numbers but also by its impact on public awareness and policy discussions surrounding linguistic rights. (ILKHA)