Syria Recognizes Kurdish Language After Decades of Denial

After more than six decades of denied identity, Syria's Kurdish population just won recognition as an official part of the nation's fabric.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a sweeping decree Friday that designates Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic and allows schools to teach it for the first time. The move affects up to 1.5 million Kurds living in northeastern Syria who have faced discrimination for generations.

The decree reverses one of Syria's darkest chapters. A 1962 census in Hasakah province stripped many Kurds of their Syrian nationality, rendering them stateless in their own homeland. Friday's order restores citizenship to all affected residents, finally giving them access to basic rights like education, healthcare, and employment.

Schools can now teach Kurdish language and culture openly. The spring festival of Newroz becomes a paid national holiday. State institutions must adopt inclusive messaging, and anyone inciting ethnic strife faces penalties.

The timing matters deeply. Just days before the decree, fierce clashes in Aleppo left 23 people dead and forced tens of thousands to flee. The violence highlighted Syria's fragile unity after 14 years of civil war and the December 2024 overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Kurdish forces withdrew from Aleppo on Friday, and the Syrian army took control Saturday. The decree came amid these tense negotiations, signaling a potential path forward through recognition rather than conflict.

The Ripple Effect

This breakthrough could reshape how minority communities across the Middle East advocate for their rights. Millions of Kurds live in neighboring Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, often facing similar restrictions on language and cultural expression.

While Kurdish leaders called the decree "a first step" that doesn't fully satisfy their hopes, it represents tangible progress. Rights enshrined in law, even temporary decrees, create foundations for permanent constitutional protections.

For families who couldn't register births, attend university, or own property because of their ethnicity, Friday's decree means their children might grow up as recognized citizens. It means speaking Kurdish in public without fear. It means their culture belongs.

Syria's new government promised to unify the country under one leadership. This decree shows unity doesn't require erasure.