President Masoud Barzani Participates in International Symposium Honoring Melaye Ciziri

President Masoud Barzani Participates in International Symposium Honoring Melaye Ciziri

President Masoud Barzani on Saturday attended the International Melaye Ciziri Symposium in the Cizre district of Turkey’s Sirnak province, joining scholars and cultural figures celebrating the legacy of the renowned Kurdish poet.

Barzani described his participation as a deeply meaningful moment, calling Melaye Ciziri “a brilliant and eternal symbol of Kurdish heritage.”

“It is one of the happiest days of my life to attend the fourth symposium dedicated to Melaye Ciziri,” Barzani said. “Ciziri is a bright star that will never fade. His poetry never ages, and the more one explores his work, the more connected one feels to him.”

During his remarks, Barzani recited several verses from Ciziri’s collection, emphasizing the poet’s philosophical depth and moral influence.

Symposium Highlights Ciziri’s Ethical Thought

This year’s two-day event is held under the theme “Mullah Jaziri’s Understanding of Ethics,” focusing on the poet’s contributions to literature, philosophy, and Kurdish cultural identity. The symposium has drawn wide participation, including 111 academics from 23 Turkish universities and 16 international contributors from the Kurdistan Region, Iran, Syria, and Germany.

Barzani Voices Support for Turkey–PKK Peace Process

In comments addressing ongoing political developments in Turkey, Barzani expressed optimism about the renewed peace efforts aimed at resolving decades of conflict.

“We were pleased with the beginning of the process, and we can see that this time it has advanced well because the people, the parliament, and all political parties are supporting the state,” he noted.

Barzani thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and members of parliament for “opening the door to peace,” calling it “the correct and wise decision.”

He also acknowledged the role of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. “Ocalan has taken positive steps,” Barzani said, adding that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) strongly supports the peace initiative.

Context of the Peace Initiative

In February, Abdullah Ocalan called on PKK members to lay down arms and dissolve the organization he founded in 1978. The group complied by May, later rebranding as the Kurdistan Freedom Movement. It has since taken further steps to advance reconciliation, including withdrawing fighters from strategic areas such as Mount Zap in Duhok province.

A Turkish parliamentary commission established to oversee PKK disarmament held its first meeting with Ocalan earlier this week. The 51-member body is tasked with creating a legal structure for negotiations between Ankara and the Kurdish movement.

On Thursday, a senior official from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party reiterated that Ocalan should be permitted direct communication with the public and political actors to help ensure transparency and public support for the peace process.