The Kurdish Academy has demanded the reversal of a recent decision that bans the Kurdish language in universities located in Kirkuk, Mosul, and Diyala. The directive came from the Ministry of Higher Education and sparked immediate outrage across Kurdish communities.
In a strong statement, the Academy condemned the policy, calling it racist and unconstitutional. The decision directly affects Kurdish students in areas outside the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) administration. These students previously had the right to answer university exams in Kurdish, based on a policy established in 2010. Now, that right has been revoked.
The Academy urged the ministry to apologize to the Kurdish people and restore their linguistic rights. They warned that the decision violated Article 4 of the constitution, which clearly designates Kurdish as one of the country’s two official languages. That article also ensures the right to mother-tongue education in all public institutions.
This policy change targets key regions that fall within the constitutionally recognized Kurdistani territories —areas whose status remains unresolved. Students from these regions, often educated in Kurdish, now face academic hardship. The shift is seen as a direct attack on Kurdish identity.
Furthermore, lawmakers in Baghdad are voicing strong opposition. MP Dr. Nahla Qadir Muhammad Al-Afandi rejected the order outright. Her office stated that education policies must honor constitutional rights, not undermine them. She emphasized that the constitution guarantees equal treatment for all ethnic and linguistic groups, including Kurds, Turkmen, Syriacs, and Armenians.
Dr. Al-Afandi declared that legal measures will be taken if the ministry refuses to reverse the directive. She stressed that no federal body has the authority to override rights granted by the constitution. According to her, the move not only marginalizes Kurdish students but also undermines national unity.
The issue continues to gain traction. Kurdish institutions, students, and lawmakers remain united in their call for immediate action. They insist that Kurdish linguistic rights be protected, especially in regions with large Kurdish populations.