Iraqi Minister Confirms Kurdish Language to Remain in Exams After Controversial Ban

Iraqi Justice Ministry's Media

Iraqi Justice Minister Khalid Shwani.

A controversial decision by Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to ban the use of Kurdish in university examinations in disputed territories has triggered widespread protests. However, Iraqi Justice Minister Khalid Shwani has assured the public that the issue is being resolved and that exams will proceed as they have in previous years.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 26 July 2025, Minister Shwani said: "Today, in a telephone conversation with the Minister of Higher Education, we discussed the recent directive issued by the Ministry regarding the exclusive use of Arabic in the examinations at Kirkuk University and other institutions. This included a ban on translating exam questions or responding in Kurdish. Fortunately, the Minister of Higher Education has taken steps to resolve the matter."

He confirmed that university examinations would be conducted using the same mechanism applied in previous years, allowing for the use of the Kurdish language.

The original decision — Decree No. 6496, issued on 16 July 2025 — banned the use of Kurdish in higher education institutions located in Kurdistani areas outside the administration of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The move was met with immediate backlash from students, educators, and political representatives.

Kurdish MPs and government officials in Baghdad have since been actively working to overturn the decision and ensure compliance with Article 4 of the Iraqi Constitution, which recognises Kurdish as an official language alongside Arabic.

The disputed areas, often referred to as the “in-between areas,” encompass Kirkuk, Sinjar, Tal Afar, Khanaqin, and others. These regions are characterised by ethnically and religiously diverse populations—including Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen—and contain significant oil and gas reserves. Under the former Ba’ath regime, Arabisation policies forcibly displaced many Kurds, replacing them with Arab settlers. Article 140 was designed to address the complex identity and administrative issues of these areas, mandating a process of normalisation, census, and referendum to determine their final status.

A group of scholars has issued a memorandum entitled “Call to Protect the Respect of the Kurdish Language in Iraq,” criticising the decision as unconstitutional and unlawful. The statement asserts that the ban deprives Kurdish-speaking students of their right to seek clarification and engage in academic discussions in their native language.

“We believe this approach poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and directly contravenes the laws in force, as well as Iraq’s permanent constitution,” the memorandum stated. “Arabic and Kurdish are both recognised as official languages of the Republic of Iraq, and no state institution has the authority to restrict the use of either.”

The signatories noted that the directive specifically targets universities in the disputed territories, which fall under the scope of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution. They warned that the decision could exacerbate ethnic tensions in regions already marked by historical sensitivities and unresolved grievances.

“This move risks deepening divisions between Kurdish and Arab communities,” the statement said, “at a time when efforts should be directed towards resolving, not inflaming, such issues.”

For its part, the General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has rejected the decision, describing it as both a clear violation of the Iraqi Constitution and a troubling escalation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Board noted that the ministry’s directive contravenes Article 4 of the Constitution, which recognises Kurdish as an official language of Iraq. "It is deeply concerning that a major institution such as the Ministry of Higher Education would issue such a directive so publicly and formally. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue — our students in the Kurdistani areas face this challenge every year," the statement read.

The Board emphasised that what distinguishes this year's development is the issuance of an official letter enshrining this unconstitutional move. "We, as the General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region, categorically reject any measure that violates the Constitution," the statement continued.



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