Institutions Add Kurdish to Official Signs in Rojava as Support Grows for Preserving Historical Place Names

SOHR's Website

Adoption of the Kurdish language on signage in Rojava.

Several official institutions across Rojava, northeastern Syria, have begun displaying Kurdish alongside Arabic on public signs, amid growing public calls to preserve the historical names of Kurdish cities and ensure their official recognition.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the changes come as demonstrations continue across the region demanding that traditional city names be recognised in official documents and government records.

In the city of al-Jawadiyah (Çil Axa), the local post office has updated its sign to include the Kurdish name "Çil Axa" alongside the Arabic name. The move followed protests from residents after the office initially displayed only "al-Jawadiyah" upon its opening. Local residents argued that the Kurdish name is an integral part of the city's historical and cultural identity.

A new bilingual sign has also been erected at the entrance to Kobani, at the Sarin junction in the north-eastern Aleppo countryside, displaying the city's name in both Kurdish and Arabic. The development has been widely welcomed by local residents.

Kurdish has also been added alongside Arabic on signs at several government institutions, including the Palace of Justice in Qamishli and post offices in the city of Hasakah.

These developments coincide with growing public opposition to efforts to replace the name "Kobani" with "Ayn al-Arab". In Qamishli, residents, activists and representatives of civil society organisations gathered in a solidarity rally, reaffirming their commitment to the name "Kobani" and rejecting any attempt to replace it. Participants described the name as an inseparable part of the city's history, identity and cultural heritage.

Large demonstrations were also held in Kobani and across several cities in Hasakah Governorate, including Qamishli, Amuda and Darbasiyah. Protesters called for the official adoption of the name "Kobani" in Syria's constitution, government documents and official records, while demanding the removal of the name "Ayn al-Arab".

Participants carried banners and chanted slogans calling for the preservation of the historical names of cities, respect for cultural diversity and recognition of the distinct identities of local communities.

Organisers said the demonstrations form part of a broader peaceful campaign to safeguard the region's historical and cultural identity. They pledged to continue their efforts until the name "Kobani" is formally recognised in Syria's constitution and official state records, noting that the campaign has attracted broad public support from people of all ages.



PUKMEDIA