Following Abdullah Öcalan's "Peace and Democratic Society Call" on February 27, a panel discussion was organized at Kobanê University on May 31. The panel was also attended online by Ömer Öcalan, a member of parliament for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Urfa province and a nephew of the Kurdish leader.

During the panel, university academics, lecturers, students, and staff conveyed their greetings to Abdullah Öcalan. Shortly after, DEM Party MP Ömer Öcalan conveyed these greetings to his uncle during a family visit held at Imralı on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on June 7.

Following the meeting, Ömer Öcalan stated, “Mr. Öcalan sent his special greetings to the teachers, academics, students, and all staff of Kobanê University.”

A dream has come true

Nivyana Mihemed Mislim, a lecturer at the Kobanê University Folklore Center, stated that this exchange of greetings holds historical significance for them: “We held a meeting some time ago. During the meeting, we sent our greetings to Mr. Öcalan. It was a dream for us that our greetings would reach him. But this dream has come true. Mr. Öcalan’s greeting has made us very happy.”

An indescribable feeling

Mislim stated that Öcalan’s message deeply moved her: “When I heard it, I could not contain my happiness and started clapping. My eyes filled with tears. It is very difficult to describe that moment. Our hope is to see Leader Öcalan among us one day and have a heartfelt meeting with him.”

Great responsibility, great honor

Hiva Mihemed Elî, Vice Rector in charge of Administrative Affairs at the university, emphasized that Öcalan’s message was received with great joy by the university community. She said, “Leader Öcalan has sent his greetings directly to Kobanê University for the first time. This is both a source of happiness and honor for us.”

Hiva Mihemed Elî stated that they provide education in line with Abdullah Öcalan’s perspective and paradigm, adding, “This message also places a great responsibility on us. We are determined to rebuild ourselves and to advance our university based on Leader Öcalan’s ideas. His greetings have made us very happy and honored us.”