What We Kurds Call the Jina Revolution, Iranians Know Only as the Mahsa Movement

Introduction
Two years ago, Jina Amini, a young Kurdish woman from Saqqez, fell into a coma and eventually lost her life after being severely tortured while detained by the Guidance Patrol for not adhering to mandatory hijab laws. Jina’s death not only plunged her family and friends into grief but also ignited a wave of outrage and protests across Iran, particularly among the Kurds. After her burial in Saqqez, the people of Kurdistan gathered in protest at her gravesite, leading to widespread strikes throughout the region. On that very day, these protests quickly grew into a massive movement, which we Kurds refer to as the "Jina Revolution."

This revolution was born out of the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" — a slogan deeply rooted in Kurdish political, social, and cultural history. The movement swiftly transcended the borders of Kurdistan and Iran, resonating across the Middle East and Europe. Philosophers like Slavoj Žižek have described it as a novel transformation in world history, akin to the French Revolution, which with its slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," deeply impacted human society. However, the revolution of "Woman, Life, Freedom," which stems from the political and cultural struggles of the Kurds, is conceptually far broader and more profound. Yet, this slogan and its deeper meaning have not been as widely recognized or understood by other peoples in Iran as they have been by the Kurds, for whom it carries a rich historical and cultural significance.

Kurdish Struggles: History and Distinctions
As a nation spread across four countries — Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria — the Kurds have long faced cultural and political repression. This suppression has persisted due to the strategic geographical location of Kurdistan and the national identity of the Kurdish people. What sets the Kurds apart from other groups in the region, however, is the pivotal role that women have played in their freedom struggles.

Kurdish women have not only emerged as powerful figures in cultural and social domains but have also been instrumental in political and defensive fronts. During the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Kurdish women actively participated alongside men in protests and struggles. This prominent role continued after the revolution, with Kurdish women directly and indirectly participating in the fight against the Iranian government’s discriminatory policies during the years of intense repression by the Islamic Republic.

The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" reflects this long and complex history of Kurdish women's struggles. These women have not only fought for their individual freedom but have also sought the restoration of national rights and the cultural identity of the Kurdish people. This slogan is more than just a phrase; it has become a way of life for the Kurds, where human existence is inextricably linked to women’s freedom and the revival of cultural and national identity.

The Impact of Pahlavi and Islamic Republic Policies
The policies of the Pahlavi regime, based on the slogan "One Nation, One Country," aimed to homogenize Iran’s culture and language, which in turn marginalized various ethnic and national identities, particularly those of the Kurds. Pahlavi's centralist policies sought to present a unified concept of Iran as a singular nation, suppressing the language, culture, and identity of Kurds and other ethnic groups.

With the rise of the Islamic Republic, not only did these policies continue, but they also intensified. The new regime, utilizing religious ideology, attempted to impose a single religious identity upon all the ethnic groups and nations of Iran. Among these groups, the Kurds, who were marginalized not only because of their national identity but also due to their Sunni majority, were subjected to even greater pressures.

The Iranian opposition, which remains highly decentralized and fragmented, has often failed to fully grasp the national and cultural demands of Iran’s diverse peoples, including the Kurds.

Many opposition groups have continued to operate within a centralist framework and have not adequately recognized the depth and breadth of Kurdish and other ethnic demands. As a result, what we Kurds recognize as the "Jina Revolution" has been perceived by many Iranians as merely a protest against mandatory hijab laws.

Kurdistan's Activities on the Anniversary of the Jina Revolution
On September 25th, two years after the death of Jina Amini, Kurdistan called for a general strike to remember Jina and protest the Islamic Republic’s oppressive policies. All shops, workshops, schools, and universities in Kurdistan closed, and people stayed home as a symbol of solidarity and resistance. This widespread strike demonstrated the unity and determination of the Kurdish people in the face of government repression.

While Kurdistan participated in the strike in a well-organized and widespread manner, such reactions were scarcely seen in other parts of Iran. Protests that emerged in Iran after Jina’s death quickly subsided, and only a few Iranian activists continued to show sporadic support for the movement. For many Iranians, it seems this movement has been understood merely as a protest against hijab laws, and as time passed, it has been largely forgotten.

Conclusion
For us Kurds, the Jina Revolution goes far beyond a protest against a single law or restriction. This revolution symbolizes a long and complex struggle for our national, cultural, and human rights. The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" aptly reflects that our demands extend far beyond mere improvements to hijab laws or other surface-level issues. We seek the freedom of women, the restoration of our national identity, and a dignified life for all Kurds and other oppressed nations.

We expect the global community and political and human rights activists to fully support the national and democratic rights of all the peoples and ethnic groups in Iran. As the Kurdish nation, relying on the principles of human rights and national rights, we call on the international community to view Iran and its issues through a broader lens. Despite the image of Iran as a unified country, it is in fact home to six nations with distinct cultures, identities, and languages. This cultural and national diversity, which has always been suppressed by various governments, is Iran’s greatest internal challenge and must be given special attention.

Although the Islamic Republic presents itself as a religious and populist government, in reality, it is a totalitarian regime. Not only does it engage in internal repression, but it is also known as the biggest supporter of terrorist groups in the region and the world. We Kurds know well that achieving freedom and justice in Iran and the region will only be possible when this oppressive regime is dismantled and various nations are able to live peacefully and justly together, while preserving their identities and cultures.