Indictment targets mullahs in Istanbul for using Kurdish terms ‘adopted’ by PKK

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An indictment recently prepared by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office targets dozens of Kurdish mullahs for using their mother tongue’s terms which have allegedly been adopted by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), claiming that these words are not used by Kurds in the country. 

As part of recent investigations against the opposition-held Istanbul municipality for allegedly recruiting people affiliated to terrorist organizations, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment against Religious Scholars Mutual Aid and Solidarity Association (DIAYDER) which is consisted of Kurdish mullah who preach during Friday congregational prayers and funerals. 

The 335-page indictment, a copy of which has been obtained by Rudaw English, claims that DIAYDER is affiliated to the PKK and allegedly follows instructions of the armed group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan. The PKK, which struggles for increased cultural and political rights of Kurds in Turkey, is considered a terrorist group by Ankara. 

Kurdish common words like civak (community), parastin (protection), jiyan (life), aşiti (peace), taybet (special), ol (religion), bersiv (answer), and rojhilat (east) are among terms the indictment claims “are not used by people” but “used and adopted” by the PKK. 

Kurdish language is banned in formal settings in Turkey and usage of certain words like “Kurdistan” may put someone in jail for years. Kurdish music is sometimes targeted as well for allegedly propagating for the PKK. 

“Unfortunately, your ignorance and hatred towards the Kurdish language and Kurds has reached the highest point,” Kurdish Language and Culture Network said in a tweet, attaching part of the indictment about Kurdish terms. “If they can, they will write our grammar as well.” 

Mehmet Emin Ekmen, deputy leader of the Turkish opposition Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), tweeted in Kurdish, using the terms which the indictment claims are affiliated to the PKK. 

The trial of 23 people affiliated to the Kurdish religious association will begin on February 18. Nine of them have been detained, reported state media on December 24. The indictment seeks the sentencing of each of the mullahs to up to 15 years for “being a member of an armed terrorist organization” and “knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization.” 

The indictment claims that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, held by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), employed these clergymen as imam who also bathed the deceased as per Islamic tradition. It adds that DIAYDER aided the families affiliated to the PKK. 

Turkish interior ministry said on December 26 that it is investigating the recruitment of hundreds of “terrorists” by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipalitym including 455 affiliated to the PKK.