Efforts Underway to Integrate Kurdish Letters Into Iraqi Documents
At a Glance
- An official effort is underway to integrate unique Kurdish letters into Iraq’s electronic systems and official documents.
- PUK MP Pola Sirwan submitted a memorandum to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior on the issue.
- The initiative focuses on technical problems affecting Kurdish names, including in Article 140 disputed territories.
- The Interior Ministry’s undersecretary endorsed the memorandum and referred it to the ministry's legal department.
An official effort is underway in Iraq to address technical limitations that prevent the use of unique Kurdish letters in electronic systems and official documents.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- Official Documents: The initiative seeks to enable Kurdish lettering on national ID cards, passports, information cards, and food ration cards.
- Constitutional Basis: The memorandum cites Article 4, Section 1 of Iraq’s Constitution, which recognizes Kurdish as an official language alongside Arabic.
Pola Sirwan, a Member of the Iraqi Parliament representing the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan faction, submitted an official memorandum to the Ministry of Interior seeking a fundamental solution to technical problems preventing the use of unique Kurdish letters.
The memorandum also addresses administrative complications that have affected citizens’ personal names for years and calls for accurate Kurdish lettering across official documents and electronic systems.
The initiative has a particular focus on the disputed territories covered by Article 140.
The memorandum received administrative endorsement from the Iraqi Undersecretary of the Interior and was referred to the ministry’s legal department for follow-up and implementation.
The document argues that the absence of specific Kurdish letters from state electronic systems extends beyond a technical limitation, citing the constitutional status of Kurdish as an official language.
The memorandum highlights examples of Kurdish names being altered because of limitations in electronic systems.
Zhiyan, meaning “Life,” may be converted to Ziyan, meaning “Harm.”
Pishtiwan, meaning “Supporter,” may be converted to Bishtiwan.
Rizgar, meaning "liberated," may be converted to Rizkar.
Gawhar, meaning "jewel," may be converted to Kuhar.
FYI
Article 4, Section 1 of Iraq’s Permanent Constitution recognizes Arabic and Kurdish as the two official languages of Iraq.
The initiative seeks to address the administrative and technical barriers affecting the accurate use of Kurdish letters and names across state documents and electronic systems.
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