 |
| Mehdi Neimi, an activist and volunteer Turkish language teacher. |
"The government saw that among the ethnic groups and nations demanding their rights, the Kurds are the closest to them. This is because they consider Kurdish a branch of the Iranian languages," said Mehdi Neimi in an interview with Voice of America, explaining the internal factors that led to the introduction of Kurdish language and literature in higher education institutions.
Cultural activist and Turkish language teacher Mehdi Neimi evaluates whether this move could be a step towards the inclusion of other non-Persian languages in Iranian universities, alongside discussing the details of the Kurdish language program.
Neimi does not believe that Turkish language and literature will receive a similar privilege and also touches upon both internal and external factors that led to the introduction of Kurdish studies.
"The Kurdish language and literature program has enrolled 40 students, who will receive a bachelor's degree. Those who succeed in the 2015 Konkur (Iran’s university entrance exam) will have the opportunity to choose this field. Additionally, Kurdish language and literature will be taught as a two-credit course at the Islamic Azad University in Sanandaj, the capital of the province. A Kurdistan Research Center will also be established at the university," Neimi explained, providing details about the new initiative.
Neimi, who has taught in Turkish language classes organized by students not only in Iranian Azerbaijan but also in other regions of the country, does not believe that similar conditions will be provided for Turkish language and literature.
He attributes the inclusion of Kurdish in higher education to certain political and historical factors related to the Kurdish people and their language, stating:
"Currently, Kurdish groups are at the center of attention in the Middle East, and as far as we know, European and other powers are behind them. They want to keep these groups in the spotlight and use them as instruments to implement their policies. These groups have gained certain advantages in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey."
Neimi also explains the internal factors influencing this decision:
"Ethnic groups and nations in Iran are making serious efforts to achieve their rights. The government saw that the Kurds might be the closest among these ethnic groups. Because their language is considered one of the Iranian languages, this opportunity given to the Kurdish language is actually considered an opportunity given to a branch of Iranian languages."
The Azerbaijani Turkish language teacher emphasizes that Turks and the Turkish language hold a different status in this context:
"This right will not be easily granted to Turks because Turkish is considered an entirely different language—seen as foreign and alien. Turks make up more than half of Iran’s population and ruled the country for nearly a thousand years after Islam. They fear that granting or recognizing this right for Turks might be perceived as a step towards bringing them back to power. For this reason, unless an unshakable force emerges—which has not yet happened—the government will not recognize such a right for Turks."
He also points to the role of Kurdish activists and compares their methods with those of Turkish activists:
"Kurdish activists engage with the government from within... But among Turkish activists, there is a sense of detachment. Our activists do not participate in the central political system, nor do they even approach it. To be fair, they are also not allowed to do so. This could be for two reasons: either we lack the ability to engage in this way, or the government has no intention of allowing us in."
Mehdi Neimi also shared his thoughts with Voice of America regarding the so-called “Azerbaijan Cultural, Art, and Literature Organization,” which was allegedly established in place of the “Turkish Language Institution” promised by Hassan Rouhani in Azerbaijan’s provinces. He stated that Turkish language is not included in this institution and that the government has deceived the Turkish population:
"The statute of the Azerbaijan organization does not mention the Turkish language at all. This is what the institution’s secretary himself says. I believe the government tricked the people and gained their votes. Most likely, they will do the same in the upcoming parliamentary elections to secure the votes of the Turkish nation again. But after a few more years, nothing will change once again."
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Mehdi Nəimi: Hakimiyyət türkcəni özgə dil kimi görür