Kurdish Press Day: History, Challenges, and Future Prospects
April 27, 2025, 2:27 pm

Kurdish Press Day: History, Challenges, and Future Prospects

يوم الصحافة الكردية: تاريخ.. تحديات.. وآفاق المستقبل

Introduction: The Kurdish people celebrate Kurdish Press Day on April 22 every year, a day that reflects the commitment of Kurdish journalists to the national, cultural, and social issues of their people. This day carries a long history of struggle for freedom of expression and the right to convey opinions, and is celebrated as a recognition of the role of the press in raising social and political awareness in Kurdish regions.

History of Kurdish Journalism: Kurdish journalism has undergone a long journey filled with challenges and difficulties, beginning in the late 19th century with the establishment of the newspaper "Kurdistan" by the Kurdish journalist and politician Celadet Bedir Khan in 1898 in Cairo. This newspaper was a significant step in the history of Kurdish journalism, playing a prominent role in raising cultural and political awareness among the Kurdish people in various parts of the Middle East.

Despite the difficulties and censorship imposed by authoritarian regimes in many countries, Kurdish journalism continued its struggle against marginalization, contributing to the dissemination of Kurdish issues and documenting Kurdish identity, while conveying the pains and dreams of the Kurdish people to the world.

Importance of Kurdish Journalism: Kurdish journalism is one of the essential pillars in preserving Kurdish cultural identity. It is not merely a means of distributing news but serves as a tool for education, awareness, and resistance. Through journalism, the Kurdish people have been able to document their suffering in the face of oppression and displacement, defending their just causes before the world. Moreover, Kurdish journalism has played a vital role in raising awareness among the new generation about national issues and cultural heritage.

Today, Kurdish journalism works to promote the Kurdish language in the media and to develop its vocabulary and modernize its methods to keep pace with political and social transformations. Furthermore, Kurdish journalism in the diaspora is considered part of the global Kurdish movement that seeks to draw attention to Kurdish issues on international platforms.

Challenges Facing Kurdish Journalism:Despite the numerous achievements of Kurdish journalism, it still faces many challenges. Among the most notable challenges are government censorship and the imposition of restrictions on press freedom in many countries that contain Kurdish minorities, such as Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Kurdish journalists are often compelled to work in environments lacking basic freedoms, exposing them to threats, harassment, and arrests.

Kurdish journalism also faces economic challenges, with many newspapers and magazines relying on limited support from the state or civil society organizations. This significantly affects its independence and ability to provide diverse and independent media content.

Future Prospects: Despite the challenges, the prospects for Kurdish journalism appear bright. With technological advances, digital media has become a major means of conveying news and information, providing Kurdish journalism with a new platform to reach a broader audience worldwide. Websites and social media contribute to raising awareness about Kurdish issues and expanding interaction with a diverse audience.

Kurdish journalists continue to struggle for freedom of expression, and over time, it is expected that Kurdish journalism will witness further progress and development, including the strengthening of independent Kurdish media institutions and enhancing their technical and media capabilities.

Conclusion: Kurdish Press Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Kurdish journalism despite adversity. It is a day to honor the free word that has challenged all forms of oppression and simultaneously serves as a call for Kurdish journalists around the world to continue their struggle for freedom and justice. This day remains a reminder that journalism is not just a tool for transmitting news but is also a means to build collective awareness and a voice for those whose voices are not heard.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”