Biji Kurdistan


Biji Kurdistan is a popular slogan expressing Kurdish patriotism and support for the independence of Kurdistan. The phrase is widely used in Kurdish nationalist and cultural movements.
Despite its Kurdish nationalist nature, the president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, shouted the phrase during his trip to Sanandaj in 2022. In Turkey, Its use has led to legal repercussions; in 2024, a Kurdish academic was detained for posting it online, and another was warned by a university for similar actions. Critics argue that criminalizing the slogan violates freedom of speech and stifles peaceful dialogue.

Usage and significance

"Biji Kurdistan" is chanted during political rallies, festivals, and activism, symbolizing Kurdish unity and resistance. It is prominent in diaspora activism, such as weekly vigils in abroad demanding freedom for Abdullah Öcalan. The phrase gained additional significance during celebrations of Kurdish resistance against the Islamic State in 2014.